The angels of UCSF radiation therapy
Posted on November 27, 2006
Filed Under All, Photos, My Brain |
Chris, Lisa and Angela (L to R - Debbie was camera shy) are the radiation therapists and nurses who run one of UCSF’s two Siemens Mevatron linear accelerators (the one that’s set up mainly for brain tumors). I think of them as the angels of the radiation oncology lab, a place where I’m spending a lot of time lately. Given their job - they deal all day with very ill people - they have amazing spirit and cheer.
Weekdays, I descend 3 flights of stairs adjacent to the ER ambulance entrance, and make my way through a small maze in the basement of Long Hospital to the radiation oncology men’s waiting room, after checking in with Mr. Jew at the front desk. Chris, Debbie and Angela are busy and their work is very demanding - you don’t want to make mistakes when you’re pointing high-energy electron beams at people’s heads. They nevertheless manage to be genuinely cheerful and upbeat: a bright spot in these sometines long days.
Today I brought my digital Leica: previously I brought the now-ailing, much smaller Pentax. They had fun taking pictures of me, pinned to the gurney by a radiation mask, and I finally wrangled all 3 into a shot in front of the Mevatron (above). If you find yourself in need of radiation therapy for your brain, allow me to recommend UCSF…
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Bravo to them and all rest and to all their efforts !
[…] So, I’m going to be unapologetic about donning a tuxedo and supporting UCSF’s Rasing Hope fund raiser. Some of my Valley friends who make a point of not owning a tuxedo (or a suit, or matching socks for that matter) have been ribbing me about attending Raising Hope. Sometimes, a guy has to do what a guy has to do, and supporting the incredible people at UCSF who have been helping me deal with my brain issues is something I strongly feel I have to do, tuxedo and all (and I don’t even look good in a tuxedo). I felt very fortunate even to be invitedto the event. L to R Jacob, Terye and Josh Levy, Linda Hubbard Gulker, moi, Lauren Levy and John Getze at Raising Hope Weds. evening… […]