Monday, May 9, 2011

Second Strike

So two tumors down (right arm lymph node and a metastasis on my left hip), and the second strike was radiation on the right orbital mass today.  At Sylvester CCC in Deerfield I'll be receiving a total of 10 low dose radiation treatments  on the orbit which will hopefully stop the growth, or even shrink, the size of the mass.  This is palliative, meaning that it does nothing against cancer overall to make me well but alleviates the symptoms and stops potential problems.  The only problem with my right eye is the mass and the sheer size of it pressing on my eyeball and eye muscles.  This has caused proptosis - a pushing out of the eye ball - as well as blurry vision from a bent optical nerve and limited upgaze because the mass is inhibiting the muscle below the eye from allowing it free movement up.  When I look up my right eye only goes so far while my left just keeps on going.  This causes double vision, most notably when watching a TV above a bar, and strange looks from observers who see this happen (it's quite odd looking).  Treatment is a direct beam of radiation - low enough intensity to spare the optical nerve (I hope) but strong enough to bake Bob (that's what we call the eye tumor).  This, of course, requires high precision alignment of the beam because we're talking millimeters of placement and angles.  To accomplish this they made a custom mask (seen here) for me that holds down my head in a vise-like grip to the table while in the machine.  It looks like a medieval torture device but it's not all that horrible.  However, I had trouble breathing with it on and after a while - they were setting up for a bit on my initial treatment - I started to panic and feel claustrophobic.  Deep breathing was out of the question as I could not draw deep breaths so I tried to focus on happy thoughts.  The main one came to fruition when the red lights started to flash and the beam was turned on.  All I could think was "burn, baby, burn."  I think we are getting cancer's attention.

8 comments:

  1. Here's to Bob feeling the heat! Go Bro Go!

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  2. Down with Bob! Our thoughts and prayers as well.
    Elizabeth and Ted

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  3. Be gone with Bob! Even more power to you William
    All of our love
    Tracy

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  4. Get lost Bob! Go get'em Tiger!
    Dad & Urs

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  5. Bob Be Gone!!! We are thinking of you William - Get Bob!!!

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  6. Burn Bob away for good! Stay tuff William. We love you and will see you next week. Love Moe and Don

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  7. Wondering how you're doing, keep us updated! Love you!

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  8. Hi William:
    Caroline contacted us and informed us of your disease and your blog. We will be watching with anticipation. We have always respected you for your gentle side, but we are impressed with your kick ass side. We wish you all the best. Determination is half the battle.

    Pam & Al

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