Dr. McGowan

Today we saw Dr. McGowan at the Samaritan Regional Cancer Center in Corvallis. She actually lives in Portland and commutes to Corvallis 3 days a week. She seemed young, but competent and answered lots of questions. She is still waiting for an MRI and information about his radiation treatment last year from OHSU, but thought the radiation would start in a couple weeks (mid November) and last for 7 weeks. It would actually be 35 treatments over this time. Since there are 3 holidays included in this time, the treatments would go into the second week of January. They don't want more than 2 days between each treatment, so there would be 3 weeks of 4 days of radiation on the holiday weeks. He is going in tomorrow morning for the setup and simulation. They will make a mesh mask for him to wear during the treatments. This will hold his head in place and will have the markings for treatments. Several people are involved in setting up the angles, dosages, etc.
The muscle behind his ear is not healed (still "sticking out" some) yet. We need to apply some more Bacitracin to part of it that looks a little "shiny" (to prevent infection). It could be another week or two for that to "go away" (they want it healed before starting treatments). He has gained a couple more pounds, and the doctor said it is important for him to keep up his nutrition (and not burn up too many calories) so that the radiation can work. She is also going to call our dentist to check on Curt's teeth and have him use a special toothpaste to protect his teeth. He can't shave on that side of his face after they start treatments either, but he will probably lose some hair there anyway. By the end of the treatments, his face will look sunburned on that side.
He also has a sore on his left elbow and a couple little ones on his back. Dr. McGowan called in a nurse practitioner who said it didn't look like shingles, but more like eczema or sores from lying on sheets in the hospital(?). They said to apply a hydrocortisone cream and watch them.

Joan and Curt