Newly Diagnosed And Frankly, It's Scary

Discussion in 'Health & Wellness' started by Beth Gallagher, Jan 30, 2021.

  1. Terry Coywin

    Terry Coywin Veteran Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2020
    Messages:
    558
    Likes Received:
    1,016
    Happy Easter all.

    No Beth, still no ultra sound on the thyroid. I have to get this radiation behind me before I start screaming about how neglectful these fools here are. Tomorrow I have my mapping done and will get my schedule.

    Have you begun your next round of Chemo? If so, how are you feeling with it?

    The back is healing, and the pain has abated a bit, but it comes and goes. I just feel so fatigued all the time and I haven't even begun the radiation. I guess it's anticipation.

    Supposed to be nice out today, so I'll spend time outdoors with the dog and my son.

    Keep the faith.
     
    #361
  2. Beth Gallagher

    Beth Gallagher Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2018
    Messages:
    22,043
    Likes Received:
    47,039
    Be sure to keep us updated on how the radiation goes, TC. I know that the targeted radiation is extremely effective and most people don't have a bad time with it, so here's hoping it is easy for you. Enjoy the day with your son and your dog!

    I'm still on Taxol chemo for 5 more treatments (weeks). Still thankfully feeling pretty good. Then on to the dreaded AC where I'm terrified I'll begin to feel like a sick person. :( Weird how the treatment makes us feel worse than the disease.
     
    #362
    Terry Coywin likes this.
  3. Hedi Mitchell

    Hedi Mitchell Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2017
    Messages:
    9,429
    Likes Received:
    16,586
    :(
     
    #363
    Beth Gallagher likes this.
  4. Terry Coywin

    Terry Coywin Veteran Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2020
    Messages:
    558
    Likes Received:
    1,016
    Mapping and tattooing completed. Begin treatments in 2 weeks for 4 weeks. 2 weeks on each lung.
     
    #364
    Yvonne Smith and Beth Gallagher like this.
  5. Beth Gallagher

    Beth Gallagher Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2018
    Messages:
    22,043
    Likes Received:
    47,039
    TC's got tatoos!! :D Glad that's done. Will they be radiating daily for 2 weeks on each side or what's the frequency?
     
    #365
    Terry Coywin likes this.
  6. Terry Coywin

    Terry Coywin Veteran Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2020
    Messages:
    558
    Likes Received:
    1,016
    Those tattoos are tiny pieces of gold inserted into the skin, Beth.:D They guide the beam to the nodules. I begin on the 19th every other day for 2 weeks on each lung. First, they will do the right lung and then the left for the next 2 weeks at the same pace. Then we will have the ultrasound of the thyroid and decide on that.

    The mapping and tattooing was very tedious as they wrap you in a mold that is extremely hot and stays hot. They also put a diaphragm belt around your waist so you cannot take a deep breath while they are taking the scanning. Well, I was wearing corduroy slacks and heavy white socks and the sweat was pouring off me. I felt like I was in the rain forest in the middle of August. I hit the shower as soon as I got home. I understand that mold is what I'll be in each time I have a treatment as it has all the configurations required for the beam. Oh well. It could be worse.
     
    #366
  7. Beth Gallagher

    Beth Gallagher Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2018
    Messages:
    22,043
    Likes Received:
    47,039
    Ugh, that mold thing sounds unpleasant. I had heard that they don't want the patient to gain or lose weight during radiation treatments so I guess they want to make sure you fit into the mold! I hope the radiation will zap those pesky nodules and you won't have to worry about them anymore.
     
    #367
  8. Terry Coywin

    Terry Coywin Veteran Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2020
    Messages:
    558
    Likes Received:
    1,016
    Right, Beth. I get weighed before each treatment.

    We'll see. There are a couple of more that are so small that they are nearly microscopic, and they did not light up during the PET scan. She isn't at all concerned with these.
     
    #368
  9. Beth Gallagher

    Beth Gallagher Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2018
    Messages:
    22,043
    Likes Received:
    47,039
    OK; Taxol #8 is done. I'm feeling pretty good except really tired today; I can barely keep my eyes open. I think I'll take a shower and get my jammies on.

    Just 4 more Taxol treatments to go. Then the ultrasound. ohnoes.GIF
     
    #369
  10. Tony Page

    Tony Page Veteran Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2021
    Messages:
    4,215
    Likes Received:
    10,376
    Getting comfortable and resting is a good thing.
     
    #370
  11. Faye Fox

    Faye Fox Veteran Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2019
    Messages:
    6,086
    Likes Received:
    12,264
    I am still optimistic that your ultrasound will look better than expected. So glad you are feeling good with the Taxol. Glad to hear you aren't living in your jammies as some do with serious illness.
     
    #371
  12. Beth Gallagher

    Beth Gallagher Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2018
    Messages:
    22,043
    Likes Received:
    47,039
    You are so right, Tony. I lay down for a minute and next thing I knew it was 2 hours later. If the phone hadn't rung I'd probably still be asleep.
     
    #372
    Terry Coywin and Faye Fox like this.
  13. Beth Gallagher

    Beth Gallagher Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2018
    Messages:
    22,043
    Likes Received:
    47,039
    Thanks, Faye. Any type of scan makes a cancer patient nervous; as I'm sure you know. I've never been the type to spend the day in my PJs, though occasionally it's nice to be a slug.

    I'm trying to drink some coffee and it tastes like recycled brake fluid. Weirdly, the butter pecan ice cream tastes fabulous, which may explain that 2 pounds I seem to have gained. erm.gif
     
    #373
    Don Alaska, Terry Coywin and Faye Fox like this.
  14. Tony Page

    Tony Page Veteran Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2021
    Messages:
    4,215
    Likes Received:
    10,376
    I always felt that the body let you know what it needs. Like a lot of us I'm at a loss for words I have so many thoughts for you and the other ladies that are having difficulty with medical issues. Listening to you ladies communicate & encouraging each other that's what makes the human spirit so strong. Beth be positive, stay strong.
     
    #374
  15. Beth Gallagher

    Beth Gallagher Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2018
    Messages:
    22,043
    Likes Received:
    47,039
    Yeah, my body needed butter pecan ice cream and a nap!! :D

    Thanks so much for your supportive words, Tony. It means much more than you know.
     
    #375

Share This Page