But he got a chance to get a demo from Rosie on her reading skills. Which even with Dick & Jane requires a lot of patience.
C was at City of Hope yesterday for the vincristine push and also for a pre-radiation scan. He was very moved by every nurse and doctor that remarked on how terrific his MRI from last week was. Each one made a point of telling him how remarkable that progress is. That was a big boost, and really touches me.
Radiation technology is now a 3-D approach, not only focusing on tumor in the line of the beam, but where it is along the length of the beam. This reduces collateral damage. He was told of the side-effects - damage to salivary glands, very sore throat, slightly burned skin, dehydration, etc. - and also the need to maintain his weight. So that is definitely a main focus - how to keep his calorie intake up. It's essential.
While he was there they custom-fitted him for a mask that will hold his head in precise position for the repeated radiation treatments - 30 of them. They place a mesh soaked in goo over his face which hardens into a custom fit. He even got a small, permanent tattoo on his sternum to help position him in the machine.
The schedule ahead is daunting. Starting on the 26th he has radiation Monday through Friday, for six weeks. Simultaneous with this is two rounds of irino - one the first week and one during the third. He is dreading this. It is truly a hideous drug in terms of it's effects on the patient. We are attempting to make some plan to help C with general care, and also how to get to all these appointments - out in Duarte. We are looking into on-site apartments, but they are in short supply, and generally for hospice care. It's really a huge logistical challenge. If there are locals out there that could possibly help with some of this transportation contact us. We're putting together a calendar to try to manage - help from the next circle of friends might make it doable.
So that's where we are right now. Hopeful at the success of treatment so far, and challenged by the treatment still to come.
I got this tag photo in from Quinn. At The Integratron out in the high-desert near where we both have getaways. There's a long-standing mystical community out there in the desert, where alternative ideas abound. Everything from the foundations of reality to Separatist "Don't Tread On Me" types, with school buses pulled into a circle and a Jolly Roger flying overhead. Anything can be explored without too much intrusion from the cynical mainstream. Here's Quinn's note:
"What a BEAUTIFUL structure! A perfectly calibrated dome that resonates sounds "like being inside of a cello." You lie down on blankets, and shut your eyes while a woman uses a mallet on crystal bowls (like a wet finger on the edge of a glass) to make harmonic and dis-harmonic tones. Very out-of-body.
"What was interesting (besides all of it) is that the woman started by talking about the great power of that physical location -- magnetic forces combining -- and how that is intensified by the structure of the dome. And how vibration is transformative -- the purity of the crystal of the bowls sending true tonal resonance at very specific "cellular" levels. She said that whatever thoughts we had while in the sound bath would be intensified and realized. That usually she suggests that the participants set an intention. But for THAT day, she wanted to set the intention for all of us. She asked us to hold in our hearts and in our minds A VISION OF RADIANT HEALTH.
"Pure love and health sent out into the universe."
We'll take it. Add it to the growing list of ways that people focus their spirit on this challenge - healing our brother. We are grateful to all of you - to the universe.
I have no idea what lies beyond. I know there is power out there. Whether it's some omniscient being, or the force of nature from which we all spring, or the power of the love and support we all create as a group. I have no idea, but personally I'm open to all of it.
Bring on the Integratron.
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