I finally had my consultation with the radiation doctor today about zapping my tumor into oblivion. My expectation was that they would put me on a table, point the radiation toward the tumor and kill it in about five days. I was very wrong. It’s about a hundred times more complicated. The doctor explained the various ways he could radiate the tumor while avoiding other body parts. His favorite is a new procedure called VMAT or “Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy.” It’s basically radiating in an arc around the curvature of the rib. Since radiation doesn’t bend, he plans to do a series of straight line bursts from different locations and at different angles so that the result is in the shape of an arc. He drew a bunch of lines that reminded me of a graphic toy called the “Spirograph.”
The frustrating part of this is I still don’t have a radiation schedule. Today was a consultation and I consented to do the procedure. Next Monday, he’s gong to do measurements of my upper body to make a cradle, then some day I’ll receive the actual radiation. As far as I’m concerned the sooner, the better. The radiation appointments will probably be every day for two weeks.
I’ve had so many week long delays and they are hard to deal with but when the doctor shows me the science, it’s understandable. There is a lot of calculating to do and they want to get it right. Who can argue with that?
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