Whole Brain Day 1: Radiation Therapy Begins

The Radiation therapy started this morning.  It’s a very quick procedure so it’s hard to grasp that anything is being done at all.  It took longer to get her on the table.  Here are a few photos:

The technology is similar to the Cyberknife in that it uses a Linear Accelerator as a radiation source instead of some chunk of glowing metal.  The main difference is that the radiation beam isn’t focused.  In the big rotating head, there’s actually an adjustable metal shield that is configured to cover her face and but expose her brain. 

Look at the projected light in this next photo.  Notice how there is a distinct shadow over Satomi’s face but the rest of her head is brightly lighted.

The light is an aiming device used to verify that the shield has been correctly configured.  Interesting.