Quick Update

It's been a week since I finished my radiation and I'm feeling really good, except for my forehead - which is burned from the radiation.  I think (and hope and pray) it's starting to heal and that's why it itches but it also hurts really badly sometimes.  Oh well, we knew there would be side effects.

I'm also starting to wean off of the steroids (yay!!), starting today and for the next two weeks.  So, hopefully my taste buds will be back to normal soon!

Just enjoying the cooler weather  - Woohoo it's Fall!!!!

Radiation Done & Update

Yesterday was my last radiation treatment - WOOHOO!!!  They did tell me that the side effects from the radiation (such as any fatigue, the burn/rash on my forehead, the fuzzy/weird feeling I feel sometimes) could last for up to about 2-4 more weeks.  Oh well, at least we're on the downhill slide.......

We also had an appointment with the oncologist yesterday.  They did a chest x-ray and labwork and we saw the doctor (after a VERY LONG wait!!!)  She told us that after me being on the Tarceva (chemo pill) for about 3 months they would do another scan.

So, the timeline as we understand it is:

In 4-8 weeks from now I'll have another brain MRI to see how the radiation did (this has not been scheduled yet).  Hopefully the brain MRI will show great results and I'll be able to drive myself to work again!!

In a little over 2 months from now I'll have a PET scan to see how the chemo pill is doing (also not scheduled yet)

Bob and I really appreciate all of you who volunteered your time and drove me home from work for my radiation - that was a huge blessing for us!!  Thank God for friends and family!!

We appreciate all of the encouraging words, thoughts and prayers - they mean so much to us.  I'm feeling pretty good most days - just not really myself.  Can't wait to feel like me again!!

Just 3 More!!

Radiation treatments, that is!  YAY!!!!  We don't know when I'll have another brain MRI but it was supposed to be approximately 4-8 weeks after the radiation treatments were over.  Hope we'll hear something soon.

Nothing really new to report.  I don't have quite as much energy as I used to, so the house isn't always as clean as it should be be.  Bob seems to be working all the time trying to get caught up, sure wish he could catch a break.

This Wednesday morning is my last radiation treatment, then we'll head to OKC for an appointment with the oncologist (which includes a chest x-ray and labwork).

Thank you so much for the prayers, cards, calls, rides, etc. - they are greatly appreciated!!! 

GO POKES!!!

Hair's All Gone Now!!

We had a wonderful time in Eureka Springs with Ken and Debbie - the weather was beautiful, our cabin was really nice, we got to relax, eat some good food, shop, look at some cool antique cars and just plain enjoy being out of town with friends!!  Good to do every once in awhile.  Thank you to Charlie and Mattie for keeping our dogs while we were gone and especially for driving them back to Stillwater for us!!!  We really appreciate you guys!!  And, to Stephanie, too, for taking care of the pets we left at home!

Last night we decided to go ahead and get rid of the rest of my hair - so...........Bob got the trimmers and trimmed as close to my head as he possibly could - all over!  Wow, that's definitely a look I never thought I'd see on myself!!  And, I'm sure Bob never thought he would shave his wife's head (and get away with it!) either!  All new experiences..............

I still haven't really had any major side effects from the radiation - just feel a little weak and shaky/fuzzy feeling at times.  As for the chemo pill, that's another story..............the main side effect is a rash/breaking out on your face.  Makes you feel like a teenager all over again and I'm really not enjoying it!!    I talked to Marilyn (the nurse) today and she told me I could use Head-n-Shoulders shampoo to wash my face and that is supposed to help - we'll see!

A couple of people have asked about bracelets - we do have bracelets!  We ordered some in the beginning and they went a lot faster than we thought they would.  So, we placed another order and it's taken forever to get, but they are finally here.  Let me know if I can get some to you.

Thank you, Marilyn, for the ride last week - hope you enjoyed your Hideaway pizza!!!

Thank you, everyone, for the comments - I love reading them.  They always help to brighten my day!!

Today was Day 13 of Radiation (7 to go) - yay!

Hair Loss is in Full Swing...........

It was nice to have 3 days without radiation (no headache).  Now I'll have 3 more days of radiation this week, then another 3 days off (since we're leaving for Eureka Springs right after radiation on Thursday morning!)  And, what do you know?  The nice people at the Cancer Care Center were right on about my hair loss - they said it would be about two weeks and they were right!  On Saturday after my shower it started coming out in much bigger clumps than before and now I have quite a "pile" of hair on the bathroom counter (Bob wondered if I was saving it - not for long.  It's just kind of interesting to compare what's on the counter to what's still on my head).  I can tell that it's much thinner on my head but no one else has really noticed.  I still can't imagine what I'll really look like bald, but I guess I'm getting closer and closer to that look!  Hope it's not too scary!

My mom took me to OKC on Saturday - we did a little shopping at Penn Square and I got some new glasses.  Still trying to get used to them since they have a frame all the way around and I'm not used to that, but I like them - they're FUN.  We had a good day together, just doing girl stuff.

I got to see Mattie and Charlie yesterday - wow, it had been awhile!!  We had a nice day together - thank you for the pins and lunch and driving me around!!

My parents have both been so great to drive from Edmond to Ponca City to get me for radiation - I really appreciate all you're doing for me!!!

Today will be Day 10 of Radiation - half-way there and still feeling good!

It's Friday.................and I'm Feeling Good Today!

Today is Day 9 of Radiation - we're closing in on the half-way mark!  I started taking the Tarceva on Tuesday and haven't noticed any changes or side effects yet - probably still to come.  Yesterday I woke up with really puffy eyelids and I just felt really out of whack all day - it wasn't the best day I've had.  But......today I feel really good, almost normal, so it's a great day!!!  Plus, it's the Friday before a long weekend!!!  And, next week will be a short work week (2 days), then we leave with Debbie and Ken for our annual Eureka Springs trip - YAY!!!!!!!  Friends, relaxation, shopping and food!!!  Oh yea, and the guys get to enjoy gawking at all of the antique cars in the car show!

Thank you so much to all of the people who have been driving me home for radiation - Barbara and my dad both again this week!  I appreciate you guys so much!!

A Highlight in My Day...............

Yesterday was Day 6 of Radiation and on Tuesdays you get to see the nurse and the Dr. too.  The best part was................the Dr. told me I could cut my steroid dosage in half!!!!  WOOHOO!!!  My face is feeling really puffy, mostly around my eyes and I'm getting a double-chin!!!  So, that was great to hear!  Maybe the puffiness will start to go down sometime soon and my appetite will go back to a little more like normal.  We'll see......

I started taking the Tarceva yesterday too.  Guess it will probably take awhile before I start to see any side effects from it.  Just hope they're not the really bad ones!!

Thank you, Sheila, for the ride home yesterday!!!