Last week I had two extra days at MDA I hadn’t originally planned on … four total that week, as follows:
* 6/28 – Met with chemo and radiation doctors to discuss upcoming treatments. The chemo portion is to be administered via oral pill (Xeloda) … which will be good … as chemo is typically done with a bag or pump device. The radiation treatments would be for 31 days rather than the earlier mentioned 25 and would still occur M-F. Also, think those may start on 7/12.
* 6/30 – Met with surgeon/doctor to discuss post-surgery status. Took blood tests as prep for chemo/radiation treatments. Met with neurologist to discuss left shoulder pain/problems and he scheduled some nerve and muscle tests (electromyograph - EMG) for later that week, plus an MRI. Neurologist thinks it may be related to “after effects” of the surgery … perhaps “acute brachial neuritis” … something to do with the body’s own immune system. Said this is not real common, but also not unusual and one cause can be after surgeries in the abdomen area (e.g. liver). If so, “cure” would be arm exercises and then in time will slowly heal itself … months later. I have noticed quite some improvements in the past few weeks, too.
* 7/1 – Had CT scan (abdomen) as prep for chemo/radiation treatments.
* 7/2 – Had electromyograph (EMG) regarding left shoulder pain/problems. Involved small shocking of the nerves plus thin needle in the muscle areas and then readouts on a computer. Wasn’t real pleasant to go thru but tech said the results were pretty OK. Neurologist then scheduled an MRI for next week.
For this week, I have two full days at MDA of stuff, unless they schedule some more later in the week.
Tue (7/6) I’m to have an MRI of the neck/shoulder area. Also will have a “simulation” treatment. This involves prepping me in the radiation machine by putting “ink markings” on the outside my skin around the liver area so they will know where to shoot the radiation beam during the treatments.
Wed (7/7) I’m to meet with the chemo doctor to review my CT scan and blood work as prep for the treatments. Also will meet with a nutritionist/dietician to assist me with my diet and such while on the chemo/radiation treatments. Last, I’m to have another MRI of the chest area (related to the same shoulder problem). I’m a little confused as to the need for this test, but will talk to the neurologist on Mon about that.
Then, if all goes as planned, the chemo/radiation would start on 7/12 and run thru 8/23. So, not only will I be spending my summer vacation at MDA, my birthday also falls during that time! Overall continuing to get better each day. Also, I have started driving so now I’m mobile in that area … doing my own grocery shopping, other local stores, etc.
For my CVX co-workers in Houston … I was trying to determine when I might start back to work. When all this originally began, I thought it would be a one-time surgery, out for 6 weeks, and then back to work. But with these additional chemo/radiation treatments and now this shoulder thing it kinda changed things up a little. I’m hoping this shoulder thing isn’t something BIG too … and I’d really be surprised if it is.
As my radiation treatments will be for 31 days (M-F), I’m considering scheduling those in the afternoons. That way I might work mornings … ½ days or so … and then go to MDA in the afternoons for treatments. The doctors mentioned I may have some effects with the chemo/radiation such as fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, indigestion, etc. but each person is different as to what they may experience … and would have to wait and see what may happen to me, if any. Plus, they do have medications to help with these effects.
I’d like to first take one week of the chemo/radiation treatments to see what I’m in for, schedules, etc. … and then maybe begin work the following week. So, assuming the radiation starts as planned (7/12), I might be able to go back to work on 7/19. This is all speculation for now but I’ll definitely know more after this week … and guess will just go from there.
