Update......September 14th, 2010 (part 1)
I am typing this at 3:25 in the morning, because I can't sleep. My first radiation treatment is later today at 12:30. Yes, I am a little nervous and anxious at the same time. I did a "dry run" yesterday, Monday, which was basically a thorough scan of my head, and allows them to line up the machines correctly, so the radiation can treat exactly where intended. The scan will then be overlaid in the system on top of every other scan they have done and "synced" together, which keeps everything in perfect alignment. This "dry run" was actually quite nerve calming, because the treatment itself won't be much different. I did find that while lying on the table wearing the plastic face mask, with my eyes and mouth sealed shut and unable to move my head, I start to feel a little anxious, and that the best solution is to start praying. This allows a comforting calm to wash through my head and really makes me feel at ease. God is awesome! It's nice knowing He is there when no one else is
The ideal situation is for me is to take a dose of the chemo drug Temodar 1 hour before going, but we are still waiting on it to get delivered to my house. We originally planned on pushing the first treatment out to Wednesday, to wait on the medication, but Duke University stated that they did not want me to wait, and that I don't have to have a dose in me before starting, that I can take it after.
In my previous update, I mentioned that Duke was adding two drugs to my treatment. I failed to name the second drug. This drug, I think it is spelled Topetekan, and will not be given to me until the radiation is finished. Once the radiation is finished, I will continue with the chemo medication Temodar, but at a much higher dosage, and Topetekan will be added to this at that time. My medical (chemo) oncologist seemed impressed that Duke wants to go this route. He stated it was very aggressive, and should greatly improve our chances of defeating, or stopping additional re-growth of the tumor. The trial drug, Avastin, the expensive one being tested on me for the trial, will be delivered directly to my chemo oncologist, and they will call me and schedule me to come in and get hooked up to an IV, for administering. The first time is expected to take about 2 hours. It will eventually be shortened to 30 mins. This will be done once every 2 weeks. It is expected to be delivered before the end of this week, so I will probably have my first round near Friday. This is probably where I am going to experience the worst nausea and fatigue of the entire process. Thank God I have my wife and mom here. I don't know what I would do without them both. They have been true Saints throughout this ordeal, putting up with me, and my increased needs. Please include them in your prayers.
I got to see my MRI yesterday for the first time. It showed the before and after pics of the tumor. It was actually scary to see how big the tumor originally was. The "after" pic did show that my Neurosurgeon did a great job on the removal, which the doctors at Duke also commented on. I now understand why the scar on my head is so big.
I don't think I had much time left, the last few days before the surgery, and I have very little memory of those days. I had to have Kandi tell me what happened, so I could write it down in my journal to keep the facts straight. Crazy! Talk about catching it just in time! I will do another update after today's treatment. In the meantime, I want to thank everyone for their continued support and prayers. I can't express the love and appreciation in my heart for everything that everyone has done. I will be posting this on my blog later this morning and linking to it from Face book. If anyone wants to share it with others you have my full permission.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
"And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who will also do it. "
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