So here I am up at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN to get the tumor zapped out of my brain. I am very hopeful that this treatment will work really well for me and I will be able to start feeling my face again maybe even right after it's done.  Of course that won't be the end of treatment for me. It's more like the beginning. I'm about half way through the full brain radiation (12 treatments total). So once I get back from here I will take about a week and a half to finish up that part. At the same time they will also be treating the tumor in my rib with radiation as well. They think that those are the only 2 spots that it has spread so far. Once I'm done with radiation it will be moving on to the chemo portion which will be one treatment every 3 weeks for 18 weeks total. (6 treatments). Then we'll see where we're at. More testing I assume.

We have also found out that it is the same cancer as before. They had found it in some of my lymph nodes last November and I guess it must have gotten into my blood stream because spread it did. I have a tumor about the size of a quarter sitting next to my brain stem, pressing on the pons and invading my cavernous sinus (for those who know brains) It is pressing on 3 of my cranial nerves that control eye movement, facial sensation, and facial movement on the right side of my face which is what's been giving me all the problems since May when I first started complaining about all this stuff. The crazy thing is that with all the tests they did on me since then, it never showed up until now. 

The Gamma Knife surgery is a super targeted radiation treatment where they shine 201 beams of radiation through a big helmet type thing into my head to kill the tumor. I will be having this done on Friday with all luck. I will also be getting 4 set screws in my head to hold the frame in place. (they will come out as soon as it's all over and yes I will take pictures)  

Once it's all done I can pretty much go home right away. Sucks that I'm here for my 30th b-day but at least I may get some relief from this. If it works well it will be the best birthday present I've ever gotten. But I did have to buy myself a fabulous purse at the gift shop today. A girl only turns 30 once after all. And god knows I deserve something nice about now. It's sparkly.

Tomorrow morning I'll meet with the Neurosurgeon and get more of the lowdown on what Friday will be like but I do get my actual birthday off; free from doctors entirely.

I'll be home Friday night so if you're looking for me, that would be the time. Thanks to all the people who have shown their love and support. I've heard from a bunch that were pleasantly unexpected. It's very nice to feel appreciated and loved. I have the best friends ever. Thanks for that...

I'll post again after the procedure and let you all know how it went. Wish me luck!!!