Brain Radiation and Spinal Chemo

So we got some more good news today.  In addition to giving me chemo every 2 days in my spine, they are now going to give me full brain radiation treatment for the next 10 days to ensure that the leukemia does not cause any permanent damage to my brain. 

I am meeting with the radiologist tomorrow and they are going to fill me in on the pros and cons of brain radiation.  This is the first procedure that I am really not crazy about.  Brain radiation!!!  It sounds so serious.  The Internet has told me it is nothing too major though.  We shall see.

This will set us back a bit as far as the transplant goes.  The plan as it stands right now is, 10 days of brain radiation with spinal chemo every 2 days.  Once that is done, I will have consolidation chemo to ensure the rest of my body aside from my central nervous system is kept in remission.  Consolidation chemo will last a week.  I may be able to do all of this as an outpatient.  I will find this out next week (aside from the consolidation treatment).  My counts will drop at home and I will need to make a few trips into the Cancer Center for occasional blood and / or platelet transfusions.  Once my counts have rebounded and I am feeling fine, I will more than likely head to Boston for the transplant.  Best case scenario I would say I will be in Boston by the first of November.  This would be good so I can be back home by Christmas.  But, If I have learned anything over the past 1 1/2 months, it is not to make plans too far in advance...