The Toscana was a ‘Snowbird resort catering mostly to Canadians and people from the northern Midwest USA. The most interesting Door at The Toscana was the Garage Door. Here from the outside, a very steep entrance. When driving in you almost feels like you’re going to hit it, mostly because the automatic door opener didn’t work very well. from the outside.
Here exiting from below…..
So I thought I would start the year with something different, In this case a joint posting of my images and my husbands. That will happen from time to time.
Below the typical Toscana Condo Entrance, crowded by parked cars:
There are several Condo Buildings, including more upscale townhouses……….
The Condos are where I stayed last year when I was at the Mayo Clinic. All in all, if I had to be sick, it was a pretty nice place to stay,
I wanted to work on a “Facing 60” project. I also wanted to recap my Mayo Clinic experience. So for Part I, I am summarizing my treatment experience at the Mayo Clinic, and my recovery during the the first year through a series of portraits taken by my Husband.
Where it all Started on October 31, 2018:
Waiting for my Biopsy
After My First Surgery Dec 27th: No hair lost yet
Above, after my first 14 hour surgery. Puffy faced, but still with hair. I was growing my hair back in hopes of having small dread locks….but that won’t happen for a while.
I had a second surgery at the end of January (only 6 hours) and I was well enough by Valentine’s Day to Celebrate:
And actually I did quite a bit of Photography. I had several types of 35 mm film to test and write about. And I purchased a Fuji GW690 III to experiment with. See more here.
Short Haircut to prep for Surgery #2
Facing the second surgery, this time through my forehead, I did a precut. The results of that below:
Hair Carnage
The shave, incision and surgical superglue:
Post Surgery #2
Front Shave
Below, I trimmed the back of my head as my hair begins to grow back so I can have even regrowth.
Keeping it short for Radiation
My last week of treatment; still no hair loss due to the radiation treatments; my special Proton Beam Mask in hand. I have to wear a hat to keep the UV away from my treatment areas when I’m outside:
And officially “Ringing Out” of the Mayo Clinic………
Had my follow-up in September and Stopped by Santa Fe, New Mexico to vist friend Nathan on the way home:
After My Mayo Check up in September……..I kept wearing my old favorite hat. Only a bit more hair happening here than in my pre-surgical haircut. My Surgeon successfully talked my out of trying a hair transplant. So we’re keeping as is. But by the end of September I was beginning to experience more serious vision problems with my left eye.
Alas, my vision travails continue….I am working with the Vision Clinic at Anschutz, the local University of Colorado Medical School. No worries, not going blind, but we’ll catch up on that in my next posting.
I’ve completed half of my Proton Bean Treatments. Wooooo Hoooo! So I’m sharing one of my husband’s digital images of: Argentine Giant (Echinopsis candicans). Happily blooming in a median at the Mayo Clinic.
Yes, this is me in my Proton Beam Radiation Mask. It was custom fit and molded to my face during the Radiation Simulation Session. You literally have to be tied down. The method is so precise that any motion would cause the beam to miss the tumor and hit something inside that you might not want to zap. The lasers and pink tape are used for rough alignment. Then low-level X-rays are used to “see” the four pins in my skull for fine alignment. If it looks uncomfortable, it is! And I go in twice a day for treatment. Best thing, I get to take it home with me. I’m going to make a shadow box and display it in my Living Room…….
The pressure from the Mask caused some swelling on the left side of my head to return. Ooops! But it is better this week. It’s stretched a bit and I’ve been working with the Technical Staff to get a better fit.
So I found out the details of the GLOW Club and will be attending on Thursday. Hopefully I can see the accelerator and take picture. I’ll post an update if pics are allowed. Fun Fact: you can actually see the blue flashes of the Proton Beam as it passes within the inter-cranial fluids. Your optic nerve can detect the flashes so your brain can ‘see’ it.
The focussed beam comes through the “screen” behind my head. The screen is so big because it needs to be focussed across a wide range of angles. It moves along the metal track for positioning. Below, a longer view showing the hand grips for more stability against motion. What you cannot see is that my feet beneath the blanket are tied down to the table also.
I’m keeping my hair very short so I can moisturized my scalp to minimize burning. In the image on the right, you can see a hint of the Surgery #2 Scar.
Keeping it short for Radiation
Below, a handy dandy summary graphic taken from the Mayo Clinic Website. CLICK HERE for better viewing.
myvintagecamerasblog 