Moving right along~

Today I had appointment with my new Radiation Oncologist, Dr. Tincher, at Brookwood. I was evaluated for CyberKnife (which is a form of radiation). She sent the paperwork for insurance approval today. Should hear back from that by the end of next week. Once we have insurance approval, then I will have markers put in place. They will put markers in each of the 3 lung nodules. I asked how they get the markers in and she told me by needle, yuck. The markers are little gold seeds. Anyway, after the markers are in place, I'll have to wait about a week for them to settle. Then, I'll take steroids for about 3 days. Then....I should be ready for treatment. The actual treatment will last about an hour and a half. I think she said I would have 3 treatments. Not sure how much time in between treatments. So...it will probably be about a month or so before I start the actual CyberKnife treatment.

After the office visit with Dr. Tincher, I had CT Scans and labs.
I must say, this was the best time I had getting scans. I made friends and had people laughing. As far as being at the doctor and having scans and getting blood drawn, I had a really great day! Brookwood really knows how to treat their patients. Once again, God has put me in the right place.

I will post as I know more!

KELLY

A new day - a breath of fresh air~

I had an appointment with medical oncologist today at Brookwood Medical Center here in Birmingham. She was so very nice and knowledge about the chemo drug I should be starting soon. I have appointment with radiation oncologist soon to be evaluated for cyberknife. She talked about starting me on Nexavar after cyberknife. I asked her why Nexavar instead of Sutent....after discussing a bit, she is going to tell me which will be better for me at my next appointment. I should hear from her soon.

On a side note, I ask all of you to remember my friend Dave in your prayers. He has just been diagnosed with Membranous Glomerulonephritis. He will be meeting with oncology next week to discuss starting chemo. He does not have cancer. His kidneys are shutting down and the chemo IS going to get rid of the bad cells and the kidneys WILL begin to work properly. That is my prayer and I do hope you will all join me.

I spoke to him earlier this evening and we were comparing doctor visits from today. He said his doctor has never treated anyone with Membranous Glomerulonephritis. We couldn't help but laugh when I told him my new oncologist has never treated anyone with my type of cancer. I keep reminding Dave it's good to laugh!

Thank you all for allowing me to share and I greatly appreciate each and everyone of you!
You are my angels that I just don't get to see everyday.
Much love,
Kelly

Next appointment

I have an appointment on Monday, August 17th. I think it's at 11:00. Will update afterwards.

Hurdles

Well, I saw the medical oncologist this morning. I got there at 7:40 a.m. Went back to the room at 8:25 a.m. and the doctor walked in at 11:20. You would think that would disappoint me or surprise me, but it did not. I guess you get used to these things like waiting.

Anyway, at this stage in the game, after dealing with this for 5 years, I do expect a few things:

#1. I expect once a referral has been made, I expect the doctor to have at least looked at my chart and to know what type of cancer I have.
#2. I do not have HCC, I have FHC, please notice the difference Dr.
#3. Please do not belittle my knowledge with the cancer that I have dealt with for the past 5 years.

Needless to say, I was not very pleased with my visit this morning. He offered nothing to me. Many of you know how I feel about doctors. When you see them for the first time, it's like an interview. This doctor will not get a second interview.

So I am on to looking for another medical oncologist. A referral is in the works as I type this.
Please pray that I find the right doctor for me.

On another note....lunch was fabulous. P.F. Changs is one of my favorites. As we sat there for lunch, we were talking and Mama commented on a particular doctor telling me to enjoy life now b/c I wouldn't be around much longer to enjoy it (of course, he didn't get the job either). (BTW, he told me that in March of 2006... Little did he know!!)
I commented to Mama and Daddy that if everyone listened to what the first doctor said, it would be a sad world. And then it HIT me.....5 years ago today, I had my first surgery! 5 YEARS AGO TODAY. August 12, 2004, I had a partial liver resection and my doctor told me there was nothing else I could do after the surgery. That is when I learned in the medical field, you have to take a lot of the responsibility for your care in your own hands. Thanks to my family, I have not had to do that alone. So...once I realized it has been exactly 5 years since I had surgery....we made a date for August 12, 2014, to have lunch at the same P.F. Changs, to celebrate another 5 years. Daddy called Greg and requested his presence for that date. I am already looking forward it.

Thanks for letting me share!

With love....Kelly

New Doctor

I will see Dr. Posey at the Kirklin Clinic in Birmingham on this Wednesday at 8:00 a.m. I will update shortly after. Dr. Posey is the Medical Oncologist that will be working with the radiation guy for my treatment plan.

Appointment next Thursday

I got a call from Dr. Burnette (radiation oncology) today. I am scheduled to see Dr. James A. Posey (medical oncology) Thursday, August 13th.
Just wanted to let everyone know.

Kelly

Haven't heard anything yet...

Dr. Burnette did call me Friday afternoon to tell me he has not found a medical oncologist yet for me. He has someone in mind, but they were on vacation last week. He told me he didn't want just anyone handling my special case.
Just wanted to keep you all up to date.

Kelly