Postby SpringerSpanielMommy » Wed Mar 28, 2018 7:01 pm
NHMike, I appreciate the hint about the Depends Shields, I had not even thought of that happening to me, and they did say I will start to have fatigue end of next week from the combination of treatments. Staying without cuts or injuries, or being around sick people is going to be a challenge. I will do the best I can at that. Your journey has been inspiring to me, and I really appreciate you sharing this chapter of your life for those that are behind you.
Deb M, May your family's Holy Week be filled with many blessings and happy times with family and friends. We are to share one another's burdens and I so appreciate your reaching out to me.
Aqx99, Wow, you are so right that this is a marathon and not a sprint, I am going to remind myself of that as this exhausting journey continues. Our center offers the counselor and group support, my struggle is with working full time and fitting in all the medical treatment appointments, there is only so much time available, my daughter saw the counselor today and it was a big help and encouragement to her too. I pray that you will have healing and am grateful you are here to help me too.
Just thought I would give everyone an update. The mail order chemo drugs finally did arrive this afternoon and I took my first dose at 1:30pm and I get to eat something at 1am and then take the dose at 1:30am. M-F weekends off from drug, so there is that. I bought Udderly Smooth which I am to use every morning and night and sleep with socks and gloves on and I checked the multivitamin I take to see that it has 100% dose of B-6 which it does and the doctor said that is pretty much all I can do to help prevent hand foot syndrome from developing.
They told me today to start on a very low fiber diet with limited fresh fruit and vegetables. Any vegetables very well cooked and avoid broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels, onions, beans, garlic, tomatoes. Pretty much everything we love and eat a lot of, so dinner was a baked chicken thigh and mashed potatoes. Did not eat the fresh steamed broccoli.
For those interested I asked them to explain the safety procedures since I read about the Therac-25 (thank you NHmike) and since my first treatment was delayed a day because of the "machine being broken" and I know of the AI program this machine uses I MUST know and understand what their procedure is before submitting to treatment and they told me:
1. There is a physicist in the property at all times.
2. There are extensive tests done daily before the machines can be used for therapy on patients.
3. There are test X-rays done before treatment to ensure while you are lined up with the laser marks matching up exactly on the marks on your body from the simulation in the exact same position (on my stomach, with a big hole in table for abdomen to fall through to move as much small intestine as possible out of the way, and a very full bladder pushing and protecting small bowel) the radiation oncologist ensures all looks perfect and then the very exact designed treatment is administered.
4. My radiation oncologist day to work there is Tuesdays.
5. I am being administered 45 grays in 25 fractions.
My time tomorrow and Friday is 2:30pm and they said arrive exactly on time and I will be out of the building driving away in 20 minutes. The bulk of the time is spent changing clothes and getting lined up.
Thanks for praying and caring.
Besides all my prayers and words of faith for Amanda and me this is what I repeat every. Single. Session. We. have. Wise words from another cancer fighter: "By virtue of your incredible potential to save my life, I reject all notions of you as a poison or toxin in my body. You are not my enemy. Our common enemy is the cancer in my body. You are my most powerful weapon in this war. I will will my body, mind and spirit to accept and embrace whatever collateral damage on my body you cause so long as you do your job. Collateral damage is the price of war and I am willing to pay that price so long as victory is ultimately mine."
The diet will be challenging I eat a LOT of fiber stuff…….I am going to remember that God is FOR me and not AGAINST me, and this will not break me. This will not steal our joy.
Psalm 46 and Psalm 91:4. Clinging. Rejoicing. Praying
DX: 2/21/2018 Rectal Cancer: T3c N2 M0, Intramucosal Adenocarcinoma
3/20/2018 Radiation 45gy in 25 fractions, while taking 3000mg Xeloda only radiation days starts 3/28/2018
5/8/2018 Completed Chemoradiation with 5 additional Boosts
6/29/2018 Started 4000mg Xeloda 14 days on and 7 days off. Oxaliplatin Infusion with Power Port.
Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.