In an effort to be treated closer to home than Houston I went to Shands at the University of Florida (Gainesville) today to meet with a Radiation Oncologist (Dr. Yeung) and develop a plan for treatment. It was a fairly standard visit that  took approximately three hours. Barb and I met with the GYN Rad/Onc Resident first, Dr. Wray. He explained all of the options that would be considered. In addition, he went over all of the potential side effects. Even the ones that are “slightly greater risk than being struck by lightning”. Dr. Wray and Dr. Yeung reviewed the disk with my PET scan from MD Anderson prior to coming in to meet with us.  

 

Why The Side Effects Of Radiation Don’t Really Matter

Dr. Yeung’s treatment plan is in line with Dr. Westin. Dr. Yeung then went over some more potential side effects. All of the side effects are moot at this point. Either I potentially have fatigue, diarrhea, loss of appetite, etc. or the cancer is given the chance to grow. Sign me up for diarrhea. The plan is 6 weeks of radiation, 5 days/week and one of those days each week I will have chemotherapy. A lower dose of Cisplatin, which is one of the drugs I was on previously and responded to. Just typing that makes my stomach turn.  That was the drug that requires hydration before and after the infusion. That hydration was painful in my veins because I don’t have a port.

 

Interesting Prep For Radiation Treatments

To radiate specific areas, in my case, specific nodes without damaging other organs it’s important that they basically make a map of your organs and take measurements so the radiation is targeted.

It’s really interesting how they get the measurements. A CT scan with lasers is used and then you are “marked”. For me, I was marked in 3 spots. When I say marked, I mean tattooed. I now have 3 black dots the size of a pinhead that will be with me for a very long time. I don’t have any tattoos, other than these three dots. The way I got these tattoos made me think that these are more likely how jailhouse tattoos are done vs the ones that are so artistic in our modern world. The technician put a dot of black ink on me and then stuck a needle into the ink. One stick in three different places.

In addition to the need to line up the laser beams, it’s important that you are lying in the same position every treatment. The way they accomplish that is that there was a blue pad on the CT table they used as the tattoo parlor. The pad was firm. Once you are positioned they put air in the pad and it’s similar to the feel of being on a bean bag. The technicians then form the “beads” around you and remove the air which compresses it and voila, you have a mold of your body. You can see the blue pad in the picture I quickly took before being fitted.   

 

Once Again, Be The Squeaky Wheel

Next, I will need to meet with the medical oncologist to discuss the chemotherapy regimen. Hopefully at the beginning of next week. Of course, I will start calling tomorrow for the appointment even though they “will call me”. Once again I am thinking about the port. The resident whom Barb and I liked and not only because he got our humor, thought it would be worth me trying the first treatment without the port. He does think a port is the easiest way to do so many things that I will be having done, but also thinks I’m young enough that my veins should still be good. I think a port is in my future, but I’m going to give it a try. It’s easy enough to get if I decide it’s too painful.

 

The Sooner The Better

I’m currently scheduled for my “mock” radiation on 6/28 which means that my first radiation treatment will be on 6/29. Once again, I’m trying to get that moved up but there is some ground work that needs to be done prior to the mock run. Patience is not my gift which is probably a good thing when you have cancer.

 

The Physical Surroundings Are Foreign

I liked Shands, especially the two doctors. The environment is very different than what I am used to at MD Anderson but I have full faith in the Physicians who will be caring for me. Knowing that Dr. Westin is on board with this makes it better too.

 

The Lessons Are Abundant Daily

I will do my best to keep this updated and once all of the technical information has been shared I will share some of the everyday observations about living with cancer. On the ride home Barb and I talked about how we have learned so much from this journey. Not just the cliche and obvious “live in the moment” kind of things but also the things we find ourselves doing and saying now that we have been through the experience.

Thank you for caring enough to read this and keep up with my treatment. I’m grateful for the phenomenal support I have from near and far.