Well the Thanksgiving holiday is over, but I still couldn't be more thankful for so many people and things. Obviously, I am very thankful for my health and being cancer free, but I'm also thankful for so much more.
I am thankful for...
...La Vista Junior High. The colleagues I work with are an amazing group of people. They have been so supportive throughout my absence. I have received food, gift cards, emails, cards, phone calls, ect. on a weekly basis from them. They are always asking what else they can be doing. My sped team and Cyclone team have added more on their plates in order to take everything off of mine. My sub, has been working her tail off going above and beyond making sure my students are supported 100%. It's been very hard for me to be gone from work, but my colleagues have made it a lot easier. I will never be able to thank them for all that they have done, but I hope they know how much each and every one of them means to me. Their caring, kindness, and generosity has been out of this world and appreciated more than they will ever know!
...my friends! I seriously couldn't get better friends! I have made so many friends in my life, through elementary school, high school, college, and now work. My friends have always been important to me, and I've always tried my best to stay in touch with them all. Throughout the past couple months, my friends have done an amazing job of staying in touch with me: through visits, phone calls, texts, facebook messages, emails, and cards. They sat with me through chemo treatments, drove me to radiation, cleaned my house, made me food, kept me company when I really wasn't good company, and always offered to do WHATEVER it was that I needed, but also whatever Jerrid and Brayden needed. I may not see or talk to all of my friends as much as I would like, but I look at that as a good problem to have: too many friends, just not enough time!
...family: Walsh's, McCarthy's, and Johansen's! Even though we may not see our families as much as we would like, we always knew they were there for whatever we needed. They were very supportive by calling often and sending us texts, cards, and emails. When we were lucky enough to see them, they went along to chemo, cleaned our house, and cooked us food. Jerrid's family was his rock through all of this, and what kept him going at times!
...all the different treatments I endured, even though it may have been a long rough road, I am thankful that those treatments exist because without them I would not be cancer free.
...Dr. Duckert. This man is not only an amazing radiologist, but also an amazing person. I am so thankful for his expertise, treating me as if I was his only cancer patient, and always doing what was in my best interest in order to cure my cancer. He checked in with me weekly throughout my treatments and made changes when they needed to be made. He was always very positive, but at the same time wasn't one to mince words. I never felt like he held anything back, and kept us very updated on exactly how things were going. During my last implant treatment some doctor's may have kept my implant right where it was, as it was only 5 mm off. Dr. Duckert though was not only concerned about curing my cancer, but also about the rest of my life. Therefore, it had to be moved, or else damage would have been done to my bladder. Today, I went in to get my staples out and Dr. Duckert took time out of his day to come up to check in with us, something he didn't have to do. As always he did a great job of prepping us for the months to come, telling us what to look for, and telling us to call if we have ANY questions or concerns. He left us with the words, "I really think this is going to stay cured." I know, I will ride on those words for the next two months, until I go in for my first check.
...Dr. Morris and his staff. This man and his staff kept me going at times; telling me that I was doing a great job and reminding me that I needed to keep fighting when I would show up in his office skinnier, more pale, and more nauseous each week. I may not have seen Dr. Morris as often as Dr. Duckert, but while in the hospital he told me: "You have obviously made an impact on those that have cared for you, as so many have talked to me about you. You are an inspiration to those who care for you!" Today, he said, "I see what everyone is talking about. You have endured more than most do (not many patients of his get Syed Implant Radiation) and you are still the most pleasant patient we've had in our office." Like in the hospital, today he again stated that the next 18 months might be harder mentally than the past couple months. Like he said, I've already beat the cancer, and that's what's most important. If I wake up every morning worried about whether the cancer has come back or not, then the cancer will win. So along with Dr. Duckert's words, I will also remember what Dr. Morris told me to help me get through the next 18 months.
...Brayden! What a sweet little boy he is (most of the time.) He has always been a very resilient little boy, and continued to be through his mommy's ordeal as he never skipped a beat. He was very aware and understanding regarding mommy being sick. He was constantly asking me how I was feeling or saying "When you feel better we'll..." He has done a great job transitioning into preschool this fall; as he seems to love it, and is learning a lot. He is the light of my life, and knowing how much he needs his mommy in his life has kept me fighting through this entire ordeal.
...my mom and dad. I don't even know where to start with them. They have been there through everything, and done everything possible to help us out! As I told them, we will never been able to thank them for all they have done for us, but we will do our best trying! We wouldn't have been able to get through the last couple months without them and their constant love and support. Words can not express how thankful we are!
...Jerrid! Wowzers...what a husband, father, and human being! This guy doesn't stop...or at least he hasn't yet. I know it will eventually all catch up with him, but hopefully by then I'll be fully healed and able to care for him. I have always thought of him as one of the most caring and genuine individuals. I have always been thankful that he came into mine and Brayden's life, but now more than ever, I am very thankful! He has done more than I ever expected, and not because I have asked that of him, but because that's just who he is. He has done whatever has needed to be done, and he's done it without complaining. He had a lot added onto his already full plate, but he still somehow got it all done and done well. I'm a very lucky lady to have him by my side!
I could go on and on about all that I am thankful for, as I have so much in my life to be thankful for and to live for! Thank you!
As I stated earlier, I did go back to the doctor today to get my staples out...my incision seems to be healing nicely, and it's not causing near as much pain as it was. I'm still dealing with some other side effects of radiation and surgery, but those will slowly get better over the next few weeks. Before leaving, we made our first follow-up appointment, which will be January 23rd. So until then, we're hoping to get back to normal, whatever that may be...we really can't remember. We will definitely continue to keep you all updated though...thanks for following and supporting!
Meighan, Jerrid, Brayden, and Mogi
Monday, November 28, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
Cancer Free????
Today is a very surreal day...some days, I wasn't sure this day was ever going to come. I am finally breathing a sigh of relief as I am done with cancer treatment, and I definitely went out with a bang! As Dr. Duckert stated this morning, "You definitely didn't take the easy road to treating your cancer, but you got it done!" Dr. Morris stated, "You had aggressive cancer, were a trooper through very aggressive treatments, but those treatments were very effective because I see no evidence of cancer!" Even after hearing this, I still had to ask, "So, does this mean I'm cancer free?" Both of them answered, "Yes." I can't even explain how hearing this made me feel. I'm still in shock, and just sit here staring off into space with a huge smile on my face. Nurses keep coming in seeing if I'm anxious to get home, but I just tell them that I'd like to sit here and just take it all in.
After discussing all the good news that I have been waiting so long to hear, Dr. Duckert and Dr. Morris talked me through the next 18 months. I was just telling Jerrid the other day that I think these next 18 months might be the hardest. Dr. Morris told me the same thing. This is because I will probably be constantly wondering if the cancer is coming back. Although this is normal, he said, I can't do that because then the cancer is still winning. He said, "You have already won, don't let them take it back from you. You are an inspiration to those who care for you, continue to be that inspiration!" His words will always stay with me, especially through these next 18 months. I, we, need to do our best to continue on with our lives the best we can and that's exactly what we plan to do. I definitely have some time to make up for after being laid up for a good 3 months! Some days will be easier than others, but I'll still have the amazing support system that I've had through this all to help keep me going.
So for the next 18 months, I will be checked every 2 to 3 months. Throughout this, I will continue keep all of you, my biggest supporters, updated via the blog. I may not be updating as often as I have in the past, but I definitely will continue to. We (myself and my family) will never be able to thank all of you for all you have done including your continued support and prayers. I would never wish something like this on someone else, but if someday there were ever a time that someone was in need, I hope to be able to pay it forward and do all of the amazing things people have done for us for someone else who is in need.
After discussing all the good news that I have been waiting so long to hear, Dr. Duckert and Dr. Morris talked me through the next 18 months. I was just telling Jerrid the other day that I think these next 18 months might be the hardest. Dr. Morris told me the same thing. This is because I will probably be constantly wondering if the cancer is coming back. Although this is normal, he said, I can't do that because then the cancer is still winning. He said, "You have already won, don't let them take it back from you. You are an inspiration to those who care for you, continue to be that inspiration!" His words will always stay with me, especially through these next 18 months. I, we, need to do our best to continue on with our lives the best we can and that's exactly what we plan to do. I definitely have some time to make up for after being laid up for a good 3 months! Some days will be easier than others, but I'll still have the amazing support system that I've had through this all to help keep me going.
So for the next 18 months, I will be checked every 2 to 3 months. Throughout this, I will continue keep all of you, my biggest supporters, updated via the blog. I may not be updating as often as I have in the past, but I definitely will continue to. We (myself and my family) will never be able to thank all of you for all you have done including your continued support and prayers. I would never wish something like this on someone else, but if someday there were ever a time that someone was in need, I hope to be able to pay it forward and do all of the amazing things people have done for us for someone else who is in need.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
24 hours to go
What a day yesterday was! I didn't get a lot of sleep the night before, which i think is due to the morphine. My sleep pattern went something like this: so tired I fall asleep while reading/typing, sleep for 3 to 5 minutes, wake up feeling as if I've slept for 3 hours, repeat. I did get a couple longer spurts in, sleeping for about an hour and a half once and an hour another time. I think I got up for the day yesterday around 6, as this is when they start coming in to get my vitals, draw blood, and shift changes. In the morning I spent some quality time on Pinterest, yes, I'm getting addicted just like everyone else. Since I don't get to go back to work when I expected, I've found some thrifty decorating projects to work on, some projects for the re-organization of Brayden's rooms/toy, and some hand made Christmas gifts...only some of you will be lucky enough to receive one of these! In all actuality, these ideas sound quick and easy, but we'll see if I actually get any of them done. A good start would be for me to stop "pinning" and start making!
After a couple hours on Pinterest, Brayden's babysitter, Amy, came to visit. It was great catching up with her as we usually just chat in the midst of me dropping off or picking up Brayden. Amy left around 11:30 and at that time Jerrid was getting back from basketball and my friend Rachel, from school showed up. Jerrid didn't stay long, as he was headed to watch the Husker game with some friends. Rachel stayed through the afternoon, which was great. Her and I co-taught together last year, but aren't on the same team this year. So when I was at school we didn't get to see each other nearly as much as we did last year, or eat lunch together. It was great catching up with her, hearing about things at school, and hearing about her family. As Rachel was getting ready to leave my Uncle Bob and Aunt Kris showed up, and Jerrid returned back after the brutal game. After Bob and Kris went to go grab a bite to eat my mom and dad showed up, and our friend Mitch. This was when I was starting to get delirious from lack of sleep along with the morphine drip, I think. I'm not sure if the deliriousness is due to the morphine really getting to me, lack of sleep, the days starting to blend together because I can't get out of bed, my hemoglobin level being really low, or if it's just a compilation of it all. I was constantly asking Jerrid the same thing or telling the same story, falling asleep mid-sentence, feeling as if I was half asleep/dreaming but still awake having a conversation. I guess if anything I'm starting to sound crazy. But you would too if you couldn't get out of your bed, couldn't eat, had multiple tubes and cords hooked up to you that you're constantly fighting with whenever you make the slightest movement, and had a contraption the size of an Easy Cheese bottle half way inside of you, halfway outside of you. So crazy or not, I needed to try something in order to start functioning a little better. Dr. Duckert ordered a blood transfusion to hopefully help with the hemoglobin levels. My parents kept telling me to just close my eyes for awhile, so I did, but as always that only lasted for about 5 minutes. So after one cat nap and my blood transfusion, I was feeling a little better or less crazy. Our friends Jeff and Lacey showed up too. After an hour or so of visiting, Jeff, Lacey, Jerrid, and Mitch went and grabbed a bite to eat. They assured me they weren't going anywhere good and it was going to be awful service and food. My parents left to meet friends at Bonefish for supper, I know better than to believe that they were going to have poor service and food. You're probably thinking, how rude, everyone is leaving you to go eat. Well no worries though...Sam to the rescue, along with Kellie and Kramer. They came and kept me company while everyone else went to eat. I also forced Jerrid to go eat, the last thing he needed to do all weekend was sit in the hospital with his crazy and delirious wife. Also, I have started a list of ALL the foods that must be at my disposal when I am able to eat again.
So yesterday was a jam packed day of visitors, but it was awesome and I wouldn't have had it any other way! It was great to see everybody, catch up, and it made the day fly by. They gave me some Ambien last night to help me sleep and that made a world of difference, I woke feeling very rested. My hemoglobin levels were up to 8.2, but I am still going to have one more blood transfusion today, just to be on the safe side and keep the levels up. I also get to start introducing some liquids, crackers, and toast later today. Sounds like I've got some more visitors coming today and I'm looking forward to that. I'm also looking forward to getting caught up on some of my DVR'd shows and maybe a book.
Tomorrow, around 7 a.m. my implant will be pulled out. I will then get to shower, and eat whatever I want! I will also get my PICC line out tomorrow...this is very exciting! I haven't been able to shower normally for about 8 weeks because I can't get it wet. So, I'm looking forward to it coming out and a normal shower! Lastly, I'm hoping for a late afternoon discharge. I should go home feeling pretty well, just sore in a couple areas and a little exhausted, but that is to be expected.
Thank you for everyone's thoughts and prayers during my hospital stay! Thanks to all of you who have visited and brought flowers and things to make the days go by faster! We have such an amazing support group, and wouldn't have gotten through all of this without all of you!
Thank you,
Meighan, Jerrid, Brayden, and Mogi
After a couple hours on Pinterest, Brayden's babysitter, Amy, came to visit. It was great catching up with her as we usually just chat in the midst of me dropping off or picking up Brayden. Amy left around 11:30 and at that time Jerrid was getting back from basketball and my friend Rachel, from school showed up. Jerrid didn't stay long, as he was headed to watch the Husker game with some friends. Rachel stayed through the afternoon, which was great. Her and I co-taught together last year, but aren't on the same team this year. So when I was at school we didn't get to see each other nearly as much as we did last year, or eat lunch together. It was great catching up with her, hearing about things at school, and hearing about her family. As Rachel was getting ready to leave my Uncle Bob and Aunt Kris showed up, and Jerrid returned back after the brutal game. After Bob and Kris went to go grab a bite to eat my mom and dad showed up, and our friend Mitch. This was when I was starting to get delirious from lack of sleep along with the morphine drip, I think. I'm not sure if the deliriousness is due to the morphine really getting to me, lack of sleep, the days starting to blend together because I can't get out of bed, my hemoglobin level being really low, or if it's just a compilation of it all. I was constantly asking Jerrid the same thing or telling the same story, falling asleep mid-sentence, feeling as if I was half asleep/dreaming but still awake having a conversation. I guess if anything I'm starting to sound crazy. But you would too if you couldn't get out of your bed, couldn't eat, had multiple tubes and cords hooked up to you that you're constantly fighting with whenever you make the slightest movement, and had a contraption the size of an Easy Cheese bottle half way inside of you, halfway outside of you. So crazy or not, I needed to try something in order to start functioning a little better. Dr. Duckert ordered a blood transfusion to hopefully help with the hemoglobin levels. My parents kept telling me to just close my eyes for awhile, so I did, but as always that only lasted for about 5 minutes. So after one cat nap and my blood transfusion, I was feeling a little better or less crazy. Our friends Jeff and Lacey showed up too. After an hour or so of visiting, Jeff, Lacey, Jerrid, and Mitch went and grabbed a bite to eat. They assured me they weren't going anywhere good and it was going to be awful service and food. My parents left to meet friends at Bonefish for supper, I know better than to believe that they were going to have poor service and food. You're probably thinking, how rude, everyone is leaving you to go eat. Well no worries though...Sam to the rescue, along with Kellie and Kramer. They came and kept me company while everyone else went to eat. I also forced Jerrid to go eat, the last thing he needed to do all weekend was sit in the hospital with his crazy and delirious wife. Also, I have started a list of ALL the foods that must be at my disposal when I am able to eat again.
So yesterday was a jam packed day of visitors, but it was awesome and I wouldn't have had it any other way! It was great to see everybody, catch up, and it made the day fly by. They gave me some Ambien last night to help me sleep and that made a world of difference, I woke feeling very rested. My hemoglobin levels were up to 8.2, but I am still going to have one more blood transfusion today, just to be on the safe side and keep the levels up. I also get to start introducing some liquids, crackers, and toast later today. Sounds like I've got some more visitors coming today and I'm looking forward to that. I'm also looking forward to getting caught up on some of my DVR'd shows and maybe a book.
Tomorrow, around 7 a.m. my implant will be pulled out. I will then get to shower, and eat whatever I want! I will also get my PICC line out tomorrow...this is very exciting! I haven't been able to shower normally for about 8 weeks because I can't get it wet. So, I'm looking forward to it coming out and a normal shower! Lastly, I'm hoping for a late afternoon discharge. I should go home feeling pretty well, just sore in a couple areas and a little exhausted, but that is to be expected.
Thank you for everyone's thoughts and prayers during my hospital stay! Thanks to all of you who have visited and brought flowers and things to make the days go by faster! We have such an amazing support group, and wouldn't have gotten through all of this without all of you!
Thank you,
Meighan, Jerrid, Brayden, and Mogi
Friday, November 18, 2011
And so it begins...
Well, it took a little longer than expected but Meighan finally has the implant radiation in place! Now all she has to do is sit and wait....for 60 hours! That's right 60.
It was a pretty eventful day for my wife, today, but that really shouldn't come as a surprise. She started with a CAT scan bright and early this morning to see if the implant device was properly positioned yesterday. Well...turns out it was 5 mm too close to her bladder and her radiologist, who is very pragmatic and very practical, didn't feel comfortable leaving it there. Sooooo...it was off to the O.R. so he could position it precisely where he needed it to be. It was only a 10-15 minute procedure but it did require her to be placed under a light anesthesia, and it required her to be placed in the recovery room for what was supposed to be a short stay. Well that turned into 2 hours and then she was off again to have another CAT scan. Once they determined it was in the right place, Dr. Duckert went off to calculate the radiation dosage and after a brief stop at her old room on the 5th floor, she was finally taken to her final destination for the weekend, room 605!
At 7:00 Dr. Duckert and some guy--I can't remember his name, but he was the one handling the actual radiation--met us in front of her new room to insert the radiation. It was a pretty surreal scene seeing this old metal bucket with a
container holding radiation, and the presence of 2 Geiger Counters to
detect the levels of radiation coming from the Iridium...it felt like a
sci-fi movie! The radiation being used is Iridium-192 and it was delivered in the old metal bucket shown above. Evidently the actual Iridium looks something like pencil lead, and was inserted into the needles currently implanted into my wife's nether-regions, As it decays it emits the radiation that is letting the cancer cells have it.
But...it is radiation and some of those little beta particles (electrons) are flying out of my wife's body at around 90% the speed of light. So there are some precautions that must be taken...such as...
...a giant lead screen that is between her and the neighboring room! This is so the radiation isn't leaving her, going through the wall into the adjoining room. In all actuality they are being overly cautious. The lead shield is overkill and is basically in place for liability issues. The radiation particles not much of a concern at distances greater than 10 feet away and can be stopped with a pane of glass a couple, which is exactly the distance I have to sit away from Meighan for the next 60 hours!
Well...that's about all for now. I know there are some people planning on visiting in the next couple of days, which Meighan will greatly appreciate. She is in room 605 in the South Tower at Methodist. We will be in the southeast corner...look for the door with the RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS sign!
It was a pretty eventful day for my wife, today, but that really shouldn't come as a surprise. She started with a CAT scan bright and early this morning to see if the implant device was properly positioned yesterday. Well...turns out it was 5 mm too close to her bladder and her radiologist, who is very pragmatic and very practical, didn't feel comfortable leaving it there. Sooooo...it was off to the O.R. so he could position it precisely where he needed it to be. It was only a 10-15 minute procedure but it did require her to be placed under a light anesthesia, and it required her to be placed in the recovery room for what was supposed to be a short stay. Well that turned into 2 hours and then she was off again to have another CAT scan. Once they determined it was in the right place, Dr. Duckert went off to calculate the radiation dosage and after a brief stop at her old room on the 5th floor, she was finally taken to her final destination for the weekend, room 605!
 |
| Bucket O'Radiation! |
But...it is radiation and some of those little beta particles (electrons) are flying out of my wife's body at around 90% the speed of light. So there are some precautions that must be taken...such as...
 | |||||||||||||
| Meighan's View for the Next 60 Hours |
Well...that's about all for now. I know there are some people planning on visiting in the next couple of days, which Meighan will greatly appreciate. She is in room 605 in the South Tower at Methodist. We will be in the southeast corner...look for the door with the RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS sign!
 |
| Our Welcoming Sign |
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Implant Radiation Update
Quote of the day, coming from the South Tower of the Methodist Hospital:
The procedure went well today and Dr. Duckert was as positive as ever when he came into the room to talk to myself and Meighan's mom, Deb. It's always a good sign when they enter a room with two big thumbs up. Anyway, they basically did what they said they were going to do. Dr. Morris cut her open to help guide and place the radiation device in the correct location, and Dr. Duckert stuck the device up her ying-yang. While she was open, Dr. Morris did a little exploring of her uterus and cervix and said there were no surprises in terms of the tumor and surrounding tissues. It is almost non-existent, and the plan is for this implant radiation treatment to be the coup de grace for her tumor and her cancer cells.
Right now she is resting pretty comfortably and I'm sitting in her room trying to get caught up on some school work. Tomorrow morning she goes into Dr. Duckert's office to have a CAT Scan done. This is to double check and make sure the device is precisely where they want it. At that point Dr. Duckert will do some calculations and "figure out the physics" of her treatment to determine how much and how long she will have the device implanted. He told us it will probably be from 48 to 60 hours, during which time Meighan has to stay in the bed, and she cannot eat...anything...save for a few jolly ranchers and ice chips. During the next 72-96 hours she cannot have a bowel movement. If she does they have to take her back down to the O.R. to reset the device. Oh, and she has to have injections in her abdomen to help prevent blood clots. Can't forget about those!
At some time Friday afternoon the device will be hooked up to the radiation source and she will have to sit there for a couple of days. It's a low dosage of radiation--people can visit and the nurses and docs will still come in to check on her--but they will place a protective screen around her to reduce the little amount of radiation that will be coming from her. Likewise, pregnant women, and people under 18 are not to visit during this time, because there is the slightest bit of risk to them if they are exposed to the radiation.
Well...that's where we stand right now. We are so very hopeful that this is the last round of treatments and that Dr. Duckert is right when he says that this treatment should get rid of the tumor completely. Thank you all for your care and concern, and keep Meighan in your thoughts and prayers the next couple of days. The thought of not eating for 5 days makes me ill, as I'm sitting here lamenting that I haven't eaten anything since noon...what a wuss...
Thank you, and we will keep you posted!
- "Dr. Morris is going to cut you open, and I'm basically going to stick an appliance up yer ying-yang." - Dr. Duckert, Meighan's Radiologist, talking about her procedure today!
The procedure went well today and Dr. Duckert was as positive as ever when he came into the room to talk to myself and Meighan's mom, Deb. It's always a good sign when they enter a room with two big thumbs up. Anyway, they basically did what they said they were going to do. Dr. Morris cut her open to help guide and place the radiation device in the correct location, and Dr. Duckert stuck the device up her ying-yang. While she was open, Dr. Morris did a little exploring of her uterus and cervix and said there were no surprises in terms of the tumor and surrounding tissues. It is almost non-existent, and the plan is for this implant radiation treatment to be the coup de grace for her tumor and her cancer cells.
Right now she is resting pretty comfortably and I'm sitting in her room trying to get caught up on some school work. Tomorrow morning she goes into Dr. Duckert's office to have a CAT Scan done. This is to double check and make sure the device is precisely where they want it. At that point Dr. Duckert will do some calculations and "figure out the physics" of her treatment to determine how much and how long she will have the device implanted. He told us it will probably be from 48 to 60 hours, during which time Meighan has to stay in the bed, and she cannot eat...anything...save for a few jolly ranchers and ice chips. During the next 72-96 hours she cannot have a bowel movement. If she does they have to take her back down to the O.R. to reset the device. Oh, and she has to have injections in her abdomen to help prevent blood clots. Can't forget about those!
At some time Friday afternoon the device will be hooked up to the radiation source and she will have to sit there for a couple of days. It's a low dosage of radiation--people can visit and the nurses and docs will still come in to check on her--but they will place a protective screen around her to reduce the little amount of radiation that will be coming from her. Likewise, pregnant women, and people under 18 are not to visit during this time, because there is the slightest bit of risk to them if they are exposed to the radiation.
Well...that's where we stand right now. We are so very hopeful that this is the last round of treatments and that Dr. Duckert is right when he says that this treatment should get rid of the tumor completely. Thank you all for your care and concern, and keep Meighan in your thoughts and prayers the next couple of days. The thought of not eating for 5 days makes me ill, as I'm sitting here lamenting that I haven't eaten anything since noon...what a wuss...
Thank you, and we will keep you posted!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Now I'm freaking out...
BUT...that still doesn't give anyone else the ok to freak out. :) I'm not freaking out because I have cancer, I'm not freaking out because of my upcoming treatment, I'm freaking out because I found out today that I will have to take off more work. I thought I was going to be able to go back to work after Thanksgiving, but now I will not be able to return back to work until after Christmas. This is due to the time it will take the incision in my abdomen to heal. I was really looking forward to getting back to work. As silly or ridiculous as it may sound, my job is part of what defines me and gives me purpose. Not that being a mom and wife, don't give me purpose because they, first and foremost, most definitely do. As much as my job may stress me out at times, I absolutely love it. I love the kids and my colleagues are an amazing group of people! But now instead of heading back to work, I will be spending an 6 weeks at home healing. I know a lot of people at work were concerned about me coming back and how much I'd actually be able to do, so hopefully this extra time will make me that much stronger for when I come back in January.
Along with finding out today about my recovery time, I did find out a little more about my procedure. I will be going in this Thursday at 10, and the actual procedure will be at noon. They will open up my abdomen right along my c-section scar. The reason for opening up the abdomen is so they are able to place the implant in the right place, but the implant itself will be inserted through the pelvis. They will place the implant on Thursday and then the rest of the day on Thursday, Dr. Duckert (radiologist) will work on the physics of the implant. Friday morning then I will go for a CAT scan to make sure it is in the right place, and once that is confirmed, then they will turn on the radiation. At this time, they will know specifically how many hours I will have to have the implant in for (any where from 40 to 70.) Once the implant is on, I will not be able to leave my bed. It will more than likely be pulled out on Sunday or Monday at the latest, and I'm hoping to be dischardged on Monday also. Visitors are still welcome, but you will have to sign in and sign out stating that you are aware you are entering a room with a low dose radiation. This is nothing that will harm you, but they take every precaution. You will also have to stay behind a screen as another precaution. Apparently, you can see over this screen when you sit in a chair and I can see over it sitting it bed, so I'm assuming it's only a couple feet high. Other than that info, I don't think I know a whole lot more, but will definitely keep updating you throughout my hospital stay. The end is in sight, but it could be a long upcoming 6 days! Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers!
Along with finding out today about my recovery time, I did find out a little more about my procedure. I will be going in this Thursday at 10, and the actual procedure will be at noon. They will open up my abdomen right along my c-section scar. The reason for opening up the abdomen is so they are able to place the implant in the right place, but the implant itself will be inserted through the pelvis. They will place the implant on Thursday and then the rest of the day on Thursday, Dr. Duckert (radiologist) will work on the physics of the implant. Friday morning then I will go for a CAT scan to make sure it is in the right place, and once that is confirmed, then they will turn on the radiation. At this time, they will know specifically how many hours I will have to have the implant in for (any where from 40 to 70.) Once the implant is on, I will not be able to leave my bed. It will more than likely be pulled out on Sunday or Monday at the latest, and I'm hoping to be dischardged on Monday also. Visitors are still welcome, but you will have to sign in and sign out stating that you are aware you are entering a room with a low dose radiation. This is nothing that will harm you, but they take every precaution. You will also have to stay behind a screen as another precaution. Apparently, you can see over this screen when you sit in a chair and I can see over it sitting it bed, so I'm assuming it's only a couple feet high. Other than that info, I don't think I know a whole lot more, but will definitely keep updating you throughout my hospital stay. The end is in sight, but it could be a long upcoming 6 days! Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers!
Monday, November 14, 2011
I'm not freaking out, so you don't get to!
I went in today for my third implant radiation treatment; therefore, I still have anesthesia in my system, so bear with me. Things didn't go as well as the doctor's would have liked today. Once they got the implant inserted where they wanted, they took me down for a CAT scan to make sure it was in the right place. The CAT scan showed that it wasn't where they wanted it, and this was due to my uterine anteversion. This pretty much means my uterus is tilted and in the way of getting the implant where they want it. SO...my doctors are discontinuing Tandem and Ring radiation due to this. They are changing the procedure to Open Syed Template implant. This type of implant requires an inpatient stay in the hospital for 5 to 6 days. They will open up my abdomen to help place the implant in the correct position and then the implant will stay inserted for up to 70 hours. I will have to stay in bed the entire time and can not eat for the entire 5-6 days. You're probably asking, "well 70 hours is only 3 days, so how does that work?" Well...Thursday doesn't really count as a day, as I won't even go in for the procedure until around noon, and it will take hours to perform the procedure and place the implant correctly. From there, it will more than likely be inserted from Thursday evening until Sunday. They will then take the implant out and I can not eat for another 24 hours after that. Oh and I also can't eat on Wednesday, 24 hours before the actual procedure, to prep for the surgery. So this whole going without food for 5-7 days will somewhat be new to me, and I don't think I'm going to enjoy it very much. Throughout chemo there were maybe 3 days in a row that I would only eat saltines, but I was also feeling so crappy, I didn't really know any different. As for this time, I should be feeling pretty well throughout this entire procedure, probably just hungry and bored! :) I also don't imagine this is going to help with my weight loss issue...unless I gain a lot of water weight?! :)
I would like to stress that this is NOT a set back at all, and has nothing to do with something going wrong. Things just weren't able to go as planned, but what else is new when it comes to me and this entire ordeal? Nothing has gone as planned throughout, but I've gotten through it all just fine and it has all been TOTALLY worth it! My tumor is continuing to shrink and this implant is crucial in curing my cancer. Therefore, this is what needs to be done and it will be all be fine. That is what I keep telling my mother and Jerrid, as they seem to be freaking out about it more than I am. I think they are freaking out for multiple reasons:
1. I am the one trying to tell them how this all going to work after just waking up from anesthesia. Although, hopefully by now Jerrid has talked to Dr. Duckert as Dr. Duckert wanted to be sure to explain this all to him. After waking up from anesthesia I don't start to remember things until the next morning, so I may not even remember all that I have typed in this blog tomorrow morning. Dr. Duckert and Jerrid are also becoming best buds, so I think Dr Duckert was looking for an excuse to talk to another science nerd.
2. It's just another added stress. Especially for Jerrid, who just started 2 a day basketball tryouts today, so it's just more to add on top of everything else.
3. They are also, as to be expected, concerned. Concerned about all that I've already been put through and all that I still have to go through: all the prep work I have to go through, the entire process of this thing, and not being able to eat for 5 to 7 days.
I love them for this, but I also told them, I'm not freaking out so they don't get to! :)
So...I think I'll leave it at that and if Jerrid gets home and decides he needs to add some info after he talked to Dr. Duckert, he will. Lastly, while I am in the hospital; visitors, movies, magazines, and books are allowed to help prevent boredom! :) Anyone who is under the age of 18 and pregnant is not allowed, though. For now I'm going to go stuff my face and not stop until Tuesday at midnight!
I would like to stress that this is NOT a set back at all, and has nothing to do with something going wrong. Things just weren't able to go as planned, but what else is new when it comes to me and this entire ordeal? Nothing has gone as planned throughout, but I've gotten through it all just fine and it has all been TOTALLY worth it! My tumor is continuing to shrink and this implant is crucial in curing my cancer. Therefore, this is what needs to be done and it will be all be fine. That is what I keep telling my mother and Jerrid, as they seem to be freaking out about it more than I am. I think they are freaking out for multiple reasons:
1. I am the one trying to tell them how this all going to work after just waking up from anesthesia. Although, hopefully by now Jerrid has talked to Dr. Duckert as Dr. Duckert wanted to be sure to explain this all to him. After waking up from anesthesia I don't start to remember things until the next morning, so I may not even remember all that I have typed in this blog tomorrow morning. Dr. Duckert and Jerrid are also becoming best buds, so I think Dr Duckert was looking for an excuse to talk to another science nerd.
2. It's just another added stress. Especially for Jerrid, who just started 2 a day basketball tryouts today, so it's just more to add on top of everything else.
3. They are also, as to be expected, concerned. Concerned about all that I've already been put through and all that I still have to go through: all the prep work I have to go through, the entire process of this thing, and not being able to eat for 5 to 7 days.
I love them for this, but I also told them, I'm not freaking out so they don't get to! :)
So...I think I'll leave it at that and if Jerrid gets home and decides he needs to add some info after he talked to Dr. Duckert, he will. Lastly, while I am in the hospital; visitors, movies, magazines, and books are allowed to help prevent boredom! :) Anyone who is under the age of 18 and pregnant is not allowed, though. For now I'm going to go stuff my face and not stop until Tuesday at midnight!
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
"Thank you for the efforts"
Today before I went in for my procedure, Dr. Duckert told me, "Thank you for your efforts in all of this, you are an inspiration." I found this funny and told my nurse, "Funny how he's thankful for my efforts, shouldn't I be the one thankful for all his efforts?" She laughed! I couldn't be more thankful for all of his and Dr. Morris's efforts as I would not have had near the success I have had without their efforts!
I know I have wrote before about how generous, caring, and amazing everyone at the Estabrook Cancer Center has been, but these people are seriously unbelievable! Today, when I checked in to the Outpatient Surgery Center, the receptionist knew my name. Yes, she checked me in on Monday, but still, I'm sure she's checked in hundreds of people since then. Then, my nurse anesthetist today remembered me from when I had my cone biopsy, way back at the beginning of September. She not only remembered my name, she remembered where I worked, that I got married in July (sometimes I even forget that in the midst of all that has gone on since), and that we have a 4 year old son. Not only have these two remembered me, but everyone else I have come into contact with at the Estabrook Cancer Center has remembered me. This is an uplifting feeling and really makes me feel like I matter (which helps when you're going through what I'm going through.) So I've decided either all of these people are really good with faces and names, I am so beautiful that I'm hard to forget, or this is just who these people are...the most caring people out there! I'm positive it's the latter! Either way though, these people have gone above and beyond to provide me with the best care, support, and treatment possible and I will be forever grateful!
In conclusion, many of you have been asking if I was able to hang out with my friends Bud and Mary last weekend, and you'll be happy to know (or at least I was happy about it) that I did hang out with them, not one, but two nights! I also am putting in some hours at work this week and next week. Slowly but surely I'm working my way back. It feels so good to finally getting back to myself and my old life!
I know I have wrote before about how generous, caring, and amazing everyone at the Estabrook Cancer Center has been, but these people are seriously unbelievable! Today, when I checked in to the Outpatient Surgery Center, the receptionist knew my name. Yes, she checked me in on Monday, but still, I'm sure she's checked in hundreds of people since then. Then, my nurse anesthetist today remembered me from when I had my cone biopsy, way back at the beginning of September. She not only remembered my name, she remembered where I worked, that I got married in July (sometimes I even forget that in the midst of all that has gone on since), and that we have a 4 year old son. Not only have these two remembered me, but everyone else I have come into contact with at the Estabrook Cancer Center has remembered me. This is an uplifting feeling and really makes me feel like I matter (which helps when you're going through what I'm going through.) So I've decided either all of these people are really good with faces and names, I am so beautiful that I'm hard to forget, or this is just who these people are...the most caring people out there! I'm positive it's the latter! Either way though, these people have gone above and beyond to provide me with the best care, support, and treatment possible and I will be forever grateful!
In conclusion, many of you have been asking if I was able to hang out with my friends Bud and Mary last weekend, and you'll be happy to know (or at least I was happy about it) that I did hang out with them, not one, but two nights! I also am putting in some hours at work this week and next week. Slowly but surely I'm working my way back. It feels so good to finally getting back to myself and my old life!
Monday, November 7, 2011
One Treatment Down...
...and four more to go.
So today was Meighan's first course of Implant Radiation, and according to her radiologist, "things went exactly as planned." I'm going to keep this one short because I don't exactly know what was going back in the operating room, and Meighan was out so she doesn't know much either.
The highlight of the day was speaking with Dr. Duckert immediately after the procedure. He came out and let me know that up to this point, things are going better than planned, and that today went exactly as planned. The quick response of Meighan's cancer cells to radiation has made not only Meighan and I extremely happy, but it has made Dr. Duckert extremely happy. The small size of her tumor makes it "easier" and less risky for him to perform the implant radiation treatment. When it was a larger tumor it was pushing up against the bladder, ureters, and colon, which is potentially risky.
Anyway, Dr. Duckert said three times that he is "very, very happy with how things are going." Additionally, he let me know that Meighan's tumor is "virtually nonexistent." Obviously those are things that made me extremely happy.
Meighan here and I too am extremely happy to hear those things. If you ask Dr. Duckert, it's all him and his radiation plan that has led to my tumor becoming "virtually nonexistent." If you ask Dr. Morris, it's all him and his chemo plan that has led to my tumor becoming "virtually nonexistent." (These men really just like to toot their own horns...they know better than to think it was just them.) In all actuality, it was both of them and their plans along with all of your prayers that has led to my tumor becoming "virtually nonexistent." This is exactly what we wanted, but we aren't done yet! I still have four implant treatments to get through to make sure this tumor is nonexistent at the end. From there, the next 18 months are crucial. Chances of re-occurrence are highest in the following 18 months. Therefore, I will have frequent checks every 3 months, and continue to have faith and hope knowing that the best results (meaning the best long term results) happen to those that respond quickest to treatment (and I'm one of those that responded quickly to treatment!)
So today was Meighan's first course of Implant Radiation, and according to her radiologist, "things went exactly as planned." I'm going to keep this one short because I don't exactly know what was going back in the operating room, and Meighan was out so she doesn't know much either.
The highlight of the day was speaking with Dr. Duckert immediately after the procedure. He came out and let me know that up to this point, things are going better than planned, and that today went exactly as planned. The quick response of Meighan's cancer cells to radiation has made not only Meighan and I extremely happy, but it has made Dr. Duckert extremely happy. The small size of her tumor makes it "easier" and less risky for him to perform the implant radiation treatment. When it was a larger tumor it was pushing up against the bladder, ureters, and colon, which is potentially risky.
Anyway, Dr. Duckert said three times that he is "very, very happy with how things are going." Additionally, he let me know that Meighan's tumor is "virtually nonexistent." Obviously those are things that made me extremely happy.
Meighan here and I too am extremely happy to hear those things. If you ask Dr. Duckert, it's all him and his radiation plan that has led to my tumor becoming "virtually nonexistent." If you ask Dr. Morris, it's all him and his chemo plan that has led to my tumor becoming "virtually nonexistent." (These men really just like to toot their own horns...they know better than to think it was just them.) In all actuality, it was both of them and their plans along with all of your prayers that has led to my tumor becoming "virtually nonexistent." This is exactly what we wanted, but we aren't done yet! I still have four implant treatments to get through to make sure this tumor is nonexistent at the end. From there, the next 18 months are crucial. Chances of re-occurrence are highest in the following 18 months. Therefore, I will have frequent checks every 3 months, and continue to have faith and hope knowing that the best results (meaning the best long term results) happen to those that respond quickest to treatment (and I'm one of those that responded quickly to treatment!)
Friday, November 4, 2011
Little Victories
Well I think I may have figured out what Dr. Morris meant about winning the race. I have successfully completed chemo and now radiation, two races out of the entire meet. Next race, implant radiation. Looking at this entire ordeal like it's a track meet with individual races seems fitting. I've had many hurdles I've had to jump over (sometimes them feeling like that last hurdle of the 400m hurdles...ugh), I've been physically exhausted after treatments, and I've had to mentally prepare myself for everything from treatments to getting out of bed in the morning. It's only fitting that Jerrid just accepted the head girls track coach position at Papillion South, as he has been my coach throughout all of this. Running hills, ab workouts, ect...the guy is a mad man and doesn't stop! Seriously though, he has held my hand through it all, pushed me to keep fighting, and helped keep me strong!
Today was my last day of radiation; it's almost bittersweet. It's been a looooooong six weeks, that I wasn't sure was ever going to end. I couldn't be happier though, as it seems those weeks were totally worth all the hell they were. My tumor responded very well ("surprisingly well" as Dr. Duckert said today) to the six week course of treatment. He also said, he's ready to "finish it off" with implant radiation...I'm ready for that too!
So, now what? Well I'm going to celebrate the end of 6 weeks of treatment! Not sure how I'm going to celebrate yet, but I'm going to! I'm feeling better and better each day, and more and more like my old self! Therefore, I'm hoping to get out and about this weekend, enjoy some friends (maybe even my friends Bloody Mary and Bud Light...we'll see what the taste buds say) that I haven't seen in awhile and celebrate!
Thank you for all of your support throughout these last, not only 6 weeks, but the past 2 months! We truly have an amazing support system!
Have a great weekend!
Meighan
Today was my last day of radiation; it's almost bittersweet. It's been a looooooong six weeks, that I wasn't sure was ever going to end. I couldn't be happier though, as it seems those weeks were totally worth all the hell they were. My tumor responded very well ("surprisingly well" as Dr. Duckert said today) to the six week course of treatment. He also said, he's ready to "finish it off" with implant radiation...I'm ready for that too!So, now what? Well I'm going to celebrate the end of 6 weeks of treatment! Not sure how I'm going to celebrate yet, but I'm going to! I'm feeling better and better each day, and more and more like my old self! Therefore, I'm hoping to get out and about this weekend, enjoy some friends (maybe even my friends Bloody Mary and Bud Light...we'll see what the taste buds say) that I haven't seen in awhile and celebrate!
Thank you for all of your support throughout these last, not only 6 weeks, but the past 2 months! We truly have an amazing support system!
Have a great weekend!
Meighan
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
"You've won the race..."
Well, according to Dr. Morris, Meighan has "won the race." We're not exactly sure what the race is, and how she won it, but it means that she is done with chemo treatments! Kathy, Meighan's chemo nurse, just came in and told us after her blood work came back her doctors decided she would not be receiving her 6th round of chemo treatment. Evidently it's not worth the risk of possibly sending her into the hospital to be hooked up on fluids for 24 hours a day and at this point, the implant radiation is going to be the treatment that finishes off her cancer, not the chemo. Additionally, as challenging as her implant radiation is going to be, it would be counter-productive to knock her even further on her butt than what she already is. As I so lovingly told her this morning, "It doesn't look like you've hit a wall, it looks like you've hit ten walls and then were broadsided by a truck..." She is feeling pretty good in regards to her nausea and discomfort, but she is physically exhausted and barely has the energy to get up the stairs. I told her the problem isn't her treatments, it's that she is out of shape. So I've decided we are having a workout session when we get home this afternoon...there is a large hill by our house. I think six trips up the hill will be a good start followed by some ab work.
With chemo out of the way, we can officially set our sights on the implant radiation treatments, which start on Monday, November 7th. It will be five rounds of treatment starting on Monday, and continuing Wednesday, Monday, Wednesday, and Monday. This type of treatment will be a high high dose of radiation delivered for a short time directly to the cancer cells. As Dr. Duckert explained to us (more so to me, the biology teacher) cancer cells are most susceptible to the radiation at different times of their growth and development. And all cancer cells aren't in the same phase of development at the same time. If you would like a more detailed, biological explanation, don't be afraid to ask but I will spare you the "boredom" as Meighan described it. If the treatment is done only once then you run the risk of targeting cells that aren't susceptible to radiation. Five treatments are needed to increase the chances of targeting the susceptible cells. The actual radiation treatment won't take too much time as she will only be exposed to the radiation for a total of 6-10 minutes on each day. The problem with the implant radiation is the preparation work that needs to be done by Meighan and by her radiologist.
Meighan will be on a clear liquid diet for the 24 hours before the treatment. I'm sure this will really bulk up her already small--and getting smaller frame. The implant radiation is an out-patient procedure, which will require her to be put under a "light" general anesthesia--Michael Jackson's drug of choice, according to her radiologist. On the day of the treatment she needs to be to the hospital by around 7:00, which will not be easy for her. Once she is here, they need to do some preparation work before she is put under. Once she is given the anesthesia , she will remain under for about 4-5 hours!
Why so long? If she is only receiving the actual radiation treatment for 6-10 minutes, why does she need to be out for 4+ hours? Well, once she is under they are actually going to wheel her to a different location in the hospital to have a CT Scan performed. This is necessary for the radiologist to determine the "physics" of the implant radiation. He needs to determine exactly where to place it, and calculate how much of a radiation dose she is going to receive on that day. Obviously it is a very complicated procedure but it goes way beyond "sticking a device up there" and turning it on. Obviously Dr. Duckert was very happy that the tumor is rapidly shrinking for our sake and Meighan's health, but I know he was equally happy for his own sake. With a smaller tumor he isn't going to need to place the implant radiation so incredibly close to her bladder, ureters, and sigmoid colon, which was a very real concern a couple of weeks ago. That's great news to all parties concerned because the implant radiation can cause some serious problems to those areas and have long-term side effects.
Meighan here to wrap things up. I've never been much of a runner, so I think this is the first race I've won (well besides some 7 flight hurdle races in junior high.) I definitely don't feel like I've won a race, but rather ran a really long race and have nothing left in me. They keep pumping me full of fluids, and I'm also drinking lots of fluids to hopefully gain a little more energy. I told my nurse yesterday, "I feel my best (pretty good actually) when I'm laying down." She said, "Yeah, that's not good." I thought it was good that I actually felt good at some point? As Jerrid said, I don't have any nausea or discomfort (this is good) just zero energy. The littlest tasks take it all out of me and I'm down for the count again, so hopefully this issue starts to look up soon before implant radiation starts on Monday.
Yesterday, after four hours of fluids I went down for radiation. This weeks radiation is a little different than it has been. They have narrowed the field they are treating since my tumor is responding so well. My mom and Aunt Nancy were with me and they got to talk to Dr. Duckert. He told them that my tumor doesn't like radiation, is "melting away", and has "drastically reduced." It never really gets old hearing these sorts of things!
Even though I'm not getting my last chemo treatment today, I am enjoying spending some quality with my husband. Through all of this you'd think we'd get a lot of time together as I really haven't left the house much, but that isn't the case. He is always so busy caring for me, caring for Brayden, caring for Mogi, doing laundry, picking up the house, trying to catch a mouse (don't even get me started), coaching, planning, grading, teaching, and the list goes on while I am so busy laying in bed. Our schedules just really aren't matching up, so today is nice and a great way to end chemo treatments!
With chemo out of the way, we can officially set our sights on the implant radiation treatments, which start on Monday, November 7th. It will be five rounds of treatment starting on Monday, and continuing Wednesday, Monday, Wednesday, and Monday. This type of treatment will be a high high dose of radiation delivered for a short time directly to the cancer cells. As Dr. Duckert explained to us (more so to me, the biology teacher) cancer cells are most susceptible to the radiation at different times of their growth and development. And all cancer cells aren't in the same phase of development at the same time. If you would like a more detailed, biological explanation, don't be afraid to ask but I will spare you the "boredom" as Meighan described it. If the treatment is done only once then you run the risk of targeting cells that aren't susceptible to radiation. Five treatments are needed to increase the chances of targeting the susceptible cells. The actual radiation treatment won't take too much time as she will only be exposed to the radiation for a total of 6-10 minutes on each day. The problem with the implant radiation is the preparation work that needs to be done by Meighan and by her radiologist.
Meighan will be on a clear liquid diet for the 24 hours before the treatment. I'm sure this will really bulk up her already small--and getting smaller frame. The implant radiation is an out-patient procedure, which will require her to be put under a "light" general anesthesia--Michael Jackson's drug of choice, according to her radiologist. On the day of the treatment she needs to be to the hospital by around 7:00, which will not be easy for her. Once she is here, they need to do some preparation work before she is put under. Once she is given the anesthesia , she will remain under for about 4-5 hours!
Why so long? If she is only receiving the actual radiation treatment for 6-10 minutes, why does she need to be out for 4+ hours? Well, once she is under they are actually going to wheel her to a different location in the hospital to have a CT Scan performed. This is necessary for the radiologist to determine the "physics" of the implant radiation. He needs to determine exactly where to place it, and calculate how much of a radiation dose she is going to receive on that day. Obviously it is a very complicated procedure but it goes way beyond "sticking a device up there" and turning it on. Obviously Dr. Duckert was very happy that the tumor is rapidly shrinking for our sake and Meighan's health, but I know he was equally happy for his own sake. With a smaller tumor he isn't going to need to place the implant radiation so incredibly close to her bladder, ureters, and sigmoid colon, which was a very real concern a couple of weeks ago. That's great news to all parties concerned because the implant radiation can cause some serious problems to those areas and have long-term side effects.
Meighan here to wrap things up. I've never been much of a runner, so I think this is the first race I've won (well besides some 7 flight hurdle races in junior high.) I definitely don't feel like I've won a race, but rather ran a really long race and have nothing left in me. They keep pumping me full of fluids, and I'm also drinking lots of fluids to hopefully gain a little more energy. I told my nurse yesterday, "I feel my best (pretty good actually) when I'm laying down." She said, "Yeah, that's not good." I thought it was good that I actually felt good at some point? As Jerrid said, I don't have any nausea or discomfort (this is good) just zero energy. The littlest tasks take it all out of me and I'm down for the count again, so hopefully this issue starts to look up soon before implant radiation starts on Monday.
Yesterday, after four hours of fluids I went down for radiation. This weeks radiation is a little different than it has been. They have narrowed the field they are treating since my tumor is responding so well. My mom and Aunt Nancy were with me and they got to talk to Dr. Duckert. He told them that my tumor doesn't like radiation, is "melting away", and has "drastically reduced." It never really gets old hearing these sorts of things!
Even though I'm not getting my last chemo treatment today, I am enjoying spending some quality with my husband. Through all of this you'd think we'd get a lot of time together as I really haven't left the house much, but that isn't the case. He is always so busy caring for me, caring for Brayden, caring for Mogi, doing laundry, picking up the house, trying to catch a mouse (don't even get me started), coaching, planning, grading, teaching, and the list goes on while I am so busy laying in bed. Our schedules just really aren't matching up, so today is nice and a great way to end chemo treatments!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)