12/2/2011 Novalis radiosurgery

After the aborted plan for Gamma Knife radiosurgery yesterday, I went in today for a different procedure - Novalis radiosurgery. The procedure started mid-morning with them making a mask to hold my head in place - similar to the mask I had for full-brain radiation. Next, was a head CT with the mask in place. The doctors took that CT and the MRI from yesterday to plan the procedure. Jill and I were able to go to lunch during the planning. Rather than 201 radiation beams aimed at the lesions with my head in a frame, this procedure is a single radiation beam, my head is held steady by the mask and the machine moves (arcs) around my head. As it moves, the beam is focused on the lesion per the computer settings planned by the doctors. The procedure was around 20 minutes. Normal potential side effects from radiation - most of which I have only experienced over time. I would anticipate some fatigue. But, I don't anticipate many of the other side effects which I experienced from the full-brain radiation...we'll see what happens. I am instructed not to drive for 2 days, get plenty of rest, don't lower my head, watch for dizziness, etc. I go back to see Dr Henderson on Feb 2 for a follow up.