Sunday July 26…

I have no idea where to begin. Last we left off I was meeting with my Oncologist and Radiation Oncologist. So the plan is to start Wednesday with whole brain XRT (Radiation) which includes the base of skull and right orbit, added the left jaw and sacrum area since those are the areas that I am having most pain. They are hoping to start all on Wednesday but the sacrum and left jaw may not be ready. All together they will do 10 treatments to each site total so I hope to be done by Friday 8/14.

As far was side effects go I will be tired, loss of appetite, dry mouth and decrease taste for the brain/jaw area. Dr. Marquez (Radiation Oncologist) doesn’t feel I will get worse H/A because I am on such a high dose of dexamethasone which I just love the side effects from. For my jaw pain, unfortunately she feels that will get worse from day one and continue for 1-2 weeks after tx starts; meaning soft diet, liquid foods, LOTS of smoothies and protein shakes. So the goal for this week is to eat meats and things that I am craving since I most likely will not. Tonight we ordered burgers!! Oh and as for the sacrum XRT, the only thing she mentioned is I may have diarrhea which I can always use, hehe!!

My days so far have been spent getting up early to eat and take meds, go for a walk with mom (while still feeling up to it), coming home for nap/relax, then my mom comes over around 4-5pm and stays for dinner then usually heads back to hotel around 8-830pm. Although it sucks, I think it has been working out ok. Her Covid test is Tuesday and I pray for a negative result so she can move in Wednesday or Thursday.

We would love to take a short break between XRT and chemo, however I know they want that started ASAP to help with all the lung, liver, etc mets. Not sure who is reading this and may not know, but the reason why I need to get XRT for brain mets then chemo, is b/c chemo does not break through the blood-brain barrier so once I start with chemo then the brain lesions can potentially grow. We will hope that it works and they don’t even need to go back for a more targeted treatment like CK (cyberknife).

I guess for now I am oblivious to what is going on and one of these days, I will have my melt down. I’m just in the go go go place right now. I really cannot thank everyone enough for the emails, texts, DM’s, cards and everything else you’ve been sending. Family and friends mean everything during this time. Thank you for being understanding with me and allowing me to get back to you on my own time. There are days that fly by and before I know it, it is 11:45 pm and I am writing or days that are filled with back to back appointments. xoxo

This week 7/26…

Tuesday @ 1200 – Mom Covid test

Wednesday @ 1230 – Palliative Care appt (hoping it can be video appt)

@ 200 – Start XRT (should be around same time each day)