Wow, yesterday was rough!
I was looking forward to meeting my new doctor and getting things going so I could get my bone marrow transplant and be "cured" of cancer.
At least that is the way I understood it from the doctor in TN. He said (or at least I heard) that with the bone marrow transplant I would be cured of the multiple myeloma and not have to worry about it coming back.
Well, guess what? THERE IS NO CURE!!!
Yes, that's the way I felt too. I felt like I had been slapped in the face, punched in the gut and slammed to the floor!!!!!
OK. Now that bit of information is out of the way I can tell you that I really loved the Stephenson Cancer Center at the Oklahoma University Health Sciences Complex in Oklahoma City.
When we arrived the valet was extremely friendly. We told him it was our first visit and he pointed the way to just inside the front door to the receptionist. She told us exactly how to get where we needed to be. But there is a wonderful cafeteria right there on the first floor which smelled really good. We didn't go over to look but were pleased to know that hot food is available.
I went to the Hemetology Oncology section of this building. Everyone that I was in contact with is a member of the Transplant Team. Really was not expecting to be immersed into all that on the first visit but I guess it is really good (but a little intense, too, since I had only been told I was going to be evaluated for the possibility). But after doing the first time patient paperwork I met Rick Cunningham, a social worker for the transplant team.
He is the one that delivered the No Cure statement. He let us know very early on in our conversation that "This is not a cure. It is to put the multiple myeloma into remission. There is no cure." Very straight forward but I guess that way I cannot say that I still thought there was a cure. So no misunderstanding him (and even later the doctor) and undue expectations about what will happen.
He explained to be about treatment, suggested a place to stay in the RV that is a little closer to the hospital (but I don't think we will move unless it is a lot cheaper), and basically visited with us about how important it is that I have a good caregiver. When I go into isolation Keith can come in and out as long as he is not ill but I will not be able to have visitors "with diapers" so the little ones can't come.
Rick talked with us about how we each felt about the transplant and recovery time needed. After explaining to him that I hope to return to work as soon as possible we found out that I will need to be here in OKC for about a year!! Really don't know how we will be able to do that financially BUT I will trust the Lord to provide. (Just wish I knew how, though! LOL)
Then I received a book that outlines the transplant procedure completely, from telling what each person we meet will do by their title. I was given a little time to look through that and then the doctor came in.
Dr. Carrie Yuen is a petite Asian woman (about 4' 10") and very soft spoken but she knows her stuff. She spoke to us at length about the transplant, the testing that is needed including another bone marrow draw, Ouch!, blood work and a 24 hour urine test. There may be other things after these are completed. Don't have to do the bone marrow yet but it has to be done before the transplant takes place. The process starts with receiving authorization from the insurance company.
The course of treatment she selected is for me is in three steps:
1. to have the chemo drug Velcade which is injected into the abdomen or thighs so I won't need a port at this time. I will get two shots a week for two weeks and then have two weeks off with no shots or treatment. That is a course, 28 days. She suggests 3 to 4 months of this treatment. Then they will test to see how I am responding. When mostly cancer free we move on to the 2nd step
2. Next I will receive some type of medicine to make my white blood cells multiply and to cause my blood to make more stem cells, etc. Not exactly sure what all goes on but after this medication I will have to have my blood drawn (collected) and saved. This will take about a week for medication to work and have the blood drawn in two or three times. They will make sure no cancer cells in it and freeze it.
3. I will enter the hospital and go into isolation. I will be there 10 days minimum and 30 to 45 days maximum barring complications. At that time I think I have to have a port put in. For anyone who does not know a port is inserted in your skin surgically. In lay terms it's like a permanent IV line except it usually has three openings. It is used for lots of things like blood draws, transfusions if needed, receiving chemo while in isolation and to administer other drugs as necessary.
I will receive 3 or 4 days of intense chemo at that time to kill off any remaining cancer cells and of course it also kills off some good cells. At that time I will probably lose my hair (no big deal to me - just give me hats to wear). I cannot be around anyone who is ill even with a runny nose because if I get an infection at this time it would be really hard to fight it off.
Then I will receive my cleaned blood that was drawn in step 2. It will take about a month for my blood to have enough antibodies built up that I can come out of isolation. While in there I can have my computer (but they don't provide internet, I have to work on that part! I will need to be able to blog, email, etc), I will have a phone and can read, etc. I even get 24/7 room service and nursing.
The unit is only 8 beds so I am expecting excellent care. They want me to get up and move around to keep my strength up.
SO, that is the course of treatment. After all that I have to be careful for another few months about being around large crowds of people because my resistance to illness will be very low. All in all Dr. Yuen said it will be about one year before she will feel comfortable in my returning to work away from OKC. Of course there will be followups for ever.
But the prognosis is good, just not excellent. There is the probability that the multiple myeloma will return somewhere but hopefully not any time soon. And if I can go 10 to 15 years without it coming back I will be extremely happy. Now, that time period is my own not from the doctor.
Anyway, to end this on a much lighter note than I started, we are extremely hopeful that this treatment will work and put the multiple myeloma in remission and that it will stay in remission for a long time.
As far as being home, well it has been great. We have been here about 10 days and I am worn out with visiting but also needed to be with family after being away for two years. Our granddaughter Cassisdy is a senior this year and has a research paper due before Thanksgiving. So we are getting together every night for me to help her with it. And, yes, it is just help. I am making her do all of it, just here for her to bounce her ideas off and help keep her focused (she would rather just visit with us and text her boyfriend).
The great grandkids have grown so much since we saw them briefly in May. And they remembered us. I was so glad because we had not seen them but such a short time. Of course, having Buster, our dog, with us certainly helped, too.
I am trying to go to work for H&R Block for the tax season. I believe I can get through most of tax season before they do the transplant. That money will certainly help.
We visited a church in Mustang (a suburb of OKC) on Sunday and it was wonderful. But it is so far over there and the church is so big. We prefer a much smaller church so will be looking for a church home over the next couple of Sundays.
I really didn't intend for this to become a book but sometimes I just get carried away, I have so much to tell you.
I love and miss each of my friends but know you are all praying for me and that really helps a lot.
We can receive mail directly here at 2701D Debbie, Midwest City, OK 73110 so would love to hear from any of you.
Have a wonderful day,
Jean
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Oklahoma update
Well, we have arrived in Oklahoma. Actually got here Monday, the 11th after leaving Tennessee on the 4th. We stopped in Texas for a few days at Eisenhower State Park. Had a visit with our son and his family before moving on to Oklahoma.
Before we left our wonderful crew in Texas gave us a wonderful parting gift. They gave us a gift card for fuel. It was very unexpected and greatly appreciated.
The Lord is so good at taking care of us, isn't He?
Then when we got close to Oklahoma we found out that the RV park where we planned to stay did not have any openings. But we were lead to another park (only a few miles further from the medical complex) that is a few dollars less per month an is absolutely wonderful. We are set up on a beautiful new slab (so no mud to continue with after a snow or rain) with plenty of room to set up our trailer with full electric so we can work on our toys (and possibly keep a little income coming in).
The first appointment with the Stephenson Cancer Center at University of Oklahoma Health Sciences is Tuesday, November 19. I am scheduled to see a Dr. Yin (Yen). Don't know anything about them but I am certain that it will exactly the Doctor that I need to see.
We are also planning on visiting the Mustang Church of the Nazarene with our daughter this Sunday. Our pastor and his wife are friends with members there.
Will post more after seeing the doctor on next Tuesday.
Keep praying for me as I know that's why things are going so well.
Jean
Before we left our wonderful crew in Texas gave us a wonderful parting gift. They gave us a gift card for fuel. It was very unexpected and greatly appreciated.
The Lord is so good at taking care of us, isn't He?
Then when we got close to Oklahoma we found out that the RV park where we planned to stay did not have any openings. But we were lead to another park (only a few miles further from the medical complex) that is a few dollars less per month an is absolutely wonderful. We are set up on a beautiful new slab (so no mud to continue with after a snow or rain) with plenty of room to set up our trailer with full electric so we can work on our toys (and possibly keep a little income coming in).
The first appointment with the Stephenson Cancer Center at University of Oklahoma Health Sciences is Tuesday, November 19. I am scheduled to see a Dr. Yin (Yen). Don't know anything about them but I am certain that it will exactly the Doctor that I need to see.
We are also planning on visiting the Mustang Church of the Nazarene with our daughter this Sunday. Our pastor and his wife are friends with members there.
Will post more after seeing the doctor on next Tuesday.
Keep praying for me as I know that's why things are going so well.
Jean
Friday, November 1, 2013
November 1, 2013
WE ARE GOING HOME TO OKLAHOMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEAH.
But I have to catch you up, first.
Friday, Oct 25 I got a call to start my cyberknife treatments on October 28. So I had a treatment for three days, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The treatments lasted about 1.5 hours and so far I have had no side effects other than a little soreness in my back caused by laying flat of my back for that hour and a half each day. I may have a few other side effects but whatever they are will be nothing compared to the 90 to 95% cure rate for this type of lung cancer that I have/had.
I also saw Dr. Aljadir on Monday the 28th and he is trying to get me an appointment with the Stephenson Cancer Center at the University of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City. They will treat me for the multiple myeloma and I will have a recheck for the lung cancer in January.
I am so glad to be going on to this next step for getting rid of this cancer.
Because of our friend John we were able to go to church together last Sunday and had a great time with our church family at a final lunch after the service. Almost 30 people turned out to tell us goodbye. We even accused one man of wanting to buy fuel for the motor home just to get rid of us. He denied that (and did not buy any fuel, which we did not want, anyway).
On the last day of treatment, Wednesday, we met with Ray and Donna Couey (our pastor and wife) and Gary and Bonnie Honea (our closest friends at church) for the final, final contact with our Knoxville-area friends. It was bittersweet as we ladies tried not to cry, but we were not very successful.
Now we have been trying to finish up everything else and keep ourselves busy until we can leave on Monday, the 4th.
Our replacement crew will be here on Sunday so we can show them the ropes, we will work Sunday night, and then they take over as of Monday. We leave before noon (as soon as the dog gets groomed) and away we go.
Going to Denison, Texas to visit our youngest son and his family before going on up to Oklahoma City. We always look forward to having our two grandsons, Glen and Tyler, visit with us at the lake when we get to see them. It has become a tradition that we spend our time with them so we can have cookouts and fish for the weekend.
THIS JUST IN: Got a phone call from the doctor's office. I now have my first appointment in Oklahoma, November 19 at 2:00 pm with a Dr. Yin (or Dr. Yen). They didn't tell me how to spell it but it doesn't matter. I am on my way toward getting cured.
I will keep posting to this blog to keep all my friends and family posted about the treatments. Love to get your comments. And, Gary, I can't wait to get home either! Looking forward to seeing you and your family soon.
Love to all. I probably won't post anything else for a few days but I do appreciate your prayers and thoughts.
Jean
But I have to catch you up, first.
Friday, Oct 25 I got a call to start my cyberknife treatments on October 28. So I had a treatment for three days, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The treatments lasted about 1.5 hours and so far I have had no side effects other than a little soreness in my back caused by laying flat of my back for that hour and a half each day. I may have a few other side effects but whatever they are will be nothing compared to the 90 to 95% cure rate for this type of lung cancer that I have/had.
I also saw Dr. Aljadir on Monday the 28th and he is trying to get me an appointment with the Stephenson Cancer Center at the University of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City. They will treat me for the multiple myeloma and I will have a recheck for the lung cancer in January.
I am so glad to be going on to this next step for getting rid of this cancer.
Because of our friend John we were able to go to church together last Sunday and had a great time with our church family at a final lunch after the service. Almost 30 people turned out to tell us goodbye. We even accused one man of wanting to buy fuel for the motor home just to get rid of us. He denied that (and did not buy any fuel, which we did not want, anyway).
On the last day of treatment, Wednesday, we met with Ray and Donna Couey (our pastor and wife) and Gary and Bonnie Honea (our closest friends at church) for the final, final contact with our Knoxville-area friends. It was bittersweet as we ladies tried not to cry, but we were not very successful.
Now we have been trying to finish up everything else and keep ourselves busy until we can leave on Monday, the 4th.
Our replacement crew will be here on Sunday so we can show them the ropes, we will work Sunday night, and then they take over as of Monday. We leave before noon (as soon as the dog gets groomed) and away we go.
Going to Denison, Texas to visit our youngest son and his family before going on up to Oklahoma City. We always look forward to having our two grandsons, Glen and Tyler, visit with us at the lake when we get to see them. It has become a tradition that we spend our time with them so we can have cookouts and fish for the weekend.
THIS JUST IN: Got a phone call from the doctor's office. I now have my first appointment in Oklahoma, November 19 at 2:00 pm with a Dr. Yin (or Dr. Yen). They didn't tell me how to spell it but it doesn't matter. I am on my way toward getting cured.
I will keep posting to this blog to keep all my friends and family posted about the treatments. Love to get your comments. And, Gary, I can't wait to get home either! Looking forward to seeing you and your family soon.
Love to all. I probably won't post anything else for a few days but I do appreciate your prayers and thoughts.
Jean
Saturday, October 26, 2013
More amazing info
Well, I got bad news when they looked at the CT scan done at the last post. The gold fiducials there were inserted are NOT in the tumor like they are supposed to be.
So I had to go back in for yet another CT scan. The good news was that the tumor doesn't move very much when I breathe so we are good to go for the CyberKnife.
The bad news was that they couldn't get it started until October 28.
But more info: We are going home! After 2 years we are returning to Oklahoma for about 6 months. We officially will be relieved from our job on Monday, November 4 at 6:30 am (after working Sunday and Sunday night).
Our replacements will be here on Sunday for us to go over the paperwork so they know what they need to do. The job will actually last until Thanksgiving but I need to be in Oklahoma starting my treatments on the bone marrow cancer before that.
Our friend will work for us tomorrow so we can both go to church (at the same time). Our friends at church want to have lunch with both of us to say goodbye and we are really looking forward to it. Not the saying goodbye but having lunch with all the friends and especially being in church together.
My Cyberknife will be Monday at 9:30 am and the Tuesday and Wednesday at a time to be determined after the first visit. I have been told that I may be on the table for up to three hours (flat on my back). But we hope that it will not be that long. The length of time will determine what time the appointments will be on Tuesday and Wednesday.
I also have an appointment with Dr. Aljadir Monday (at 9:15 am). I have contacted them and they are going to accommodate me to see the doctor when I am finished with the CyberKnife. From him I hope to learn who I am to see in Oklahoma and when. Then I have to change my insurance so I have coverage to the doctor that I am to see there.
More Good News: Social Security determined that I would get more money than they first thought which will certainly help since we will not be working on a job.
God is so GOOD. He is taking care of everything.
When we leave Tennessee we are going to our son Robert's for a long weekend. Then on to Oklahoma City.
Have a great day everyone. I know I will.
So I had to go back in for yet another CT scan. The good news was that the tumor doesn't move very much when I breathe so we are good to go for the CyberKnife.
The bad news was that they couldn't get it started until October 28.
But more info: We are going home! After 2 years we are returning to Oklahoma for about 6 months. We officially will be relieved from our job on Monday, November 4 at 6:30 am (after working Sunday and Sunday night).
Our replacements will be here on Sunday for us to go over the paperwork so they know what they need to do. The job will actually last until Thanksgiving but I need to be in Oklahoma starting my treatments on the bone marrow cancer before that.
Our friend will work for us tomorrow so we can both go to church (at the same time). Our friends at church want to have lunch with both of us to say goodbye and we are really looking forward to it. Not the saying goodbye but having lunch with all the friends and especially being in church together.
My Cyberknife will be Monday at 9:30 am and the Tuesday and Wednesday at a time to be determined after the first visit. I have been told that I may be on the table for up to three hours (flat on my back). But we hope that it will not be that long. The length of time will determine what time the appointments will be on Tuesday and Wednesday.
I also have an appointment with Dr. Aljadir Monday (at 9:15 am). I have contacted them and they are going to accommodate me to see the doctor when I am finished with the CyberKnife. From him I hope to learn who I am to see in Oklahoma and when. Then I have to change my insurance so I have coverage to the doctor that I am to see there.
More Good News: Social Security determined that I would get more money than they first thought which will certainly help since we will not be working on a job.
God is so GOOD. He is taking care of everything.
When we leave Tennessee we are going to our son Robert's for a long weekend. Then on to Oklahoma City.
Have a great day everyone. I know I will.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Getting Closer to being cured!
October 15, 2013
I have had two weeks off since my lung procedure to insert the gold so today I got to see Dr. Kelley who checked me out to make sure I was healthy to have the CyberKnife done. He gave me the all clear and I had a CT scan which they will use to plan the Cyber Knife treatment.
Dr. Kelley said they will probably do that procedure for 3 to 5 days depending on what they see on this CT scan. That will be done next week.
I then have an appointment with Dr. Aljadir, the medical oncologist, on the 28th. He is supposed to be setting up a transfer of my treatment to OU Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City.
Our job is supposed to be over by the first week of November and we are heading HOME!!!!!!!!! I am so excited. We have found an RV park that is 15 minutes from the hospital/doctors where I will be receiving treatment. There is a Nazarene Church within a two mile radius so we can go to church near where we will be staying.
And I am hoping to get work at the H&R Block office in the neighborhood (again within a 2 mile radius of the hospital). This will help us while we can't take a monitoring job and will give me something to do.
The Lord is just working out things for us in such an amazing way. Can't wait to see what the next step is going to be.
Hoping to be in Oklahoma City before Thanksgiving! I am ready to go Home and see my family.
Have a great week.
Jean
I have had two weeks off since my lung procedure to insert the gold so today I got to see Dr. Kelley who checked me out to make sure I was healthy to have the CyberKnife done. He gave me the all clear and I had a CT scan which they will use to plan the Cyber Knife treatment.
Dr. Kelley said they will probably do that procedure for 3 to 5 days depending on what they see on this CT scan. That will be done next week.
I then have an appointment with Dr. Aljadir, the medical oncologist, on the 28th. He is supposed to be setting up a transfer of my treatment to OU Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City.
Our job is supposed to be over by the first week of November and we are heading HOME!!!!!!!!! I am so excited. We have found an RV park that is 15 minutes from the hospital/doctors where I will be receiving treatment. There is a Nazarene Church within a two mile radius so we can go to church near where we will be staying.
And I am hoping to get work at the H&R Block office in the neighborhood (again within a 2 mile radius of the hospital). This will help us while we can't take a monitoring job and will give me something to do.
The Lord is just working out things for us in such an amazing way. Can't wait to see what the next step is going to be.
Hoping to be in Oklahoma City before Thanksgiving! I am ready to go Home and see my family.
Have a great week.
Jean
Thursday, September 26, 2013
God is so Powerful!!!
I am feeling so blessed today. I just had to share. God has had his powerful hand in all of this illness (as he always does, but sometimes we just don't see it!). He has been making Himself known to me in such wonderous ways. I just have to list all of this in one place. I am certainly learning that things do happen in in His time.
1. December 14, 2011 - first experienced severe pain in my right collarbone and the bone moved. Pain finally eased but bone stayed out of place.
2. May 30, 2012 - Trying to get up from the ground where I had been sitting doing some work experienced severe pain again. Went to physical therapy and they were able to place bone back and relieve the pain. Still had a knot. No doctor would address the knot. They all wanted to talk about my shoulder although I wanted them to address the collarbone.
3. November, 2012 - went to Cherokee with church and threw the collarbone out yet again. Severe pain. Again physical therapy to relieve the pain and again the doctors ignore the knot on the collarbone. I felt the bone was out of place.
Ok, you ask, where is God in all this. Oh, He was there all the time. I just wasn't seeing Him in all this. That sounds typical, doesn't it? Please just keep reading.
4. May 20, 2013 - My aunt died in Oklahoma. I made arrangements to go to the funeral and to be with my mom. Only problem was, Mom died on May 25 before I got there. It was a very fast trip from TN to OK for this double funeral and we stayed when and where we could for accommodations (no handicapped motel rooms available when we would stop on the spur of the moment). So I called back to the doctor and physical therapy to have it scheduled for when I got back.
(this is where it gets good)
5. June 3, 2013 - Went to physical therapy but this time the pain was different and the knot on my collar bone was different. My physical therapist insisted that I see a specialist in collar bone and shoulders. He saw me in July and ordered
6. August 6, 2013 - Diagnosed with cancer in 4 places. Hang on, now, it gets so fast.
7. August 12, 2013 - Oncology appointment with Dr. David Aljadir. He sent me for bioposies and to be evaluated for radiation.
8. August 27, 2013 - Radiation appointment with Dr. Joseph Kelley.
9. September 4 thru September 17, 2013 - 10 days of radiation on my collarbone and T-12. The knot on my collarbone is smaller.
10. September 16, 2013 - Dr. Aljadir told me lung cancer can be completely cured with CyberKnife.
11. September 17, 2013 - Dr. Joseph Kelley sent me to a pulmonary doctor and told me I will be scheduled for CyberKnife no later than the end of October. I committed to staying in Knoxville area until then for this treatment even though we think the job will finish up the end of September.
12. September 20, 2013 - Pulmonary doctor - Dr. Paul Branca - made me an appointment for placing gold fiducials.
13. September 23, 2013 - Insertion of fiducials (5 pieces of gold about the size of mustard seeds).
And now, the topper...
14. September 25, 2013 - Received word that our job is extended yet again (we thought it would be over in March of this year but keeps getting extended a little bit at a time). This time they have enough funding to go until....... End of October or 1 week in November!
God is so good. He has not only put me and kept me in this area for diagnosis and treatment.
And He keeps us employed so we can afford to stay here. He got me to the right Cancer Center (University of Tennessee Medical Center) and to the right doctors.
3 doctors - named David, Joseph and Paul (all good Bibical names)
Immediate appointments when others could not get me in for three weeks.
Gold fiducials about the size of "a grain of mustard seed".
Extension of job to just exactly the time we need to get this first phase of treatment.
And, if you have read this all the way through, I appreciate it. And if not, well, it has been good for me to list it all as a reminder of how good and powerful God is and to remind myself to watch for God in everything.
Thank you, Lord, for all these reminders that you are in everything, Help me to never forget that and help me to praise you in all things. Amen.
Humbly,
Jean
1. December 14, 2011 - first experienced severe pain in my right collarbone and the bone moved. Pain finally eased but bone stayed out of place.
2. May 30, 2012 - Trying to get up from the ground where I had been sitting doing some work experienced severe pain again. Went to physical therapy and they were able to place bone back and relieve the pain. Still had a knot. No doctor would address the knot. They all wanted to talk about my shoulder although I wanted them to address the collarbone.
3. November, 2012 - went to Cherokee with church and threw the collarbone out yet again. Severe pain. Again physical therapy to relieve the pain and again the doctors ignore the knot on the collarbone. I felt the bone was out of place.
Ok, you ask, where is God in all this. Oh, He was there all the time. I just wasn't seeing Him in all this. That sounds typical, doesn't it? Please just keep reading.
4. May 20, 2013 - My aunt died in Oklahoma. I made arrangements to go to the funeral and to be with my mom. Only problem was, Mom died on May 25 before I got there. It was a very fast trip from TN to OK for this double funeral and we stayed when and where we could for accommodations (no handicapped motel rooms available when we would stop on the spur of the moment). So I called back to the doctor and physical therapy to have it scheduled for when I got back.
(this is where it gets good)
5. June 3, 2013 - Went to physical therapy but this time the pain was different and the knot on my collar bone was different. My physical therapist insisted that I see a specialist in collar bone and shoulders. He saw me in July and ordered
6. August 6, 2013 - Diagnosed with cancer in 4 places. Hang on, now, it gets so fast.
7. August 12, 2013 - Oncology appointment with Dr. David Aljadir. He sent me for bioposies and to be evaluated for radiation.
8. August 27, 2013 - Radiation appointment with Dr. Joseph Kelley.
9. September 4 thru September 17, 2013 - 10 days of radiation on my collarbone and T-12. The knot on my collarbone is smaller.
10. September 16, 2013 - Dr. Aljadir told me lung cancer can be completely cured with CyberKnife.
11. September 17, 2013 - Dr. Joseph Kelley sent me to a pulmonary doctor and told me I will be scheduled for CyberKnife no later than the end of October. I committed to staying in Knoxville area until then for this treatment even though we think the job will finish up the end of September.
12. September 20, 2013 - Pulmonary doctor - Dr. Paul Branca - made me an appointment for placing gold fiducials.
13. September 23, 2013 - Insertion of fiducials (5 pieces of gold about the size of mustard seeds).
And now, the topper...
14. September 25, 2013 - Received word that our job is extended yet again (we thought it would be over in March of this year but keeps getting extended a little bit at a time). This time they have enough funding to go until....... End of October or 1 week in November!
God is so good. He has not only put me and kept me in this area for diagnosis and treatment.
And He keeps us employed so we can afford to stay here. He got me to the right Cancer Center (University of Tennessee Medical Center) and to the right doctors.
3 doctors - named David, Joseph and Paul (all good Bibical names)
Immediate appointments when others could not get me in for three weeks.
Gold fiducials about the size of "a grain of mustard seed".
Extension of job to just exactly the time we need to get this first phase of treatment.
And, if you have read this all the way through, I appreciate it. And if not, well, it has been good for me to list it all as a reminder of how good and powerful God is and to remind myself to watch for God in everything.
Thank you, Lord, for all these reminders that you are in everything, Help me to never forget that and help me to praise you in all things. Amen.
Humbly,
Jean
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Latest Update
Well, it has been a while since I wrote. To be truthful, I forgot my password! That is so crazy. I never forget my passwords (and I have a lot of them).
But this blog is about my cancer diagnosis and treatment and my feelings and thoughts. So, here goes.
On Friday, September 20 I saw the pulmonary doctor who then informed me that I was scheduled for a CT scan that same day. So I got two appointment for one trip. I like that. I also had to do some breathing tests. Guess they wanted to do as much in one day as possible.
Then, I was scheduled for the placement of the gold into the lung tumor. They are called fiducials and are to help guide the CyberKnife. I just didn't expect to have this procedure quite so quickly but I am glad that it was done. They went down my throat, and into the lungs. They placed 5 small gold pieces (about the size of a grain of mustard seed). While they were in there they also biopsied a couple of lymph nodes that are between the lungs. Not that they think there is anything there but just to be on the safe side. Better to do it while I was comfortably asleep (thanks to Propopal, yes, the Michael Jackson drug) than to have to face another biopsy later.
I am having a little problems from the procedure but none that are unexpected. Any time they disturb the lungs and that whole area there is a little discomfort and coughing. That's about it.
Now I have to wait for the results of those lymph node biopsies. If there is not any disturbing there we will still have to wait 7 to 10 days before the next step. This is to give the fiducials some time to settle down in the tumor. Apparently they will possibly shift some for the first few days. Then after they settle the next step will be to have a CT scan to mark out the path of the CyberKnife. Then another wait while the Physics Department details exactly how the CyberKnife will work.
The way I understand it the CK (for short) will go around my body in a 360 degree circle. Imagine the face of a clock. It has 60 minutes. Well, the CK will hit 100 points on it's way around. Each time it will connect to one of the fiducials so it is always exactly on the tumor.
Only 3 to 5 treatments lasting about 2 to 3 hours and that tumor will be gone, probably to never return.
Oh, yeah, and I get to keep the gold! The tumor will die leaving just scar tissue. The gold will remain in there.
So, just remember the next time I see you, I am worth more than I was the last time you saw me. After all, gold is worth a lot these days. LOL
My general health is still very good (as good as it ever was), my spirits are great and I am looking forward to getting this cancer out of my body so I can quit having so many doctor appointments.
I have many other things that I want to do including working on our wooden toys and games, taking them to craft shows and working on our web site. If you haven't checked it out go to www.travelingtoymaker.com. Doesn't look too bad even if I do say so. I have prepared it with a LOT of help from my brother Steve. We have very interesting lessons over Skype. He is in Ecuador, I am in Tennessee. But he is an excellent teacher and is very patient with me, even when I am being thickheaded. Thanks to him it is looking good. Now we have to wait to see if the public finds it and wants some of these awesome toys. Wish us luck. I would love to be able to make enough money on the toys that we could actually not work so much and still be able to do some traveling. We can do this because we have our workshop in the trailer that carries our car. So we can be anywhere and still make toys. I love it. Wish we had done this years ago.
I don't have any appointments scheduled at this time. I am enjoying not having to go to Knoxville this week and I'm sure that Keith is glad to have a week of not taking me. He does not like hospitals and sitting around and waiting but he is being a great strength. Our pastor showed up Monday to keep him company and make sure he ate lunch while waiting for me. Thanks, Pastor Couey. Really appreciate it.
I am taking our toys to a craft show on October 5 and sure hope it is nice weather because it is outside. Keith can't go with me but I have a friend who will be there with her stuff. She and her family have offered to set up the tent and tables and help me if I need it. I really appreciate that.
Have a great week. I know I will.
Love to all,
Jean
But this blog is about my cancer diagnosis and treatment and my feelings and thoughts. So, here goes.
On Friday, September 20 I saw the pulmonary doctor who then informed me that I was scheduled for a CT scan that same day. So I got two appointment for one trip. I like that. I also had to do some breathing tests. Guess they wanted to do as much in one day as possible.
Then, I was scheduled for the placement of the gold into the lung tumor. They are called fiducials and are to help guide the CyberKnife. I just didn't expect to have this procedure quite so quickly but I am glad that it was done. They went down my throat, and into the lungs. They placed 5 small gold pieces (about the size of a grain of mustard seed). While they were in there they also biopsied a couple of lymph nodes that are between the lungs. Not that they think there is anything there but just to be on the safe side. Better to do it while I was comfortably asleep (thanks to Propopal, yes, the Michael Jackson drug) than to have to face another biopsy later.
I am having a little problems from the procedure but none that are unexpected. Any time they disturb the lungs and that whole area there is a little discomfort and coughing. That's about it.
Now I have to wait for the results of those lymph node biopsies. If there is not any disturbing there we will still have to wait 7 to 10 days before the next step. This is to give the fiducials some time to settle down in the tumor. Apparently they will possibly shift some for the first few days. Then after they settle the next step will be to have a CT scan to mark out the path of the CyberKnife. Then another wait while the Physics Department details exactly how the CyberKnife will work.
The way I understand it the CK (for short) will go around my body in a 360 degree circle. Imagine the face of a clock. It has 60 minutes. Well, the CK will hit 100 points on it's way around. Each time it will connect to one of the fiducials so it is always exactly on the tumor.
Only 3 to 5 treatments lasting about 2 to 3 hours and that tumor will be gone, probably to never return.
Oh, yeah, and I get to keep the gold! The tumor will die leaving just scar tissue. The gold will remain in there.
So, just remember the next time I see you, I am worth more than I was the last time you saw me. After all, gold is worth a lot these days. LOL
My general health is still very good (as good as it ever was), my spirits are great and I am looking forward to getting this cancer out of my body so I can quit having so many doctor appointments.
I have many other things that I want to do including working on our wooden toys and games, taking them to craft shows and working on our web site. If you haven't checked it out go to www.travelingtoymaker.com. Doesn't look too bad even if I do say so. I have prepared it with a LOT of help from my brother Steve. We have very interesting lessons over Skype. He is in Ecuador, I am in Tennessee. But he is an excellent teacher and is very patient with me, even when I am being thickheaded. Thanks to him it is looking good. Now we have to wait to see if the public finds it and wants some of these awesome toys. Wish us luck. I would love to be able to make enough money on the toys that we could actually not work so much and still be able to do some traveling. We can do this because we have our workshop in the trailer that carries our car. So we can be anywhere and still make toys. I love it. Wish we had done this years ago.
I don't have any appointments scheduled at this time. I am enjoying not having to go to Knoxville this week and I'm sure that Keith is glad to have a week of not taking me. He does not like hospitals and sitting around and waiting but he is being a great strength. Our pastor showed up Monday to keep him company and make sure he ate lunch while waiting for me. Thanks, Pastor Couey. Really appreciate it.
I am taking our toys to a craft show on October 5 and sure hope it is nice weather because it is outside. Keith can't go with me but I have a friend who will be there with her stuff. She and her family have offered to set up the tent and tables and help me if I need it. I really appreciate that.
Have a great week. I know I will.
Love to all,
Jean
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