Our Brave Little Firefighter Hot shot and BFFS VS Brain Tumor Fire

Chapter 4

Hot shot was busy getting tests done for the most part while in the hospital. Hot shot was also getting therapy done as well. Hot shot was doing really well with that. Soon Hot shot was going to have his simulation scan which was going to help him prepare for radiation therapy. Hot shot woke up this morning and it was the morning of his simulation scan. Hot shot was plenty nervous about this. But he was ready to be very brave for it too. Hot shot was wondering what was going to happen now. 

Hot shot was seeing Dr. Lopez his radio oncologist. He was going to help with Hot shot's radiation treatment and decide on what kind of radiation Hot shot was going to need and for how long. Hot shot was kind of nervous about it too. "Okay Hot shot looks like everything is looking okay for you to have your simulation scan," Dr. Lopez said. 

"I am kind of scared, will it hurt?" Hot shot asked.

"No, it won't hurt a bit," Dr. Lopez said. "The simulation scan is just when we make you mask and do an MRI to help plan out your radiation therapy," he said. "Me, other doctors and scientists will decide what kind of radiation you need, if you need a radiation not offered at our hospital your mask will be sent to therapy center that offers it and you will go there to get your radiation treatment and come back here for check ups," he said.

"Will I get chemotherapy during radiation or after radiation?" Hot shot asked.

"That is a good question Hot shot," Dr. Lopez said. "A lot of the times it depends on the type of cancer or brain tumor you have and it's location, and your age," he said. "Kids who are three and under get chemotherapy first and then might get radiation later," he said. "While kids who are three and older often get radiation first for brain tumors and then get chemotherapy about six weeks after radiation therapy ends to give the body time to heal," he said. "You will most likely start your cancer treatment in July because that is when we will have everything sorted out and give your body time to heal from the biopsy surgery," he said. "Because it can take up to six weeks for you wounds to heal from that kind of surgery," he said. 

"Okay," Hot shot said. "What is the mask like?" he asked.

"The mask will be made with a special plastic netting, that will be warmed in warm water which will make it soft and floppy and then it is stretched over your face to make the mask," Dr. Lopez said.

"How long will I need radiation therapy for?" Hot shot asked.

"Another good question," Dr. Lopez said. "Most kids it depends on their type of cancer, some only get it for about 3 weeks others like ones with brain tumors can get it for four to seven weeks," he said. "Kids with medulloblastoma normally get for six to seven weeks," he said.

"How much of my brain will get the radiation?" Hot shot asked.

"Another good question," Dr. Lopez said. "It depends on the type of brain tumor and whether or not it has spread other parts of the brain or to the spinal cord," he said. "For kids with certain types of tumors that haven't spread it will only go to the spot where tumor is or has been removed," he said. "While kids who's tumors have spread or have medulloblastoma will go to the whole brain," he said. "But if a kid with medulloblastoma gets a different kind of radiation that ones that are normally used then it only goes to the spot where the tumor is or has been removed, it also applies to the tumors that have spread." he said.

"How many types of radiation therapy are there?" Hot shot asked.

"There are many kinds Hot shot, electron beam, gamma rays, x-rays, and proton just to name a few," Dr. Lopez said. "Radiation can be given in many way yours will be external meaning a big machine will send radiation therapy through your head and zap your cancer and best part is you won't feel it, and it you will be just fine once it's done," he said.