Radiation = Exhaustion

Hi guys!!

I hope you are well.  Can you believe Christmas is right around the corner!?  It feels like time is just flying by!

Radiation Progress

Today was Day 4 of my Radiation treatment and I'm just exhausted.  I talked with my nurse at the Doctor's office and she told me that I will get even more exhausted at the 2 week point.  I've just been taking it easy.  Yesterday, I even took a 2 hour nap, when I got up I was still tired.  If I have to be tired from the therapy, I wish it came and went versus all the time tired.  Also yesterday, I had a loss of appetite again but today I'm hungry.  Weird.

I get asked a lot if Radiation hurts - and the answer is not at this point.  I've been told that as I start to have skin reactions to the treatments, that during treatment it might very well hurt.

I found out that the type of Radiation that they are administering is called: Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).  This type of Radiation uses advanced technology to manipulate beams of radiation to conform to the shape of a tumor.  I am always amazed and grateful for the medical time in which we I live.  You can read more about IMRT HERE.

Only 26 more days of Radiation left!

Healthy Living

When I was diagnosed with an aggressive and potentially life threatening form of cancer, I naturally started reading EVERYTHING I could about Healthy living.  The sad thing is... I wish I had known some of this information before!  I wish someone had told me that I've been creating a toxic environment in my house that very well could have been the cause or greatly contributed to me getting cancer.  Maybe I could have prevented it.  If its alright with you, I would like to start sharing with you some of the things that I've been researching.  Some information that is helpful, regardless if you have cancer or not.  I'm not trying to preach to you, by any means.  I just feel that now that I have some of this knowledge on toxins, diet, alternative medicine, etc - I feel obligated to share with you!

Frankincense

Over two months ago, in researching an anti-cancer lifestyle, I stumbled upon Frankincense.  I've been hooked ever since.  Here are some little known facts about this essential oil.

• Frankincense is a antiseptic, disinfectant, astringent, carminative, cicatrisant, cytophylactic, digestive, diuretic, emenagogue, expectorant, sedative, tonic, uterine and vulnerably substance.
• Frankincense was given to baby Jesus by one of the Wise men.
• Frankincense his been around for THOUSANDS of years!
• Frankincense is a resin of which the oil is derived.
• Frankincense has the ability to not only stop the growth of ALL types of Cancer!
• Frankincense has demonstrated ability to kill cancer cells in every organ cell line on which it has been tested, while causing no harm to healthy cells. 
• Now, Frankincense essential oil has been show to specifically disrupt the development of breast cancer cells, with a note in the research abstract that “the essential oil may be effective for advanced breast cancer”.

I could go on...  Honestly, I believe Frankincense deserves its own post.  I believe that everything here on this Earth is put on Earth for us to use.  I believe the cure for Cancer is here on Earth, not in a pharmaceutical company.  Hopefully, I've peaked your interest.  Here are some links to articles that I have found helpful!

Organic Facts Article HERE
BBC reporter Jeremy Howell's Article.  Frankincense: could this be the cure for Cancer HERE. 
Frankincense & Myrrh: What you should know HERE

Please pray that the Radiation is effective and that my side effects diminish.

Thanks for reading!

Re-Do Day one of Radiation

Hi guys

Today was a successful first day of Radiation Therapy - I survived!

Calculations

On Wednesday, I was scheduled to start Radiation.  I showed up at the scheduled time, changed, and was ready to conquer the unknown.  I was taken in to the Radiation room, which is more like a 2 foot think concrete bunker, and I hopped up on the table.  This is what the machine looks like.

Two Radiation techs work together to move my position juuuuuust right.  The whole idea is to re-create the exact same position that I was in last week at my CT Scan (Where they tattooed the black dots on me. Read More HERE).  All of the calculations for my Radiation therapy were made off of this position.  The Radiation techs spent a lot of time on my positioning.  Then, they ran a test with the machine.  The entire wall-mounted unit rotates around me, it is important that the machines on the wall can clear the table that I'm laying on as they rotate underneath me.  First test = fail.  Then the techs work to re-position me again.... Fail.  They called in the Dose doctor who started re-calculating the positioning, and the height of my table.  The more they raise my table, the more the angles of the radiation are off.  After 7 people in the bunker with us working to re-calculate and re-position me and after FIVE pass attempts of the machine, the ALL failed.

Turns out that the CT machine where they set-up my simulation last week and gave me the tattoos, was on a much lower table than the Radiation machine that I would receive treatment on.  The calculation was 1 cm off.

I got off of the table and was told to go wait in the waiting room.  Being in a hospital gown early in the morning, I was frozen!  Lucky for me the waiting room has a heater!!

Another Radiation Doctor came into my room and told me that Dr. Dutton was on her way in and that she asked me to go home and that they would contact me in the next couple days to schedule something (next couple of days, seriously?).  I changed and went home.  Lucky for me they called that afternoon and I was scheduled to come in today (Thursday morning).

Radiation - Day 1

I was so nervous on Wednesday - it felt like the first day of school.  However, I was able to get a 'tour' of the place before my treatment.  Today, when I walked in  I felt like a pro!  Dr. Dutton was already there and her and her nurses along with the Radiation techs helped to get me positioned on the table and lined up my 'tattoos'.  Then, they ran the test and rotated the machine under my table and it worked... SUCCESS!

The techs told me that The CT portion of the Radiation machine will rotate around me and work to create a virtual 3D image of my knee area.  The machine would work to make sure that I am in the EXACT same position as the images from last week.  They explained that the machine would do any last minute positioning on its own!  Can you believe this technology?  They told me that after the CT image is created, the Radiation would be administered.  The Radiation comes out of the large round arm.  They explained that there would be five different positions for the round arm.  I will hear loud beeps  and then the Radiation arm would rotate to the next position.

They then left the room and I was alone.  I felt like I was being abducted by aliens (seriously)!!  It was bizarre.  I felt a little tickle under the skin but this day the treatment did not hurt.

After I was done, I got to meet with Dr. Dutton.  Every Thursday I will meet with her so that she can observe my skin and make any adjustments to the treatment or prescribe me lotions/creams for my treatment area, or pain medicine.

Side Effects

Today after treatment I felt so sick... like I was about to throw up at an moment, along with a loss of appetite.  I have burning sensation in the incision area and dry skin.  The worst part is that I'm exhausted.  I sure hope I some what 'get used to' the treatment and that each day is not like today.  However, by the end of the day, I got an appetite back!!  Lucky for me my caring meals calendar resumed today so we were brought a delicious pork tenderloin with root vegetables and a salad with one of m favorite dressings - it was SO good!!

Please pray that I feel better tomorrow or that at least I'm not nauseated as much as I was today.  Please pray that they radiation is effective in killing any remaining Cancer cells.  Pray that I am cured of Cancer.

Love you all!

Hotel Refund...?

Hi guys!

I hope you had a fantastic day and were able to keep warm!!  Its been awfully chilly in the Sacramento Area.

Hotel Refund

On Friday, My husband notified the Marriott Marquee about our unplanned circumstances.  He had to write the manager and we were notified that it would take 5 business days to hear back.

SO many of you took the time to write to me with ideas, contacts, and strategies to be able to get refunded - Thank you!  We ended up sending him the link to this blog (It's hard to make any of this up, which makes it easy for them to believe us).

After a weekend of watching my husbands stress level increase... I'd like to name yesterday "Good News Monday"!  We were notified by the manager that we would be complete refunded for the hotel stay!!  Boohyah!  Such good news!  Thank you for all your prayers!  The manager made it really clear that he wants to see us for the next New Years in 2014, and even told us that he would send something really special to our room to celebrate!

Nate and I are so appreciative of how the Marriott Marque handled everything with us!  We hope to go next year, and stay at the Marriott Marque.

Pain Management

Today, I had the lowest amount of pain since my surgery!  Don't get me wrong, I'm still in pain.  Mainly its my 'pissed-off' nerve that is giving my troubles!  But, today was the best day yet.  I'm even driving (only a little) and walking without crutches!!  Here's an updated photo of my incision, still nasty, but MUCH better!!

Starting Radiation

Tomorrow, I start my Radiation Therapy.  This means that I will be done with treatment in 6 weeks (end of January).  I'm nervous but, also happy to get this show on the road!  I would be as strong as I am with out your support - it means the world to me!

Please pray that Radiation goes well and that they are able to line up the lasers in the exact spot where they need to be.  Pray that the Radiation will fully cure me of Cancer.

Thanks for reading!

Radiation, Post 3 of 3

I hope you are enjoying your Sunday!  Today is a BIG 49er game against the Seahawks that I can't wait to watch!

Can we go....?

I've had my consultation, I've met the Doctor and her nurses, I have my CT Scan set-up complete, I even have 4 tattoos now.  What's next...?  Can we go to New York!!?

On Friday, I called Dr. Dutton's office to see if I could get a definitive answer about our trip.  In September, we asked my Surgeon if we could go, he told us that we could still go on this trip, even if I had to get Radiation.  We've been planning and booking activities for this trip ever since.  It has been a great distraction.  An almost symbolic prize waiting for us at the finish-line to the end of Cancer! Read more about the importance of this trip HERE.

Dr. Dutton's Phone Call

Later in the day Dr. Dutton called me back.  She told me that she was able to talk to Dr. Gottchalk and they created a plan.  She told me that she doesn't normally work on Friday's but, she wanted to get my plan completed ASAP.  She told me that once she is done, she submits my plan to their Physics department.  The physics department will run through Dr. Dutton's calculations verifying everything and then eventually signing off.  She told me that she hopes to have it approved and ready to implement by Tuesday which means I would start Radiation on Wednesday.  She told me that if she gets it back on Monday then, she will push my start date to Tuesday.  Regarding New York:  She told me that on occasion of there is a death in the family, she is able to make a break for a patient so that they could go tot the funeral.  Again, she reminded me that I have a very aggressive Cancer, that my margins were positive after surgery (meaning I still have Cancer), and that this Radiation isn't a precautionary measure - that it is absolutely necessary to slow, stop, fully remove the Cancer from my body.  She told me that I am LUCKY that it is a low grade Cancer and that I have the ability to only need Radiation.  She told me that she can't MAKE me get Radiation, and ultimately it is up to me.  She told me that If we go to New York and take a 5-treatment break, that we will always wonder if the Radiation is effective.  She told me that after conversations with my Surgeon and Dr. Gottchalk that she would recommend that we not got to New York.

Dr. Gottchalk's Phone Call

Dr. Gottchalk also called me on Friday.  I was talking with a client of mine when he called so I wasn't able to answer.  He left me a message.  He told me that he apologizes for giving me hope the day before that it might be possible for us to still go on my trip.  He told me that after talking with my surgeon and Dr. Dutton that all three highly recommend that we do not go on our trip.

Dr. F's Phone Call

My husband also reached out to Dr F in Redding.  Read more about Dr. F on this post... HERE.  Dr. F agreed with the other two Radiation Doctors and my Surgeon.  He told Nate that if you stop necessary Radiation of a very aggressive cancer that it is possible to speed up the growth of the Cancer which   would ultimately lead to a tumor retuning or the Cancer spreading.

My Thoughts...

Ok, Ok, we won't go!!  Geesh, I could do without all the scary Cancer talk.  Good grief!

Truth be told that Im sad, I even cried.  Not much else to say about it.  It's nice to think we will go another time but, Im not sure of the likelihood.  Im not sure that it's just not going on the trip that makes me sad but, more likely it is because of the truth that I still have Cancer.

Either way, the Fight continues!  My health is the MOST IMPORTANT, period.  The good thing is that when my Radiation is over there will be NO question about the effectiveness of the Therapy.

If you are continuing to pray for me.  Please pray that the Radiation Therapy is effective.  Pray that I am fully Cancer free.  Nate booked this trip for us the day BEFORE we found out I had Cancer.  We have been told that it is non-refundable.  Please pray that the Marriott Marquee in Times Square will be willing to refund us, due to my necessary Radiaiton.  Thank you for your prayers.

Thank you for Reading!!  Love you all!

Radiation, Post 2 of 3

"I never thought I'd get a Tattoo..."

There is just too much information to fit one blog post about my Radiation appointments and conversations over the last week.  This is post 2 of 3 posts total, to get you caught up.

Another CT Scan

I couldn't believe that I was able to get an appointment the next morning for another CT Scan.  Turns out that the Radiation therapy department has several CT Scan machines.

When I arrived on Thursday morning, I was taken back to the changing room by a different Nurse than Nurse Stella.  She showed me the ins-and-outs of the changing room.  Each day that I show up for Radiation in the future, I will show my handy scan card, then I will start in this changing room.  I will change into the gown, lock up my belongings and the nurse will come get me for treatment.  Since I will need 35 treatment days of Radiation, this system will streamline the process.

When I got into the CT Scan room, I met 3 more nurses/technicians.  I got onto the roll table that was sticking out of the CT Scan machine (like I've done this before or something - hahaha).  The techs worked around me to lift my leg, prop it up on various foam wedges, line it up with the lasers, etc.  What I though was really handy is what they used to mold my leg in place.  They had a large square vacuum bag filled with these tiny foam balls.  They are able to use it to mold it around my knee area and press a button that sucks the air out causing the bag to harden and therefore creating a temporary 'mold' that my leg rests in.  They wanted to make sure that I was very comfortable and started taking photos of how I was positioned.  Turns out that I will get a CT Scan each day prior to my Radiation Therapy!  Its important that they are able to re-create the same position and it is important that I am comfortable too. They then called in Dr. Dutton so that she could review the position.

Dr. Dutton is very hands on, which I like.  She was to sign-off on each step before my treatment.  Dr. Dutton came in and proceeded to line up my knee with various lasers then took various measurements with rulers.  How high my leg was, how far in the lasers are on my knee cap, etc.  Then she gave the ok for the CT scan.  Before I had the scan there was a moment that time seemed to pause.  Where I looked at each person in the room (5 total), and thought wow..  each person is in this room to take care of me.  They have been put into my life to see to it that I kick Cancers Ass.  My eyes welled up with tears.  I choked them back as I thanked each person for helping me,  I wanted them to know how grateful I was, and still am.  The scan was relatively quick in comparison to other scans that I've had.

While Dr. Dutton was in the CT Scan room I asked her if we were going to wait to start treatment in January or next week.  She quickly responded that I will need to start as soon as possible.  She talked with my surgeon and I have a very aggressive cancer.  She told me that they aren't going to take any chances.  Before I even got to ask her about going on our trip she was already gone.

Tattoo Time

Now it was time for the part I was least expecting... time for 4 tattoos.  My nurse came over with an ink vial, full of black ink. The vial had a hallow needle sticking out of it.  I know I've mentioned it before but, it is so very important to have the Radiation machine lined up in the exact same place day after day, that the nurse needed to tattoo 4  black 'dots' onto my leg.  These dots line-up with the laser's cross-sections that were projected down onto my knee area during the scan.  They will use the dots, photos, and measurements to re-create the same position each day!!  Another fact, each day that I come in for my treatment I will have a CT scan to line everything up accordingly before my treatment.

Here are some photos of my tattoos.  The fourth dot was done on my incision, and for obvious reasons, it hurt the most!

(Just the black dot int he middle is the tattoo)

Dr. Gottchalk's Phone Call

On Thursday night, I heard from Dr. Gottchalk, he is my original Radiaiton Doctor from UCSF.  He seemed irriated that he had to call me to find out what was going becuase he had not heard back from Dr. Dutton.  I explained to him what was going on with my treatment so far.  He told me that he will talk to Dr. Dutton personally so she can preform the treatment plan that he recommends.

I also talked to him about having a gap in treatment for our trip.  He looked at his calendar and started reviewing the dates with me.  He told me that I will be having a break for treatment on news years day regardless so technically, I would only be missing 5 days.  He told me that it shouldn't be a big deal.  He told me that after talking with Dr. Dutton, that he will let me know.

Radiation, Post 1 of 3

Brrrrr!!

Baby, It's cold outside!  Winter is finally here!

On Wednesday, I had my initial Radiation Consultation with my Radiation Doctor (Dr. Sharon Dutton) in Roseville.  I've been putting off this post due to the various appointments I had this week and different conversations with different doctors.  I will fill you in with all the details over a series of 3 posts.

I guess it hasn't really hit me until this week, that my margins were positive after surgery, meaning I still have cancer in my leg.  I guess I've been somewhat in denial.  Well, denial is over - time to face this Radiation head on... Time to get on that road to recovery!!

Nerves

After filling out the usual load of 'new patient' paperwork, Nurse Stella brought me back to the exam room.  By this time I was pretty nervous, I'm not going to lie.  I'm not sure why, I wasn't going to have any treatments.  Today was only for a consultation.  I think that I was nervous because I was facing more Cancer treatments.  I have to tell myself that it's 'ok' to be nervous.  Tuesday night my friend Molly sent me this: "Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7  I re-read it when I was waiting to be brought into the exam room - even though I was nervous, I know I'm not alone.  

My Nurse Stella came out and introduced herself.  She walked me back to the exam room.  Turns out I know my nurse.  Well, I don't know, know her but, we both worked-out at the same place in Roseville (when I could work out).  It's such a small world!  I then changed into my exam gown.

Once in the room, Nurse Stella preformed various vital tests on me and asked lot of questions to get up to speed as to how I got to be in the exam room with her today.  About 30 minutes later, after discussing everything from my tumor to Lululemon, It was time for me to met Dr. Dutton.  She even turned my exam table into a comfy chair!!

Radiation Consultation

Dr. Dutton came in and talked with Nate and I for a while.  She had lot of questions targeting how I'm doing during my recovery from surgery, my health history, etc.  She then examined my incision and performed various tests to see how my nerve is recovering.  I'm still having a ton of pain in my lower leg from the nerve that was 'pissed-off' during surgery.  Dr. Dutton had me change out of my exam gown and she came back in to discuss the ups and downs of my upcoming Radiation and to answer any questions we have.

My Plan

Dr. Dutton came back in and told me that I a really healthy lady and that makes her job a lot easier!  She told me that I will need to have 6 weeks of Radiation, 5 days per week!  I will get Christmas Day and New Year's Day off.  She told me that my treatment plan is more complex than most radiation plans because there isn't much room for error in the inside knee area where my tumor was removed.  There isn't much muscle, or anything.  She reminded me that my tumor was next to my bone.  She told me that she will need to make sure that the Radiation only hits the area that needs treatment because if they are off and radiate my bone, it could cause a bone break.  To avoid this, they will shield the other side of my knee area, and will come up with a treatment plan where the Radiation will not penetrate too deep and will be very, very exact.

She told me that the good news about having Radiation in my leg area is that I will permanently loose hair where the radiation treatment is administered!  Booyah - no shaving needed on that portion of my leg!  Dr. Dutton told me that I should expect to have stiff tissues, especially where the scar tissue is.  She told me that Radiation will be similar to having a really bad sunburn, mixed with being really, really tired.  She told me that she will prescribe different creams that should help with the side effects on my skin, and pain.

New York

Nate and I told her about our planned trip to New York.  We are scheduled to fly out Friday Morning, December 27th and return on Saturday, January 4th.  She went over to her calendar and looked at the days.  She told me that I would miss treatment on the 27th and the 5 days of the following week.  She told me that she would prefer not to have a break in my treatment and mentioned that maybe we hold off the Radiation start date until Jan 6th, the Monday after we return.  She told me that it is not proven but there are studies that show if you pause radiation without getting to the half-way point of 3 weeks...that the Cancer's DNA doesn't get all the way killed so the Cancer cells go into 'life-saving mode' and the cells will start multiplying at double the rate!! I really liked the idea of waiting since the radiation will cause me to be tired, and I don't want to be too tired in New York - but now that she said that... I WANT TO WAIT!!  She told me that she will need to consult with my Surgeon and my Radiation Doctor.  She mentioned that the 3 hours of Radiation that I received in Surgery is equivalent to 2 weeks of treatment.  If we start on January 6th - it will only be 8 weeks from surgery and it should be ok to start then.  She told me that she will let us know if I will start radiation next week with a break for my trip OR if we will just wait until January, by the end of the week.

Next Steps

Dr. Dutton gave me two things to do next.... #1. I had to go straight to the lab to get blood drawn for a pregnancy test.  In case you were wondering, it was negative.  Here I am getting my blood drawn.

#2. Come in the very next day, on Thursday for CT scan of my leg/knee area.

I just adore Dr. Dutton.  I found out that she's been married for over 30 years, and she's been in Radiation Therapy for almost as long!  She is absolutely gorgeous and her delivery of a somewhat negative treatment, is very positive.  I am very thankful for her and her staff!

Thank you for reading!

My Recovery

Happy CYBER Monday!!

Did any of you get some good deals today?  Before 8 am, my personal Inbox was FULL!  I heard somewhere on the news that since the majority of people have smart phones now, they project this to be the biggest cyber Monday yet!

My Recovery

I wanted to share with you all that my Recovery is going REALLY well.  I can take showers, use the restroom, and I can walk with crutches all by myself!!!!  I have also been able to space out my pain medicine too!  I especially don't like taking pain meds so this has been a goal, to space out my pain meds as soon as I was able to, with the hopes of no longer needing them.  I feel as if this week I 'turned a corner' as far as my recovery is going.

These bad boys have been my mode of transportation...

Christmas Decorations

Over the last couple of days, I have been able to slowly but surely decorate my house for my most favorite holiday of the year... CHRISTMAS!!  I've decorated my tree, and put out various decorations and it has really been a nice distraction for me.  Most of the time, I do a little bit, then I go sit down, do a little bit more, then go sit down!  Soon enough I will have it all done!!

Here is my favorite ornament, it is the year I met Nate, and it was a gift from My Mom!  Little did I know that when My Mom gave this to us in 2008, Nate had already purchased the diamond for my engagement ring!  It's the centerpiece on my tree now!

Here is my Naughty & Nice tree!  I just love it!

Earlier this year, I started hand-painting little village houses to create my very own Christmas village.  I have seven houses just about done and two more that Im working on.  I love these houses the most!  I still have to add the glitter (for the snow), and seal them and they will be all done!  I can't wait!

Next to the house on the top right, I laid down a Keurig K-Cup next to it for size reference.  These village houses are tiny!

Radiation Consultation

Good News! I got in touch with my new Radiation doctor.  She is located in the Roseville Area!!  Her name is Dr. Sharon Dutton.  Here is her picture.

I have my Consultation appointment with her this week.  At this appointment, I will need to bring all of my MRI Images with me.  This is so she can view the images, and get an idea where the tumor was and therefore what tissues the cancer would have touched.  That way she can 'target' the radiation exactly where she thinks the cancer once was.  Im really excited to meet her and her staff and get this Radiation started!!

This is one of my favorite quotes... I choose the last choice on this list!!

Thank you for reading!