Yesterday I had my consult with radiation oncology. They recommended that I do have radiation because my tumor had penetrated more than half way through the uterine wall and into the vaginal cuff. This they told me greatly increases my risk for a recurrence of cancer in those areas of my body, even though all of the affected tissue was removed during surgery. The risk is increased due to the proximity to small lymph cells (or at least that's what I think she said).
That being said, I will have five and a half weeks (Monday through Friday) of daily radiation to the pelvic area and then an additional four weeks of once a week radiation that will be more directed to the area where the cervix used to reside. Tomorrow I go for the simulation. They'll do a CAT scan and mark my tummy with little dots that the machine will use to line up to assure accuracy of the treatments. I was told that after the sim, it will take them several days to plot out the treatment plan. I suspect that I will begin next week some time.
There of course will be some side affects to this treatment. I'm hoping that most of them will be temporary and just a minor inconvenience.
Nine and a half weeks will put me to the end of September and then whatever time on top of that to get back to some semblance of normal. I guess I won't be going to Florida this summer, and by the time I'm well enough to travel, it may be the heart of winter in the Pacific Northwest. I was really looking forward to doing some traveling too.
There are no guarantees in life. Perhaps if I'd have taken care of this when I first started having a problem, I wouldn't have needed this additional treatment. I can't go back and change the past, and I certainly don't think there would have been time for me to have had surgery in the months before Warren died. So I'll do what needs to be done now and pray that this will take care of the future as well.
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My prayers go with you. Don't look back - you made the best decisions at the time that you could. What you decided you did on the basis of what you could handle at the time. And you have had so much to handle.
ReplyDeleteFlorida is loveliest October through April.
And in May the Pacific NW is glorious -- I choose that word carefully. MamaEarth is at her absolute fanciest in May and June. Come then and stay longer! There will be a guest room available to you at my new home! And of course, all blessings to you now and in the months to come.
ReplyDeleteBennett, you're right I did the best I could at the time. Florida in October is lovely I know.
ReplyDeleteJesa, I will start planning my trip for the Spring now. It will give me something to look forward to. Thank you for your offer of hospitality. I almost said "but you don't even know me", but then I thought well yes she probably has been "informed". :-)
ReplyDeleteYuss.... and my informants would have thought I was very silly if I had *not* invited you! They want to show you our woods....
ReplyDeleteI don't know if either of us has actually said so, but Tom is buying property in PT. In fact, he is buying the place where I used to live. There are two houses and an RV space, so I'll be renting from him, and our mutual friend Gordie will bring his RV over and live there as resident handyman and good friend. Our own little community with private (very) living spaces. Three acres of forest... a happy space. And then we can take you out to see some special places around the area too......
Jesa, that sounds like a good fit for all of you. I suspected Tom was involved when he mentioned moving at the same time you did. I'm happy that things are working out. I look forward to seeing the woods too.
ReplyDeleteI'm positive things will be just fine for you, you know me, been there done that, in a different way. You will be in my prayers, just stay positive. I'm sure you did what was right at the time, things work out for a reason. Good Luck.
ReplyDeleteThanks Star.
ReplyDelete