Fitting Day

Doesn't' that sound like it would be something fun? At least girls might think so! Ha! Well, it wasn't. Dad went to Birmingham today to be fitted for his radiation mask. He did not see Dr. Spencer, but the radiology techs made and appointment for him to start on Nov. 4. I will confirm that date once I know it to be solid. Seems like a long way away to me. As you know, he has had radiation before and has had a "mask" as well. He said it wasn't that bad and he would much rather do radiation than chemo! Well, today proved to be a little different. Since these machines have constant CT scans going on everything is more intense. That, and the fact that he must be ABSOLUTELY still because the cancer is so close to the spinal cord, made for a whole new adventure. He said it was AWFUL! Dad can take a whole lot, and if he said this was bad, then trust me IT WAS BAD! He said the mask was so confining and went all the way down to his chest. They had to hold it there so long for it to mold and then he had to be put in the machine several times to get thing just right. Feeling a little uncomfortable, he said once he broke out in a sweat, it was time to call the nurses! They asked if he was "okay" and the answer was "no"! They got him through it, but prescribed a little "helper" pill to take 30 minutes before each treatment in the future. I am sure this is a fairly common occurrence for this type of treatment. As always, he made it through and was a trooper telling the story, but I'm sure he could live without if given the choice! So be in prayer for calmness and peace during these treatments as well as the apprehensive feelings he may encounter the first treatment.

So all is good and mom got to visit with the dogs they use in the waiting room to calm people. Yes, dogs. Mom and Simon (a dog) became good buddies today while she waited. :-)