Mon. Aug. 20, 2012 – Radiation Begins!
This morning
I started with a 2+ mile brisk walk. It felt really good again. Each time I go,
I feel stronger and stronger. I recognize that the radiation therapy will bring
on added fatigue in a few weeks, but right now I feel really good.
After a
shower, Ashley went with me to have my first radiation treatment. It went relatively
smooth and only took about 20 minutes. Then I met with Dr. Breyer to discuss
what chemo she wants me to take on a weekly basis for the next 6 weeks. I’ve
been praying that my doctors will be inspired as to what will best help me beat
this battle against cancer. Today I was told that because I
have responded so well to the Carboplatin and Taxotere chemo drugs, she wants
to keep me on those 2 meds on a much lower dosage. I was quite surprised because
she had mentioned a possible different medication last week when I saw her.
She
said that it’s such a low dose that it’s like a ‘whiff’ of chemo compared to
the heavy doses I was on previously. I also thought my chemo would be a 30
minute session, but after talking with the nurses and getting set up for my
chemo, I learned that it is more like a 3 hour chemo event each week. I have
to admit I was a little bummed about that aspect of the treatment. I’ll still
need to take the anti-nausea drugs for the first 5 days of chemo just to make
sure that I don’t get sick. The bottom line is that I want to get better and if
I want to do that, I’ll need to follow the doctor’s recommendations. This phase
will last for 6 weeks. I have already conquered 4 months of heavy chemo; I know
I can do this.
After my
appointments, Ashley dropped me off at a local bakery to have lunch with two of
my good friends. It felt really good to laugh and to visit with them. They are
amazing ladies and I love them dearly. I have so many blessings in my life. I
have a great deal of positive to focus on and that’s what I choose
to do right now! J
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