Today, (26th) Tah-dah! - was the lst Radiation treatment. So far, so good. I am going to get the brain rescanned on the 26th of March and meet again with the radiation guy on the 1st of April, which seems appropriate. I will let you know right away after that how this went.
So I was looking at some options before the Oncology meeting tomorrow. There are hundreds of clinical trials out there working toward discovering cures and treatments. I was astounded to find out that less then 5% of cancer patients participate in them. If it will advance the cause one millimeter - why would you not involve yourself? So if I am eligible, I will be leaping right on that one - I mean, I have cancer....Can I move this forward in any way?
Now, I am not looking forward to chemo or tests, or procedures - I mean, it would be far cooler to be in a Reiki massage test or hot rock massage at the Elms spa - but I am willing to have or do what ever this takes to move this forward to a cure. OK - even the icky stuff. (though not as eagerly as the massage stuff)
So pray there is something I am eligible for and that is going to help. That would please me. But remember, even the failure of these trials move science forward and that is a big thing in itself.
(27th) So, I did discuss clinical trials and Dr. Rigden started a search for opportunities. The brain tumors make me ineligible for some, the fact that my tumors are not at all hormone sensitive knocked out a few, some things I am not a fit for - but there seem to be 2 possible and her researcher is looking for more since I reminded her I was VA eligible for military studies.
I had my IV port removed in December over the break. More Irony - I think the Greeks said a person makes plans and the gods giggle. So I have awful veins - even when I was young I could make an IV team cry when they had to stick me over and over - On Monday I meet with a surgeon to set up getting one back. It will make the long term medical stuff much easier and I can tell you it is an fairly easy in-and-out day surgery.
I get a handicapped parking sticker. When I come back in the fall, I won't have to park in Kansas with my carpool. See - silver lining.
Note to Chief Kyle - No-one has a turn of phrase like a retired Chief! I laughed for hours! My heart sister, Kathy keeps me living vicariously through her stories of school and all the things the non-traditional students are getting done and I really enjoy that. Spring breaks are coming!
My face is swollen up like a ball - not a good look! Sort of bowling ball. It is because of the steroids they gave me to reduce the swelling around the brain tumors and that worked - no vision problems or headaches. The steroids have to be tapered off very gradually - powerful stuff but Dr. Rigden says the swelling will recede as we do.
This upcoming round of chemo will not start for a bit - It looks like it will be done in multiple series of 2 session chemo increments with an evaluation of progress in between. But first I get some healing time and a break for preparation - so life is good.
I am going to be working with a dear friend on a American Cancer Society fundraiser --- A knitting thing. It will be in Lathrop but we are just now starting to work on the details.
Lori Barringer
http://lorib2mostories.blogspot.com/
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