Trip Summary
Well late Wednesday I began my flight to Seattle. I had a connecting flight in DFW, and true to form it was delayed for 45 min! I actually ran to my next gate, I surprised myself that I was able to run as well as I did. I haven't attempted anything that physical since the surgery. Since my flight to Seattle was also leaving DFW, it was delayed an hour before take-off (turns out I didn't need to run). I arrived at 2:00 AM Central time, met up with my Dad, and crashed at the local hotel.
Thursday: Appointment day. Still adjusting to Pacific time, I woke up at 6:00 AM. Once we made it to the hospital and met the staff I was very impressed with their radiology department and Dr. Laramore. Dad and I ate some lunch at a nearby mall and returned in time for the appointment for the planning CT scans.
The CT Scan process: They had me lay on a different kind of table then I am familiar with in Tulsa. I had to lay my legs onto a plastic bag filled with a substance that would cool and form a mold of my leg position. This way I will be able to always lay in the same position. Using a series of lasers, initial marks were made with a sharpee and the scans began. Once the scans were done I waited for the scans to be processed. The computed adjusted the location of the lasers for my anatomy and permanent marks were made with a tattoo needle by hand. These marks will be used at every treatment to ensure that the same tissue is shot with the neutron beam every time.
The best news of the day was that the new CT scans showed NO NEW CANCER!!!!!
The major risk of this treatment is that the radiation could damage my femur head and neck, however that is why they are so careful about my positioning. Otherwise I should just have some fatigue and possibly a sunburn effect on my skin.
After all the appointments were done, my Dad and I checked out Pike's Fish Market and had dinner.
Friday: The flight back had a layover in St. Louis, never been there before, but apparently they follow the same plan as DFW. My plane was about hour late, but it was good to be home.
I want everyone who sends me e-mails and has supported me and my family that we truly do appreciate it. I feel blessed to be a part of a community such as this.
Thursday: Appointment day. Still adjusting to Pacific time, I woke up at 6:00 AM. Once we made it to the hospital and met the staff I was very impressed with their radiology department and Dr. Laramore. Dad and I ate some lunch at a nearby mall and returned in time for the appointment for the planning CT scans.
The CT Scan process: They had me lay on a different kind of table then I am familiar with in Tulsa. I had to lay my legs onto a plastic bag filled with a substance that would cool and form a mold of my leg position. This way I will be able to always lay in the same position. Using a series of lasers, initial marks were made with a sharpee and the scans began. Once the scans were done I waited for the scans to be processed. The computed adjusted the location of the lasers for my anatomy and permanent marks were made with a tattoo needle by hand. These marks will be used at every treatment to ensure that the same tissue is shot with the neutron beam every time.
The best news of the day was that the new CT scans showed NO NEW CANCER!!!!!
The major risk of this treatment is that the radiation could damage my femur head and neck, however that is why they are so careful about my positioning. Otherwise I should just have some fatigue and possibly a sunburn effect on my skin.
After all the appointments were done, my Dad and I checked out Pike's Fish Market and had dinner.
Friday: The flight back had a layover in St. Louis, never been there before, but apparently they follow the same plan as DFW. My plane was about hour late, but it was good to be home.
I want everyone who sends me e-mails and has supported me and my family that we truly do appreciate it. I feel blessed to be a part of a community such as this.
posted by Andrew Molenda at 5:14 PM
2 Comments:
Glad your home and it's great to hear that Liam is doing well! I find myself stuck between your and Amy's blogs looking for updates. You two are two of the strongest parents in the world and your the greatest dad! It's amazing to see the courage that you have used over the last 2 plus years, bleed into Liam and the rest of your family during this trying time. LIVESTRONG
Best wishes to you Andrew, and all of your family. By beating this disease you will empower a lot of people.
Undoubtedly an added heavy burden on your shoulders, but failure is not an option.
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