As of right now I have completed 23 sessions of radiation. I am going today for my 24th session of radiation and to have another CT scan with contrast to plan the second phase of my radiation. According to my doctor's visit yesterday, our goal is to do a two week boost of radiation based on the new CT scan, however, that could change based on what the scan shows.
So I am in my fifth week of radiation, you might think that means I have had five sessions of chemo since it is scheduled weekly but that isn't true. I had chemo week one, week two my absolute neutraphil counts (ANC) were too low at 1.1 so I wasn't able to get chemo, week three my ANC went up to 2.1 so I was able to get chemo, week four counts too low at 1.2, and week five counts too low at 1.46. I only need to get to 1.5 to be able to get chemo so hopefully on week six, next week, I get to have my final round of chemo.
The reason that my ANC has to be at least 1.5 is that if it is any lower I am at an increased risk of infection. The plan I am currently on is so based on radiation that it is okay if I miss chemo for a week. They are not tacking the chemo on the end, I am just missing the chemo sessions that I missed.
My concern is, no one is talking about what we do next if the radiation didn't completely eradicate the cancer. I am anxious to find out what the scans say. I will be meeting with the doctor on Friday to get results for the scan. Please send good thoughts about my scans!
So I am in my fifth week of radiation, you might think that means I have had five sessions of chemo since it is scheduled weekly but that isn't true. I had chemo week one, week two my absolute neutraphil counts (ANC) were too low at 1.1 so I wasn't able to get chemo, week three my ANC went up to 2.1 so I was able to get chemo, week four counts too low at 1.2, and week five counts too low at 1.46. I only need to get to 1.5 to be able to get chemo so hopefully on week six, next week, I get to have my final round of chemo.
The reason that my ANC has to be at least 1.5 is that if it is any lower I am at an increased risk of infection. The plan I am currently on is so based on radiation that it is okay if I miss chemo for a week. They are not tacking the chemo on the end, I am just missing the chemo sessions that I missed.
My concern is, no one is talking about what we do next if the radiation didn't completely eradicate the cancer. I am anxious to find out what the scans say. I will be meeting with the doctor on Friday to get results for the scan. Please send good thoughts about my scans!
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