Photo Gallery Welcome to my "Photo gallery." It is intended to pay tribute to those who helped me in my battle against cancer, as well as providing a source of information as to what it's like to go through radiation treatments for head and neck cancer. You can see photos of me in my "get up," as well as the equipment that was used when I was treated 9/97-11/97. I certainly don't recommend this for anyone, but if you find yourself in this position, these people would be hard to beat! Below you will meet my surgeon, radiation oncologists, radiation therapists, nurses, and more. These are very special people to me. After all, they helped me in my fight against cancer . . .

Meet Dr. Lyon Gleich. This man said three words to me that changed my life forever. "You have cancer." I cannot tell you the weight those words carry, when it's you in the hot seat! He is a very straightforward man, that tells it like it is. And then gets down to the business of turning things around for you. I was very impressed with his knowledge and skill. Very. I wish him well in his research for finding new genetic treatments for this terrible disease . . .

The first person I met when I found my way to the radiation department was Cynthia. She is a good choice for representing the "department's first impression." I saw her every day at 4:00pm, for two months. And she always had a smile.

I certainly couldn't have done anything about my cancer, if it wasn't for Dr. Redmond. He is absolutely great. A calm, introspective sort of guy that exudes an air of dedication and has a good knowledge of radiation oncology. I hit him with dozens of questions over the course of the two months of treatments, and he didn't falter once! Also pictured here is Dr. Bott-Kothari, to my left and me in the middle (notice that nice tan on my neck - ouch).

I don't know how many times I went in for a treatment and pestered the nurse about my side effects, and what could be done about them. Nurse Diane is pictured, but Toni and Mary Ann were there frequently too (though I didn't get their photos). They were great, professional and caring. What more could you ask for?

Pictured here are Sue (L) and Annette (R). Sue made my mask, ran the initial simulation, and the "boost" simulation. Annette is a radiation therapist. Great people . . .

This is a shot of Sharon (L) and Rae (R). Rae was my constant companion, day to day throughout my two month adventure (I nick named her X-Rae). She was very patient throughout my questioning, and was very thorough in her work. Her explanations were helpful, and I appreciate her desire to help the people coming in for treatment . . . Sharon is training to be a rad-tech, and will do fine. NOTE: When I went in for my 18 month check-up, who should I find now working in the RT Dept. as a full time RT? You got it! Sharon! Good luck to you Sharon . . .

Here is a shot of the linear accelerator. My plastic mask is lying on the bench, bolted to the headrest. There is actually a second mask that has all the tape and markings on it, that fits over the one that bolts your head down. Once the instrument is lined up (this one uses lasers for alignment), the marked up mask is removed. The lucite plate with the (photon) radiation block is not in place, but it slides in from the open side of the otherwise square metal bracket . . . The white support extending out from the wall is called the gantry. The collimator is attached to that (the round part). And the metal ring is where the photon and electron brackets are "screwed" on and off. The circle on the wall, with the lit area, indicates the position (360 degrees).

This is me receiving a treatment with photons. You can see the lucite plate with the holes in it - this is how the metal alloy radiation "blocks" are mounted.

Once a week a calibration is done to make sure things are lined up. This is done with regular x-rays. The plate to the right of my head is being used for that purpose . . . This photo also shows the electron "cone" attachment, to my left. The small gray area just to the left of my cheek is the alloy block for the electrons. You can just make out the corresponding shape being dosed on my cheek.

Here's another view of the smaller metal alloy electron block. You can see the shape of the field that is being irradiated.

This photo shows the linear accelerator in its vertical position with the electron cone, sans the block. (It would go in the small square bracket on the bottom). You can see the computer screen on the wall - it details patient information. I always checked it to make sure my name was on it! No problems.