Radiation

I started radiation treatments on Monday, March 29, 2010. The treatment itself is uneventful and takes about 3 minutes to complete. It actually takes longer to position my body on the table and lock down the mask before each treatment. All in all the entire process is less than 10 minutes...maybe less than 5!

After the first treatment Jim and I went shopping. I felt fine that day. Tuesday, I was pretty tired though. After treatment that day we went straight home. Wednesday, foolishly we went shopping again. Thursday, I was pretty tired before the treatment, more tired after. Friday's treatment brought more fatigue.

We volunteered Jennifer to make snacks for us to bring to radiation and she was happy to oblige. She made mini cupcakes for the first week, peanut butter squares for the second week and stuffed strawberries for the last treatment day. Everyone LOVED each snack, couldn't say thank you enough and requested the recipe for the peanut butter squares!

Somewhere along the line I had developed a serious constipation issue which I am still dealing with. This has proved to be the most difficult part of this process so far. I realize this is not a subject most people want to hear about but it is very real, very dangerous and what I am living through right now. I hope this issue is resolved soon.

On Saturday, April 10, 2010 the hair loss started and on Monday we finished it...shaved my head. It was the best thing to do...the hair loss process on it's own would have driven me mad...it would have taken too long to fall out on it's own
and believe it or not..there was pain associated with it. Jim and I have
been cleaning hair from everywhere...had we waited for the hair to come out
on it's own...well...forget it.

I am surprised at how cold I am without hair...another one of the simply
things in life we take for granted.


The radiation treatments were completed on Tuesday, April 13, 2010. I received a 'Certificate of Completion' along with a bag and the following poem,


Just For You!
A stick of GUM to remind you to stick with it.

A CANDLE to remind you to shine brightly

A CHOCOLATE KISS to remind you that you are loved.

A TOOTSIE ROLL to remind you not to bite off more than you can chew.

A LIFESAVER for those times when you feel like you're going down.

A STARBURST to give you energy when you're running low.

A SNICKER to remind you to laugh

CONFETTI to remind you to have fun.

And...a BAG to help you keep it all together.


I was reminded that the fatigue caused by the radiation was cumulative and it could be a couple weeks before I start getting my energy back.

On Thursday, April 15, 2010 we met with Dr Rooney again, the oncologist. He explained that the ACORN study that I had agreed to participate in had very strict criteria regarding participation. I have been disqualified due to the brain cancer. As a result, the chemo treatment plan had to be changed. Dr Rooney wants to start chemo right away however, there were no open spots in the office for me for the following week. He suggested that I be admitted to the hospital on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 for the treatment, stay overnight and be discharged on Wednesday. This was the only way to get the treatment started right away. I indicated this would cost me a $250 co payment for being admitted however, I was not going to die over a $250 co payment so fine, admit me. Later during the visit while having the port flushed and blood drawn the nurse mentioned that maybe they could get the insurance company to waive the co payment, after all, it is not my fault they could not accommodate the appointment the Dr requested.

This is the first time the port is used and I have to say it is pretty remarkable...and I am very glad I have it. No pain, no bruises, it is great.

I receive a B12 shot and am told to start taking Folic Acid twice a day. One of the side affects of the chemo is numbness to the fingertips and the folic acid helps with that.

The chemo treatment should take about 2 1/2 hours ...this is for the medicine to get into my body. I suspect the appointment will be closer to four hours the first time. We are told there are two different medicines being used and I will repeat chemo every three weeks for four months. CT scans are done after two cycles to mark progress. Based on the results one of the medicines may be dropped at the four month mark. The remaining medicine will be used and could continue to be used for as long as two years.

Later in the afternoon we get a phone call from the Dr's office confirming the first chemo treatment. They say it is scheduled for Monday, April 26, 2010 and I said no, I am supposed to be admitted to the hospital on April 20, 2010. They said that would cost me money and thought the 26th was better and I said no, I will pay the bill and be there on the 20th. They indicate they will follow up with the Dr and call me back.

They call me back and now they can fit me in at the office on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at 1:00. Seems my chemo nurse will be on vacation during this time but now her backup is available to assist me. Are you kidding me? You were pushing me off a week because someone was on vacation????

The fatigue seems to be hitting me pretty hard the days after radiation is complete. I know they told me it would but I didn't realize how significant it would be.