Me and My Shadow

Me and my perforated friend "Mesh". Kidding aside, this is the mask I wear during the treatments I am given. It holds my head and neck in place for the best angle to aim the radiation. You can see I am starting to get a double chin, I have been eating everything that i will not be able to eat once the eating normal foods become hard to swallow. I am expected to lose 20 pounds through this and i am taking stock. By the way, this mask fits so tightly that it leaves indentations in my skin.

Some Pics

Me in front of the Radiation Center where I receive my twice daily treatments.

Michelle's point of view

Chris is really excited about this blog and i think has more fun reading everyone's comments than posting about himself so I wanted to chime in while i have the chance.

As he already said, we were all here to go to his radiation appt on Friday. There was an entourage of women (Diane, Mom and I) with him while they got him ready on the machine. This is a picture of the position that he's in when they begin radiating his neck. It's sorta a plastic mesh material that holds him very still so they line up the precise area - and it actually locks onto the table itself. We all had to leave the room when they started up the machine that rotates back and forth with giving him his daily dose of radiation. The whole process took about 3 minutes. I'll be going back to his appt again tomorrow before I get on the plane to go back to Chicago.

I'm thankful we all got to spend this family time together...having fun eating, shopping and more eating! We spent the day downtown in Park City and are cooking a turkey dinner tonight here at their home. Better go...think it's happy hour time for and Diane and I - cheers!

One Week down.....

Well, one week down and six weeks to go. I don't have any side effects yet, but my neck is getting a slight tan. Right now my treatment schedule is twice a day, first at 7:30 am and the second is at 3:00 pm. I must have a minimum of six hours between treatments. I joined a gym this week, so in my down time I have something to do. I have been enjoying all my favorite foods these last few weeks, knowing most will be off limits in the near future. I feel like I'm not getting any treatment, as there are no side effects yet and I am in and out of there in ten minutes. I am told that within two and a half weeks I'll start feeling the side effects. I'll be sure to share them along the way. I'm feeling fine and optimistic about the cancer. I think we made the best choice and I'm feeling at peace about the radiation treatment.

My mom, Anne from San Jose, and sister, Michelle from Chicago, are visiting this weekend. They are here for a support boost! They came to my afternoon appointment and got to see the facility and how I receive the treatment. We then had a great day at Gardner Village, looking at the witches and shops, dining at Archibald's. It is all decorated for Halloween! Today it snowed here in Park City, earliest snowfall we have seen in four years we've lived here! More to follow next week, and pictures of the radiation facility.
Chris

First Day

Well I just came from Chris's radiation appointment. It was really interesting to see the machine and how they do the radiation. I was able to go back with him while they got Chris on the table and get him set up. They have a plastic mask with holes in it that goes over his head neck and shoulders. It is fitted. They created it last week, the plastic once in water becomes like paper and then placed on Chris. It then drys on his face and becomes hard again. Once they get him lined up to the machine myself and the techs step out and watch through a monitor how he gets the treatment. The machine is huge. It's rotates around Chris while he's on the table. Then a tech goes in and makes some adjustments and then they radiate again. He gets radiated on both sides of the neck. The staff there is really nice and great at explaining everything to me. It is really fast.

Looking forward this weekend for Anne and Michelle's visit. They too will get to see how the radiation is done.
I feel excited to finally have started the treatment, but feelings of insecurity do linger from time to time.
Diane

A brief history

For those friend and family who haven't been updated for a while I though I'd let you know what has been going on these past few months. Basically since October of last year Chris has been diagnosed with cancer of the voice box or cancer of the larynx. Since then we have been doing laser surgery to try and rid him of the cancer. Unfortunately it has never been completely successful and in August he had another biopsy that showed cancer cells. His doctor recommended radiation treatment. After several weeks of research, mostly done by family, (thanks so much Anne!) we debated between another surgery and radiation. Chris and I have decided to go with the radiation treatment. So for all our loving friends and family I though it would be a good idea to create this blog so we can keep everyone updated on how Chris is doing over the next few months. I hope this help those who are wondering whats been going on and keeps you apart of the support system Chris needs.
Diane