Add-on to Change of Plans

I had another bad doctors appt last Friday with the radiation oncologist. He feels that I need to have craniospinal radiation, which is radiation to both the brain and spinal cord. Since I've already had radiation to these areas, the side effects could be worse during treatment. But the choice is to either do the treatment with the possible side effects or wait until the disease starts causing these same side effects.

It's a really hard decision to make, but I feel like I need to do something to fight back. So I'll be starting the radiation on Thursday. I would appreciate prayers for a complete healing, but I also put together a little drawing with all the nasty side effects the doctor said could happen. If you feel like it, please pick one area and pray that area stays healthy and be protected from the radiation. Thank you!

Change of Plans

I went to the doctor yesterday and apparently my brain MRI looks really bad. The smaller cancer areas have gotten bigger and there are new ones showing. The chemo is not going to work anymore, so we've had to change our treatment plans again. I am getting whole brain radiation, which means they will irradiate my entire brain. I am a little concerned about this since it can cause short term memory loss and even dementia over time. I'll get three weeks of radiation, 5 days a week. After that, I will get another port put into my head for the spinal fluid chemo. They hope to get me started next week.

I am stunned by this news. This wasn't what I was expecting. My new chemo shoes sure didn't help me, even though everyone at the hospital loved them! My cousin actually wants to burn them, but I don't think I'm going to go that far! I would appreciate any prayers during this time. Thank you!

Chemo Shoes

So I don't want to sound materialistic, but I have found over my past few years on chemo that all of these medications can wreck havoc on your body. You can't depend on your weight to stay stable, especially when taking steroids that make your face puffy and you crave everything in sight. I should know...I normally can't stand breakfast food, but was just eating bacon, sausage, and eggs this past week. You can't rely on your hair either because that could fall out. It's a very frustrating process!

I discovered the power of a sassy shoe! Your feet don't really change during chemo. So when I first started chemo a couple years back, I thought a pair of red shoes would help make me feel better. This developed into a tradition, so for each round of chemo, I would try to find a pair of cute shoes to wear while taking it. I have to say that having new, sassy shoes helped to make me feel a little more normal. So when I started learning about friends starting cancer treatment, I would go pick out a pair for them and decorate the box with a superhero logo of "Cancer Fighting Shoes".  I love sharing a little piece of sassy with others going through such a difficult time.

I'm starting a new chemo within the next week, so today I picked out my new pair of chemo shoes-pink glitters from Toms. I attached a photo of those and some of my other chemo shoes. Its true that I may appear that I have gotten a little out of control, but I do wear them more than once! And if anyone needs some special chemo shoes, please let me know!

What a Year!

It has been a year today since my scheduled brain surgery was cancelled due to the new lesions in my brain. Talk about a long year! I was thinking about all that has happened and am amazed that I am still standing. I have had two rounds of radiation to my spinal cord, three kinds of chemo, two ports put in and one port taken out, one gamma knife treatment, and multiple lumbar punctures. I've had to use a walker, wear a patch, and have a comb-over hair cut.

All I can say is a big thank you for all of your prayers, support, and encouragement during the worst year of my life. I'm so blessed to have such a supportive family and group of friends. I know God has a plan in this and it will all work out for good. I sure would like to know what it is though! :)

And today is the last day of my radiation for my spine! Yeah!

Hope you all have a nice Fourth of July!