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I want that Tshirt Patty! Well my anxiety is subsiding as I finally have my start date. Is it odd that the thought of starting radiation is comforting to me and not scary? I look at it as a positive step, and it can't finish unless it starts. There are also so many positives that are coming from it.
I start Radiation on Wednesday August 20 - Monday September 29. It is Mon-Fri (except the one Holiday Monday) My husband and I are fortunate enough to have been able to book a room at Lakeview Lodge. This is the Lodge connected to the Cancer Centre. They offer a free bed to anyone undergoing Chemotherapy or Radiation treatment, however, we do have to pay for my husbands bed for the duration of my husbands stay. But we do get a private room with private bath and they also offer a daily meal plan which is great because it will encourage me to get up and down to the dining room daily at least 3 times a day to eat.
The best part is that they have a nurse staffed 24/7 there and with brain swelling, potential seizure increase and my Oncologist reluctant to give me meds for the swelling, it makes me feel a lot less anxious knowing there is a nurse right there. Not to mention the fact that my entire Oncology team is in the same building and God Forbid anything bad were to happen, the hospital is right down the hall.
Needless to say this whole scenario helps the anxiety. Plus, not having to deal with daily travel while dealing with fatigue and nausea is going to be a huge bonus. I do have to return home on weekends as the Lodge is only staffed Mon-Fri but it's a lot less travel which is nice.
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Tara, I feel so comforted ( for you ) in having that wonderful option of the Lodge accomodations right next to the treatment centre. You are in the best place possible to monitor anything going awry ( which it will NOT God willing) . Now it begins and as you said soon it will be done. Best of luck my dear!
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Thank you walks, I was so incredibly fortunate to be able to get the last room available with the extra bed! Now... can anyone say emotional roller coaster? My Oncology nurse just called not a half hr ago and she wants me to meet with a Neuro Oncologist next Wed or Fri to discuss adding Chemotherapy to my Radiation treatment. It seems the team met this morning and went over everything again and decided that I would be a good candidate for adding the Chemo pill to Radiation Therapy. What has changed since I saw them last I have no clue, BUT that question is the first I will ask when I meet with this Dr!
I want to do whatever is necessary, I don't care what that is, but I want to make sure it's the RIGHT thing but I don't want to be anyone's guinea pig either lol. I know the original path was: Surgery-Radiation-Chemo, then the surgeon backed out. So it was Radiation but we figure Chemo won't help. Now it's Radiation and Chemo will be best. Soooooo what the hell is it? lol Pick something, lay out the pros and cons, let me decide. It's the emotional ups and downs that are killing me right now.
For certain I start Radiation on Wed, and we'll see about Chemo. If I feel it will benefit me I will do it. If I can afford it, those damn pills are expensive. *sighs*
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Well the next chapter in my journey starts tomorrow. At 9am I meet with a Dr to discuss whether I will add chemotherapy to my treatment, and at 9:45am is when I will undergo my first radiation treatment. It's a short week this week (Wed-Fri), but other than Sept 1 all other treatments are Mon-Fri through to Sept 29 for the radiation part. I'm feeling as good as can be expected I guess. We are hitting the road at 7:30am and hoping to not hit any major traffic. *fingers crossed! I'm suppose to be put on the new radiation machines which allows me to listen to music during my procedure. I'm taking this CD with me because this is the song I want on repeat.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CevxZvSJLk8
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yes!! great choice to block out everything with Katy's songs, nice that they have thought of the patients going through this provide a way to enjoy music until it is done. Best of luck Tara!!
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That song is amazing for you, me, anyone. Tara, the worst part is that a person always has to hurry up and WAIT, I truly believe that the worst part of a treatment is the waiting. I'm sorry they threw a monkey wrench into the original plans. Just when a person gets ready, has beaten down the fear monster for all the what if's, they call and mess it all up.
It's amazing that you were able to get a room at the lodge. Not only will you and dh not have to do all the traveling but not having to worry if you and dh are going to eat that day cause no one feels like going to order food or make anything. I've been saying my prayers for you and I know everything will work out for the best hun. Stay strong, as you always are. You're such a rock, and your reasoning of the situations is great. I always do my order of things. First I fall apart (by myself in my bedroom or bathroom), after that first few hours I'm good. I put on my "Don't worry people, everything's great" face and stay strong for everyone else.
I'll be thinking of you tomorrow when you do your consult and hoping for the best possible reasoning/outcome for the switching the routine.
Have a wonderful day.
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thinking of you tomorrow!
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Tara, you're in my prayers every night (as are others who are going through difficult times), and with your "nerves of steel" attitude, I know you're going to grit your teeth and get on with it. What a blessing that you and your DH snagged that room! With nursing staff there, and meals provided for you....well, it just means you can concentrate on yourself without travelling, cooking....If I'm not mistaken, you believe in positive imagery, and meditation....use any and all resources you have and just concentrate on YOU.
Praying for Angels to lift you and carry you through this to health and safety....{{{gentle hugs}}}
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Hoping all goes well tomorrow!
Have a good rest tonight...
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Thinking of you. Hoping to hear you're coping ok. . .
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Good luck Tara. I took my daughter to see Katy Perry in concert in Toronto last month and she put on a great show.
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Thoughts and prayers are with you this morning, Tara....
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Good Afternoon hun, I've been thinking about you today too. I hope everything is going alright. Stay strong and remember that we all love you and are sending you our thoughts and prayers.
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Hello everyone! Thank you all for your words of encouragement they mean the world to me. Today has been so incredibly busy, every time I turned around I had a new appointment to see a new person, but everyone has been so incredibly helpful! A decision has been made, and chemotherapy has been added to my treatment plan. First radiation treatment is done (even though I was 1 hr late due to taking more time in my chemo appointment lol) and I will start tomorrow with a daily chemo pill for the next six weeks. Then I will have four weeks off and then resume a new chemo schedule for twelve more months. Thankfully the pill is fully covered since the pill costs about $3000 a week!
I'm settling in here and have my full schedule (which has changed twice already today lol) but I'm going with the flow. Oh, and they have 2 commons rooms here with computers with internet access. How cool is that?!
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Hi, Tara....well it sounds like you have a very attentive, concerned and professional support system surrounding you. And thank heavens, those meds are covered! Rest, little one, and remember we and your Angels are always with you...:sweet:
