Simulation

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Busy morning, bloodwork with red cell booster, then the "simulation" for radiation, a CT scan to calibrate Karen's shape to determine exact dosages, beams and angles for the machine. Didn't take long, about 25 minutes. And three tattoos, ok, really just three blue dots around her torso to help align the beam.

The radiation center at St. Anthony's issued her a parking permit and bar code pass to scan when she arrives to alert the technicians in back. Interesting way to cut the waiting time for a daily medical appointment.

Karen starts radiation on Monday, June 18, two weeks after her last chemo treatment. So much for any break between chemo and radiation. She will receive 33 "fractions" or treatments, one each day excluding weekends and holidays. By my calculation that means radiation ends on or about Thursday, August 2. The doctor will do a check the final week to see where things stand.

For those of you keeping track at home, Karen's first radiation treatment is six months to the day after the first test that set these events in motion.

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