This is my ‘radiation bed.’ A week before the radiation started, I went in for a scan and ‘fitting.’ The bed is a little bit like a form-fitting bean bag to keep me in exactly the same position for each radiation blast. During that earlier preparation, once they got me situated where they wanted me, they put little tattoo marks on my sides about mid-chest, and another tattoo right above the target area on my chest.
That big round thing above me is the radiation machine. It starts well below the table I’m on, then turns on when it reaches the first tattoo mark on my side. The radiation continues over the top of me and down the other side, turning off when it reaches the tattoo mark on my other side. It rests then for maybe a minute, then makes a return trip going back the other way. That whole process only takes a couple minutes. And we do this 5 days a week (except for the 4th of July).
It takes a few minutes for the therapists to get me situated in the exact spot before radiation. Then, there is a preliminary scan that is done to check on the positioning. That might take up to five minutes, as the doctor usually reviews the scan to make sure all is well. After that, the radiation starts. So the whole process is max 15 minutes. I don’t feel anything during radiation, and don’t really feel any different afterwards. I’ve been waiting for some sort of reaction, but nothing yet.
Below is my chemo stand. I get to sit with this contraption once a week. They tap into a vein through a port they had placed in my chest earlier, and then stuff drips into me for the next five hours. I get five bags of ‘stuff.’ The first bag is benadryl, then two bags of anti-nausea medicine, and finally two bags of chemo. When the chemo nurse comes to insert the chemo bags into my port, she is wearing a hazardous materials smock (comforting). When she comes back to switch to bag two, she has her haz-mat smock on again, and she disposes of first chemo bag in separate bag labelled as hazardous materials. No wonder the body is not crazy about getting this stuff!
I don’t feel anything during the process and in fact dozed off for a bit this past week.
Chemo and radiation are scheduled to go through the first week in August, and I see the two doctors each week for an update on how things are looking. All’s well so far. I go in for blood work each Tuesday for the chemo doctor, so she can make changes, if necessary, in the dosage for ‘chemo day’ (which will be Wednesdays for the duration).
My only complaints/concerns so far are the darn stomach peg…it’s uncomfortable and keeps me from doing much in the way of exercise besides morning walks. And my weight is the other concern. I spend a huge amount of time fixing, eating, and cleaning up food paraphernalia just to keep from losing weight. I’m torn between ingesting Ensure-type drinks (Costco variety) loaded with calories and SUGAR to gain the weight necessary to be able to go through surgery, versus avoiding sugar and trying to get the weight on through more healthy options. Problem is, if I don’t gain the weight, I jeopardize surgery….don’t want to do that!
I must say, the medical attention has been great. My GI doctor called twice after hours to see how my stomach peg was doing; I’ve had home health nurses come over twice to check on me. I meet each week with the radiation oncologist and the chemo oncologist. I feel like I am in good hands. There’s a coordinator that helps with appointments, a dietician for eating advice…..its all good!!
Those are the highlights for Week Two, and I’m feeling fine.
As a reg dietitian working with many Folkes and children with G-tubes, it saved their lives. Besides all carbohydrates turn into glucose (Blood sugar ) before it is able to enter the cell.
That includes honey sugar CHO from bread, rice ,
Lentils, whole grains, processed grains ice cream milk yogurt etc etc. yes ask the dietitian.
There is also an Ensure Plus that has more fat(not saturated) and has more calories.
People do not understand this. Read this to Your Dietitian to confirm or else your MD
Love your posts.
Are you in Kaiser? Love gudo
No, we’re with Woodland Health Care, now Dignity Health. I’m seeing doctors in Woodland and some at the Dignity Cancer Center in Sacramento. They all seem excellent to me….very happy with the medical care.
Hi Chris,
Wow!! I don’t know whether those contraptions are frightening, or comforting. On the one hand, they makes me believe the medical team really knows what they are doing. On the other, it looks like Aliens have invaded and are scanning your body to steal your soul. How do you feel about them?
Re-your administrative interlude, I don’t need any posting notices, as I seem to go to your website every time I open the computer to see what’s new. Nor do I need to worry whether or not you do or don’t address any of my comments. This blog is about you and Carol and the life journey you are on, not mine. I am just delighted to be included, and want to be with you every step along the way. Since I don’t believe in the God I was told to obey as a child, I don’t normally pray. However, you are in my mind constantly, and I pray for you every day. It makes me feel like I am doing something useful.
I think it is great you are still feeling OK. It speaks well of the ability of the doctors to tailor your dosages so you don’t get slammed too hard all at once.
Forgive me if I am posting excessively. I feel compelled.
Your friend,
Don
Dear Chris – My humorous post of July 8 didn’t make it past the administration yet. If it doesn’t post tomorrow I will REDO some version. Maybe they thought I was being sarcastic and I wasn’t. I was being humorous in a way IKennyI thought might lighten the load. Kenny Hallstone
Good read, Chris. Interesting and thoughtful. You’re a tough guy to keep this up! So, great job and keep it going. Attitude is everything.
Tom McB.
Dear Chris and Carol – hope to pass censorship this time. I remarked how beautiful windswept Carol looked in 1st week picture. And with great sincerity I saw how wonderfully preserved that upper body looks at age 75! I threatened to take a SELFIE of My upper body to further your POSITIVE outlook for things to come. You have treated that BODY like a temple of the holy spirit with all the swimming and golf walks thru the years. It will now be a good friend IN RETURN with special IMMUNITIES at it’s disposal.What shook me the most knowing you as I do was the feeding tube. “You mean the FOODIE of all time doesn’t get to swallow that delicious food for awhile Dang! ” I love you both and I will see you again next Spring at ACT Kenny Hallstone ps I guess my mention of a RUNWAY miffed the censors
Thank you for posting your your weekly update with this challenge, I too have recently been diagnosed with the same cancer you have. I have not started any procedures yet as Dignity Health in Woodland has referred me to U.C.S.F for further review. My son Sam told me about you and I truly admire your strength and positive additude going forward. I wish you the best ! Steve Moore
Steve,
It was good talking to your son today. If you have any questions, or want to talk about your journey through this cancer business, please call me anytime. We’re here to help each other.
Chris
Hi Chris –
I find your narrative interesting and informative! You answer questions that I did not realize I wondered about…
Where is Carol during all these appointments ? Is she in a haz-mat apron in the room with you or banned to a waiting room, catching up on her reading?
Please know that I am thinking about you both and sending positive, loving thoughts.
Hugs from ML
ML, Carol’s there with me. Only the nurse has a haz-mat on, as she is the one that is handling the chemo!
Chris
Touching and motivational to read about your experience — keep it up!
Hi Chris & Carol, just got caught up on your adventures. Lot’s has happened in a short few weeks. We hope things continue to go well with your treatments. My sister has a feeding tube so I was looking into healthy options for her. I’ll send you what I found so you can check it out to see if it might work for you. Thank you for letting us share this experience with you! Continued prayers for you, Carol, family & doctor’s. Love & hugs to you both! Gay & Bill
Mr. G”s –
Your uodates are so informative and it is inspirational to see your positive attitude and courage showing through. I never anticipated that you would put your great talent for writing to use in this way but it is so thoughtful of you to share the details of your treatment. You are giving answers for questions I probably wouldn’t know enough about to ask! Thank you for keeping us in the loop in such a stylish, straightforward, and personal manner. I feel privileged to be included. Glad to hear that all is going according to plan. Really hope you are getting some relief from the issues with that darn stomach peg! Our thoughts continue to be of you and Mrs. G’s.
Chris —
It sure sounds like you are getting the best of care and the medical team is doing a great job coordinating all the details. I’m glad to hear you sounding upbeat through it all and hope any negatives from the chemo and radiation treatments stay minimal. Take care and I’ll keep checking in on your blog. Thanks for including me.