Philip is home, so I'm "allowed" on the computer upstairs. He told me that until I get all my "hardware" taken out, I'm not allowed upstairs when I'm home alone . . *Sigh*
Anyway - We got some good news and a plan for treatment yesterday at the Oncologist appointment.
FIRST OF ALL. . . We WILL be able to have kids again - just not any time in the near future !!!!!!! {flips, flips, flips} !!! The surgeon was talking about "x amount" of time following Chemo, not realizing that we were thinking the rest of our lives. The Oncologist said that he was right - we just misinterpreted what he was saying. We can't get Pregnant during chemo or immediatley following it - for 2-3 years following the END of chemo. So, we can try to have a baby again - but it's going to be about 4 years or so before we can start trying again. . . assuming chemo ends when we think it's going to end. But, it was a huge sigh of relief, and a light at the end of the tunnel that was becoming so dark. . . . . . we are estatic !
Dr. Firstenberger (Oncologist) wants to do several scans of my body to make sure the Cancer has not spread through the Blood. He said that these tests will pick up any spread that has gone to tumors, etc. But the Cancer could also be so microscopic that the scan doesn't pick it up - which, in most cases, the Chemo will treat quickly and easily - they will continue to do blood tests and other scans nearing the end of Chemo that will tell him weather or not to extend Chemo, etc. So, he seems really on top of it.
TESTS:
Cat Scan - to scan the internal organs, etc.
Brain Scan - obviously, to scan the brain
Bone Scan - again, to scan the bone
Heart Scan - to test the strength of the heart muscle to make sure it is fully prepared to handle Chemo. If it's not ready, this lets him know to give me a certain injection prior to chemo that will stregenthen the muscle, etc.
Ok - Treatment :
I will go through Chemo first (6 rounds), which will start on October 6, and will carry me through into the first of the year.
Then, I will go through 6 weeks of Radiation.
Then, I will go through more Chemo - I didn't catch exactly how long that will last - but I think it's going to be shorter than the initial treatment - lasting about 3 months (I think)
It's going to be a long, tough road to follow - but we will get through all this. I'm currently grappling with the fact that I'm going to lose my hair sooner than I had thought. . I thought I had at least 6 weeks of Radiation to go through before Chemo even started. Now, Chemo is starting in 3 weeks, and they said that usually about 10 days following the first treatment, the hair will start coming out.
He said that they are treating it VERY AGGRESSIVELY, and that I will be hit hard by the Chemo - Fun Fun. But, if that's what we have to do, then that's what we have to do!
This week:
I have to go in on Monday to get the remainder of my staples removed, and get my drain tube taken out.
Tuesday, I go in for a day of testing. I will have the Brain, Bone, and Cat Scans done.
Other Important dates:
Next week (week of Sept.27) , I will have to go in for Outpatient Surgery to have the "Port" put in. It's very similar to a shunt. . . they insert it in the chest area, and it has a catheter that goes under the Clavical bone and will dump into a vein that goes directly to the heart - they will use this to administer the Chemo, since my veins are not large or strong enough to handle the chemo treatments without "burning up and shutting down" (as my surgeon put it).
October 5 - I go in to have the Heart Scan done and then to visit the Oncologist prior to Chemo.
October 6 - 1st Chemo Treatment
Well, there ya go ! That's our course of action.
I want to take a minute to thank everyone for all the Cards, Email, well wishes, and prayers that have been coming our way. . . . . . we are very thankful to have such a wonderful group of friends and family supporting us during this difficult time. Several people have stepped forward and helped us along during my surgery recovery - THANK YOU SO MUCH! Unfortunatley, we are gonna need more (and I have ALOT of names on my list - so watch out !!!) - but Hang in there with us, we'll get through this together ! Love you all !!!
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