Tuesday, October 17 Barcoding at the Clinic

Good Evening Everyone,
Today was the first day of my radiaion treatment. I had a bunch of appointments to go to prior to my RT. Jen met me downtown and we headed over to the clinic.

At the Clinic
It was pretty amazing. There were quite of few people in the waiting room as we checked in. For a second I thought I was in a library. The receptionist asked me for my green card and suggested I placed it under a bar code scanner. I complied and she informed me that this information was sent to the RT technicians to inform them of my arrival. I also inform me that I had arrived, as my name magically appeared on the screen. Otherwise I wouldn't have known.Just as I sat down they called my name... I headed down to the same room and machine that will provide the RT for my tonsil and surrounding area for the next 2 weeks. The approach taken is referred to as IMRT... Intensity Modulation Radiation Therapy. I was met by 2 technicians, Michelle and James who got me ready. When I passed by the control room I was quite amazed by the multiple screens and monitors. There were about 6 technicians there.. It reminded my of a television studio or one of my brother's video editing suites... great, I thougth they are cutting a video... Funny, I played around with the idea that they were not going to do any radiation at all, but rather, they were just going to edit my tonsil. This does not sound so bad. You could do worse than editing your tonsil, I guess...

Food Goodies
Upon arriving home we discovered that Debbie had prepared salads, quiche and dessert for Jen, the Kids and me. Richard and Judy had been so kind as to offer to prepare dinner for us also. Jenny had to make a desperate phone call to avoid a second dinner. She also looked at me and said, by the way you look, you certainly do not need another meal. (not true... I am just saying this. She will forgive me.) Jen also made a potatonick (potatos and onions baked in the oven for days ;-) also known as rosti) for my middle child and he took some back to school. She just wants me to add 8% of my body weight, instead of 6%, in anticipation of my continued RT. Now who should show up but David, our nephew. David arrives with bags of groceries with frozen veggies. Fresh veggies have gotten a lot of bad press, 'e coli bacteria' and all so he loaded up on the frozen variety. Its great, thaw and into the pot or pan. We see him every weekend and it was great for him to pop by and touch base with Zach just before he left to return to college.

More Calls
We called and reported to mom on a very regular basis. We wanted her to know how the day was progressing almost as much as she wanted to know. She is a great role model for all of us and she has been strong for all of us. Freddy, my brother is also amazing and checks with me continually. Of course you would think that my brother-in-law and sister-in-law were next door, and not half way across the continent by the frequency of their telephone calls yesterday and today. I even had a special visitor tonight. John Sewell, the former mayor of Toronto. How lucky was I? Well not really, all he wanted was my vote...

This Evening
Off to help a friend with a computer problem. I can't stay away from the computer. I hope to drink some tea (it is recommended that I drink 8 cups of liquids per day) and do some tai chi. It is good to get back into it as I have not done any

"Not one of us knows what affect his life produces, and what he gives to others. That is hidden from us and must remain so, though we are often allowed to see some little fraction of it, so that we may not lose courage. The way in which power works is a mystery."Albert Schweitzer