Long and Busy Week!

Hi friends and family!!

This week has been really crazy so I apologize for not posting anything since Sunday. Please forgive me....lots of attention has been paid to this stupid squatter!! So, let me go back and give you and update:

Monday-last day of chemo went okay, aside from the 3 vein pricks and the vomiting immediately after my IV began. Boy, all of you nurses out there have very strong stomachs...my nurse was awesome...bringing me a wet washcloth, was lightning quick with the trash can and rubbed my neck while my sweetheart mom offered her words of encouragement. We were just so happy when it was over and knowing that it really was the "last one"!

Tuesday-I had my last day of the external pelvic radiation that included my lymph nodes and uterus. I then had an examination from my gynecological oncologist who was potentially going to insert the sleeve into my cervix. However, I was very nervous about this procedure and decided on having the sleeve implanted in the operating room on Thursday. My doctor was very understanding about my level of discomfort and my pelvic exam was quite painful since my skin is so irritated with the radiation that we indeed made the right decision.

Wednesday-I had my first day of the new external radiation only focused on my cervix which went well.

Today, Mark and I woke up at 4:30am to get to the hospital by 5:30am to prepare for the procedure where the sleeve (or stint) is sewn into my cervix. I was very nervous and teary beforehand as I had never even been on a gurney before or worn a surgical cap etc...The nurses were very kind and when I went to the pre-operation room, I made pals with a 5-year old Hispanic boy who calmed me down just by being so adorable and brave. I think my anesthesiologist enjoyed being a drug pusher....he was very funny and offered me an array of options as if I were an addict on the street. You know he must enjoy his job when he says to you "I have more drugs than you have pain". As he was giving me the "twilight treatment" I had chosen, he said "here's your tequila, enjoy". And as I was whisked away by my doctor's resident and the nurses, the last thing I remember is the big lights in the operating room. I woke up with an oxygen mask and a nurse warming me up with an inflatable blanket. I was down from about 7:30am until 9:15am. The anesthesia didn't wear off until late this afternoon so I was wheeled around in a wheelchair by Mark over to my radiation treatment and then kindly to the car. He took such good care of me.

Overall, the procedure went well except that the sleeve (stint) they put in was not as long as they had hoped and they used a smaller sleeve than they had intended because of where the tumor was. This implies that I may have 1-3 of the internal treatments with the short one and then have another procedure to have the longer one put in. But, we will see about that on Tuesday. Technically, my tumor has shrunk over 50% so that is great news....especially since I have more treatment to keep shrinking the bastard!

Tomorrow, yippee, is my last external beam radiation treatment where afterwards, my skin and other tissues can finally begin to heal! I hope everyone has had a great week!

Love, Hugs and Good Health!!