Day Two of Chemo and Radiation

Well our Miracle Moo is churning right along with her treatments.  Don't know if it's coincidental but when Macey woke up this morning I asked her if her leg was still sore from sleeping on the couch and she answered me immediately, clearly, articulately, and very concisely.  I stood there shocked for a moment and said "you just spoke to me without thinking and had no issues whatsoever articulating yourself to me".  Macey too said  "wow I guess I did".  So we're thinking that maybe the treatments are starting to do some positive things for her.  Don't get me wrong, Macey can talk and have conversation but she gets frustrated at times and has to stop herself once in awhile and concentrate to get the words out.  Today as well she seems to be doing much better having conversation.  The Dilantin that she takes for seizures we believe is causing issues with rashes and it's frustrating her.  We're hoping her body will adjust to these new meds and start having little or no reaction from taking them. 

Her second treatment was much faster and me (her Dad), Maranda (her twin), Kylah (the youngest) got to see Macey go through the entire treatment via a computer monitor.  This machine that is treating her is about as high tech as it gets.  The operator told us the machine alone, not counting all of the extra attachments, the table that Macey lays down on, the software, room, etc, costs around 3.2 million.  We could see where the radiation was focused with each scan and how it is attacking the tumor at multiple angles.  She was only on the table today for maybe 10 to 12 minutes.  The staff there is very friendly and very helpful and informative.  They are great about letting us in on what is going on, how everything works and making sure we are thoroughly informed.  So it really creates a comfort for the whole family knowing that Macey is OK along with knowing what the procedure entails. 

During the procedure, the radiation which generates energy, can stimulate the brain causing bizarre effects to the patient such as seeing lights both white and blue as well as triggering smells.  Macey said she could see a blue light followed by a smell of something similar to floor cleaner.  Even though the lights and the smells don't exist, the do to Macey because of the areas of the brain that are being stimulated by the radiation.