to mount saint Helens we go

Hi fellow friends,

Maarten here again. In case you were wondering, I have not yet started radiation therapy. My neck is still a bit stiff and the doctors want to figure this out before sending me off to radiation therapy.
For this, I did another (very long) MRI yesterday. They had to try three times to get my IV line in, which made me very cross, of course! The doctors will meet again on Wednesday to discuss the MRI results and than we will know more as well.
In case you were wondering, MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. It is basically a huge circular magnet that makes 3D pictures of whatever body part you are interested in. Scientist also use it to study objects, for example historical artifacts, if they want to find out what is inside it without actually opening it.
For now, we are going to hit the road and have some fun! We borrowed a little old campervan from friends and we plan to drive it up to Mount Saint Helens for the weekend!

Stay cool @ the pool!

Maarten

Visit to the UW

This morning, I took my parents to the UW again. The radiologists used a computer model to show us the treatment plan they have been working so hard on. They explained that region in need of treatment turned out to be smaller than initially anticipated! Excuse me? Was that good news I was hearing? Awesome!

After all this (which of course took way long too long), my mum and I went to the Ballard locks. We saw ships, boats, salmons, seals and in general a lot of hustle and bustle. Fun!

Cheerios,

Maarten

A little bit more patience...

Hi everyone,

In case you were already rooting for Maarten, the radiation treatment has been pushed back a little more and will not start yet this week!
The doctors are still tweaking the program and don't leave anything for chance! We will hear all about it upcoming Thursday. The treatment itself will most likely start next week (we are not specifying any date anymore until triple sure!)

Greetings,

the Ribalet-Coesel family

a quiet week

Hi everyone,

Another week passed by, a quiet week on Vashon island.
I went to school for a couple of afternoons to see my friends and my teacher, which was really fun. I also did a few hikes on the island and went fishing with my dad at KVI beach. I caught a gigantic crab and released it after looking (not cooking!) at it.
The radiation treatment has been pushed back for a couple of days. Instead of starting upcoming Monday, I will start later this week, not quiet sure yet but I am ready!  I will let you know once we know more details. In the meantime, I think I will continue to go to school as much as I can.

Love, Maarten

ps. this picture was taken while driving into Vashon town. There was a straight rainbow (a rainline?) crossing the sky. The effect was even more colorful with sunglasses on.

getting ready for the UW

Hi everyone,

I am having a busy week here.
Monday was spent at Seattle Children's Hospital. I did another long MRI to make sure things were looking good three weeks after the surgery. The next day, we went to the radiation oncology department at the UW medical center to set me up for the radiation treatment. The doctors made a CT scan to create a detailed 3D picture of my brain. The sound of the CT scan was kind of like a train that passes right in front of your nose. Pretty loud! The team made also a special mask for my face so my head can stay very still during radiations. It will take two weeks for the doctors to calculate my treatment plan. I guess a lot of additions, subtractions, divisions and multiplications make a good treatment plan!? I love science!
After the appointment, we decided to do some wandering over the big UW campus. I love the UW campus and know it already quite a bit (both of my parents work there), but I have a feeling that I will get to know it a whole lot better over this summer!

If all goes according to plan, I will start the radiation treatment on June 19th. I will go 5 days a week through August 4th. Luckily, the UW gave us a special pass for the Washington State Ferries, a pass reserved for Very Important People like me, so I don't have to stand in the ferry line during the busy summer. Handy!
Tomorrow one more appointment at Seattle Children's and then hopefully a little break!

Love,

Maarten