Tomorrow will be a week since I had my first chemo treatment. The first few days I was pretty tired. Now I am feeling pretty good other than this ongoing pain in both of my sides. Today the right one has really bothered me. Anyway, very thankful that no side effects have kicked in.
I will be getting my port put in NEXT Monday, December 5th. They will access the port during surgery while I am still asleep. Once I wake up, I will go upstairs for my second chemo treatment. They are putting in a "power port" which means it can also be accessed during scans.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Results from biopsy
I had a molecular genetic test done October 25th. This test was done to find out what chemo would best treat the growing tumors. I heard from my oncologist today. There are 5 different chemo options. He named a few and I've actually done some of them before; 5FU and Irinotecan. I'm not sure which one I'll be doing as of right now. Should hear from the nurse tomorrow. He did say he wanted to start me on one chemo for now, then add another one later as a combination. I'll be getting a port sometime soon.
I've been off systemic treatment since first of May (Nexavar). I waited for what seemed like an eternity for insurance approval for Cyberknife. Since the approval never came, the doctor decided to treat me at no cost. I'm still amazed by that, even though I shouldn't be. God's timing is always best!
Now since the tumors are growing and as much as I don't want to do this, I'm ready to get started on this leg of the journey.
I've been off systemic treatment since first of May (Nexavar). I waited for what seemed like an eternity for insurance approval for Cyberknife. Since the approval never came, the doctor decided to treat me at no cost. I'm still amazed by that, even though I shouldn't be. God's timing is always best!
Now since the tumors are growing and as much as I don't want to do this, I'm ready to get started on this leg of the journey.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Doctor Visit Update
I saw Dr. Adler today. He wants to do a biopsy of one of the tumors (the easiest one to get to). He is thinking this will be the para-esophageal tumor. I will talk to him tomorrow or Friday. Will probably have the biopsy on Monday or Tuesday of next week. The purpose of this is to find which chemo is best suited for these particular cancer cells. I will update as I know more.
Cyberknife completed
I finished Cyberknife treatments today. All went well and I am thankful I was able to get the treatment. I see Dr. Adler in the morning. We'll talk about which chemo to start. I'll update as I know.
Thank you everyone!
Thank you everyone!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
A week ago today.....
A week ago today.... (seems much longer than one week)
I went to radiation oncologist on the 27th. She confirmed what I learned during the fiducial placement 2 weeks ago. There are 6-7 new spots in my right lung. She advised me to complete Cyberknife then a week later start systemic chemo.
Had PET Scan for Cyberknife. Then had regular 3 month follow up scans, CT of chest, pelvic and abdomen. Went to eat with Mama then back to work. I was there for almost an hour. Then, all of a sudden, I felt like I was going to pass out. My speech started slurring and was losing feeling in my left leg. Daddy pulled the car to the front, Ginger helped me to the car and we were on the way to Brookwood. At some point, I passed out.
Woke up with the hospital gown on and lights shining in my eyes. I couldn't talk, couldn't move my arms or legs. Mama told me later she had to hold my head up for almost an hour. Tried not to look at my mom or dad's face since I saw them crying. I had no idea what was going on. I have not taken chemo since the beginning of May.
I looked up and saw this sweet smiling face... Sallie Lawrence. All I could do at that point was cry. Talk about a rock, that's Sallie. I love you Sallie!
There was talk of possible stroke, possible seizure, they really didn't know what was going on. Had CT of head. Still couldn't move or feel legs or arms. Left for MRI and during that LOUD hour, I could tell the feeling in my arms were coming back. They rolled me back to the room and then I really almost lost it, emotionally, that is. There are few people I can look at and not have to say a word, b/c I don't have to. He already knows what I would say and I know what he would say. Thank you Dave!
I was admitted to the hospital around 10PM. Before Sallie, Dave and Mr. Gene left, I could feel my right leg. :-) Around 4AM, my left leg started doing what I was telling it to do. Took a few more hours, but I began moving it. The next day the Neurologist told me CT and MRI were normal. They did more tests, lots of blood work, the next 2 days. I came home Thursday night. They are calling it a "spell," for lack of not knowing what happened.
Since then, I've had a few moments where I felt funny. The only way I know to describe it is.... You know when you first get IV sedation, how you just get real woozy feeling and it's an all over body feeling. Well, that's happened to me several times since Friday. I've had some really bad headaches. I've been resting, resting, and resting some more.
Here's a schedule of sorts for this week and next:
I will have 4 treatments of Cyberknife.
10/6 Thursday @ 9:00 am
10/7 Friday @ 9:00 am
10/10 Monday @ 9:00 am
10/11 Tuesday @ 9:00 am
10/12 Wednesday - I will see medical oncologist, Dr. Adler. He will let me know what chemo we're going to do. Will probably start that regimen w/in a week.
10/13 Thursday - appointment with the neurologist, Dr. Kovacik, I saw in the hospital. I'll get results from all the (off the wall) lab work he did. He will give me the okay to drive that day, at least I hope he will.
And that's it, my official update!
I went to radiation oncologist on the 27th. She confirmed what I learned during the fiducial placement 2 weeks ago. There are 6-7 new spots in my right lung. She advised me to complete Cyberknife then a week later start systemic chemo.
Had PET Scan for Cyberknife. Then had regular 3 month follow up scans, CT of chest, pelvic and abdomen. Went to eat with Mama then back to work. I was there for almost an hour. Then, all of a sudden, I felt like I was going to pass out. My speech started slurring and was losing feeling in my left leg. Daddy pulled the car to the front, Ginger helped me to the car and we were on the way to Brookwood. At some point, I passed out.
Woke up with the hospital gown on and lights shining in my eyes. I couldn't talk, couldn't move my arms or legs. Mama told me later she had to hold my head up for almost an hour. Tried not to look at my mom or dad's face since I saw them crying. I had no idea what was going on. I have not taken chemo since the beginning of May.
I looked up and saw this sweet smiling face... Sallie Lawrence. All I could do at that point was cry. Talk about a rock, that's Sallie. I love you Sallie!
There was talk of possible stroke, possible seizure, they really didn't know what was going on. Had CT of head. Still couldn't move or feel legs or arms. Left for MRI and during that LOUD hour, I could tell the feeling in my arms were coming back. They rolled me back to the room and then I really almost lost it, emotionally, that is. There are few people I can look at and not have to say a word, b/c I don't have to. He already knows what I would say and I know what he would say. Thank you Dave!
I was admitted to the hospital around 10PM. Before Sallie, Dave and Mr. Gene left, I could feel my right leg. :-) Around 4AM, my left leg started doing what I was telling it to do. Took a few more hours, but I began moving it. The next day the Neurologist told me CT and MRI were normal. They did more tests, lots of blood work, the next 2 days. I came home Thursday night. They are calling it a "spell," for lack of not knowing what happened.
Since then, I've had a few moments where I felt funny. The only way I know to describe it is.... You know when you first get IV sedation, how you just get real woozy feeling and it's an all over body feeling. Well, that's happened to me several times since Friday. I've had some really bad headaches. I've been resting, resting, and resting some more.
Here's a schedule of sorts for this week and next:
I will have 4 treatments of Cyberknife.
10/6 Thursday @ 9:00 am
10/7 Friday @ 9:00 am
10/10 Monday @ 9:00 am
10/11 Tuesday @ 9:00 am
10/12 Wednesday - I will see medical oncologist, Dr. Adler. He will let me know what chemo we're going to do. Will probably start that regimen w/in a week.
10/13 Thursday - appointment with the neurologist, Dr. Kovacik, I saw in the hospital. I'll get results from all the (off the wall) lab work he did. He will give me the okay to drive that day, at least I hope he will.
And that's it, my official update!
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Fiducial placed for Cyberknife
Wednesday I went to Brookwood to have the Fiducial placed. It had been exactly 12 weeks to the day since I found out I needed Cyberknife. This has been a crazy 12 weeks.
Since the beginning of the year, from the scan readings, they have not known exactly where the tumors were. They said it was very tricky because of their placement. If you look at the anatomy of the lung, diaphragm and the liver, you will see that those three organs are very close together. Since January, I knew there were three tumors, just didn't know exactly where they were. It was thought they were all in the right lung, lower lobe.
Yesterday, the procedure was to be a CT guided fiducial placement. It was found that the largest tumor was in fact in my liver. So, they placed the marker for that tumor.
While scanning, several more tumors were found in the right lung. I don't really know the details as of now. I will talk to Dr. Tincher and find out.
I'll have a PET Scan on Tuesday row 27th @ 10:00. Then at 12:30 will have a CT scan. Will find out soon when I'll actually start the treatments.
I'll be in touch! ~ Kelly
Since the beginning of the year, from the scan readings, they have not known exactly where the tumors were. They said it was very tricky because of their placement. If you look at the anatomy of the lung, diaphragm and the liver, you will see that those three organs are very close together. Since January, I knew there were three tumors, just didn't know exactly where they were. It was thought they were all in the right lung, lower lobe.
Yesterday, the procedure was to be a CT guided fiducial placement. It was found that the largest tumor was in fact in my liver. So, they placed the marker for that tumor.
While scanning, several more tumors were found in the right lung. I don't really know the details as of now. I will talk to Dr. Tincher and find out.
I'll have a PET Scan on Tuesday row 27th @ 10:00. Then at 12:30 will have a CT scan. Will find out soon when I'll actually start the treatments.
I'll be in touch! ~ Kelly
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Plans are in the works...
Monday, September 19th, I'll have blood work in preparation for Cyberknife.
Wednesday, September 21st, I will have the marker placed. This will be out-patient.
Tuesday, September 27th, I'll have CT scans, then wait for the treatment date.
Thank you all for all the love and support!!!!
Wednesday, September 21st, I will have the marker placed. This will be out-patient.
Tuesday, September 27th, I'll have CT scans, then wait for the treatment date.
Thank you all for all the love and support!!!!
Excellent News!
On June 29th, I saw Dr. Tincher (radiation oncologist). I had scans that same day. 3 tumors are in the right lung. Dr. Tincher recommended me to do Cyberknife again. I did this in November 2009 and the results were amazing. Long story made short.... I have been denied three times by BlueCross. Letters from my doctor, from me, from the head of Cyberknife. Still, denied by BlueCross. They said the policy changed in December 2010. Anyway...
Tonight, 10 weeks later, I got a call from Cyberknife. I will have more details soon, but the good news is....I am getting the treatment.
Tonight, 10 weeks later, I got a call from Cyberknife. I will have more details soon, but the good news is....I am getting the treatment.
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