Monday, Sept 27, 2004 Maria successfully and bravely completed her PET (Positron Emission Tomography) Scan procedure today, which involved an IV injection of a radioactive substance for one hour, followed by a 45-minute body scan. Wednesday, Sept 29, 2004 Maria couragously underwent a Radiation Simulation procedure today, during which the radiation simulation therapists made a custom mold in which she will lie for her daily radiation treatments. They also took measurements of prominent bones to be used as reference points and marked her with special ink as well as "tattoos" (note to Maria's kids, don't get any ideas). All of these procedures will help the medical physicist and radiation dosimetrist ensure that the radiation is aimed in the appropriate place when her treatments begin. Maria was informed today that she will begin her 25-28 day radiation treatment schedule next Thursday, October 7th at 9:30am. She will receive a radiation treatment each weekday at 9:30am and will additionally meet with Dr. Myerson, her radiation oncologist every Monday. Maria also had blood drawn for the chemo clinical trial in which she will be participating (in approximately one week she will have the results back, which will show whether or not she is genetically resistance to her prescribed chemo drug, 5-FU. If she is resistant, they will add the drug Irinotecan to her chemo regiment). In addition, blood was drawn for the oncologists so that they have baseline measurements to compare against once the chemo and radiation treatments begin. (FYI, News Channel 5 anchor Karen Foss was also having blood drawn -- she's looks much taller in person -- she greeted us very pleasantly and summoned the elevator for us. Of course, having a brother who is a news anchor, we already knew that news personalities were nice!) |
Maria's Recovery Updates Week of September 27, 2004 |
