First thing first...here's the "sassie woman" in her new wig....it's called a "cranial prothesis"...not bad...huh? The pictures below were taken just before Linda began treatments...at the Oregon Jamboree with Trish Yearwood....we had a great time....nice time before the treatments began.
Today Linda went for her radiation treatment...no more chemo for another two plus weeks. After the radiation treatment (number 11 of 35), the technicians told her they were doing a scan to determine if the radiation field could be reduced....the short version is that in fact the tumor has shrunk so the field will be reduced..it takes two days to do that so no more radiation till that is done....AND THEN.....
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And then we went over to the medical oncology to meet with the nurse practitioner...she had a blood test done...initial results showed Linda is Neutropenic. We understand that means her immune system is down and she is dehydrated...we are going to look that term up later ....anyway with the things the way they are, they don't want radiation till things look up....later we found out that Linda can resume radiation on Friday at the earliest.
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We expressed concerns as we have a couples workshop coming at the end of the radiation treatments..but that appears to be gone as the radiation will still be occuring with the delays.
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Linda expressed concerns about the wedding of son Jim and Jenn in Mexico following the radiation treatments....the nurse practitioner assured her they would "fluff" her up and "buff" her...ie, provide blood transfusions...hydration...antibiotics...etc...etc.. She indicated Linda would most likely be in a wheel chair and pretty "beat up" but she'd make it.
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Linda is now on heavy doses of antibiotics for the rest of this week. She is also still suffering from the effects of the radiation on her esophagus...they did give her some medication to paralyze her throat just before eating ...to ease the pain....we tried it tonight...Linda wasn't very impressed.
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Today we bought a lot of gateraide....slimfast...ensure....smoothie....juices...ice cream...etc...etc..to keep her calories up....she also got some of the pills she takes for calcium, joints, vitamins, etc. in liquid form to ease the ingestion.
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So a day off tomorrow and Wednesday...Thursday, Linda goes in for another blood test to see if she can resume treatments on Friday....
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It was nice to be home....lots of dishes to do and house cleaning...and the RV needed cleaning too..so not much sitting around...and I'm a bit beat from the seminar just completed..tomorrow should be a bit easier.
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Dave
10 comments:
I was surfing the web tonight reading about cancer survivors and came across something that I found so fitting for this past week for you. I thought it was interesting:
During chemo, you're more tired than you've ever been. It's like a cloud passing over the sun, and suddenly you're out. You don't know how you'll answer the door when your groceries are delivered. But you also find that you're stronger than you've ever been. You're clear. Your mortality is at optimal distance, not up so close that it obscures everything else, but close enough to give you depth perception. Previously, it has taken you weeks, months, or years to discover the meaning of an experience. Now it's instantaneous.
Wow. I listen to your stories about it, and although I try, I can't truly know what it is like for you. But know that I would take it all away from you, take it upon my self, if I could free you from this. But since I can't, I send you instead my love, my energy, and my support. Always and forever, I'm here for you. I love you Mom.
Love, Janine
The tumor has SHRUNK! I like that a lot. Everything you are doing is working! I love you both very much.
Linda,
Thoughts and prayers for you daily. I continue to follow everyday on your blog. Reading tonight, I was concerned with you drinking SlimFast. It has can really cause abdominal cramping. You do not need any other symptoms than you are dealing with right now. Nuetropenic means that your White Blood Cells are too low to fight infection. Now is the time not to be around anyone who is sick.
The wig looks great.
Love Denise (from Florida)
Love the wig, Linda!! It looks fabulous on you. :)... and I love the news about the tumor having shrunk too!
Hope you're able to get lots of rest these next couple of days. Our thoughts are with you daily! :)
Love,
Jim and Swee
Linda, Janine say it so well. We all would like to take a part of this off your shoulders if only for a day or two....
The wig looks so natural, and you look so well. Your inner strength is definately showing through.
This is the time to stay away from crowds or anyone with the "sniffles." Remember, we all are rooting for you and Dave....
Linda, Janine say it so well. We all would like to take a part of this off your shoulders if only for a day or two....
The wig looks so natural, and you look so well. Your inner strength is definately showing through.
This is the time to stay away from crowds or anyone with the "sniffles." Remember, we all are rooting for you and Dave....
Linda, your wig looks great, it goes with you, it looks natural.. I love it. Keep takin care of you. Rest when you can and keep up the good work. You guys are awesome, Love Ya, Lil Sis
I love the wig! It looks great. Keep up the good work. You are a inspiration to me.
Kathy Q
The "cranial prosthesis" looks terrific! The same you, but with a little blonde attitude thrown in.
So very happy to hear that the tumor is shrinking, according to plan. Always good when everything works the way it should.
Sorry to learn that the delay in treatments might make you miss your seminar, but it's all to keep you as healthy as possible. You'll make it to the wedding, I'm certain.
Hope you're having a good day today! - Cheryl J.
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