Good News Again

Had another lung test today. The results are fantastic! My lower lobe performance went from 60% to 90%. This is better than the first test done prior to chemo. The radiation doc says it's due to the chest mass shrinking. That's a lot of shrinkage. I couldn't physically tell a difference but I'll take the improvement. The second rad treatment today went well. Much better than yesterday. Prior to arriving I stopped at my favorite coffee house (Starbucks) to just chill. Good coffee and a book. It was nice to sit there for a short while. I'm sure I'll be doing that more often throughout the treatments. I was surfing other Hodgkin blogs and ran across this picture of a man getting radiation. This will give you all an idea of what I do every day. The mesh mask is very snug. The machine does rotate around in order to zap one on the top and once from underneath. Met with the doc today too. Not much to discuss. So, two down and 15 more to go.
Hope everyone has a great week.

First Radiation Complete

Well, the hard part is over. First radiation treatment is done. I really don't have the right words to describe how it felt other than it was different. Kind of like an extended x-ray. When I got there, I didn't have to wait but maybe five minutes. After I changed into a gown and was led into the zapping room, they had me lay down on a table. I have a mesh mask that's molded to my face. Once it's put on me it gets bolted to the table. This is to keep me in place so I don't move. Trust me, when the zapping begins, you don't want to move. Today's visit included some real x-rays to confirm where to put the tattoos. They outlined the radiation area first then added the tats. Not the pin dots I've read about. With a blue sharpie, my chest became a connect the dots activity. Luckily I can wash most of it off. I had radiation both on the front and back. It only took about 30 - 45 seconds top. Very fast. The mesh mask makes it hard to keep my eyes open so most of the time they were closed. I couldn't really tell what was going on anyway. I must have done something right. They kept telling me I was doing a good job. Funny, I've never heard that for doing nothing. It got amusing after a while. Radiation is no where close to receiving chemo. Like I said, it was very different. I have to admit I was scared. I don't like not knowing what to expect. When it was time to actually radiate, I tried to recite the Lords Prayer......except I forgot the words. Never in my life has that happened. He knows what I was trying to say, though. Tomorrow I have a PFT (lung) test just as a follow up. Should pass with flying colors. I also will meet with the radiation doc for my weekly check-up. Other than that, only 16 more to go. I'm very happy to have finally started the last leg of this. I'm looking forward to this being over and getting back to a "normal" life. We all know normal now has a new meaning.

An update and some music

As I was surfing other blogs, reading about other's experiences, I noticed some had a music list. So, being the curious person that I am, I've done the same. I've added a mixture of songs just for the heck of it. Actually, I did it to see if I could. Anyway, hope you all enjoy the music. This past Tuesday marked a small mile stone for me. It would have been a chemo day. Wednesday would have been shot day. Woo Hoo neither occurred. I did have some body aches but they're slowly subsiding. I'm starting to sleep without any drugs. I'm very happy about that. There's only so much on the t.v. to watch. Now if my eyebrows would start to grow back, I'd be a very happy camper. My hair is not falling out near as much. Just a little. It's actually about 1-1/2" long but thinned out considerably. I've got to call the hair salon to see if a haircut would stimulate growth, by getting rid of damaged hair. Ric, my husband, called me a chia pet the other night. Can't repeat my response but we did laugh. One more week and the radiation starts. Hopefully the days go by fast.

Let the Radiation Begin!

Saw the doc today. 17 treatments starting 7/28 and ending 8/19. There is an end to this game!
Can't start any sooner due to needing 3-4 weeks to make sure the chemo is through my system. Otherwise, my skid would be as red as a fire hydrant. The visit today was really good. Doc was very patient with my questions and gave detailed answers. I feel good about the treatments and believe it's the right thing to do. Each treatment is about 15 mins long. They actually schedule patients 15 mins apart. Can anyone say moooooo! Just kidding. The folks at the radiation place are very nice and supportive. Due to my last PET scan being negative before finishing chemo, it has allowed the radiation dose to be lower. This is really good. It reduces the risk of late secondary cancers, although doesn't omit the chance. As we all know, there are no absolutes in life, especially when treating cancer. But, my chances are reduced which is comforting. Side effects from radiation will be dry skin to effected areas which lotion should take care of, a lump in my throat which is due to dryness, and fatigue. That has become such an ugly word. Today the did a CT scan to show the radiated areas in 3D. These images will be "dumped" into a software planning system to help pinpoint the specific spots to radiate. They put "markers" on me today which are used to line me up on the first visit. I have one right above the trachea, two down the breast bone area, and one on each side of my rib cage. They'll radiate from the diaphragm up to where the wind pipes split, behind the breast bone, right arm pit, and both sides of my neck. My thyroid will be protected so the chances of having problems with that later on is lower too. The neck radiation is from the top of the adams apple about an inch or so towards each ear and down just past the collar bone. The rads will encompass a small portion of the right side of my heart and part of my right lung. Again, doc says due to the low dose, both run a lower risk of any future problems. Late side effects include the possibility of shingles (adult chicken pox) and something called Lhermittes syndrome. The latter is due to being radiated to the neck. It's basically an electric shock feeling down the legs when you tuck your chin to your chest. When I asked the doc what I could do to prevent it, he said don't tuck your chin. Well duh! So all in all, and like I've said before, this could be much worse. I'm hoping the side effects will be limited as the doc says but we all know each of us react differently. We'll see. All I know is I'd start tomorrow if I could. It's time to complete this journey and get on with my life. A much improved life it will be, but none the less, it's time to move on. Since radiation is every day (M-F), I'll be able to add more to the postings. Hope everyone is enjoying there summer. Mine is getting better each day.

It's Halftime

I'm done! I'm done! I'm done! Today was the last chemo. Met with the doc and gave her my list of side effects. The newest item added was kidney pain. Without any prompting from me, the doc stated today would be my last treatment. The toxins from the chemo out weigh any positive impact from two extra treatments. She also stated the percentage of longevity was NOT great enough to risk toxic side effects from the two extra treatments. I was so glad to hear that. It's exactly how I felt two weeks ago. The only way to describe how I feel is this....in the movies we see people who are drowning in a lake/river. When they come up for air that huge gasp they take.....that's how I felt today. A ton has been lifted off my shoulders. The biggest asset through this whole situation has been praying. I waited about 30 minutes for the doc. I just sat in the chair, eyes closed, and prayed. Although I did ask for this to be my last treatment, I also promised to follow whatever path was set before me. I left it in God's hands to show me the way.....and he did. Last night, Rob and Mary came by the house to say hi and deliver a very special gift. Timing was perfect. I was very bored and very anxious. The special gift is from the Barkers. Thank you Pam! A nice framed, scripted piece that says "Trust me. I have everything under control. Jesus." I must have read it 10 times. It's true though. Today was just an affirmation of how strong faith is. It was an amazing feeling to hear the docs words. That was the clearest sign I've had that I'm healed. Just a little more to do though. The first radiation visit is 7/16, unless someone cancels and I can take their spot. That visit is the consult. I was told I'd have to wait 3-4 weeks to start radiation in order to get the chemo out of my system. I'm leaning towards the three weeks. I'm ready to get started and ready to be done. No more tests until the end of September. At that time another CT and PET scan will be done. My 3 month checkup is 10/1, at which time I'll get the test results. That visit will be the first confirmation the chemo and radiation worked. I feel like they will. So this is my last round of chemo side effects. Whew. I'm so relieved and breathing easier. Thank you all for being in my corner. The cards, blog postings, support, and especially the prayers, have been wonderful. I couldn't have made it through this without you all. I have a break for a few weeks and will definitely relish in my blessings. I have a lot to be thankful for.