Week 4 things are going great...

Good morning. Sorry it has taken me so long to get back on the blog. It has been very busy...but things have been going great with my therapy. I have just completed 4 weeks of radiation/chemo. On Wednesday, I had my weekly appointment with Dr. Cardenes. She did not do any internal checks because of the pain that is now apparent due to the radiation. My skin outside of the rectum and back side is burned and can be seen so if it is noticeable from the outside, she knows what it is like on the inside...

My hemoglobin level has dropped to 9.4 from 9.7, but she said that is ok considering the where I am in treatment. My white blood cell count is a little low, but also very typical. Neither of them are at critical levels. Dr. Card said that I am doing great. I haven't lost any weight, my appetite is good, I am keeping active, and getting enough rest in the night. Over all, I feel great.

I go back on Monday to get my new chemo bag and start the radiation. I am counting the days to be done. I do have a little nausea and diarrhea in the afternoons, usually, but it could be worse. I am taking some medicine for those symptoms.

I have an appointment with my oncologist, Dr. Helft, on July 7. I assume we will just talk about what is yet to come.

Again, I just want to thank all of your for your prayers, cards and all of the other things that my friends have done for me and my family.

I will probably only be blogging once a week since my treatments are pretty non exciting...I will talk to you all next week. Judi