I've been so stressed the last two weeks over this radiation/no radiation thing. When I talked to my new doctor he pretty much said, "I think you need to do radiation for sure..." I've been doing my research, and report after report has said that a female under the age of 30 who does radiation in her "chest" area has a much higher chance of getting breast cancer. That you don't need to do radiation, that chemo alone can get rid of Hodgkin's...
So I went in armed today with all my scientific reports, made Trent come with me, have been praying my little heart out... I was so stressed I've been sick to my stomach for a while here, which is never fun. So here is how it went.
My doctor walks into the room and hands me an e-mail and says, "This is what the expert thinks." The e-mail said...
"In this type of patient I usually prefer to do 6 cycles of ABVD and no radiation due to the long term effects of radiation for breast cancer and cardiac toxicity. If the PET scan in neg after 6 cycles then it should be fine."
Hallelujah Hallelujah!!! All that stress for nothing. My scan was negative after 2 cycles so I'm sure it will still be after 6. I was having a really hard time with this too because when I would pray about doing radiation I actually felt okay about it. And when I would pray about just doing chemo I felt okay about it too. I think that Heavenly Father was trying to tell me that I WOULD BE OKAY... I didn't need to worry about this so much personally, that everything would work out.
So... alas... two more months of chemo for me. I actually didn't get my full treatment today because my lungs have been feeling a little "tight" lately, not sure why. I've had a little cold so it might be from that, but I'm slightly paranoid about it, so I did not get the bleomycin today. I'm going to have a pulmonary test tomorrow to see how it looks and if my lungs are okay then I have to go in Monday for the bleo... crappy... but I'd rather be safe than sorry.
Also, with my new insurance they want me to give my shots myself!!! Hello! I don't know if I can give myself a shot... Trent will have to do it, he wants to be a nurse anyway. So they are going to be delivered to my house, and I can't have it until I get the bleo if I'm going to be getting it so this is going to be an interesting treatment week with everything all spread out, I hope I survive!!!
8 treatments (sort of) down... 4 to go. I can do it, I can do it, I CAN DO IT!!!!!
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15 comments:
So glad to hear that you've come to a conclusion your happy with and that you'll be done soon. I've had over 200 shots and I still can't even look at them- Nilesh gives me every single one.
You CAN do it! I hope your pulmonary test goes well.
Oh I am SO relieved for you!!! I haven't been able to stop thinking about your options, either!! :)
YAY!
RAD! I'm so happy for you : )
I am so happy you don't have to do the radiation, and I am glad a decision has finally been made. It is so hard trying to decide what to do. Making decisions like that is so difficult. I am glad that stress is over for you. And heres to the last 4 treatments flying by! :)
I'm so glad everything worked out the way you wanted! If there is anything I can do to help get through these last four treatments let me know! Maybe we need a fun girls night two days before each treatment so you have something to look forward to...just a thought!:)
You can do it, You can do it.
Oh Spring is going to be wonderful!!!!!
You can do it Meg!!! I believe in you. I also pray for you every day. I am so happy to hear that you are not doing the radiation. It didn't seem right for me either. I know you can make it to the end. Even if it doesn't seem like it some times. And when you are all done, and feeling better, we can come visit you.
I'm glad!!! I know you can do it!
Happy to hear the news. I have been thinking about you and the decisions you had to make. Thanks for the update. Love you!
I'm so happy for you Megan.... Hang in there.... Love you guys tons! YAY for almost being done!!!
wowser! 8 treatments down, you are 2/3 done! Congrats! I'm so glad you aren't doing radiation! I also had to stop doing bleo for the same reason- my lungs- the pulmonary test showed that I was not damaged, but WOULD be if I continued- my guess is they will stop yours also, which freaked me out- thinking, "oh my gosh- will it be good enough without the bleo?" and the doc said- it is the LEAST powerful, and smallest dosage of all the drugs and that at this point (same point you are at too) that I had enough of it in my system, so if you can't take it anymore- don't stress about it, it's fine. I"m so happy for you- this is going to be done before you know it- you are so strong and brave and close to the spirit, I'm really proud of you, and grateful you are in my life, thankyou for sharing your journey with me.
Paris, this is GREAT news. Way to go on all your research and prayer. I know it can be difficult to approach a doctor and am proud of you for being willing. Glad it worked out in the end and the stress was quickly alleviated. Sending good thoughts your way!
PEACHES
Awesome! That's great news! You CAN do it! Hang in there!
Yea!!!!!!! Happy news!!!!
We are constantly praying for you Paris!!!
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