I am home from the Broncoscopy. Of course, the first needle didnt work so my arm will be nice a bruised tomorrow.
There is good news....it has not spread, but they did do a biopsy as they saw a few more spots. Dr Sheehan and Dr Lam were there and after it was all done they both came to see me.
First off, Dr Sheehan firmly believes that this Cancer was not caused by my recless teenage days of drinking and smoking. He feels it was an infection. He really could not elaborate,but thinks the biobsy they just took was from a wart type thing. That makes me happy in a way to think I didn't totally bring this on myself.
Dr Lam said my bronchial area is inflamed and beleives the reason for my cough. I am now on an inhaler for 4 months and he feels that should take care of this as the two items in my mind are not related.
I feel like we are making progress and I should have some concrete answers once the tests come back. This will not be changing my treatment schedule.
I am tired and going to go back to bed.
Kim
Friday, August 31, 2007
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
More needles!!!
I was driving home yesterday when Dr. Sheehan called me. He wanted to let me know that he didn't think they would be able to avoid my large saliva glands and that I should go see the Dentist at VHG to make sure I don't need any denal work.....Hold it Dr Sheehan...I have already done that! I was very polite because the last thing I need is to have my oncologyst pissed with me.....but I was thinking....do these departments communicate?
Turns out, they would like to do another Bronchoscopy. This time it's with a different device to look further down my throat and into my lungs to make sure this has not spread....ah, um ok. I thought I was already told that all was clear in that department. I am worried now. Perhaps after my CT Scan last week to map out my treatment they saw something new? I did not ask, but I will when I go in Friday morning at 7am to day surgery.
I hope this doesn't mess up my long weekend.
Turns out, they would like to do another Bronchoscopy. This time it's with a different device to look further down my throat and into my lungs to make sure this has not spread....ah, um ok. I thought I was already told that all was clear in that department. I am worried now. Perhaps after my CT Scan last week to map out my treatment they saw something new? I did not ask, but I will when I go in Friday morning at 7am to day surgery.
I hope this doesn't mess up my long weekend.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
The mask is made!
That was the most freaky thing I have ever had done I think. I got to the clinic at around 9 this morning to have a mesh mask made of my face and shoulders. I have pictures but I can't download the damn things! Stupid camera.
It was wet and warm and it stuck to my hair, for you ladies who have had a facial beofre it felt like when the mask tightens. That's what I kept telling myself, it's just a facial mask.....
The guy who did this went over all the side effects and things I should be doing to prepare for treatment.
The I had to wait for my CT Scan. The three ladies who helped me back into the mask, now fully dry were very kind. I had to try getting it back on a couple of times because it's VERY tight and they bolt it to the table and you can't move. Very unnerving. Again, I had them take a few photos and if my camera decides to work I will post them.
I had the scan and they put a tiny tattoo on my chest so on my first appointment they know where to start. I was OK with this as I have always wanted a tattoo even though I had a little something else in mind. Nobody will even know it's there it's that small.
I will start my treatments the week of Sept 10th and I will get 33 of them daily during the week. I have asked for morning (7:30-10:30) as they will give you a 3 hour window to chose from. I can change this at any time if I feel it's too early and I can't wake up.
That's it for now....
Kim
It was wet and warm and it stuck to my hair, for you ladies who have had a facial beofre it felt like when the mask tightens. That's what I kept telling myself, it's just a facial mask.....
The guy who did this went over all the side effects and things I should be doing to prepare for treatment.
The I had to wait for my CT Scan. The three ladies who helped me back into the mask, now fully dry were very kind. I had to try getting it back on a couple of times because it's VERY tight and they bolt it to the table and you can't move. Very unnerving. Again, I had them take a few photos and if my camera decides to work I will post them.
I had the scan and they put a tiny tattoo on my chest so on my first appointment they know where to start. I was OK with this as I have always wanted a tattoo even though I had a little something else in mind. Nobody will even know it's there it's that small.
I will start my treatments the week of Sept 10th and I will get 33 of them daily during the week. I have asked for morning (7:30-10:30) as they will give you a 3 hour window to chose from. I can change this at any time if I feel it's too early and I can't wake up.
That's it for now....
Kim
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Dentistry
Did you ever know how important saliva glands are? I just found out.
I went yesterday to the Dentist at VGH for them to go over my x-ray and do a checkup. Apparently during Radiation your teeth are more suseptable to cavities and won't heal property if you need any major work done and they want to make sure that nothing needs to be done right now. All in all he said my teeth look great and that I need to floss more often during my treatment to prevent cavitites.
On the down side.....they took saliva samples to measure how much saliva i produce when stimulated (chewing flavorless gum) or just sitting. After treatment they will do the same test to see if I am producing the same or less. They made moulds of my upper and lower teeth because during treatment the Radiation will be going through my large saliva glands and will most likely damage them. Basically I will have to use a liquid floride everyday with the moulds to replicate the vitamins and minerals normally produced by your saliva. I asked if I will have to do this for the rest of my life......yes was the answer. But really, I bet I will have the most healty teeth! You can never have enough floride! :) Stay positve right?
I went yesterday to the Dentist at VGH for them to go over my x-ray and do a checkup. Apparently during Radiation your teeth are more suseptable to cavities and won't heal property if you need any major work done and they want to make sure that nothing needs to be done right now. All in all he said my teeth look great and that I need to floss more often during my treatment to prevent cavitites.
On the down side.....they took saliva samples to measure how much saliva i produce when stimulated (chewing flavorless gum) or just sitting. After treatment they will do the same test to see if I am producing the same or less. They made moulds of my upper and lower teeth because during treatment the Radiation will be going through my large saliva glands and will most likely damage them. Basically I will have to use a liquid floride everyday with the moulds to replicate the vitamins and minerals normally produced by your saliva. I asked if I will have to do this for the rest of my life......yes was the answer. But really, I bet I will have the most healty teeth! You can never have enough floride! :) Stay positve right?
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Progress
After I spoke to Dr Sheehan the dental department called me to make an appointment for today at 2:30 for whatever they need to do. Not exacly sure, and next Tuesday I have a 2-3 hour appointment to make the mask of my face and shoulders. After they do that I will have my final CT scan with the Radiology team and they will then map out my treatment plan. The girl on the phone yesterday told me when I go in next Tuesday they will be able to give me the start date of my treatment. It is looking like the first week of September! Wow, that's fast and I am getting scared.
I have told my work I will need to take the three months off once my treatment starts so I will be busy around here getting things in order for them.
That's it for now!
Kim
I have told my work I will need to take the three months off once my treatment starts so I will be busy around here getting things in order for them.
That's it for now!
Kim
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
The answer is....
It's Cancer
I spoke to Dr Sheehan at 1:30 today and he confirmed that he has spoken to all the doctors and reluctantly they agree it's an early form of Cancer. We are going to be proceeding right away with getting everything started so I can start my Radiation Treatment ASAP. I have an appointment already tomorrow with the Dental Dept of VGH to go over anything I might need done prior to treatment.
After that I will have another appointment to have a mesh mask made up of my face, neck and shoulders to hold everything in place and in the exact same spot for each radiation session. The sessions will last from 6-7 weeks with daily treatment with each session lasting about 15 minutes and about another 4-6 weeks for recovery. I will be looking at about 3 months off work due to the side effects of the radiation.
I will be looking into getting a nutritionist and volunteer drivers who can take me each day, I have been told as I get further into treatment I will have to be on pain killers and won't be able to drive and my throat will be very sore.
I am happy to have answers, can't say I am happy with them, but at least I can move forward and start my treatment.
I spoke to Dr Sheehan at 1:30 today and he confirmed that he has spoken to all the doctors and reluctantly they agree it's an early form of Cancer. We are going to be proceeding right away with getting everything started so I can start my Radiation Treatment ASAP. I have an appointment already tomorrow with the Dental Dept of VGH to go over anything I might need done prior to treatment.
After that I will have another appointment to have a mesh mask made up of my face, neck and shoulders to hold everything in place and in the exact same spot for each radiation session. The sessions will last from 6-7 weeks with daily treatment with each session lasting about 15 minutes and about another 4-6 weeks for recovery. I will be looking at about 3 months off work due to the side effects of the radiation.
I will be looking into getting a nutritionist and volunteer drivers who can take me each day, I have been told as I get further into treatment I will have to be on pain killers and won't be able to drive and my throat will be very sore.
I am happy to have answers, can't say I am happy with them, but at least I can move forward and start my treatment.
Monday Aug 13, at the clinic
Yesterday was my first appointment at the Cancer Clinic. My best friend Carmen came with me to be my support, and second set of ears.
We got there quite early (7:45am) and it turned into a long day.....we went shopping after!
In the end of the appointment I am non the wiser on which treatment I am going to get. When the doctor came in to see us he said the same thing as the rest....you are so young and this is uncharacteristic of this type of cancer to be in someone so young. After he looked down my throat (this was the worst time ever, I actually cried this time) he said it looked inflamed but he would not commit to anything until he spoke to the head of pathology and Dr. Durham. Ok, i thought he would have already done this and I would have a definate answer....but he wanted to have a look too before he spoke to everyone.
We went over the options, and he said he was leaning away from Radiotherpaty due to the long term effects and the % of people whose Cancer comes back within 15-20 years. I told him Dr. Durham said surgery and laser was not an option....so now we are back to square one.
We also met with a very nice nurse who went over all the other things I could expect, i will need a nutritionist to make sure i don't waste away because my throat will be very sore and i may not want to eat. I also had to see the dental department to get x-rays of my jaw in case i need to get some dental work before treatment starts.
All in all it was a good orientation, and I have to call the doctor this afternoon to see how the discussions went with the other two doctors. They will have an answer for me today whether the consensus is yes it's Cancer let's move forward, or ........? not sure really. I hope he has those answers for me today.....I will post when I know.
Kim
We got there quite early (7:45am) and it turned into a long day.....we went shopping after!
In the end of the appointment I am non the wiser on which treatment I am going to get. When the doctor came in to see us he said the same thing as the rest....you are so young and this is uncharacteristic of this type of cancer to be in someone so young. After he looked down my throat (this was the worst time ever, I actually cried this time) he said it looked inflamed but he would not commit to anything until he spoke to the head of pathology and Dr. Durham. Ok, i thought he would have already done this and I would have a definate answer....but he wanted to have a look too before he spoke to everyone.
We went over the options, and he said he was leaning away from Radiotherpaty due to the long term effects and the % of people whose Cancer comes back within 15-20 years. I told him Dr. Durham said surgery and laser was not an option....so now we are back to square one.
We also met with a very nice nurse who went over all the other things I could expect, i will need a nutritionist to make sure i don't waste away because my throat will be very sore and i may not want to eat. I also had to see the dental department to get x-rays of my jaw in case i need to get some dental work before treatment starts.
All in all it was a good orientation, and I have to call the doctor this afternoon to see how the discussions went with the other two doctors. They will have an answer for me today whether the consensus is yes it's Cancer let's move forward, or ........? not sure really. I hope he has those answers for me today.....I will post when I know.
Kim
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