30 August 2018 - Radiotherapy Department, Cancer Centre, Old QE Hospital

Deb having her mask made - the red lines are the laser to ensure accurate positioning on the table

Visit to the Cancer Centre to have the preliminary work carried out in order for Deb to have her radiotherapy. This included having a mask made to ensure her head is accurately located during RT and a CT scan (while Deb is in the mask) which is used by the consultant to pinpoint where to target the radiation.

Deb also had a further blood test. Her platelet count was about the same as last week. We discussed the results with Fred Berki, who came to see us while we were in the RT waiting area. Fred thought the results were OK but he would discuss them with Dr Sanghera to see if any further blood tests would be required.  

The mask of Deb's head is made in the Mould Room. With Deb lying on a replica of the table used in the RT, the technicians  first made a headrest out of a material which can be moulded when first mixed with water but then sets hard. To make the mask, they  put a flat screen of mesh material into a hot water bath to make it pliable  and then stretch it over Deb's head and clip it to the table as shown in the photo. Deb and the mask were accurately positioned using a pair of lasers. Deb then had to lie perfectly still for 15 minutes while the mask set hard.

Deb's first radiotherapy session is on 17 September. Complete treatment is 20 sessions over the next 4 weeks.