Hi everyone!
Today I had my 12th radiation treatment out of 25 and am just about half-way through my first 5 weeks of treatment. Yesterday, my radiation treatment was cancelled due to a part on the machine that "was not functioning during warm-up". Apparently, they had to fly in a part from Las Vegas to replace it but all was up and running today. And, I wasn't the guinea pig to try it out this morning...a few people went before me.
My friend, Maria, was able to take me today and will also take me to radiation tomorrow. I had a good talk with my radiation oncologist today who is always so available to talk with me and answer any of my questions or just hear my concerns. We had a discussion about the staging of my cancer that left me feeling a bit scared but also confident about our aggressive treatment plan. Originally, I was diagnosed with stage 1B where the tumor was confined to the cervix and had not spread to other organs. After the PET scan results that revealed the suspicious (possibly about 3-7mm in size) groupings of cells in the para-aortic and para caval lymph nodes, my radiation treatment began to resemble that of fighting a stage 4B cancer. He increased the area of treatment by about 3cm towards my abdomen to include those lymph nodes. Now, my doctor did not stage me at stage 4 (which sounds so frightening) but is "treating me at this level" in his aggressive form of treatment. Nonetheless, hearing stage 4 at all is mind-boggling. Because he is uncertain of where to stage my cancer at this point due to the "suspicions" of the imaging results (PET, MRI), he is taking this approach to ensure that all infected cells are treated with radiation. Basically, we are fighting this squatter with as much muscle as we can at this point and hoping it doesn't have the chance to spread elsewhere or infiltrate any other lymph nodes. Keep crossing those fingers and toes, folks!
Hope everyone has a Happy Thursday!
Love, Hugs and Good Health!
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11 comments:
Let's not label this with 'stages', let's label this as the 'Beginning of the End' of that little squatter. It's up against the unbreakable optimism of the Kins. I know, due to personal experience, it's not possible to win a fight against that optimism!! The crusty squatter didn't know what it was in for... It is finding out now.
Whatever it may be labeled I truly BELIEVE it will all be behind us in a couple of months. The squatter and all its nastiness is no match for you, Kindra. And we are all here to cheer you on and help you squash it. Love you!
Kindra, I had the honor of reading your blog while in Chicago. You are truely the most amazing women I know. Your Spirit and optimism will carry you through this journey. Know that I LOVE YOU and am keeping you in my prayers. Love Grandma Nemo from Omaha. (Miles Grandma Nancy)
Marnie couldn't have said it better. You truly are the most optimistic person I know. So this dirty dog of a squatter better start packing its bags 'cause it doesn't stand a chance.
Love you - em
Hi Kindra,
You have the most wonderful spirit and postive outlook of any person I know right now. That is half the battle. I believe you are a role model for all of us, to show us how to keep a positive attitude. We are keeping the happy thoughts and prayers coming from all over the country! Not only are my first graders thinking of you, but the teaching staff if as well. I had a co-worker say to me on my way out yesterday, "I spent 10 extra minutes in the car yesterday driving to work, to make sure I finished my prayer for Kindra."
You have so many wonderful people that are thinking of you and Mark, and know how amazing we all think you are. Please let me know how we can help.
Molly
I totally agree with Marnie. If positive thinking can conquer the vein issues, the squatter has no chance against it!
Keep up your spirit smiles and appetite!
I love you and miss you!
Kins, you are amazing! I, too, was glad to read about your crustiness and extra pound this week. (hee, hee) I think maybe you should wear the Turtle Tap tee to treatment next week. After all, it does have the stank of champions all over it. It could only bring good things to the destruction of the squatter! :)
Well said Marnie, Kins you've never been that into labels so why start now?
Hope you get lots of rest this weekend, love you!
Aim
Kindra, it is so true to focus on the image of what you want. We all know the squatter doesn't stand a chance and you doctors are just making sure. This too shall pass. You are in our daily thoughts and prayers.
Love, Marina, Ken and Isabel
Kins...I was away from a computer all last week and just caught up on your journey. You GO GIRl - I love that Jac was there to send positive vibes to your veins and I know this squatter doesn't stand a chance. Keep those spirits up, don't get caught up in the "stages" or lables b/c you are in great care and you are a force to be reckoned with. Thinking about you constantly and Happy 1/2 Way!!!
xxoo,
hil
Glad to hear you weren't the guinea pig ;)
Keep on kickin' butt!
Hey Honey- At least he is trying to make sure that it is all covered and eventually gone. Hopefully the scariness of the word Stage 4 will be far behind you soon.
Love ya,
Kara
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