Scalpie

Scalpie.



That is our pet name for the transducer arrays or scalp device that will be on Jacob's head for the foreseeable future.

Today the device service specialist came to our house and taught us all we need to know about the Novocure TTF (now known as Optune) and after shaving his head down to the nub Jake was ready to strap the pads on.

We learned that the pads work in tandem with each other and that there is a general pattern for placing them on Jake's head according to where his tumor cavities are located. The front and back pads send signals to each other, while the left and right pads send signals to each other blocking the division of malignant cells.

For another friend who asked, the voltage of the charges is 200 kilohertz.

The main impediment to the charges working is heat. The sensors stop working when they achieve temperatures higher than body heat (98 degrees or so) and with AZ summers looming large that may be the biggest obstacle. Keeping cool.

The device also doesn't have an internal power source and runs on either battery power or by being plugged in. It comes with four removable batteries as well as two power cords. So we'll be working on keeping his batteries charged and looking for plugs if we're going somewhere for a long time. 

We clippered him down to a 2, but then our clippers were rotten and I started to nick his skin so he quickly ran to a professional to get his hair buzzed.

I was kind of dumbfounded to see the scars that we've only been able to feel on his head until now. It was sad actually and I felt a great sorrow at seeing the scars from all of the things he has suffered in the last year.

Seeing Jake's scars made me appreciate the fact that Jesus retained His scars after His resurrection. If it was anything like I felt today, it must have made his disciples and the people who saw him remember with gratitude the things He had so recently suffered for them.



 



Here is a more detailed map of Jacob's scars. I've tried to indicate which procedure they're from and left the picture unlocked to expand to full size online. It is interesting that his worst scar is from a microscope burn and not an actual procedure. The laser ablation arrow is just pointing to the general area where they went in, but since it only had one stitch and was a small opening it left no visible scar.

Jake has such a good attitude about this and although he was sad today, he expressed gratitude to live at a time when such a therapy exists. He mentioned that this wasn't an option for GBM patients in the past and he is grateful that it is a treatment option available for him today.

We also talked about how it feels good to be doing something to fight this cancer. Mostly with this disease you take your chemo and live two months at a time hoping that nothing bad is happening, so it is a relief to feel like you're more actively fighting.

Finally, I'll say that this step may be especially hard on our girls. It will change their lives more directly than anything they've experienced so far and draw attention to them in a new way. They are shy and reserved little people and we spent most of the day hearing them out, talking about their fears and feelings, and figuring out things they can say. Thanks to everyone who posted a positive comment on Instagram and Facebook. We read those with the girls, and it helped them. I am grateful that they could be honest with their feelings and hope we are able to guide and encourage them. They're especially in our hearts and in our prayers.