April 21, 2007

Finally spring has arrived. The birds woke me up this morning chirping outside my window as the sun bellowed through the glass. It was good to rest in bed after a week of chemo. Since only some chemo drugs can be taken with the radiation, they've changed my schedule to every other week of chemo and radiation until the radiation is done. So this past week I had chemo, then radiation, then chemo & radiation, then radiation, etc.

This week wasn't so bad. The reports the doctor hoped would be ready Monday morning from my CAT scan and MRI were not done. This delayed whether I should have chemo that day and eventually I did, but not till 11:00 a.m. which delayed my prelims for radiation that afternoon at 2:00. So we rescheduled the prelims (making the boot for the radiation) until Wednesday.

The remnants of the Nor'Easter dampened everyone's spirits around the chemo unit. The window seats weren't in great demand as they usually are and people seem a little sullen when no sunshine brightens the room.

The prelims for radiation were simple. I got a "tattoo" on my foot to specifically pinpoint the tumor. They pour this warm liquid in a bag and then mold it around your foot. The radiologist then takes computer images where they are going to shoot the radiation on the foot. All very fascinating and scientific. I am scheduled for radiation starting on Tuesday everyday for 15 minutes, 5 days a week.

I proved to myself that I hadn't forgotten how to drive. With my temporary driver on Senior Class Trip this week, I drove myself into Phila. for my chemo. You're allowed free valet parking for treatments. I am usually tired by the end of the day and its always nice to sit back and not have to pay attention to the traffic. I made sure I had napped before I left so I could be wide awake. Made it home accident-free all three days.

This upcoming week I also have to have shots to up my white blood cells along with the radiation. Another busy week.

Take care everyone and enjoy this beautiful sunshine and warm weather.