"Fire Phasers Mr. Sulu"

Brat Zapping

The first week of radiation has been very uneventful at the doctor's office. A close friend described her remaining tumor as the "Brat" and it must leave her body immediately! She shows up and in ten minutes she is done. The trip on the highway to the office is more eventful due to the usual drivers found Highway 101 in the Valley!

She is not feeling any negative impacts from the treatment. She has consumed enough chemo that could kill several horses and we don't expect any problems from radiation! The doctor informed her that anyone that has already had chemo usually doesn't suffer any impacts from the treatment.

This will be her last week of relaxing, she goes back to work in December and she is looking forward to it. She will do the telecommuting at first then she will rejoin fellow co-workers in the cubicle farm! The interaction with others should aid in improving her recovery.

Being Thankful

The Reality

Today I understand what is important about life. First Rene is moving forward in her treatment and is ready to keep fighting her cancer. Secondly I have experienced my first of many holidays where I will not speak with my father.

I have to remind myself that I have very lucky to be alive and healthy compared to what has occurred this year. Juggling both joy and sorrow is not easy and there is nothing I can do to change the void that exists. I take comfort in watching Rene reclaim herself.

My mother has begun her new phase with his death and its impact is greater than what I am experiencing. In any case there is no time to wallow in the past. Life is a terminal state and how a person lives their life determines if it was either fulfilled or empty. We all need to avoid an empty existence in life.

"Curve Ball!!"

"You're Serious?"

The results of Rene's P.E.T. scan were bittersweet for her. The tumor is still there and a bit smaller in overall size. Because it still exists, her oncologist does not want to risk it being a problem for her. His solution, radiation treatment!

This approach is logic due to the fact that Rene has a lymphatic cancer, aka in her blood stream. To attempt an operation and remove it would not work due to the linkage to her blood system. To make sure that it is completely gone, you have to zap it!

She understands that this is the only way and she is completed exasperated that she is not done with her treatment. She wants to to put this behind her now that she has survived her chemo treatment! She is not in control and this means war as far as she is concerned!

Radiation will occur Monday through Friday for the next four to five weeks and she will spend about 20 minutes in the doctor office. Since she is a cancer survivor, she should not have to worry about side effects but we know that they can occur. At least she gets to drive herself to treatment; yes she is behind the wheel and she still gets frustrated with amateurs driving on the road with her!

Now we get to learn about radiation treatments and just like chemo, there is a great deal of information to wade through. Right now Rene has three "tattoos" on her body in the pelvic area. This way the radiologist knows where to aim for the daily zapping.

This Time She Walked

P.E.T. Scan

This past Friday, Rene went back to hospital to have her scan done and this time it was a completely different experience for her. In July, she was unable to care for herself, let alone walk by herself. She was dependent upon others (namely me) to assist her.

Unlike before, she did not need a wheelchair and some to lift her in and out of an automobile, chair, or the scan bed. She was able to do all of this herself and this meant that she for the first time was in complete control (I still had to drive her).

She is a bit nervous about this scan because it will provide answers about her treatment. The previous scan identified that all but one tumor was gone from her body. This was huge news at the time because four months earlier, these tumors almost killed her.

Based on her abilities and behaviours that I am observing, I predict that she should receive positive news. The single tumor that was left in July was the largest one overall; 12.5 centimeters large that shrunk to 6 centimeters in size and seemed to be clinically "dead" but in doctor speak, they gave themselves wiggle room.

This Thursday, November 15th she has an appointment with her oncologist and then we will know for the exact nature of her condition. I feel that we should be able to celebrate the actual meaning of Thanksgiving once we get the news.

This Is Different

Recovery Road

So far Rene has not experienced any setbacks with her post-chemo phase. She met with her oncologist and he informed her that she was progressing well. She did a shot to boost her white blood counts and she is not required to have this done daily.

In two weeks she will visit her oncologist for a follow-up checkup and they will perform a P.E.T. scan on her. The scan may occur prior to her visit based on scheduling availability so she may get a pre-Thanksgiving gift with the information.

She is beginning to do a bit more around the house such as laundry and light cleaning. So far she has been able to have a full day without being exhausted by it. She has been cleared to drive by her oncologist and she has not gotten behind the wheel yet. This will probably occur within the next two weeks.

She really enjoyed having the kids come around for Halloween this year. Having them get candy from me was a bit funny for her. Children don't care what's in front of them as long as the treats make it in their bags! She really loved seeing the young babies in their parent's arm dressed up!