2 SRS Treatments Complete - 2 more to go!

No matter what I want to accomplish, I never go through it alone.

Let me first say....the folks at St. John’s Mercy are absolutely wonderful. The care and compassion of these fine people in the Cancer Center has been unbelievably awesome. Couldn't ask for kinder people.

I was a bit on the nervous side as I wasn't quite sure what to expect with this whole SRS treatment. I told myself....silly girl, it really is no different than my daily radiation treatments, right? Well maybe....except the treatment is longer with multipe, high-dose, extremely focalized beams of radiation to my head, being sedated due to the length of treatment and the need to be completely immobile and I will be more tired after the treatment. Hmmm...are those really good reasons to be nervous?? Ya, honestly...in my mind..a little bit.

I do think my nerves are more from the standpoint of the possible 'rare' long term side effects of this treatment. Alright...'possible' long term side effects....they're just that...'possible', potentially, meaning they may not happen, also identified as 'rare'. If they do occur, they could be potentially permanent, but they are still identified as 'rare'. Then I come back to, I never do anything by the book, so could it be the case with this?

So, I stop myself right here and I talk myself out of going down this negative, 'what if' road. I choose to be positive, confident and faithful that the benefits of this treatment outweigh the 'rare, possible' side effects that may not happen. I am uplifted by the fact that God will not take me anywhere he thinks I can't handle or cope.

I have experienced more fatigue with the first 2 SRS treatments. Probably partly due to the sedation and partly due to the high doses of radiation. After treatment, I've gone home and slept, which is probably what I've needed most.

So...2 treatments down, 2 more to go...Monday, 2/1 and Wednesday, 2/3. Please keep me in your prayers as I begin and end this week of Phase 2.

Peace will be ours when we narrow our focus and saturate our minds with truth and trust.

Have a blessed and peaceful week..
Sandy

Please ramp up the prayers!!

Greetings to all my Prayer soldiers….

The grace of God sustains me in every moment.

My stereotactic radiosurgery procedures (SRS) begin this week. I will have 4 procedures over the next two weeks, Tuesday, 1/26, Thursday, 1/28 and Monday, 2/1, Wednesday, 2/3. I am unsure right now as to what to expect or how I will feel after each treatment, but will post a blog after Tuesday’s treatment to let everyone know how it went and what I experienced. All I know is that I requested to be sedated, because there is no way I can lay still and immobilized for any extended length of time.

I would greatly appreciate the “ramped up” prayers. They will most certainly carry me through these next 4 treatments.

As God's grace is demonstrated, I give thanks for the opportunities that come my way and know that each is a gift. I am aware of the grace of God surrounding and sustaining me. What a powerful way to live!

Blessings and peace to all,
Sandy

Phase 1 Treatment - Complete!!!

“I can do all things through HIM who strengthens me.” Philipians 4:13

You better believe I can.… and I have made it through the last 33 days….Praise our awesome GOD because he has strengthened me!!! I’m sure you all have thought this has gone by fast. As for me….some days it has and some days it hasn’t. But, I have prevailed and most definitely will continue to do so with the love, support and encouragement of all my ‘prayer soldiers’!!

Here’s a rundown of my events over the last week and half:

• I had a CT scan and MRI in preparation for the stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). The results showed a small (4mm in size) enhancement. At this point, the doctor is unsure if it is tumor growth or scar tissue. If it’s tumor growth, then the SRS will assist in blasting it. If it’s scar tissue, than…it is what it is. I’ve had no recurring symptoms, so I refuse to be worried about it!!! My physical and neurological signs are all excellent. I continue to be strong and ‘in good health’. Most importantly, I work hard every day to keep my attitude positive and my faith strong, which keeps me going. When I fall, (which to tell you the truth is usually on a daily basis), I refocus on the goal and God picks me up again. I also remember this….”Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall”. - Confucious
• Blood test results for this week show that I am no longer anemic..YAY! My oncologist concurs that the Dapsone (antibiotic) was eating up my red blood cells. This is no longer an issue…so all is good there. Had my Thyroid checked and it’s normal. All other blood counts are stable and look good. Do I hear another YAY?!?!
• The biggest issue over this last week and half has been the severe case of hives over my entire body…..swollen, red, itchy, tinglely, just awful and miserable and ‘very attractive’….NOT! More than likely it is the Temodar, which is just what we didn’t want it to be. The last thing I wanted to do was stop chemotherapy early and not finish the complete treatment….not an option in my opinion and fortunately, not in the doctors’ opinion either. I powered though by using Allegra, Zantac, continued the steroids and a lot of prayer. Can I ever do anything by the book….why the hell not?? We actually don’t really know if it’s the Temodar I’m allergic to or the capsule packaging that may have some kind of dye that I reacted to. Now that I’m done with this phase of treatment, my body will have a chance to settle down before we start again.

Here’s what’s up next ???:

• At this point, I am scheduled for the SRS over 4/5 treatments beginning Tuesday, January 26th. The length of each treatment could span anywhere from 1-4 hours. I’ll find out the schedule this week. Since it’s definitely a more intense and focalized radiation treatment, I will be even more immobilized than with the daily treatments. I’m thinking they will most likely need to sedate me for these….please!
• After the SRS treatments, I should be able to begin the weaning process off the steroids. Can you hear me shouting for joy on this one…can’t flippin’ wait for this!!
• My next round of chemotherapy will begin February 22nd. The dose will be higher, since this regimen will be 1 week on chemo, 3 weeks off. We will have to wait and see how I react to the Temodar for this phase. If by chance I start in with hives again, we may need to go with IV form instead of pill form. Since it is only 5 consecutive days of treatment, I will need to ‘power’ through again. I will do whatever I have to do to make it work!

Thanks everyone for all the prayers. Please keep them coming. I can feel them all around me…they are totally working.

Heal the past. Live the present. Dream the future!!!

Many blessings to all,
Sandy

5th Week of Phase 1 Treatment - Complete

The promise of an answered prayer is not a blank check, but an invitation to dependence on God for success in mission.

Scratch off Week 5 on the calendar...I can guarantee you that I am!! 7 more daily radiation treatments. 10 more days of chemotherapy.

This week has brought a few challenges, but hey, isn't that way it goes. I've broken out in hives and been running a slight fever since last Sunday. Not sure the cause, perhaps a reaction to the antibiotics I was taking, but have been off of them for over a week. I'm praying it is not the Temodar (chemotherapy drug) causing this reaction, because it will be something I will have to live with for the time being. The process of elimination is a slow one. In the meantime, Benadryl!

I am still anemic, however stable with that. Meaning, my hemoglobin count has not changed in the last 2 weeks. That's good. The doctor is pretty certain that the cause of my anemia was the antibiotic, Dapsone, which I stopped taking on 12/31. Hopefully, next week's blood work results show an improvement in this area.

Alright...the timeline for the coming week:

• 7am daily radiation,


• On Tuesday, I have a CT Scan and a MRI to begin to map out a plan for a procedure I am having on January 26th called stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). This is a non-invasive procedure that delivers high dose beams of radiation focused on the tumor site that will distort the DNA of the tumor cells. The cells then lose their ability to reproduce and retain fluid. My radiation oncologist believes I'm a good candidate for this procedure and it will be an added boost of treatment to the tumor site. I'm all in favor of that!!


• See my doctors on Wednesday and Thursday...as usual.

I reach a milestone on Sunday, January 10th...I turn "50"!! Yikes!! For those of you that know me well...you know I have always dreaded my birthdays....they have always been difficut for me. I have just never wanted to get older. BUT...this year is different!! It's not the age, it's the attitude! Age is only a number!! I intend, with God carrying me, to see many more birthdays in the years to come, because I am not over-the-hill yet, baby!!

As I close this post, I want to take the opportunity to thank everyone who have brought meals, sent out words of encouragement through cards, emails, phone calls and posted comments on this blog and most importantly, for your prayers. I continue to be uplifted and inspired with your support. I feel the prayers working...please keep it up!

Thank God for every day, don't take it for granted, for each one is truly a gift.

Stay warm on this wonderful day!

Sandy

4th Week of Phase 1 Treatment - Complete

Hope is contagious!!

Another week down...This phase is 64% complete!! I met with my Radiation Oncologist on Thursday and found out that I only have 12 more radiation treatments to go...I was thinking I had 15!! The appointment calendar I was given had me scheduled through January 22nd. But apparently, this is a tentative schedule that takes into account any missed visits and so my appointment time and the radiation machine would be reserved for me to make up any needed treatments. My last radiation treatment in this phase will be Tuesday, January 19th. WooHoo!!! As you can imagine...I walked out of there Thursday morning very happy...partly because I may be able to begin weaning off the steroids sooner than I thought and also because of only 12 more 'daily' trips out to St. John's

I met with my Medical Oncologist this week as well. My blood work showed I'm anemic. This is more than likely a side effect of the antibiotic I'm taking to prevent pneumonia. The doc took me off of that antibiotic and put me on Folic Acid....so we will see what next weeks lab results show. I'm trusting my red blood cell count goes up!

My hair is continuing to thin more in the targeted radiation spots. Grrr!!! Don't need a wig or hat yet, so I'm dealing with it...some days better than others...but dealing with it nonetheless. I continue to be really, really tired...(certainly the side effects of the radiation, chemo and now anemia). I am resting as much as I can....well to be honest, as much as I am willing to let myself rest!! My prayers for continued strength to endure are being answered.

As always, I am forever grateful and in awe of the generous prayers and support of each and every one of you. Please know that my daily prayers thank and praise God for you and I ask Him to protect and bless you and your loved ones.
2010 is going to be our year everyone!!! I am living in trust that God will bring about the miracle of total healing that we are asking and praying for. HE is a good and gracious God and HE has transformed my life into living in trust, not in fear of him. With God, all things are possible.

Whatever challenge arises in my life, my faith in God sees me through. I am faith in action!

My sites are set on Week 5...join me won't you?!?!?!

Happy New Year!
Sandy