And Now We Have a Plan

We're back from seeing the radiation oncologist and we've got a plan. It isn't what we were expecting (gamma knife). I'm going to start getting whole brain radiation (wbr) tomorrow. From the sound of it, the cancer isn't growing in clumps, but in sheets, so it doesn't lend itself to gamma knife. Having wbr after having the partial brain radiation I had in November isn't ideal, but it is the best option (according to the doctor). There is a chance of damage to my cerebellum (since it will be getting radiated again). The cerebellum controls balance and coordination, so we'll just see how that goes. Radiating the front of my brain may leave me with some short term memory issues, but since I'm in good shape now she doesn't seem overly worried that I'll have serious issues (just things like forgetting my keys - and I do that already!). I'm not excited at the prospect of having to go and get radiated every day for 10 days (not including weekends), but I am relieved that it can get started quickly and my doctor expects my symptoms (headaches) should ease after just a couple of treatments.

Having a plan is good. I know I'll get radiation for the next two weeks or so and then I'll wait 6-8 weeks before I get another brain scan. Here's hoping this time it really works!!