My last Radiation treatment

Hi everyone. It is Sunday evening and I am going for my last radiation treatment tomorrow. Last week was busy. Monday was a normal treatment day. I went in and had the radiation and they hooked me up to my chemo bag for the week. On Tuesday, Rick, my mom, and I went to treatment and the radiation techs adjusted my radiation calling it coning down...this is where they give me the same amount of radiation but they are targeting a more precise area for the last five treatments. Then we met with the oncology doctor, Dr. Helft, to discuss my treatment plan for the future and how it has progressed thus far. He was very honest about the probability that I would have to have the total removal of any function of the rectum. Once again, I knew that was what was going to be the prognosis, but I guess I was hoping they would say, "Hey Judi, we were wrong, you're fine and there is not bad outcome for you..." Wow, that was not the case. I had another pitty party for myself that night.

On Wednesday, I met with Dr. Cardenes and broke down during my exam time. She discussed the colostomy scenario, offered names of patients that had experienced them and told me that it would by no means limit my activity or change my quality of life...there you have it, LIFE. It all comes down to that. I assured her that I would not jeopardize my life for any reason. I think that the feeling of not knowing exactly what to expect has caught me off guard. Knowledge is power and I need to know more about this so that I can work it through my brain.

After some tears and positive conversation with Dr. Card, she informed me that when I started my radiation treatments 6 weeks ago, my tumor marker (the way they rate or stage how the cancer level is in your body) was 22 which she said was fairly high. After my 25th treatment, it had dropped to 2.5 which she said was in the range where most people are...we all must have some level if I understood her right. The cancer has responded great to the radiation and chemo combo.

So, at my last treatment on Friday, they removed my chemo pack and I turned my little machine back to the home health care nurse and officially finished that part of my treatment. Tomorrow will only be the radiation.

I am feeling great. The butt is sore and will continue to react to the radiation several days even weeks after I finish the treatment. I guess the body doesn't recognize that the treatment is done because it stays in my system longer so it may get worse before it gets better. I haven't lost any weight thanks to all of my family and friends for feeding me great lunches after my treatment and for bringing food to the house.

What to expect in the next weeks...In 2 weeks, I meet with Dr. Robb for an exam. He will check the tumor to have a better idea of what will happen in surgery. I will meet with Dr. Card in a month and she will also check me for I am not sure, let's just say the healing process. Surgery will be scheduled probably closer to 7/8 weeks, so when Rick is ready to go to the fields to harvest the crops, I will be having surgery...go figure. And Jake will be in the thick of football season, Jeff will be back at school and Jordan will be busy with work (and possibly classes to get her teaching license).

The recovery from surgery will be long. They will cut me from my pelvic bone up to my belly button and then open me up on the back side also. Dr. Helft said the front will heal well, it will be the back part that will be difficult...location, location, location (plus it's dark and you know...) He said that he would wait probably 6-8 weeks before starting chemo. So somewhere around December I will start 4 months of chemo by going every two weeks to get my treatment. He said that I shouldn't lose my hair...5% lose it, 15% thin and the other 80% don't even notice. I will probably fall in the 5-15%...

Ok, so after Monday, you probably won't hear much from me. We are going on our annual boating trip with my family...sisters, brother, mom, stepdad, brother-in-laws, sister-in-law, neices, nephew, and maybe others. We will be in Tennesses enjoying some normalcy. I hope. Rick, me and all of the kids need some time away. It has been a really rough spring and summer.

I will let you know when I hear/find out any new details about my treatment plan. Once again, I can't thank you all enough for the prayers, food, donations, time driving, lunches, and all the sweet support that I have received. I can't begin to tell you how much it means to me and the rest of my family. You've all been so helpful and supportive. I hope that if any of you ever need anything from me, please ask. Until later, Judi