Radiation Consultation

Today Erika had a consultation with the radiologist regarding her radiation therapy treatment this Friday. Her treatment with be a total of 10 days, beginning this Friday, everyday except Sunday. To prepare for the treatment they made her a head mask to keep you mounted to the bed of the gamma ray machine. They also did another CT scan of her brain to plan for the treatment.

Erika's temperature has gone below 100 but at the night it goes back up to 101 to 102. Her neutrophil count is still 0, so no immunity. Her blood culture shows a small sign of an infection. She will be released from the hospital when her counts are back up and when she's clear from any infection. If her counts are not up by Friday, her radiation therapy will be pushed back to Monday. Erika is still in pain from the infection.

Trying to smile with pain

Pressing down the soft plastic mesh to form around her face

As the mask is cooling on her face, they're getting a scan of her brain

Being scanned

Erika's personalized mask for Halloween next year. This mask will keep her head in place exactly in the same spot every day she gets radiation therapy. The ceiling and walls have a laser that beams down onto the mask for accurate placement.