Cancer is CRAZY

And I do mean crazy. After all the good news, went last week and started getting things set up for the simulation. Had to have a mold made for my head, neck, shoulders, and arms. Seems my arms have to be above my head and that have to be in the very same position every time. They started the temporary setting and did a CT scan to be sure the settings were correct. They are now making a plan now for how many laser beams they will use and if they will just be from the front or the back also. They will be using the laser beam radiation which will not be as able to damage any other organs in my body. The radiologist doctor, Dr. Lee did tell me that I would probably have some probablem with my asophagus as the treatment goes on. Oh, yes, will not be having it every day. Just Monday thru Friday so will be having radiation for 7 weeks instead if 5,

Then yesterday am got a call from the surgeon who put my port in that Dr. Lee had called and wanted him to see me about doing surgery. Needless to say I was surprised and shocked and upset. Called Dr. Adams to see what was going on. After eventually having to get dressed and Leo and I going to the Cancer Center, we got it all straight. Dr. Adams called Dr. Lee and let him know there would NOT be any surgery! Dr. Adams said for the thickening that has left, surgery is taking too much of a chance. The tumor was around the main aorta to my heart and right up against the heart. This was why Dr. Adams did not want to do surgery in the first place. Dr. Adams had me cancel the appointment with the surgeon and about 6:15 last night I got a call from Dr. Lee. He said the only reason he wanted me to see the surgeon was to be sure I knew
all the options. I told him I just wanted to be sure that Dr. Adams was on board with me seeing the surgeon since he was the one in charge! In a very nice way I let Dr Lee know that we would not be doing anything that Dr. Adams did not know about and did not approve.

So am waiting on the call to go in for the final simulation for radiation. Dr. Lee said we should get that done this week, and start the radiation. Said he would see me on Tuesday. I go to the pulmonary doctor tomorrow as Dr. Adams wants him to go into the lung with the camera and be sure that everything is as we expect.

I guess the only other thing going on in my life besides doctors is the TAXES. Told Leo since I didn't have the tumor anymore, guess he expected me to start doing something around here and looked like taxes came first. I am feeling much better and beginning to get my strength back. Can get more done than make the bed and dress each day now. Am looking forward to spring finally getting here and the Texas weather straightening itself out. Was 88 Monday and 53 yesterday! I just want it to stay one way or the other

Take care and talk to you soon.

GOOD NEWS

Spent Monday and Tuesday having all tests run again to see where we were. Had lab, chest xray, CT scan, bone scan, brain scan and MRI. Saw the dr today and he came into the room telling me I was trouble as usual. They could not find the tumor. It is gone! He showed us the pictures of what the cancer looked like in Oct and what it looks like now. I had not understood that it was completely around the arato and that was why they kept putting the surgery off and telling me surgery would be so dangerous. There is still a "thickening" around the arota. But no cancer. And no signs of it spreading anywhere else.

The dr is setting up with a pulminary dr to go into the lung and be postive everything is okay. I meet with the Radiologist dr on Monday and will set things up for radiation for every day for 5 weeks. There will be no surgery and no more chemo. The dr is just as surprised and pleased as we are.

He did tell us he would not promise me a cake walk on the radiation, but would not be anywhere near as bad as the chemo. Said it would make the esophagas hurt and effect my voice but that would all be okay after the radiation was over.

My plattlet count was 54 on last Wednesday and had already come up to 69 on Monday. Of course the lowest should be 147. But now that I am not doing chemo any more, it will come back up quickly I am sure. My fingernails have quit hurting and the only side effects I have left are my legs hurting and being so tired all the time.

So shout praises to God. He is wonderful and does answer prayer.

Love to all

Life After the Super Bowl

Well, guess there is life after the Super Bowl even though it isn't just like I would have ordered it. Of course I was one of the die hards that thought the Cowboys should have got it together and was really disappointed that they didn't make it to the Super Bowl. However, will have to admit the Giants played a wonderful game and was good they won. And was one of the best games we have had in the SB in a long time. Enjoyed it with most of the kids and had a fun time.

Saw the dr on Wednesday and everything is on hold for the present. My blood count is too low to do anything at this point. He seems to feel I need to do at least one more chemo. Not something I wanted to do and so he conceded to going ahead next week and doing the testing to see where we are on the tumor. I will have lab again on Monday followed by CT of chest and Bone scan and chest xray. On Tuesday I will have bone scan and MRI and on Wednesday I will see the dr again. He was not able to give me the shot of Aranesp as I have already had 3 doses in the last four weeks. That is the med that goes into the bone marrow and causes it to manufacture more red blood cells. Maybe next week.

In the meantime, I get plenty of rest, drink fluids, eat iron rich foods and tell my little blood cells to multiply! Other than being so tired and my legs hurting I feel pretty good. I was having some neausea but the dr felt it was due to acid that formed in my stomach at night and he gave me the purple pill and that helps a lot. My legs hurting, he says is a combination of the meds and the anemia and not much that can be done. My fingernails also hurt, and he said that was due to the meds and some people had their fingernails fall off! So at least I am lucky there.

Did not get to go to my great granddaughter's 3rd birthday party as it was held at a pizza place and was afraid to be around so many people and get exposed to something. So Leo went and I stayed home and pouted. But at least I will be able to go next year. Everything will be bettee by then.

More news when I know something. Love you all and thanks for all the support.