Gamma rays can pierce through metal, so why not aim them at my brain?
As we covered last week, there was a lot going on during those first hours in the ER. I remember thinking, "Guess they aren't too busy tonight." Things moved so quickly because the emergency was me, a humbling feeling for someone who works in the ER. Within hours, one of the most respected neurosurgeons sat beside me on my bed. She looked me in the face, hugged me, and firmly told me I would be okay.
She was Godsent.
She hugged every person in the room with me, took my phone, and put in her number.
Godsent. She would be the one who would explain to me that those symptoms I had experienced just hours earlier were, in fact, a seizure. There were three tumors; the tumor on my right side was the largest; it had caused the most swelling; this led to pressure and a disruption in normal brain activity on the right side of my brain, explaining the symptoms experienced on the left side of my body. Acutely the symptoms would be managed with high-dose steroids and seizure medication, and surgery would not be needed. I recall thinking, okay, more severe than I thought; it turns out; it’s not anxiety.
I found this hat hysterical; it was met with mixed reviews.
How are we going to get rid of these brain tumors? May I introduce you to Gamma Knife Radiation (there's not a knife).
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, gamma rays are the most energetic light; think exploding stars meet the utter destruction of electrons and radioactive atoms.
I was about to meet the Central Nervous System Radiation Oncology Service Chief, also the Gamma Knife Program Medical Director.
How incredible that these medical scientists have developed such fine control of gamma rays to precisely point them at my brain tumors and melt them away. Yes, please.
This mask was made just for me (and you know how I love anything custom, sadly, there was no time to monogram).
I would lie on the table, and they would use the bolts on the side to lock me in place, start my music and tuck me in with a warm blanket.
I was released from the hospital on June 15th. By June 17th, they had me in my first of five gamma knife treatments. My treatments were short, lasting around 20 minutes. I would lay in the machine, close my eyes, and pray for God to continue to heal my body. My last treatment was on July 19th. They even let me take my custom mask home.
My courage
The whole family came for my last radiation. The kids got to spend time with the wonderful child-life department at UTSW, making shields of courage.
My Beautiful Brain
Every new MRI has revealed more and more healing. The largest tumor was on the right; it is a fraction of the size it was in June; the remaining tumors are no longer visible, and the swelling entirely resolved in September.
I will continue to have surveillance MRIs indefinitely. The prayer will remain that there is no progression with every scan and that I will ultimately have no evidence of disease.
