Rita in the Gamma Knife Holder and In the Treatment Unit

Today, or should I say very very early this morning we went back to the University of Pittsburgh for Rita to have her Gamma Knife Radial Surgery(Radiation treatment). We were both a little tired because we had not gone to bed as early as we should have. But no matter, this was an important day for us as this would be the ending procedure for the care of her meningioma and then we both felt we could move on to better days. It is nice when you are going into Pittsburgh that early(around 5:30am) because there is not traffic and the parking is great. We reported to the admission desk and it was not long before we were sent down to the Gamma Knife reception. We were there even before the main receptionist arrived. Donna from Gamma Knife came out and took us inside and explained the procedure that morning. Rita would be prepared and then have the Gamma Knife head unit placed on her head with four pins holding the unit. After that was done she went into MRI for the planning scans, then into the Gamma Knife, where her head device locked into the unit. At this time she was pretty sedated and slept through the in and out treatment comfortably. She was allowed to bring her music with her and she chose Lynda Randel as she loves her singing and it was calming for her. We especially enjoyed the fact that everyone in the room area(around six people) were receiving the same blessing and listening to the music also and they did comment on it as well as Dr. Neranjan MD, her neuroradiation specialist. Rita did wonderfully as she always does and she is always able to give us great smiles. I had the opportunity to visit with family members, in the waiting area, who were there for their husbands, fathers and mothers having more serious treayments for more serious malignant tumors. In sharing my and Rita's faith I found great comfort in the the time I had with them also. So much suffering in those families and so much strength in their own stories of struggle and hope. GOD is good and it is more obvious every day as Rita and I go through all of her getting well. Well, that's all we have to do now, just wait for a few weeks and Rita can go back to her work that she enjoys. We will have to return every six months for many years to follow the effect of her care and treatment but we know the LORD is with us and nothing else matters. I have included a few pictures of Rita in her head unit and in the Gamma Knife that the staff gave us. Look at it this way... What a blessing we have the knowledge and technology to magnify GOD's glory and many praises for the medical staff as they continue their care for so many wonderful folks and give them life.