Radiation
Picture #1: Bryan in the CT scan machine. They take pictures of his brain (the pictures looks like paper-thin slices of each section of his brain) and use the images to pinpoint exacty where the radiation beams will be directed.
Picture #2: Bryan being fitted for his mask. Imagine the top of a tennis racket; flat with mesh holes. They dip this "racket" into extremely hot water, which moistens it into a pliable state. They then pull this soft mask over Bryan's face so it creates a custom mask that will fit perfectly to the contours of his face and head. It has two purposes: 1) It prevents his face/head from moving during the actual radiation treatments and, 2) Marks added later on help the technicians know exactly where to direct the beams.
Picture #3: Bryan's custom mask. He wears this every day in the radiation, which only takes 5 minutes/day. After the 6-week period, we get to keep it as a souvenier. One little kid colored his to look like Spiderman. I'm thinking Optimus Prime would be awesome for Bryan.
Picture #4, #5, #6: Inside the radiation room. As one VERY excited radiation techs told us, this radiation machine is the "Ferrari of radiation machines. And she's fully loaded." Bryan goes in, they put the mask on and the machine directs radiation beams – with pinpoint precision – at the tumor from seven different points around his head. His MRI and CT scan were used to define a very specific target area (the tumor itself) and minize any impact of healthy brain cells.
Note: The technician, a hysterical, high-energy Irish USC graduate (go Trojans!) pulled me aside while Bryan was getting his first treatment done. She shared with me that she sees hundreds of people come in with some sort of cancer or another. There are many people who say, "I'm ready for this. Yep, I'm ready." But they're not ready. Naturally, they're terrified. When Bryan said he was ready, he meant it. He told her he would be the easiest patient she'd ever have, and he was right. Then she said the best thing of all: "he's going to sail through this." We sure hope so.
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