Living Life
  • Blog: Living Life with Cervical Cancer
  • Living Life with Cancer
  • Erica's Story
  • Pictures
  • Media News

Setting Up a Plan Round 2.1

10/3/2014

2 Comments

 
Picture
I met with my new oncologist this week, who I think if fabulous, Dr. Callahan.  It just so worked out that my case was on the hospital "tumor board" the same morning as my appointment so all the details and questions he had for me were fresh in his brain.  The first resident came in and got a timeline of my crazy story from when I first started seeing symptoms when I was diagnosed round 1.  We went through everything from October 2012 until now and then she said he would be in as soon as possible.  He was in rather quickly considering I knew he was fitting in several additional appointments that day.  

He came in, we did a quick abdominal exam and started our discussions.  As I had planned, leaving it alone to see if the chemo in my system continued to shrink it wasn't even an option discussed.  Option two was continuing with the same chemo, which we breezed over.  We really discussed moving forward to Cistplatin chemo once per week with radiation five days per week.  We asked a few questions, main one being are we burning a bridge by using radiation now.  What if we have another reoccurrence.  In short, we have to deal with what we have now or it won't go away.  So, on to meet the radiologist/oncologist.

Today, Friday, I met the my radiologist/oncologist, Dr. Dugan.  He is fabulous also!  We went through the entire medical history, did an internal exam, and got started talking about what his treatment plan would be.  He explained that I was on the tumor board Monday and his first question was "has she had rads?" because the location and size of the tumors now makes me a perfect candidate now.  He took time to explain before that my tumors and lymph nodes which were impacted were too large and spread out and that we couldn't do radiation before.  The chemo has been successfully doing its job and now it is time to let radiation do its job.

He explained that with continued chemo we would never fully eradicate the disease.  Radiation is the way to get rid of the cancer.  At 29 we want to "get rid of the cancer before it gets rid of you".  He wants to attack this aggressively, which I 100% agree with.  We are looking at 6+ weeks of radiation.  Most likely only external but won't know for sure until he does a few more tests which I have scheduled.

There is a mass on my left side showing up, it isn't showing up as a cancer color on the PET scan but he wanted to look further into it so we are doing an MRI on Monday.  The mass on the left side could just be an enlarged ovary.  I appreciate that he is being extra cautious.  

Tuesday I have a CT Simulation/Planning Session.  During this session basic treatment marks will be placed on my skin for where the treatment will be.  If a positioning device is needed (to make sure I am in the same position each time) the measurements will all come from this CT scan.

Planning time comes next, all the information gathered from the MRI and CT scan will be used for the Radiation Oncologist to determine the dose and number of treatments I will receive.  This planning time can take up to five days.  After the treatment plan is approved I will get to setup my schedule.

I will need to go in for a verification day.  On this day the radiation therapist will take additional films and measurements on the actual treatment machine to ensure that all the information from the planning session was accurate.  Modifications will be made as needed.  During this time I might get the marks placed back over my treatment area.

I will get to meet with my radiation/oncologist weekly during these treatments, that made me feel better in case I had more questions that I didn't ask today.

Today was hectic.  While I was signing into the doctor office I got a phone call from Wylee's school that he had a fever so JR had to divert and pick up Wylee so I attended the appointment alone.

I found out that the immediate effects of radiation will be fatigue, bowel, and bladder concerns.  These are symptoms which will build.  The long term effect to consider was a possible bowel obstruction which would need surgery.  He feels confident the radiation will not impact my joints (hips in this case).

However, since I am going to be in full blown menopause I will need to continue my HRT (hormone replacement therapy) and should consider starting calcium supplements.

There was a lot of dry, medical information here today.  It is, however, the questions everyone has had so far.  I am going to do another post. Maybe immediately after this about a more emotional side.  This is medical and should hopefully answer some questions.

2 Comments
Donna
10/3/2014 12:44:42 pm

Ok, seems like all questions are covered. You are such a strong and amazing how woman! I pray for you every night. Keep us updated please

Reply
Stacey Deark
10/3/2014 11:57:03 pm

I'm here for you always. Love you very much and I know God will help heal you along with the help of all your wonderful doctors. You have been a blessing to me ever since I held you in the hospital. Love and praying for you every day♥ Aunt Stacey

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Erica is a 32 year old cervical cancer advocate who is out living cancer for the third time. When she isn’t advocating for cervical cancer and HPV awareness as a Cervivor Ambassador, she previously oversaw the STEM program at the school where she was an educator; she now helps coordinate the robotics program. Erica enjoys spending time with her husband and son in their Indianapolis neighborhood, as well as pursuing new and adventurous hobbies. She can most recently be found fawning over kayaks and daydreaming of returning to whitewater kayaking with First Descents, an organization for young adults impacted by cancer. 

    Picture
    Picture

    Archives

    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014

    Categories

    All
    Cervical Cancer
    Chemo
    Hospital
    Nephrostomy
    Photography
    Surgery

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.