Radiation Treatment #25

very good

The waiting is hard I know, hopefully the treatments are doing what they are supposed to do.

I am with you! I sure hope it is doing its job and the end results will be "No More Cancer!"


Glad to hear the chemo will be over this week.

it will be one less thing at least :)

"How's it going?" Not "is it all gone yet." We know you don't know because no one knows. No one will ever know in our lifetime. (Well, maybe they will. It used to be the same deal with Hepatitis C. No one could say, "You're cured." They could only say, "You're in remission." Now there is one type - the type hubby had - where they say, honestly, "You're cured." Hubby is honestly cured!)

We're asking, "Are you still holding up? Are you more filled with dread or hope today? (Tomorrow is not today and is often unrelated to today other than it becomes today.) Have you made it through a whole day without having a hissy fit when something didn't deserve one or without breaking into tears when someone said, 'Your hair looks good?' Is there a heaviness in your heart so deep that 20,000 sighs cannot remove it, but you're willing to go for that 20,001 sigh, just in case you can finally release it? Did the effing meat not thaw right in time for dinner or, worse yet, you forgot to thaw any and you have absolutely no idea why that one small, tiny, insignificant thing made you so damn angry you couldn't see right? Or...did you see a flower growing out of a crack in the sidewalk or an honest-to-goodness rainbow appear or one of your kids laughed, as if God himself were reminding you he is still in control and all is right with the world?"

That's what most of us are asking when we ask, "How's it going?"

Life may feel like one big trip to and from work and to and from treatment, but that's just the motions. The reality is, "How's it going?"

The answers are...someone dared to tell me my hair looked good, the meat thawed right, the stars were out all over the place, I stubbed my toe...or whatever happened today that only seems insignificant to anyone really asking what you thought we were asking. It's all significant, and this is your chance to let 'er lose. ;)

After all, not one of us is running to gossip about you to your pastor. ;)

LOL - very true...I usually answer that form of the question...mostly with the answer of taking it one day at a time and we seem to be doing fine...

people actually ask if we know how the treatments are going though, if the tumors have shrunk and such...and that there is no way of knowing for a while yet...

today, for me, has been a pretty good day...while for Sean things are getting progressively worse with the side effects...

That's good. The worse he feels, the better it's going. For the most part, those who make it through treatment unscathed are also those who are likely not helped by it. So, sick as a dog is good. Sicker better. Weird, painful, but gives you real hope.

I don't know if that really hold true for radiation but I know it is not the case as far as his chemotherapy is concerned:

Cisplatin Side Effects:

Important things to remember about Cisplatin side effects:

Most people do not experience all of the Cisplatin side effects listed.
Cisplatin side effects are often predictable in terms of their onset and duration.
Cisplatin side effects are almost always reversible and will go away after treatment is complete.
There are many options to help minimize or prevent Cisplatin side effects.
There is no relationship between the presence or severity of Cisplatin side effects and the effectiveness of Cisplatin.
The Cisplatin side effects and their severity depend on how much Cisplatin is given. In other words, high doses may produce more severe side effects.

Hope this weeks chemo goes smoothly.

Hugs and prayers.

don't go to canada and try to come back in USA, they will stop you for sure.. Janet had s treatment once with something the had radition in it and guess the US doesn't check for it going into canada, but they do..it set off all kinds of alarms. Your son would really set them off then. Thanks for the up day.

update

up days are good ;)

Wow! They wait three months to take the next PET scan? I didn't know that.

I'd have never thought that either, Veronica. That's a long while.

yeah, I guess more can happen in those few months after the treatments so they wait...waiting is the worst part of cancer, seems like we do a lot of it

I arrived here via a link on What Is Happening Today On Gather - Monday August 08, 2011.

thank you :)

Katryn - Why three whole months?

Look at it this way too-- 10 ONLY 10 more radiation treatments and he's done with those. ONE, only ONE, chemo treatment and he's done.

Love and Prayers,
Mare~

just seems to be how it works...

we are definitely on the final count down :)

Yea Kathryn what awesome news!!! Sean you are doing it, cancer has no place in your life. I saw a program on tv last night and he was a preacher and he was telling people that they need to talk to their mountains. So you tell that cancer where to go, ok. :) Thinking of you and and praying for all of you, always.

*shaking head* first you see both my daughters in a post where only one is pictured. And now you are spelling Kati's name wrong. I think your kids need to get back in school. ;) Mom needs a break.

he named his cancer Herbie

I know I need a break...have three weeks till school starts here though...

Did Callie tell you about her trip yet or model her new clothes for you?

of course not...I've been working...while Callie and Aria totally ignore the list as usual...and I only wanted them to do the kitchen and their bedrooms...

lol! Yes we were amazed at how much time she spent on the computer. She was very good at sitting there and eating us out of house and home. I'm still discovering empty bags and boxes of food.

LOL - and very good at not cleaning up after herself...

though Aria being two years older and wiser and going off to college should know better ;)

I totally agree Roni, I NEED a break and apparently glasses lol

Sorry Kate I get you confused with my goddaugter that spells it with an "h".

heck, after nearly 40 years with the name I am quite used to it ;)

I hope he gets great news at the end of treatment.

me too :)

I hope this week goes by fast for you.

thank you, I'm sure it will

Hugs and prayers to your family.

thank you

I bet you both will be so happy for this week to be over.

most definitely

That's all you can do dear....and pray. I hope and pray this week goes smoothly.

thank you, third times the charm right...hopefully this last round of chemo will go better than the first two

Many prayers that time to hear he is cancer free will come soon.

thank you

I know you and Sean will be happy when he has his last treatment. Chemo isn't fun or easy. I will be praying very hard for his PET scan come out clean and clear. Many hugs to you and Sean. I totally understand how hard cancer can be for a family. Take care hon. (((((((((HUGS))))))))))

thank you

....it seems one is always in a sort of limbo with this disease. Having to wait for one thing to begin or end until another thing can begin or become evident. Patience is certainly needed. I hope and am always praying that the cancer WILL END for Sean when the chemo and radiation are concluded and I'm hoping no futher surgery is needed. That is my prayer for both of you. He has been so courageous in all this and so effective in sharing the situation and providing so much education for those who have been following your family's post.

perhaps the title of a book should be Cancer: A Lesson in Patience

I can understand why waiting is the hardest part. It would drive me crazy since I am not the most patient person. On the plus side even more prayers will be being said while you wait for another PET scan. More prayers and positive thoughts are always a good thing.

thank you...

I can be patient, but these circumstances make it difficult

I live as you are living day by day and that is I guess how life should be lived. I hope for your continued hope and pray for all the best for you and Sean and your daughters.

thank you