Sunday, April 1, 2012

Round Two

It’s 10:25 on Sunday night. The last of our family have left after a wonderful day spent together. This weekend was our Church’s 182 Annual General Conference. Broadcast from Salt Lake City to church buildings and homes around the world, it is our opportunity to see and hear our prophet and apostles give specific counsel for our day. It is also a unique family time as we listen together, snuggled comfortably in a favorite chair, sofa, or on pillows on the floor.   

Today started off with Harold’s traditional breakfast cake, scrambled eggs, hash browns, fruit and juice – a menu he’s been making for the occasion for the past thirty odd years. Megan, Christian, Darren and their families arrived in time to enjoy it with us.   It was a day of peace and rejuvenation as we prepared to start round two – Gamma Knife Surgery.

We report to Rocky Mountain Gamma Knife center tomorrow at 5:45 am. It is part of the University Hospital complex in the Anshutz Outpatient Pavilion. Despite the name, they won’t be cutting into Harold’s head with a scalpel. Instead they use highly focused radiation beams coming from many directions to converge on a tumor and obliterate it. Bam! 1

There is a bit of preparation before that happens. First Harold will be fitted with a head frame. This is attached to his skull with pins. This frame prevents Harold from moving during the procedure. Next he is scanned in a MRI. With a special attachment to the head frame they are able to precisely measure Harold's head and locate each tumor. His neurosurgeon and a physicist will then study the scan and determine the plan of attack.
  
For the actual treatment Harold will lay down on the gamma knife couch and the head frame will be secured to an exact position. Harold will be awake for the procedure, which is painless. He was told he could bring an audio book or some favorite music. Hmm . . . what would you listen to during brain surgery?

1If you want a more scientific explanation complete with pictures visit www.rmgk.com. Click the tab “GK explained.”


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2 comments:

  1. Wendell and Deanna TolmanApril 2, 2012 at 3:14 AM

    I'd listen to something really funny or exciting -- let's see, how about Harry Potter, or The Host, or The Help, or Gregor the Overlander, or So You Want to Be a Wizard, or Crocodile on the Sandbank. I get them all from the library -- all free, many hours of fun listening. Shall I come and teach Harold to knit? Or Wendell can. Love you, praying for you.

    Deanna and Wendell Tolman

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  2. CliffApril 2, 2012 at 7:02 AM

    Thanks again for the update. You remain in our prayers. Pick your music carefully. I wouldn't include "Mack the Knife" or "If I only had a brain." Love you,

    Cliff

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