Cyberknife today

I was pleasantly surprised when the actual zapping only lasted 12 minutes!!! I did notice a little extra fatigue at naptime today but other than that, it was a piece of cake. I will continue the same treatments on Friday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. We went out for a celebratory dinner tonight because something was easy!

Cyberknife tomorrow

I will begin my cyberknife treatment tomorrow afternoon. I know I will have 5 treatments but they can't tell me how long they will take. That blows my mind! I told them I will need to take breaks and she reminded me the more breaks, the longer it takes. Spoken like someone who has never endured cyberknife! Fortunately, this is my week off chemo and I will be done the treatments on Wednesday, the day before I go back on chemo. I am also happy it will be done before David is done his camp in NC and I will be able to get to see him at his closing picnic in August. Just want to get this done so I can move on.

Longwood Gardens

My younger brother and his wife are in town and we went to Longwood Gardens on this beautiful day. The scooter was the way to go! Dawson didn't even hitch a ride until the very end. We really had a great time.

Praise Jesus with me!

The CT scan of my head is done! I really was very worried about this and was praying all morning. I left early for the scan because I just couldn't wait any longer. I called my parents to pray for me before I walked in and I knew many others were praying too. I had a team of nurses with me who were holding my hands and comforting me through the whole process. It got scary when they had to put the mask on briefly without my oxygen and my O2 level was dropping more than they like. But, the scan is done. The next step is the mapping and the treatments should start sometime next week. I will be able have the oxygen but the 5 treatments could last 30-45 minutes. That is another week for Tuesday's chemo to keep killing those cells and relaxing my lungs.


I almost didn't believe it when it was done. I praise Him for his abundant grace. I was surrounded with prayer and angels and I left the cancer center knowing that I am loved.

1 week later

Well, I was scheduled for 2 scans last week, which require me to lie flat as a a pancake. My lungs were not having any part in that! The staff gave me oxygen and we tried all kinds of tricks, but ultimately, I was not able to lie down long enough for the scans. My oncologist said the CT scan can wait because it is obvious by my appearance and breathing that the chemo has already begun to take effect. The CT scan of my head is the more pressing need so I can begin my cyberknife treatment. The scan is to simulate the cyberknife and the final step is starting the treatments. I am scheduled to try and get this scan again today. I will be fitted for the mask and "marked" for placement in the machine. Dr. Grubbs said that if I continue to have difficulty again today, don't stress. I am on steroids if the tumor starts to swell, the tumor is not too large and it won't take long for my lungs (on chemo) to get me to lay down. Still, I'm not crazy about this tumor and its location. After I get the boys settled this morning, I plan on doing a little simulation myself. If I can't lie flat here, Christiana won't be any different. Please pray for my lungs to fill with air so we can proceed with treating this tumor. I am also continuing my recovery from chemo on Tuesday and it has ben challenging.

I never really get used to this.

It is hard to get used to this "I have just been hit by a truck" feeling. Although this chemo is generally tolerable, it does have its less tolerable moments. Today, the nausea is overwhelming. My boys have been very understanding and cooperative through it all. There are times like these when they step up their game and really make me proud. I am so thankful that God gave me such sensitive, caring children. This is not to say they don't have their "brother" moments, but they really handle things well when I am sick.

So . . .

I went in for my surgery today and it had to be cancelled due to complications caused by the cancer in my lungs. The medical center personnel suggested I speak to my oncologist as soon as possible and within an hour or so, I was hooked up to my chemo. It wasn't the day I planned but I am glad we are treating this cancer before I start getting really uncomfortable.

Thank you for your prayers and encouragement.

It just gets better . . .

I saw my oncologist on Thursday and based on my symptems, we have scheduled another CT scan of my chest. He has also scheduled me to begin chemo again on Thursday, 7/22. The cancer in my lungs is making it difficult to breathe again and I have a lot of fluid buildup also. Today, I am scheduled for a minor procedure at Limestone Medical Center and pray that it goes well.

I also found out over the weekend that a fellowcancer survivor passed away. She was only 33 with 2 small children. Her last few blog entries showed circumstances very similar to mine. It sure put my argument with Dave about cake in perspective.

We spoke too soon. The brain radiation oncologist called today and said the new tumor that showed up on the May scan is growing. He did not have a full report when he was telling me the results yesterday so was not aware of this development until today. This means steroids and cyberknife again. I am scheduled to meet with my oncologist tomorrow and the brain specialist next week to discuss and schedule the plan.

When asked how I was, I responded with a loud, "I"M MAD!" I want longer periods of time when I don't have to be discussing, planning, treating, etc.!!

2 weeks later . . .

Wow, I didn't realize it had been that long since my last post. In those 2 weeks, Dave and I went on a vacation to New England, just the 2 of us and we were also able to visit with family along the way. We returned to a whirlwind week of appointments and scans. My follow-up brain MRI scan showed no growth and no new tumors. We love it when all we have to do is nothing! I see my oncologist this Thursday for Herceptin and follow-up. This one may not not go as uneventful. I have had an increase in the amount of fluid produced through my pleuryx catheter. My arms are swelling more too. I'm not sure what that is all about.

Next week, I am scheduled for an outpatient procedure and it shouldn't keep me down for long.
Dave continues with his internship and we are somehow continuing to balance everything. Lots of prayer is our solution!