Thursday, July 31, 2008

Greeting from radiation central! I apologize for not writing yesterday but the computer was acting up and I was winding down.

Wednesday 30: early to rise - wolf down a banana/take meds en route to Hospital. AM opened with nausea meds in prep for my 0730 Radiation. We decided we didn't want a repeat of yesterdays gift exchange. All went well for the treatments. I seems not a day goes by I'm not introduced to a new drug/pill. It seems each new pill gets larger than the previous...lucky me!
Out by 1700.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

I'm baaaack...after a brief weekend romp to the land of the living - SLO - I returned to Stanford Sunday PM.
Monday 28: My first appointment was scheduled for 1200 so unlike the previous week when I had appointments at 0600, I was able to sleep in 'til 0930. I was treated to my last day of cranial radiation only to be replaced with full body radiation starting Tuesday at 0700. Now when I say "full body" it's actually from the waist up leaving the stems intact. In addition to radiation today I acquired yet another lovely accessory to replace my purse of week last. I now have what can be best described as a suitcase with a telescoping handle akin to those you see every fashionista/important person toting around the airport. Unlike the folks who carry clothing in theirs I have the privilege of toting around a 4000 ml bag of saline. Can it get any more fun? Why yes it can! As of today I have been promoted to mask wearer. As of this moment it is imperative I have my mask on whenever in public. Yahoo!

Tuesday 29: In to radiation at 0700. I had been warned of the nausea factor the radiation causes by many, but was not prepared for the instantaneous nausea. Following my first Total Body Infusion (TBI) at 0730, I went straight up to ITA for more fluids - and hopefully something to abate the nausea that was growing. Feeling sicker....given nausea meds....sicker....I finally gave in to the moment and shared my breakfast with my nurse. Funny thing is she wasn't as pleased with my gift as I was relieved to give it to her. Imagine that? And all this fun before 0900!
By 1130 I headed to my second dose of radiation but this time with less queasiness. Second round turned out much better.
Third round of radiation came at 1530 and was a cakewalk compared to the first. This will be my pattern for the next four days: radiation at 0730/1130/1530. Each session lasts approximately eight minutes. Unfortunately I'm unable to leave the premises whilst the docs evaluate my results so I'm stuck on grounds in a bed.
It's now approximately 1700 and we are officially done for the day. Until next time...

Again a big thanks to those who take the time to respond and or just yak. I appreciate it all!

Friday, July 25, 2008

The journey continues...
Wednesday 23: Radiation in the AM/ meds in the PM...the only difference is that today my IV meds became mobile. I now carry my IV meds with me in a bag, (which my caregiver affectionately refers to as my "purse"), connected to tubing which runs out of my Hick Line. Imagine if you will the image of me with tubing hanging out from underneath my shirt and trailing up and around my left shoulder and disappearing into my purse. Faaabulous! I'm the envy of all I meet. I get the bag changed out every afternoon. Not much else to say for today.

Thursday 24: Aside from a tete-a-tete with the radiation doc regarding my impending full body radiation scheduled to initiate Tuesday next, all is status quo...radiation AM/meds PM.

Friday 25: Today I'm rid of my purse so I can go home for the weekend! I'll continue with the meds but this time in pill form. And I was just starting to pick out accessories to go with my purse. Oh well.
With that said, for those who find the time to read this - and I thank those who have responded - have a great w/e and I'll bore ya with more next week! Enjoy.
-me

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

cont...my next appointment was at radiation to be fitted for a mask - cranial radiation has been added to the equation.
Pain from AM surgery growing making it very difficult to move. No time to dwell on pain because I was rushed to yet another appointment at the Infusion Treatment Area (ITA) to initiate IV meds for a skin disorder. After approximately 1.5 hours in the ITA I was off to my final appointment for the day - back to Radiation to begin day one of my cranial radiation therapy.
We finally left Hospital at approximately 1800 hrs. A VERY long day indeed.

22 July:
After a much needed, albeit painful night of sleep, I was treated to a day of minimal appointments - Radiation/ITA. We were in by 1030 and out by 1600. Admitidly the pain I suffered through today was one of the most debilitating in memory. I was litterally brought to tears. Oh well, the best is yet to come.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

STANFORD NEWS

Howdy all from the lovely town of Palo Alto. I've only been here a couple 'o days and its already been quite interesting. Following is a brief summary of events from 20 July to the present.

Arrived @ Motel approximately 1230 am - up at 0515 for initial appointment scheduled for 0600 to remove Portacath from chest and replace it with a Hickline. For those of you who are not familiar with the Portacath, it was the lovely protrudence on my right breast (also known as my "third nipple") that served a multitude of functions: draw blood, administer chemo, general annoyance for me and just plain fun to freak people out with. In conjunction with the removal of my Ommaya resevoir on 18 July aka the "bump on my head," my body was finally free of foriegn objects for the first time in a long time and I was one happy cancer er, I mean camper! The bliss was short lived though due to the insertion of my newest toy, my Hick line. The Hick line consists of a single tube that divides into two additional tubes and hangs out of my right breast falling freely to my waist. Through this device I will receive my meds and Bone Marrow.

At this time I would like to take this opportunity to thank my brother for his generous contribution to my cause and I will always be greatful.

The Hick line surgery went well and I was awake/coherent throughout the whole procedure. Thank god for the presurgery shots for pain! Unfortunately the pain didn't get my memo about staying away because as the day progressed - so did the pain. More on that later. The whole procedure lasted approximately 45" which allowed me to jump up to attend my next appointment in radiation.

I'll have to take a break for now 'cus I gotsta go to my next appointment for today. Until then...be healthy.

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Do we stay or do we go now..............

After what seemed like a whirlwind of activity, Curt left for Stanford again. Unfornately he ended up in the hospital again last Thurs-Sun so we weren't able to have the BBQ we wanted to have over the weekend to thank everyone for their support and to say good-bye.

We've started this blog (thank you Heather)to keep people informed and give you opportunities to keep in contact with Curt. This is in an effort to keep our phone bills in check. When Curt was first diagnosed back in Nov, we both had $300+ phone bills. Please check this blog and respond as often as you like. Curt has a laptop (thanks to the Lamberts) with him and his transplant date has been rescheduled to 8-5-08. Up to that date he will probably check the blog every day. After that date I will check it, post updates on his progress and respond back to everyone. We are both looking forward to getting this behind us and know the journey will be difficult, but the destination will be glorious.

Curt will be at Stanford for approximately 100 days. His Mom will be with him during the week and I will go up Thurs nights for the weekend so she can take a break. He'll be in ICU for 3-6 weeks depending on how his body responds; then moved to an on-site apartment. He started radiation treatments first thing Mon AM and that will continue for about 10 days. Thank you for all of your prayers; we know it is out of our hands now.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Lucy


TESTING OUT THE GOODS...

This is a test for my blog. Keep in mind this is all new to me so if'n my musings don't make sense, don't blame me - it's the cancer!