Leah and I just got back from a busy day! We started off our morning with a trip to the Radiation Oncologist at the Florida Hospital Cancer Center in downtown Orlando. We had a very nice and informative talk with our Oncologist, Dr. "S". I will start my radiation and chemo treatments a week from today on the 7th. of August. My sessions will be at 10:30am Monday through Friday for about 15-20 minutes at a time. The radiation type is considered to be "skin sparing". I was told to expect gradual hair loss in the immediate area where the radiation will be focused. I was also measured for a lead mask and had ANOTHER ct scan. (that will make 4 ct scan's in 3 weeks!) The process of being fitted for the mask was not what I was expecting. I was lying down on my back in front of the ct machine when the nurse brought down this warm flexible piece of plastic that was pulled down over my entire face. For a second I did not think I could breath! Then I remembered to use my nose and my panic went away. The mask was then pulled very tight and clamped down to the table. The nurses proceeded to push and pinch and mold the mask to my face. They explained that the mask was used to hold my head in place as well as serve as a "shield" from the radiation. The markers were then placed around my head where the tumor was and I was moved into the machine for my ct scan. The best part about this whole procedure is that I got to go back and do it a second time when the mask had gotten hard and molded.
Our next appointment was for the Chemo teaching. We learned that my anti-nausea medication will be taken 1 hour before the chemo. (the chemo is called Temodar and with my height and weight consists of three pills that will total 165 milligrams) The Chemo will be taken 1 hour before my radiation. There is also an anti-biotic that I will take at night on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Because the chemo will kill the bad and good cells, I have to have my blood taken once a week. (the good cells we are most concerned with are the white blood cells. i.e. my immune system might become compromised) As a result of my delicate situation I have to be careful where I go. I am not allowed to go anyplace where there are a lot of people or where diseases may be widespread. (hospitals, airplanes, etc.)
After the Chemo teaching Leah and I headed to my office in Winter Park to see the guys who work there. We had a very nice visit with Michael, Mike, Mark and Henry. This is the team that has been handling my territory since I checked into to the ER at Celebration Health. Gentlemen, thank you for all you have done and your continued support. We then went to Winter Park Memorial Hospital to see Dr. Hugh and all the staff. This was like a homecoming for me. I consider Winter Park to be my home away from home. Over the last 4 weeks I have missed the crew at Winter Park very much. They are like family to me and it was awesome to see them all again.
I also ran in to the gentlemen who are filling in for me during my leave. Rick and Garrett, thank you for everything you have done since my diagnosis. All your work is truly appreciated.
Once we left Winter Park it was time for lunch at one of my favorite spots, PF Chang's. We got home right around 3:30pm and relieved our babysitter and spent some time with our kids. Tonight Leah is going to an event at the church and I am going out with two friends from work to the Tavern in Celebration. It will be nice for both of us to get out with some friends and enjoy some time out of the house.
Once again, thank y'all for your continued prayers and support. They mean so much.
love,
Dan (and Leah)
P.S. I added some photos of the Birthday weekend!~L
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