I got the news today that I’m half way through my radiation/chemotherapy routine. I was surprised I wasn’t farther along, so I hope my healers will forgive me for not popping the cork on the champagne. So let’s send up a cheer for the isotopes who have given their half-lives to save mine (half-lives? get it?). The chemotherapy is just a pill at bedtime (along with a little anti-nausea booster). The radiation requires a daily commute. So, during today’s nuclear session, I realized that, unless you have had experience with cancer, you may not know much about this scary-sounding radiation process. There are probably several different methods of radiation—what I know is what I’m experiencing.
5 days a week, for 6 weeks I visit a medical team that lights me up. Prior to treatment, they made me a custom mold of my head (see image below)—-I think they had to send away for extra material to accommodate my big chrome dome. The only challenge, thus far, has been the monotonous soundtrack to my treatments. I like John Fogerty but I will forever associate “Down on the Corner” with being zapped. Each day is the same as the last—I lie down on a table, have my mask snapped into place and spend the next ten minutes hearing a series of clicks and hums with CCR playing softly (but not softly enough) in the background. For me, I like to use this time to meditate and repeat healing words.
All in all, the experience isn’t bad—just a tad bit inconvenient and repetitive. The technicians are extremely nice and they don’t mind when I bring family members in to show off their make-me-better-machine. To sum it up, I just want to offer a few words of encouragement:
If you ever find yourself suddenly faced with this seemingly torturous medical sentence—don’t sweat it. You can do this!
Loren
The Nancarrow Project 
Thank you for sharing your challenging journey with us, Loren. Courage
Sent from my iPhone
Loren my heart goes out to you and your family!This disease is so overwhelming it’s hard to understand what someone is really going thru. Thank you for giving us some insight and sharing your personal dealings with this cancer. But don’t give up my friend. You can beat this. Many many people are praying for a recovery for you. Our Lord is the greatest healer.
Psalms 91:2 I will say of the Lord “He is my refuge and my fortress: In Him will I trust.God Bless Loren
Hi, Loren!
I have one of those lovely masks also! I was saving it for Halloween but got tired of finding a place for it in the meantime and tossed it out. I found I was a lot more comfortable when they cut out a spot for my nose to poke out a little, and holes for my eyes to see without the webbing in view. I felt less confined, more relaxed. I had told the technicians once that I love the Beatles, so that is what they had playing for me every time I came in for treatment. So make a music request!!
God made you good, Mister! You are giving out so much encouragement and strength.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me….Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Ps 23
The owner of Down on the Corner (on Mt. Acadia blvd. ) my wife of 35 years went through chemo therapy, radiation and a lumpectomy. And continues on 6 days a week with a smile, cheer and an ear for everyone and anyone that walks through the door. There are more than one Down on the Corner supplying style and value for 34 years. Look us up, she (we) really knows what this is all about.
Hi, Loren, Thank you for sharing your experiences with us so that others can maybe benefit from your journey. Did not do radiation, but they added a round of chemo on me “because I did so well” with 3 rounds. HA I also listened to meditative music during my forever chemo sessions. Anything to relieve the stress of the whole ordeal. I believe you will be well and come through the other side stronger for it. Take care of yourself and keep believing all will be well.
God Bless You Loren
My husband walked in as I was readng the comments..his comment: “loren is a tough guy, he will get through this”
You will. Go forth, our stalwart friend.xxoo. Penny and Joe
The mask reminds me of sculptures that I made in college…aaaaaa to be young again…Thinking of you.
That mask looks like its something for a super hero! Isn’t modern medicine marvelous!?! Get this over with and get back on TV. It’s just not the same without you!
Loren is definitely a super hero!! And I too can not wait to have him back on TV, definitely not the same without him!!
You go Loren- out on the street – is where we always have found healing- we wish you healing also-
Lou and Kati Galuppo
Hi again Loren! Jan here….been there and done that with cancer dx. stg 4 but- here I am 17 years later soon to be 18.All is good and with all these great replies to your post there it is bound to make ya feel better .After a cancer dx it seems your whole life is taken up with treatments and doc appointments and all that goes along with. Good you are sharing and we shall do the caring Loren and all with some humor tossed in if that is okay.
It gets us through this crap! Be well…….Jan
You are amazing — my hero and the wind beneath my wings.
You and your amazing famiiy are an inspiration. Wishing you nothing but good spirits and healing. Prayers too… whatever works. We miss you on air too!
Hang in there bro…
Loren, my name is Brian Brackin and am married to Judy (mcKay) Brackin. Suzie has probably told you about Judy’s daughter Julie. I just wanted to let you know I, we, really enjoy reading your blog and always know our prayers are with you and your whole family. Brian
Love and hugs to a great guy and my great grandson would love your mask. Maybe you can sell it for big bucks to some museum someday.
I received treatments from Radiation Medical Group! Maybe that’s not where you are – hard to tell from the pics. I loved my radiation oncologist. Amazing how like you the mold looks!! Much love and best wishes as you move into the second half of your treatments. I hope that you continue to feel well along the way. I remember the halfway mark well! xo
I want you to envision a healthy,happy,pre-cancer existence!!!!Then run over that damn head piece with your 4 wheel drive vehicle and laugh a meniacal laugh!!!! I believe you WILL beat this monster Loren!!!And your experience will enlighten others!!!My brother’s pancreatic cancer has spread to his bones,Dr says the chemo will help with the pain. He knows his destination…None of us knows what our journey holds, but I have a great feeling you will survive these obstacles placed before you and your family!!Let your higher power guide you through this. So, oneday we’ll laugh!!!Keep laughing anyway!!Refuse to be defeated!!!Live the best life you can….it will resolve itself in time…Fondly.Kimberlye Willis
Bring a new cd, and I can relate, I did 8 weeks of radiation, 5days on 2 days off, and the medical staff I had was the best. Especially my wife, thinking of you Lee and Cathy
Loren, it is truly amazing how you are always educational for our benefit even while you are going down the road and around the corner not yet traveled yourself. Your words help explain and demystify for us what is happening to you ….and of course your wonderful humor and unique take in prose that only you could think of is a treasured gift….thank you! May you get the next half done pronto so you can get going on your planned trip with your wonderful family “road crew”!
Awww..God love you… you’re doing great.
cool mask…. maybe you can use it for fencing after you are all better!
glad every thing seems to be going as planned…. maybe you can use your “helmet” as a fencing mask when you are all done! 🙂
I had vaginal radiation, now there is an experience. Sometimes the prep was longer than the treatment. Prayers for you and your family.
amazing mask/head thing.that is better than putting those permanent marks on your forehead! half way is fantastic! great job loren!
Can’t you at least paint the Mask so it looks like you are a Mexican wrestler like nacho libre? 🙂
I remember thinking that it took me longer to drive to my radiation appointments than it took to be zapped. I could get through 3 very slowly said Hail Mary’s and then I would visualize each of my 5 kids and my husband’s face. Aren’t we so blessed to live in a world that has figured out how to nuke us to make us better! Mine was breast cancer and this will be my third year of walking 60 miles in 3 days for Susan G. Komen to give back! I pray you will keep on loving your amazing life!
Walk on!
Gabrielle Xavier
Jack had all of this…..brain cancer….brought the mask home on the last treatment to my horror….I made him hid it as I didn’t want to see it….to much of a reminder of what HE went through for me…..found it the other day and Mr. TRASH now has it….wonder if they sort the trash what they will think……..Jack has brain cancer…GBM….two years into it….each day is more challenging than the day before but never read to give up…at least I’m not…..but it’s not me that makes that decision…….he is stronger than me………………..so Loren…Jack and I wish you the best as always. Remember the good times we shared…..Jack and Bonnie Shoultz
You are such an inspiration. I so appreciate you taking the time and having the courage to share this journey. It will help others immeasurably and give them a strength they didn’t know they had. G-d bless you Loren.
Iris Hirsch
You can do this, Loren!
Much love to you!
❤ ~Margaret
You keep meditating and keep remembering
Just how Many you have Praying for you
I want you to win to live to beat the odds to survive this and go on to live a long beautiful life and to die a old man in your bed surrounded by grand children
That being said I just peaked into the future
Incase you can’t feel me I’m holding your hand
Lets not let go
Your friend Audrey
Sending positive thoughts and prayers – you can do this my friend! Keep on keepin’ on! Thanks for sharing the wild mask 🙂 DSB! ❤
God bless you Loren!
Sending many blessings and positive thoughts. Hang in there!
I still have my huge creepy face mask in my dad’s basement. It’s a hell of a process. Keep strong, man. You should check out “cancer killers” by Charles Majors. Good info there.
You Rock Loren ! Can’t you ask for different music ? Keep it up brother !
Remember, this is all about keeping “appointments”….this just happens to be a crappy one with bad music…..after this all your ‘appointments’ will be ones that you wouldn’t have missed for the world….jus’ say’n
Gidder done Loren, and then PLEASE, PLEASE get back to work! It is NOT the same in your absence. Im not knocking the replacements they have put on YOUR desk (ok. I really am. Not HORRIBLE but not YOU) but you are missed my man!
You can do it…hugs!
Hang in there dude! I like the idea of Leta’s of switching to “Freebird”. That or any Toby Keith!!! 🙂
Kinda reminds me of Spiderman’s mask! Loren the SUPER HERO!
May love and light envelope you and give you comfort and peace knowing that there are many people who care very deeply about you and who are with you on this seemingly dark journey.
Wow, that’s cooler than the contraption I had to be strapped in for my boob!!!
My husband found that the facial radiation changed his taste buds for several months. All he wanted was hot and sour soup. Hope you are still enjoying your favorite foods. Good thoughts and prayers as you wade through these weeks.
You are my hero. I want to be just like you when I grow up. Hugs, Judy
________________________________
Thank you for sharing a few of your personal moments with those of us who care about your healing. For me, I’m send prayers……
Hang in there, Loren. You are loved more than mere words can express.
Been there and done that. We are in a club neither of us wanted to join. My song of choice was “Freebird” as it lasted the entire 11 minutes of me in the human microwave. Yes, yes,. yes indeed, you can do this. Godspeed. to you.
much love!!! 🙂