Looking up for IMRT!
- This topic has 16 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 1 month ago by
.
-
Posts
-
Well, two doses of radiation under his belt so far and other than tired he seems to be doing okay.
Drove up Tuesday and got the port placed. Dr Neuzil who placed it was thankfully thoughtful of my husband still wanting to shoot his rifles so placed it more to the center. Then stayed the night and did chemo. He got a one time dose of Mitomycin (looked like purple Kool-Aid), his Interferon injection and then started his 5FU continuous. Stayed another night for radiation again this morning then I will take him up tomorrow. Sunday he moves up to his sisters for 5 weeks.
So far he is just tired and a little flu like from the Interferon. He is sleeping a lot but that’s okay.
I did decided though that it’s a good thing I don’t live in a big city. Too much delivery food…..we had awesome Italian food and Vietnamese food. I could get way too used to that. We only have pizza at home.
KrisV
Thanks Darla, I try really hard to just let it go but sometimes it’s just so frustrating – to wait almost 5 hours total to them be told no go….UGH! But we know the IV nurse really well that tried to put it in and we know she tried her best.
Lainy they tried the PICC in his left upper arm. She did three different sticks but he bent the guidewire every time. His veins seem to be very small and his valves in his veins very stiff. They weren’t even able to try on the Right arm since that is where he had his blood clot and they won’t even try.
We are going to have the Port placed in the right side since he had so much scar tissue in his left shoulder from a previous surgery and that is where the old one was at.
I know the port will work, we just wanted to stay away from having another surgery.
KrisV
Wow, Kris. I have learned as well this week that its all so much KRAP. I know just how you feel. So much mental stress and ups and downs. I am curious as to where they tried to put the PICC? Teddy’s was on his right shoulder. I wish it had gone well as it really makes life easier…..wait, is life ever easy? I hope the infection leaves quickly and the port placement goes easy and well.
Kris,
Take a really deep breath and then just breath.
This too shall pass. Once everything is in place for Mark things should settle down some and go more smoothly. Glad to hear that he is feeling better today. At least the crazy wedding stuff helps take your mind temporarily off the rest. Try to have fun and enjoy it.Love & Hugs,
DarlaOh my Gosh, If I survive getting to the point of having the IMRT start then life will be much easier. I feel like we are chasing our tails and not getting anywhere. All the appointments are set and ready to go. We have the plan for Mark to get there by himself and Plan B for when he needs help all in place.
BUT, there is always a but, we can’t get a line in him. Yesterday was the mapping and field verification….he wore is Star Wars belt buckle and that went well. They had us scheduled for a 10:30 PICC placement but forgot to tell the gal’s that do it so we ended up waiting until 1:30 when they had time to squeeze him in. An hour later and three attempts at a PICC line and it was NOT successful. So back to our ONC office. His wonderful scheduler changed the order to a Port and then off to the surgeon’s office. We are scheduled now for Tuesday for Port placement. Then radiation/chemo on Wednesday.
Then as all this is going on and we are waiting for PICC placement he starts getting chills sitting next to me. Running a 100 degree temp and hasn’t been telling me he doesn’t feel well for the last couple of days. UGH! Thankfully we have antibiotics at home and started those last night. He says he feels better today.
This has been crazy this week. And no rest this weekend as we are off wedding dress shopping and other crazy wedding stuff.
KrisV
Kris…my husband had a PICC line as well. He thought it to be a good to be a good choice as well but we encountered a problem (only once) The PICC had moved out of position. And, it so happened that on that particular day, the technician on duty struggled literally for nearly 2 hours to correct the placement. It all worked out at the end.
Hugs to you,
MarionYes, Marion, we opted for PICC this time rather than a port since we had so many issues with the port last time. Mark had his choice and we really discussed the pros and cons then decided the PICC. A friend of mine is an IV nurse and she voted PICC since it relatively short term and that is what we are hoping for.
The wedding stuff is kind of nice and sort of distracting about the cancer but it also adds a new layer of worries but I have help with it so it’s all good.
Thanks for the positive thoughts.
KrisV
Hi Kris,
Congrats on your daughters upcoming wedding. That will be a great day for you all and is definitely something to look forward to! And I hope that Mark’s IMRT on the 5th goes well. Loads of positive thoughts heading over your way from here for that too.
Hugs,
Gavin
Kris… I am with you, Mark will walk your daughter down the isle. Good luck on the 5th. Is the PIC line taken the place of the port?
Hugs,
MarionKris good luck on the 5th! I just have a feeling Mark is going to do fine! Tell your daughter the Wedding is a goal for Mark and we all need goals. This all just brought back a memory. T & I got engaged and then flew to Miami so he could ask my Father for my hand…..Sicilian style. My Dad said , “Yes but don’t send her back this time”. We just roared! Weddings perk up everything and everyone.
Got the final word today. We start next week on the 5th. This doc said not an issue with the radiation. She says there will be no overlap with the previous radiation field. They will get the top part of the left kidney which appears to have gotten some radiation the last round but as she said, he’s got two. Going to place a PICC line and then off we go.
My daughter’s a little worried that he will be too sick to give her away at the wedding but he promised some hell or high water he would do it and I think he will.KrisV
Kris,
So glad you found a radiologist who you like to work with. Having a fresh perspective – at every point long this journey – is very welcome. I hope it brings you continued good news.
And great news on the wedding. It is a great way to distance yourself from the daily challenges. Even looking for a dress has a much greater value.
I am very happy for you.
Carl
Kris….so glad you have found a physician taking on a different perspective on the issue of radiation. Funny to hear that Mark had stored his belt, but I am with him on the positive outlook for this treatment to be equally as successful as that of previous years ago.
Congratulations on your daughter’s wedding; certainly understand your anxiety of having to choose the “perfect” dress for the situation. If you need advice or possible input – we are all here for you. Sounds like fun.
Hugs,
Marion
- The forum ‘General Discussion’ is closed to new topics and replies.