Things That Make You Go Hmmmm...

It just now struck me as bizarre that something as common as generic Ibuprofin can alleviate the discomfort of something as major as cancer in the bones.

1 Down

I started my radiation yesterday. I was fine all day long. I was fine pulling into the parking lot and sitting in the waiting room. It wasn't until I started walking down the hallway into the room that this cloud of reality settled over me. Wow...I just didn't expect it. The whole time I was laying on the table I was tense and (mentally) uncomfortable. I was there longer yesterday because of the initial set-up. I couldn't wait to get out of there. The techs were great though...always so upbeat and friendly. On the drive home I kept telling myself that this is important and necessary and it will all be good. Only a few tears that I'm doing this for the 3rd time.

By the time I got home, and Dominic was there, he cheered me right up and I knew I could handle this again. I was reminded that this isn't just about me. It's about Dominic, and Brian, and all of my family and friends. Amazing what an attitude adjustment does for a person. I'm ready to get back in there today and do some more "zapping."

The field area is about 10 inches long and maybe 4 or 5 inches wide. It's shaped like New Jersey! I would have picked a prettier state if it were up to me. Brian was surprised. He envisioned more the size of a deck of cards (nasty Queen of Spades size?).

I'll report back with more news as we progress through this. As far as updates on others...Mary Jo has had her last chemo (YIPPEE!) and Dave is half way through his (yippee!).

Have a splendid weekend one and all...and I hope the Floridians are having a great time on their vacation!

Slight Change in Plans

At last, I think I have all the information that pertains to the current course of treatment.

Radiation will begin this coming Thursday. We will radiate my left pelvis first, Monday through Friday, for a total of 20 sessions. Then we'll take a break of maybe two weeks, followed by 20 sessions of radiating my right pelvis.

The Xeloda chemo pills will not be prescribed until after I complete the radiation. Dr S and Dr K sat down and discussed it and agreed that there would just be too many side effects to deal with if I were to undergo both at the same time. Because the cancer remains "bone only" there is no urgency to start the chemo immediately. The radiation is being done first to stabilize some of the bones. Once on the Xeloda I will probably be taking those pills for a year...if all goes as planned.

Thank you for tuning in for this Medical Moment.

Note to self...

March 15th blood draw shows a tumor marker number of 649.

That's about what I expected, I guess. Certainly explains the pains. Time for some radiation and chemo to get this all under control.

Because they're installing and then training on some new equipment, my radiation start date has been pushed off to Thursday of next week. I still plan to stop in Monday and see Dr K regarding the Xeloda, though.

Cancer...it's a load o' crap. That's how I remember the name of the chemo pill (Xeloda crap).

Happy St Patty's Day!

Hola!

I really only have a brief moment to check in and let everyone know that we made it home, safe and sound, and that we had a FABULOUS vacation!! More details to come...

Brian's surgery was successful today and we finally made it home at about 4:15. It proved to be a long, long day at the hospital. But he's now resting comfortably in front of NCAA basketball. I haven't decided yet if I prefer being the patient or the caregiver. There are definite downsides to both!

I have enough physical discomfort now that I feel I'm mentally prepared for all that next week will bring with the radiation and chemo pills. Advil takes the edge off, but I'm popping more of that each day than I care to.

Lots of catching up to do yet. Still have to unpack! And I need my swimsuit so I can float down the lazy river this weekend.

I'll do my best to try and get some vacation photos and stories out this weekend.

Hugs!

Home Again, Home Again

But no Jiggity Jig. I could hurt myself dancing like that.

I know there are many of you out there who have been waiting to hear what we learned at the Mayo Clinic. So here it is...

From the time we arrived at the check-in desk at 7am Tuesday morning, to the time we left the Clinic to go back to our hotel room, it was 3 1/2 hours. Included in that time was checking in all of my scans, reports, pathology slides, and xrays, a blood draw, breakfast in the cafeteria, waiting in the exam room, about 40 minutes total with the doctor himself, and a 20 minute wait thrown in the middle while he consulted with his "boss."

They were in total agreement with all that has been done so far in my treatment, from the very beginning. Their recommendation is to now discontinue the Faslodex and start on a chemo pill called Xeloda. This is something I would take twice a day for 2 weeks, then have some down time of a week or two, and take it again for 2 weeks, etc, etc. As with any form of chemo, there are potential side effects. Only time will tell which of those effects I will experience. We are also going to proceed with the radiation, scheduled to begin daily on March 20.

Over the past week or so I have begun to feel a lot more discomfort in my hips and legs. More understandable when we see that my tumor marker has jumped to over 500 in the course of the past two weeks time! The Mayo docs think that to just switch to another hormone type therapy would be a waste, since none of the others appear to have helped.

I called Dr. Kumar from the road this morning and he readily agreed with this course of treatment. I will meet with him after we're back from Mexico and get things set up and started. While it's a little scary, both Brian and I agree that it's about time we do something more aggressive like this. The Xeloda is, generally, well-tolerated. That's a plus.

While it was a short visit at Mayo, we feel it was worth every cent, every mile, and every minute. We also were able to see my family in Mankato on Tuesday night and had a lot of laughs at dinner and while playing cards with Mom and Dad. THAT's the best medicine of all!!

Thank you for all your prayers and good thoughts! Please keep them coming in full force as we step into this new phase of treatment.



Before leaving Mankato today we stopped up to the Oncology Clinic and wished Dave good luck with his infusion. You know...Dave...the one who's still holding on to all his hair!! Looking good there little brother!!