Yep, that's me. I am finished with radiation! I have one spot on my collarbone that is pretty burned and quite painful, but that's it. Not bad for getting zapped with some pretty strong radiation 28 times!
All in all, this wasn't too bad. The worst part of the whole thing was the inconvenience of driving to Midtown and back every day. All the staff in the radiation oncology department at Emory Midtown were amazing; they were so fun and made each treatment a lot more tolerable.
I am looking forward to getting some energy back; this whole thing has left me pretty drained. Thanks to all for the love and support. I couldn't do this without you.
Next up: PET scan on Dec. 2 and then appointment with oncologist Dec. 7 to determine what's next. For now, still taking five horse pills a day (Tykerb) and staying busy.
Happy Fall!
Monday, October 18, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Halfway home
Today I completed No. 14 of 28 scheduled radiation treatments. I go five days per week at 2 p.m. each day to Emory Midtown to get zapped. So far, it has not caused any major skin irritation. Just feeling a bit fatigued and run-down.
Will finish radiation around Oct. 18. Then will get a break from Cancerland until another scan at beginning of December.
Hugs to all.
Will finish radiation around Oct. 18. Then will get a break from Cancerland until another scan at beginning of December.
Hugs to all.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Ready to roll
Just a quick update -- I am all set up and ready to start six weeks of radiation on Thursday. Still hoping for minimal discomfort, so keep that in your prayers.
Love to all.
Love to all.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
On the right path
By now, most of you have already heard my good news this week: the results of my PET scan from Monday were good -- no evidence of disease! Looks like the chemo really did a number on the beast. Take that, you stupid, nasty, tryin'-to-kill-me cancer cells.
Next up: radiation. I have my "simulation" appointment tomorrow (Thursday). I think this is where they put you on the table and set up in the computer exactly how they want the radiation delivered each time. It should make the daily appointments (likely starting next week) quick and painless.
Please pray that my side effects will be tolerable.
That's all for now. Love and hugs to all.
Matthew 7:12
Next up: radiation. I have my "simulation" appointment tomorrow (Thursday). I think this is where they put you on the table and set up in the computer exactly how they want the radiation delivered each time. It should make the daily appointments (likely starting next week) quick and painless.
Please pray that my side effects will be tolerable.
That's all for now. Love and hugs to all.
Matthew 7:12
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Radiate me, baby!
Finally, the next step has been determined -- I will definitely do radiation, five days a week for six weeks starting at the end of this month. I met with the radiation oncologist today to get all the details. There are, of course, risks for short- and long-term side effects, but we feel the risks are worth the benefit.
First I'll have a scan on Aug. 23 to make sure nothing has resurfaced since I stopped the chemo. I'll start radiation the next week.
Several of you have asked me why I need to have radiation when my scan is "clear." I'm supposed to be cured, right? Unfortunately, the scans can't detect the presence of individual cancer cells or even really tiny clusters of cancerous cells. So, in theory, there could still be some cancer cells floating around in there that don't show up on the scans.
Cancer treatment involves two types of therapy: systemic (like chemo and other drugs) and local (surgery and radiation). It's important to combine both types of treatment to increase your odds of survival. So I've blasted the cancer with a very effective chemo; now we'll deliver a direct knockout punch with radiation to the affected area.
Prayer requests:
-- A clear scan on Aug. 23
-- Minimal side effects from radiation
-- Strength and healing for friends fighting their own battles, specifically Christopher N. and Bill R.
The prayers are working. Keep them coming! Love to all.
M
First I'll have a scan on Aug. 23 to make sure nothing has resurfaced since I stopped the chemo. I'll start radiation the next week.
Several of you have asked me why I need to have radiation when my scan is "clear." I'm supposed to be cured, right? Unfortunately, the scans can't detect the presence of individual cancer cells or even really tiny clusters of cancerous cells. So, in theory, there could still be some cancer cells floating around in there that don't show up on the scans.
Cancer treatment involves two types of therapy: systemic (like chemo and other drugs) and local (surgery and radiation). It's important to combine both types of treatment to increase your odds of survival. So I've blasted the cancer with a very effective chemo; now we'll deliver a direct knockout punch with radiation to the affected area.
Prayer requests:
-- A clear scan on Aug. 23
-- Minimal side effects from radiation
-- Strength and healing for friends fighting their own battles, specifically Christopher N. and Bill R.
The prayers are working. Keep them coming! Love to all.
M
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Slow and steady
Well, Todd and I are back from seeing the wonderful folks at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. As we expected, the docs there are on the same page with Emory when it comes to surgery -- not an option for me right now.
Since I had such a great response to chemo and nothing is showing up on the PET scan or on the ultrasound I had while at MD Anderson, the surgeons would be "going in blind" to dig around in an area that has already been opened up several times. This presents several possible complications, including nerve and/or muscle damage, that both the surgeons and I feel are not worth the risk.
So for now, it looks like radiation is the next step. The MD Anderson docs are presenting my case at their weekly multi-disciplinary board meeting (I am unusual and constantly getting discussed at these things!) to make sure all the different docs from the various treatment areas are in agreement that radiation is the way to go.
I will meet with a radiation oncologist here at Emory next week to learn more about what exactly the treatment would entail. We won't start anything, however, until after my next full-body scan on Aug. 23. Assuming it is still clear, radiation will likely start soon after. If something shows up on the scan, we're back to square one and will likely consider surgery, more chemo and then radiation.
As always, thanks for all the love, support and prayers. It means the world to me.
Since I had such a great response to chemo and nothing is showing up on the PET scan or on the ultrasound I had while at MD Anderson, the surgeons would be "going in blind" to dig around in an area that has already been opened up several times. This presents several possible complications, including nerve and/or muscle damage, that both the surgeons and I feel are not worth the risk.
So for now, it looks like radiation is the next step. The MD Anderson docs are presenting my case at their weekly multi-disciplinary board meeting (I am unusual and constantly getting discussed at these things!) to make sure all the different docs from the various treatment areas are in agreement that radiation is the way to go.
I will meet with a radiation oncologist here at Emory next week to learn more about what exactly the treatment would entail. We won't start anything, however, until after my next full-body scan on Aug. 23. Assuming it is still clear, radiation will likely start soon after. If something shows up on the scan, we're back to square one and will likely consider surgery, more chemo and then radiation.
As always, thanks for all the love, support and prayers. It means the world to me.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Holding pattern
I haven't posted lately because there hasn't really been much going on. Which, when you are a cancer patient, is good and bad. It's good because you get a break. It's bad because not being in treatment and wondering what is going on in all those microscopic cells can drive you crazy!
I do still take five pills a day of a drug called Tykerb. Luckily, the side effects from this one are minimal. My body is STILL recovering from the onslaught of chemo from before, but every day gets a little better.
Most of you have already heard that I fell and broke my wrist while crossing a creek in North Georgia a few weeks ago. Two more weeks in a cast and then I will have a bone density scan (since this is my second broken wrist since my original diagnosis) to see if I need to start taking osteoporosis drugs. Great.
Todd and I are flying to Houston on Aug. 1 and will see a surgeon there at 9 a.m. the following day for our surgical second opinion. I'm actually praying that the Houston docs are comfortable not doing surgery since I had such a great response to chemo. But if they have a less invasive option that can give us more peace of mind, I guess it will be back to Houston in the coming months for surgery. Looking forward to someday getting back to normal.
Two new prayer requests:
-- Please pray that the Houston surgeon has a plan we can all feel good about.
-- Please pray that my next full-body scan, on Aug. 23, comes back clear.
And while you're at it, say a little extra prayer for all those we know and don't know who are fighting the beast. I am "lucky" to be one of the ones diagnosed with a big-budget cancer with lots of money going toward research. I am also blessed to have the ability and means to travel to another state to see some of the finest doctors in the world. Not all are so lucky. Keep them in your hearts.
Love to all.
I do still take five pills a day of a drug called Tykerb. Luckily, the side effects from this one are minimal. My body is STILL recovering from the onslaught of chemo from before, but every day gets a little better.
Most of you have already heard that I fell and broke my wrist while crossing a creek in North Georgia a few weeks ago. Two more weeks in a cast and then I will have a bone density scan (since this is my second broken wrist since my original diagnosis) to see if I need to start taking osteoporosis drugs. Great.
Todd and I are flying to Houston on Aug. 1 and will see a surgeon there at 9 a.m. the following day for our surgical second opinion. I'm actually praying that the Houston docs are comfortable not doing surgery since I had such a great response to chemo. But if they have a less invasive option that can give us more peace of mind, I guess it will be back to Houston in the coming months for surgery. Looking forward to someday getting back to normal.
Two new prayer requests:
-- Please pray that the Houston surgeon has a plan we can all feel good about.
-- Please pray that my next full-body scan, on Aug. 23, comes back clear.
And while you're at it, say a little extra prayer for all those we know and don't know who are fighting the beast. I am "lucky" to be one of the ones diagnosed with a big-budget cancer with lots of money going toward research. I am also blessed to have the ability and means to travel to another state to see some of the finest doctors in the world. Not all are so lucky. Keep them in your hearts.
Love to all.
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