Popcorn, radiation and trees.

I met with my radiation doctor yesterday and we decided that we will treat the tumor on my T8 vertebrae but not do anything with the one on my T12 since it appears to be stable. This should help with the pain and leaving the T12 one alone will help preserve my bone marrow. (Areas receiving radiation treatment will no longer generate new marrow.)

I get to add another "first experience" to my cancer journey. During the planning CT scan for my radiation treatment, they tattooed me to help in targeting the radiation. The last time I had radiation, they just used a sharpie marker and put a clear patch over it to keep the marker from rubbing off. This time I got five legitimate (although admittedly little) pokes with a needle and some ink.

Next steps? I'll go in for chemo on Monday and then will have my first of ten radiation treatments starting on Wednesday. I'm hoping for minimal side effects from the radiation although I've been told there could be some nausea and slight pain swallowing for a few days due to the close proximity of my esophagus and the treatment area on my spine. Even so, if it helps with the pain, it's worth it.

Di, Ellie, Erik and I made it into Madison today to see the Christmas tree at the capitol followed by an obligatory popcorn stop on State Street. It's hard to believe that it's already the middle of December and it's still almost 50 degrees outside. 

Happy Saturday!

Korbin