I had a consultation with my radiologist this morning. He showed me the imaging done in my recent prostascint scan with the CT overlay. It's quite amazing to see.
Anyway, he showed me the area that showed up on the scan as having some prostate cancer cells in it. He will mark it up and put into a computer to get a 3-D image of the area to be radiated. The area is behind my major organs but in front of the spine. It is not a tumor that showed up, just an area of tissue that has PCa cells in it. It might be the size of my fist, but I forgot to ask.
The area includes some of the small intestines that kind of flow or bounce through there. Radiation to them can cause some cramping and diarrhea. Another side effect is fatigue.
The total dose I will receive is slightly more than half of what I received two years ago. To give a larger dose would be to invite more side effects. The worst that could happen, he said, is that the bowels would be damaged enough that surgery would be required to fix them. He doesn't anticipate that. It's just a warning.
I will have 25 treatments, given daily except for holidays and weekends.
I will go next Tuesday, May 18, for a simulation. If he is able to complete all he needs to do to program the computer/radiation machine in a week, then I will begin treatments on Tuesday, May 25. If those dates hold, I will complete treatment on June 30. I would then leave for our planned vacation on July 3. He wants me to take the vacation and says nothing should prohibit that.
I'm encouraged by all he said today. I asked about other forms of radiation treatment not yet available at Erlanger, such as CyberKnife, and proton beam therapy. He said both of them deliver higher doses for shorter periods and could cause more negative side effects for the sensitive bowels.
God has instilled a peace within my heart for all that is being done to fight my cancer. I believe, totally, that He is in control. He has led me to excellent doctors in every aspect of my treatment and I thank Him for that. Each new day is a gift. Not just for me, but for everyone.
Please continue to pray for me. I thank you for caring enough to want to know the details and for praying. God bless you all.
3 comments:
Dana - your walk through this is such an evidence of God's work in your life - and a testimony to all of us.
We will continue to lift up both you and Dianne in prayer, plus any other way we can think of!
Dana, every time I work a crossword puzzle that has the words emote or ham, referring to a bad actor, I remember you. I do that not because you did or were but because you put up with so many of us in various productions over the years. I have good memories. Thanks.
Yes, God is still in control and we will be faithful to pray for you.
Dana,
May God be with you in a very special and tangible way. We are praying.
Mark Padgett
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