Yesterday's Radiation Therapy (or RT as the clinic folks call it) turned out to be another planning session - this time in the actual radiation machine, doing a series of final checks against all the images that have been taken, calibrating the machine, adjusting Tom's position, putting some additional dots on him for their roadmap. He can bring his own music (CD's or MP3) to listen to while he receives treatment each day. Thomas and I are very impressed with how thorough, friendly and gentle the staff down in the Radiation Clinic are.
So, Tom's ACTUAL first radiation treatment will be today - Friday November 6. There was a bit of a mix up earlier in the week - we had gotten called in on Wednesday, but it was in error - so his start date was to be yesterday. However, we knew that they might need more adjustments, and that on the first day he may or may not actually receive a treatment.
We like the way the schedule has just happened to work out. By starting today, and having weekends and Remembrance Day off, it won't be until the week following that he'll receive 5 days of radiation back to back, which we are hoping will help ease him into it.
His blood counts were all really good yesterday. His platelets are actually up to 99 now, which means they will start the etoposide chemo in pill form next week. We have learned that people under 35 with underlying health conditions will be eligible next week on November 12 to receive the H1N1 vaccine, but it remains to be seen if his counts will be high enough for Dr. Haq to okay it.
Somehow or other you have to have faith that it will all work out.
Take care all, and have a great weekend,
Thomas' Mom
