Hello to our Amazing Support Team!
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| How we felt on Friday |
Well, we survived another week of radiation, barely. In our last post I mentioned that perhaps the more-focused radiation would result in less collateral damage. Unfortunately, it had the opposite effect. Previously, I was receiving 2 Gy of radiation over a broader area in two rotations of "The Beast" (see post from 2/10). The more-focused beam, begun Monday, delivered 1.8 Gy of radiation to just the prostate in one rotation. I was in so much pain during and after treatment on Friday that I made an unscheduled appointment to see the oncologist immediately afterwards. I was maxing out the daily dose of Tylenol, and it just wasn't doing the job. He finally realized that my congenital vascular anomaly (one reason for radiation rather than surgery in the first place) was creating a situation he had never seen before in his treatment experience. He also expressed concern, for the first time, about the bleeding I've been telling him about for weeks. He assumed (incorrectly) that I had hemorrhoids, and when he determined that the problem was internal, he appeared to be somewhat shocked at the realization of what I have been going through during much of the treatment. He prescribed Vicodin for the pain and told me to take a week off radiation to recover. I will see another oncologist to assess the situation before resuming treatments on March 19. He assured me that this delay will not effect the overall outcome in any way, but should make the remaining treatments more tolerable. We are prepared to go the distance even if it takes even longer.
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| Dawson Creek Park |
The downside is that this will delay our return to Alaska by at least one week. We are thinking now it may be even longer between the end of treatment and when I can travel comfortably. On the plus side, we continue to enjoy the Oregon spring. Thursday was absolutely gorgeous, reaching the mid-60's. We took a stroll in Dawson Cr. Park, near the new Hillsboro library. It's a beautiful area for walking, and very close. Kathy brought along the title papers for our new house and her passport (proof of "residency"/tax-payer) to secure her Hillsboro library card. When she looked into getting a card previously, she learned that it cost $100 for a non-resident. I'm convinced that this is one of the reasons she wanted a home here.
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| Ornamental Cherry Blossoms |
Friday was somewhat cooler, but still very nice. Now we start into another week of more typical cool, wet Oregon spring weather. The long rows of flowering trees are just beginning to bloom and they will be spectacular during the next stretch of good weather. Here is a sneak preview of one growing between us and our neighbors. Some of the earlier, typical spring flowers are already starting to fade.
Another positive aspect of the revised schedule is that we will have more time to watch Rowan grow. The little guy had three minor SVT episodes in the 24 hrs. he was on a heart monitor last week, so an additional medication has been prescribed for his heart condition. Thank goodness the beautiful spring weather continued into Friday to help to lift everyone's spirits in spite of all the bad news.
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| New Exercise - Rowan Lifting |
The "kids" came over for dinner Friday night, a gourmet smoked salmon pizza. With Kathy's blessing, they decided I need more upper body exercise and should start a new routine called, "Rowan lifting". Both Kathy and I had great snuggle time with Rowan on Saturday, and gave Erika a break, so she could get out for a run. We took dinner over to have with her Saturday evening. Brad is back working full time.
Our additional time in Oregon also gives us an opportunity to make the townhouse more-livable before we head north. We received the keys and final paperwork on Tuesday, have started some minor projects, and will continue as time and energy allow. The sun shining through the west-facing window into the open "flex-area" is incredibly inviting! We are anxious to start making it a home.
Our additional time in Oregon also gives us an opportunity to make the townhouse more-livable before we head north. We received the keys and final paperwork on Tuesday, have started some minor projects, and will continue as time and energy allow. The sun shining through the west-facing window into the open "flex-area" is incredibly inviting! We are anxious to start making it a home.
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| Sunlit Flex-Area - 2nd floor, Townhome |
Another bright spot in our week was some exciting news from our east-coast family. Our son, Matt, a marine ecologist and assistant professor at Northeastern Univ. in Boston, had some of his recent break-through research recognized. It will be published in Ecology Letters (publication of peer-reviewed, novel scientific research). His university gives a brief synopsis of the research in their online news:
"We plan. God laughs." Following the R&R from the RADs this week, we should be ready to "spring forward" to the finish line. It would be very lonely going without all of you and your thoughts. We appreciate your support for us and our family via comments on our blog posts, emails, phone calls, Facebook, prayers, and all the thoughts and vibes we feel.
With thanks in our hearts, we wish you Shalom,
Barry and Kathy
As long as you can keep your sense of humor (and, in a perverse way, wonder) about your journey, you are doing pretty well. Here's wishing the rest and Rowan are just the ticket to getting back on track. Lovely photos, by the way. We are ever-so-eager for spring. The library hosted gardening classes, and Bill and I, along with other hopefuls, sat listening to the tips and information with the thought of juicy red tomatoes and ripe luscious berries in our heads. If the weather doesn't dry out a little it will mostly be a hanging basket greens garden for us, I fear. The deer already haunting the garden will be sorely disappointed! Some time back my doctor daughter-in-law recommended a book about patient-doctor communication, but I can't recall the author. If I can locate it, I'll pass it along. Enjoy little Rowan. . . I think the weight-lifting is probably therapeutic for you both!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cindi!
DeleteIn spite of the bitter cold, the flowering trees are determined to bloom--more every day. I don't see anyone working their gardens here, but one thing that we constantly notice is that the plants are not grazed down to the ground :)
I think I'm going to have to tie Barry to a chair to keep him from finding little projects. Today he bought a tool set at Home Depot, and all I wanted was light bulbs. We'll just banish him to baby-holding duty!! Let me know if you find the doc-patient book, tho, I think we may have finally gotten his attention!
Have a great week!
My first thought after your discussion with the oncologist was WTF! A new doc is in order, especially when he was aware that you had unique needs.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is: there are too many people with cancer and who have to undergo radiation. This guy is highly rated, but he may be forgetting that it's people who have cancer, not numbers.
DeleteHi Barry:
DeleteI'm wondering, that since this is a new one for your oncologist, maybe the kind of doctor that diagnosed your vascular situation might have some insights and suggestions. Maybe someone with this expertise has seen similar situations. Just a thought. Otherwise, we hope you enjoy your break -- that it is as therapeutic as the radiation. Hey, you're not far from the Oregon Coast.
You're in our prayers.
Don and Karen
Interesting thought.
ReplyDeleteHello, Kathy and Barry - I have you on my heart and in my prayers here in snowy (!) Petersburg. With all good wishes and God's fullest blessings, susan c.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI started to comment the other day but was interrupted; the ewes are lambing and neither wait for anyone. The system is not so user friendly. Well I hope the respite is doing you wonders, it has been about 5-6 days now, correct? Anyway I hope you are getting to feeling better and the vascular issue that was compromised by the radiation is healing. We still have not had any moisture but luckily it hasn't been too winding. We lost one lamb this morning, one of a set of triplets. If we only lose one we'll feel most fortunate. So are they going to wait until Monday to start the next round? That would give you a few more days to find some projects to do and tools to fill your tool box (I probably shouldn't be suggesting that). Well tomorrow is the Ides of March, so avoid Ceasar and have a great day. The pictures are wonderful and you are looking pretty spry. Take care. Jim Wittstock