New items we like.

New Breast Cancer and Awareness items we've come across.

Radiation, what should she expect?

After completing the last round of chemo we begin the countdown to radiation.  She has already been to a preliminary visit to have special pillow formed to perfectly fit her to insure proper aim of the radiation. I wasn't allowed to be present during this measuring and forming process so I really don't have the full details of what exactly occurs. I will ask her to give me a step by step of what was done later and share it with you at a later time. We are aware that there will be some superficial skin damage similar to that of a burn. We were also told to expect some nausea similar to the chemo, I do hope it isn't as severe since the treatment are so short. I may well very well be kidding myself and her but just from what I have seen from the outside I do think she will tolerate the radiation better than the chemo. I just hope what I think turns out right not only for her but others of you facing the same procedures.

                          

Today marks the nine (9) days out since her last chemo and six (6) days out since her last nuepogen injection. She as of yet hasn't lost her voice to the point she did after the last infusion. I think this was due to a two day break away from the nuepogen upon restarting that particular treatment. I will say the flu like symptoms were a little worse.  The symptoms seemed more severe but of a shorter duration.

Now begins the onslaught of a new set of unknowns. We met the Radiation Oncology doctor, he went over the basic detail of the process but there is still more I do not yet understand fully. I will say as with most of the other doctors his primary concern was to ride my wife about smoking. She full well knows the effect of smoking but she also knows that she will not quit unless SHE decides to. I do understand their concerns but I also understand how angery she becomes when the continually hound her on this subject. I do sometime wonder which is worse for her.

I will be back again soon with another update of our journey anyone reading this that would like to ask or share anything please feel free.

Finishing? Chemo ; Independence Day

This is the week my wife finishes her chemotherapy. It's seems to me a very ironic and strangely pleasing that the end of this step in my wife's treatment is falling in the general time of Independence Day. I do feel a certain sense of new independence, and relief. I know the road ahead is still going to be eventful and unknown, but I am very thankful that this particular ordeal is over. I must say this experience has both changed and reinforced some of my views of healthcare facilities in general. It is a well know fact that, King Hostile doesn't "DO" doctors. To my much appreciated surprise I found several of the professionals the did and did not fit in my normal Medical Clowns categories. I found the particular group from the infusion center to be caring and compassionate. I know everyone that goes through this must be as worried and confused as my wife and myself. I found it very odd that even a lot of the actual doctors showed little or no care in the questions that were foremost important to us. I got more information about the real effects and whats to be expected from the crew at the infusion center, than from any other source we had available.
     I am so thankful that this process has been a lot easier for her than I had imagine. I guess it's always best to pray for the best and expect the worst and reality falls somewhere in between. Still at this point she has yet to lose control of her nausea to point of vomiting. She was very set on being one of the few, if not the only person, to go through this process without vomiting. i still don't really understand why this was so important to her but I am glad she achieved this goal if she wanted to. The last treatment falls where she will miss one of the Nuepogen shots that she is given after each treatment. Today being Independence day the breast center is closed so she will begin the regime again tomorrow. I will relate how this affects her treatment in a later post.
     That's all for now I think I will take the rest of the day to relax with my wife, and play some 8 Ball on Google game with her.