Finally a PLAN !!!

The wait is over and I finally have some direction and a plan. I saw Dr Meyers, the radiologist/oncologist yesterday. It was a very long day. I was there a 10:30a and left at 4:30pm. I had a two hour break and went over to sweet Kay Fillingim's house to visit. She was just what I needed and a strong cup of coffee. Dr. Meyers was an extremely compassionate man and talked with me for over an hour about two different options for treatment. One would take a week, and the other 6 weeks. We discussed all the pros/cons and after having a CT scan (to make the story short) I was not a candidate for the one week treatment. He then explained, step by step the 6 week process and with my "calendar" close at hand we mapped out the plan. I had to have another CT scan to so that they could "mark" me. They actually make marks on my skin that stay until the radiation is over. I will go back on Tuesday the 10th for another CT scan and the radiation will start on Wednesday. I will go once a day for 33 treatments total. He is going to let me skip 3 days so that we can take Isabella and Rachel to Panama City for a few days, and so I can visit with my dear friends, who mean so much to me. I will resume therapy the day after we get back.

Today, I saw Dr. Ibach, the Oncologist. Again, I very, very nice man, who took his time, explained options, the whys and why not's and made the whole process painless. He talked to me about an "experimental study" that Thompson Cancer Center is doing, which I fit the criteria for. After much discussion and again looking at my calendar I decided not to do it. It would be studied up to 15 years and the treatment plan he has is efficient at this time. They took 8 tubes of blood, which is more blood than most of the babies I take care of have in their whole system. He is going to determine from this blood work if I will be able to take the drug TAMOXIFAN, which is indicated for my cancer. I won't know that for a couple of weeks, but I wouldn't start taking it until about the 6 weeks of radiation anyway.

I think for the first time yesterday I felt like something was really wrong. It was the first time that I felt unsure of what decisions to make. I called my buddy Donna as soon as I was presented with options and she helped me to process it all. Thanks for the support WD! When I went to bed last night I was tearful, not boo-hoo, but just tears of "I guess this is real". Wow, who would think that life was smack you in the face with this. I know that I have a lot of living to do, and this is only going to be a temporary thing. I will march on, do what the doctors tell me to do, and maybe for once I will "try" to rely on support from others. Thanks for all your love !!!!

I went to see Rick and he is doing great. He is progressing to a cane for part of the time. He is working on short term memory skills, cognitive thinking, (math problems) and is staying positive. He is very aware of when he can't complete his sentences or when he can't find just the right word. Your prayers are working and the magic and healing is occurring everyday. He thanks you and so does the rest of our family. I will keep you posted.

Love, ANNIE