We finally have some news. Friday was a day to make appointments. Dad must get another MRI, Make a mask (for his apt to get zapped) and get zapped. all this will happen this week and next week.
The 27th of May is the day he will have a sesssion of radiosurgery at the MGH with Dr. R.
Dr. W called me on thursday at 5:45 to tell me that Dr. R and him agree that the treatment should be chemo therapy. All is a go unless Dr. P (our primary Dr.) says no. We must wait to find out when we are to start the chemo (if it's a go), and take it from there.
Both my father and I have a sense of relief upon us but yet, there are sleepless nights for both of us. Thank god for the CTV and GlobalTv websites who have the tv show I've missed during the week. and to another one of my friends who has sleeping problems too, and is almost always up in the middle of the night. Last night I went to bed without watching the end of the Boston/ Philidelphia game (this is not normal), mind you, I do have a sinus infection and on antibotics that knocked me senseless. Up at 2 A.M. until 7 A.M only to sleep for 2 hours till nine. Busy day.
Not tired yet. F tells me that I need to sleep... easy for him to say. I try and try and try- with out taking any pills (which I refuse to do!) I have not had a decent night sleep in a long while. Any suggestions? I keep saying that I will sleep when my body tells me to- however it hasn't yet. it will one day.
Dad has sleeping issues too, I could only imagine what it might be like for him. I think that he is anxioius but doesn't say much to me about it. He lets out bits and pieces but nothing substantial (sp?) to give me an indication of how he is feeling. He will eventually open up and spill the beans but until then- - - - > moving forward.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
The Ball is Rolling
I am amazed at the this system we are working in. We met with a brain surgen yesterday morning- he was really nice, patient and efficient. The ball is rolling.
Step One
Apt with brain surgen to zap that thing in the head. ASAP
Breathe!
Step Two
Call Chemo Dr. and set up an apt. for the beginning of treatment- ASAP
Breathe
Step three
Make apt with radiation Dr. for after the zapping (I call it that because there has to be some humor in life- this is serious shit man!) and for radiation of the total brain after chemo and brain zapping.
Breathe.
This brain surgen was a little surprised that we have been shuffled around and that treatment has not started yet. Of course he didn't want to disrespect others- I understand that- but 'disbelief' was a word that I kept thinking when I was looking at the Dr. looking at our file.
My father and I have a sense of relief, the heaviness is off our shoulders now, It was a good walk down the hill after the appointment yesterday- the color came back into my dad's face and well I could tell he was relieved. The ball is rolling,
Step Four
Make sure I have my spare bedroom set up just in case we need to move dad in for a little while.
I guess things will change now once things get started. I don't think that I am prepared for what is next to come- I will have no choice to be!!!
The Dr. explained to us that the type of cancer dad has is in fact SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER , In fact the treatment will not be that different from the other type of cancer of the lung according to this Dr. As for the PET scan we are waiting for- (the dr. called to verify if there was a request in, yes, "but we are looking at JULY" - Dr.R, the brain surgen doesn't think that we need the PET scan before we start treatment because by that time the cancer could spread somewhere else. And the chemo and radiation will have killed the cancer anyhow by then.
Why haven't we started treatment yet, is still a mystery to me- I am just the daughter of the patient, not a Dr.
We have rid ourselves of a slew of Dr's. and are left with just three. Dr. P the oncologist, Dr. R the brain surgen and Dr W the radiation.oncologist. I have confidence in these three gentlemen. Most importantly - so does my dad.
Once again our family and friends have come through for us- in little ways- and that is a huge comfort to the both of us.
Step One
Apt with brain surgen to zap that thing in the head. ASAP
Breathe!
Step Two
Call Chemo Dr. and set up an apt. for the beginning of treatment- ASAP
Breathe
Step three
Make apt with radiation Dr. for after the zapping (I call it that because there has to be some humor in life- this is serious shit man!) and for radiation of the total brain after chemo and brain zapping.
Breathe.
This brain surgen was a little surprised that we have been shuffled around and that treatment has not started yet. Of course he didn't want to disrespect others- I understand that- but 'disbelief' was a word that I kept thinking when I was looking at the Dr. looking at our file.
My father and I have a sense of relief, the heaviness is off our shoulders now, It was a good walk down the hill after the appointment yesterday- the color came back into my dad's face and well I could tell he was relieved. The ball is rolling,
Step Four
Make sure I have my spare bedroom set up just in case we need to move dad in for a little while.
I guess things will change now once things get started. I don't think that I am prepared for what is next to come- I will have no choice to be!!!
The Dr. explained to us that the type of cancer dad has is in fact SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER , In fact the treatment will not be that different from the other type of cancer of the lung according to this Dr. As for the PET scan we are waiting for- (the dr. called to verify if there was a request in, yes, "but we are looking at JULY" - Dr.R, the brain surgen doesn't think that we need the PET scan before we start treatment because by that time the cancer could spread somewhere else. And the chemo and radiation will have killed the cancer anyhow by then.
Why haven't we started treatment yet, is still a mystery to me- I am just the daughter of the patient, not a Dr.
We have rid ourselves of a slew of Dr's. and are left with just three. Dr. P the oncologist, Dr. R the brain surgen and Dr W the radiation.oncologist. I have confidence in these three gentlemen. Most importantly - so does my dad.
Once again our family and friends have come through for us- in little ways- and that is a huge comfort to the both of us.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Miscommunication
We missed our important appointment- hence, we must go on the 11th at 9:15am. It is very confusing working with three different hospitals. I wonder if the SUPERHOSPITAL will be wonderful? Will it have all the facilties under one roof therefore avoiding many hospitals at once? I certainly hope so.
Being sick doesn't pay that's for sure; one must be a secretary, a business man and a patient all at the same time. How do people manage when they are alone? Dad has me and I have him- however, that doesn't seem to be enough. We need a manager, a book keeper and a trainer to keep us going. My word! A spiritual guide, a motivational speaker and man of the cloth... need I say more? A person with patience, a kind hand and words of wisdom - a good friend, a mother, brother, sister, aunt, uncle and cousin- need I say more? one who is sick needs all of the above and more... Most of all hope. Time is crucial and it seems like we are running out of it... by waiting. Patience.
I was reading a friends blog last night and realized that time is important - it's what you do with it that makes it so. Which is why biding time is not easy to do. Reading a good book, enjoying the company of friends and family and stopping to smell the flowers is key!
Since we have missed our appointment we must wait once again to see the brain surgen. It is upsetting and disappointing all at once. We bide our time- Dad with his new found love of reading--- "I can't put this book down" to incorporating the hockey game while reading. I will find him a book to read now that he has finished the last one. Any suggestions?
Being sick doesn't pay that's for sure; one must be a secretary, a business man and a patient all at the same time. How do people manage when they are alone? Dad has me and I have him- however, that doesn't seem to be enough. We need a manager, a book keeper and a trainer to keep us going. My word! A spiritual guide, a motivational speaker and man of the cloth... need I say more? A person with patience, a kind hand and words of wisdom - a good friend, a mother, brother, sister, aunt, uncle and cousin- need I say more? one who is sick needs all of the above and more... Most of all hope. Time is crucial and it seems like we are running out of it... by waiting. Patience.
I was reading a friends blog last night and realized that time is important - it's what you do with it that makes it so. Which is why biding time is not easy to do. Reading a good book, enjoying the company of friends and family and stopping to smell the flowers is key!
Since we have missed our appointment we must wait once again to see the brain surgen. It is upsetting and disappointing all at once. We bide our time- Dad with his new found love of reading--- "I can't put this book down" to incorporating the hockey game while reading. I will find him a book to read now that he has finished the last one. Any suggestions?
Saturday, May 1, 2010
The last couple of weeks
Still not sure what is happening- Now we need to do a PET scan - zap the tumor and decided what kind of treatment to do (Not sure the Dr, knows)
Had a really rough Thursday. Dad had a rough day too- Mostly because I gave him a hard time and for that I am sorry. Tensions are high, questions are plenty and dealing with three hospitals- nerve racking.
Appointment on Tuesday at 1 pm with the Neurosurgen Dr. L and Dr. P. to tell us how the Raido Surgery will happen... Zap it and get rid of it... Little or now side effects and well that is more than I could say for what is coming up.
Had a really rough Thursday. Dad had a rough day too- Mostly because I gave him a hard time and for that I am sorry. Tensions are high, questions are plenty and dealing with three hospitals- nerve racking.
Appointment on Tuesday at 1 pm with the Neurosurgen Dr. L and Dr. P. to tell us how the Raido Surgery will happen... Zap it and get rid of it... Little or now side effects and well that is more than I could say for what is coming up.
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