A Champion's Exit!!

March 12th - 15th and FINAL radiation treatment.

Upon completing of my radiation, I met with Dr. B to review my treatments and talk about what to expect going forward.

As a review, I have had all the radiation I can have at this time for the skull base tumor.  Initially, he radiation causes the mass to swell thus the high dose of steroids.  If the radiation has done its job, once the swelling in the head/brain stop the tumor will hopefully have shrunk and will not progress.  Hopefully within the next month or two the pain will subside as well.  I am still taking a high dose of pain meds to keep me functioning - well, functioning except driving and doing any high level concentrating/reading, etc.  Additionally, the symptoms of the radiation continue to be in full force.  My hair is still falling out - although I swear it looks great!  My forehead looks like i've got a third degree burn on it.  My mouth still has sores and I have thrush.  My ears and nose have sores in them and they hurt.  I am constantly hot and feel some what radiant!!  Oh, maybe the title of this entry should have been SOME PIG.  I'm reminded of Charlotte's spinning of 'Radiant'!  Now, I'm just giving you the rundown of the side effects, I am by no means miserable with any of this.  In addition, I still feel as though I'm filled with helium each day - may face and body remain so swollen, but Im encouraged that this will go away soon as I'm currently dosing down on the steroids!  Yippee.

The doctors, nurses and staff are exceptional in the Radiation Department.  They have been professional, supportive, loving and informed the entire time.  Each patient who enters the radiation department is fighting - we all fight differently.  It was my complete privilege to be a part of that department.  While my number of treatments seemed few, I along with every other patient experienced each step of the process for my individual radiation therapies - finding the blue garage, the blue wing of the hospital, the maroon elevators, the radiation floor, registering and scheduling your treatment dates and times, being fitted for the mask, where to sit, what to wear, what not to wear, when to meet with the doctor after treatment, when to just hightail it out of there and when to EXIT A CHAMPION!

In the Radiation Waiting Room sits a gong and bells awaiting the next Champion's exit.  On the day of your last treatment the staff claps and cheers you out as you ring the GONG and bells. It may seem trite, but it was very empowering.  Dr. Bajaj, the entire staff along with my friends Nancy, Julie and Susan and everyone else in the waiting area cheered me out as I rang the gong and under Dr. B's direction rang it a second time along with the bells!  I will have a followup with him in a month.  Until then I've Exited a Champ!

NEXT STOP, UNCLE JULIUS where Joylyn, Annie and Allyson met Nancy, Julie, Susan and I for an END OF RADIATION celebration!  What fun!

Momma Said There'd Be Days Like This.....

On or around the 11th day you will may begin to experience not so pleasant side effects from the radiation - typically the radiation side effects are worse when the radiation is to the brain.

OF COURSE THEY ARE!!  Momma said....

Actually, It was the Radiology Oncologist Who Said It.....

And he was right!

My hair began to fall out in little clumps.  To date it looks a bit like a shorter version of my cut or a feeble attempt to copy the world's cutest BFF, Nancy's Aiken's hair - photo to follow - she's today's driver.  Meanwhile...

Next, the steroids are fully onboard and while initially, I didn't mind the burst of energy they gave me, I now am suffering a bit from the ongoing ......

Side effects

• Weight gain and water retention (YUP!  I look like a little puffer fish)

• Increased appetite (YUP) but only at night when I'm burning absolutely NO CALORIES!!
• Difficulty sleeping (YAWN)
• Mood changes (POOR RICH)
• A metallic taste in the mouth (YUCK, makes it hard to quench that increased appetite but thankfully the steroids give me the drive to try!!!!)
• Flushing and sweats (CHECK)
• Sores in my throat, ears, nose (ICK)
• Brown spots on my face (UGH)

Rich and I will be meeting with Dr. Heyer, the medical oncologist today.  I expect that he will explain Part Two of my treatment, which I currently understand to be chemo taken daily in the form of a tablet.

Secondly, I have my FINAL radiation treatment today and will meet with Dr. Bajaj afterwords.  Many have asked how we know if the radiation has worked and whether there will be more testing on the skull based tumor or not.  My understanding is initially there will not be any additional testing - it will be based more on the symptoms returning (pain, trouble chewing, swallowing and talking as well as watching for any new syptoms such as nausea, vomiting, vision and/or hearing changes, balance, seizures, etc.)  When the formula for how much and the type of radiation is calculated it is designed to give me as much radiation to the site as possible without doing any longterm irreversible damage.  Meaning, that's it for now.  Doesn't matter if it has shrunk or not, having more radiation is not an option for now.

Had 48 lovely hours with BFF, Gail Suitor who flew in for the weekend.

Rich was our steadfast companion and always a good sport!

My love!

My shrinking hair, puffy faced self!
With the lovely Susan Roy (Monday's driver)

This is special!  Sandi Atkins and her daughter, Stef Durham (who flew in from spokane to spend time with me and my parents).They were Tuesday's chauffeurs and chief errand helpers!

The Week In Selfies!

Dr. Bajaj celebrating the Mikey Mutant with us! 

Nice Win for the Hoos!

Great seats, great game, great win!

Lilli tweeted our pic and we made

it onto the Jumbotron!  

60th Wedding Anniversary Celebration!

Daddy's Girl...Always

Lilli won WLBL's 5th Grade Division Championship.

2nd Title In A Row

Weekend Breakfast with Hunter

MIKEY

A MUTATION is a mistake

(or a change in a living thing's DNA. DNA is a chain of chemical units found in each cell of a living thing. The chemical units are arranged in a particular sequence, or order. This sequence forms a kind of code, called a genetic code, that tells cells what to do. If the chain gets out of order, breaks, or changes in some other way.....

But...

 GOD INTENDED IT FOR GOOD GENESIS 50:20

What you intended to harm me, but god intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done

Genesis 50:20 NIV

PATHOLOGY PRECISION, FINALLY

The report confirmed that I have the EGFR Mutation.  This is a good thing!  Such a good thing that when I arrived Thursday for my radiation treatment, Dr. Bajaj, the Radiology Oncologist congratulated me!  When doctors know that a patient’s lung cancer has specific genetic mutations, they can selectively target it with certain drugs. If the cancer doesn't have any of these mutations, the doctor is left with fewer treatment options. So, A mutant mistake that is endeared to me.

I can't help but think of the Teenaged Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Especially the fun loving Michelangelo.  

WHERE ARE WE

To Date I have completed Seven Radiation Treatments and I have Eight more to go.  The goal remains to shrink the skull based tumor and prevent it from penetrating the brain or the spinal column.  On top of the treatments being easy, I have had such delightful chauffeurs!  Each one has been a complete blessing to me.   I feel pretty good with just some minor pains in my hips, knees and throat.  Other than that I'm a bit tired - this week I am going to work on a better sleep/rest pattern for me and Primrose!


Rich and I will be meeting with the Dr. Heyer this week or next to lay out the drug plan which I believe will be done in pill format so I will not have to go into the office for treatment, I simply am taking pills.  This is what I believe is going to happen, but standing by for complete instructions.

HUMBLE PIE!  OH MY OH MY!!

AND now literally minutes after finishing my neat and tidy blog

entry about compassion and walking alongside people in their tough

times, I just failed miserably with my own sweet husband.  Why are

we always slowest to serve those who are most treasured to us?

In the midst of this frozen tundra Rich ran out to run errands and

get special ‘sleepover’ treats for Lilli’s sleepover tonight.  He

called to check in from the grocery store to say he was off to

get Ryann early so as not to let the weather get in the way of they

girl's sleepover. And instead of me saying great honey thanks be safe,

I make some sarcastic remarks about him panicking in the weather!

He let me have it with, “Donna, sometimes you have so little compassion

when it is not something that you relate to”!

At the risk of being a BIG FAT HYPOCRITE, I will still post my entry, but

know that I have apologized to my sweet hubby and will try harder!

Every day!

Donna’s Life Application Verse For Today!!

Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone. John 8:7

who says God doesn't have great timing and a sense of humor!!!

Baghhahhahah...

ORIGINAL POST BEFORE DESSERT OF HUMBLE PIE!

I Am With You…..

Sometimes you feel as if you are in a free fall, when people or things you had counted on

let you down.  Especially people, and when they let you down its hard.  You feel hurt and

sometimes alone.

Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. Psalm 73:23

I Am With You. These four words are a safety net, protecting you from falling into despair.  Remembering this

changes your perspective radically.  Not only is He with me, but he is holding my hand.

Misery Loves Company…..

Obviously, I’m not the sharpest crayon in the box, but I never knew the phrase

Misery Loves Company meant you wanted to bring someone down to your level so they

too were miserable – that in making them feel badly about themselves you in turn feel better

about yourself.

God wired me with a little extra dose of compassion and for that I am grateful.

I thought it was simply that every battle is fought harder and made lighter when

someone is walking with you. And as I grow in his grace and trust in His

provisions for knowing best, I am more easily able to walk beside without 

becoming codependent. But wow, I missed the real meaning behind

 Misery Loves Company! And that’s ok!

My version of Misery Loves Company….

Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, 

they came every one from his own place… for they had made an appointment together to

come to mourn with him and to comfort him. Job 2:11

No matter what our foundations,

Let’s be the friend who comes from our own place…to comfort others.

WAIT!!!!

 WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE ON A PLANE HEADED FOR A WEEK IN CALIFORNIA

instead.....

DAY 2
of

RADIATION for ME
and

STOMACH FLU RICH

Rich was invited by our Pro at Loudoun Golf & Country Club to play in a ProAm Tournament in Lojolla, California next week.  We made plans to make a full week of it - we were to head out this morning - we had plans to meander up the coast just taking it all in.  Relaxing in a place both physically and mentally  -  sharing this experience together just the two of us.  I've never been.... and Rich has always wanted to do this with me and share some of his favorite places.  Then we were going to join the golf foursome for some great golf and ladies times!

We even had the wonderful Beth Kelley all booked to keep our sweet little birdy while we were gone!  Imagine Lilli's disappointment!!!

In this I trust Him too, knowing that we will get another chance.

For now I'm most disappointed for my sweet man.  I hope another ProAm is right around the corner as well as our coast adventure!  Love you Big Daddy!!!  You are the Best!

More Fun Ahead For Us!

Lilli Has A Fat Lip & I Have Cancer!!

THREE AM HEAVENLYS

I love my early early mornings which usually begin around 3 AM when I take my pain meds.  Although I keep my medicine on my bedside table and feel as though I've barely moved in taking them, it's enough to wake my little snuggly-mate, Miss Primrose.  I give her credit she initially tries to re-situate herself and sometimes it works but usually we are outside walking by 4 AM.

During our early outings I am so completely peaceful with the world. I'm not tired, I'm not anxious I'm not anything. I feel like God and I are there in that moment and He is giving me my daily gift - right there in that moment with Him in the complete silence and darkness he hands it to me.

Cancer a GIFT?  Now, you know I'm crazy!  It's not the Cancer that's the gift but it's all that has fallen to the sides because of the cancer!  Just ripped away. It's all gone!

Nothing is so important as living for good.  I stand there and I am thankful for this gift.  It's as if He and I are in agreement like i've never been before.  It's as if I knew it was coming all along and I am so prepared for this.  I'm so prepared to let it all fall...it is nothing.  Nothing. I really feel as though I'm on a different plane now - I'm walking in the heavenlys on earth.  It's the most amazing feeling and while I know there will be lots of difficulties during this journey I am ok with it.  I am committed to being grace filled and to encourage others to see if we can all just live with a little more of  'heaven on earth'.

I dare say we've all had these wakup calls through the years.  Those magical moments that force us all to pause and try to readjust how we walk through life vowing to slow down and take advantage of all the beauty.  Not letting life race by.  But alas we seem to not be able to hold the place for too long.

And true to form, even in my super great heavenly place a little hell breaks loose!  Sunday evening Rich was having an allergic reaction to something and we double dosed him with benedryl.  He was out like a light.  Lilli appeared around 7pm throwing up.  She was up all night and on several occasions she did not make her destination!  Needless to say it was a long icky night.  Around 5 AM Prim can wait no longer and we start out for walk.  Lilli came back down just then and i told her to go to the bathroom in my bedroom and I'd meet her there.  I'm thinking she's fine.  Imagaine my shock when I return inside just a few minutes later to Rich being totally disoriented and scared and Lilli with a split lip!!!  Poor girlie, seems she fainted when she got to our bathroom door.  I felt so bad for her.  Prim didn't seem to notice!


PS GUESS WHO WAS UP ALL NIGHT LAST NIGHT...yours truly.  My 4 am walk wasn't quite as pleasant, but i'm feeling much better today and happy to report I'm having my hair done today. Yeah!

Be blessed!

Thank Me for the conditions that are requiring you to be still.Do not spoil these quiet hours by wishing them away, waiting impatiently to be active again. Some of the greatest works in My kingdom have been done from sick beds and prison cells. Instead of resenting the limitations of a weakened body, search for My way in the midst of these very circumstances. Limitations can be liberating when your strongest desire is living close to Me.

Quietness and trust enhance your awareness of My Presence with you. Do not despise these simple ways of serving Me. Although you feel cut off from the activity of the world, your quiet trust makes a powerful statement in spiritual realms. My Strength and Power show themselves most effective in weakness.

“Be still before the Lord, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.”

—Zechariah 2:13

This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.”

—Isaiah 30:15

But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!

—2 Corinthians 12:9 amp