Celebration!!

Veterans Day!

We celebrated the day by going out to dinner with our oldest son and family. My husband spent 20 years in the Army, two years in Vietnam and received a Purple Heart.  We are very proud of him.

 We do not have any results of the radiation yet - officially.  However, we KNOW it worked - to what extent we will find out in a couple weeks.  Today official results  did not matter.  Paul feels great, did not need oxygen to get to the restaurant - ate a big meal but brought enough home for tomorrow.

Attitude is good - happy is good and state of mind is everything.

Each day is very special!

Tags: lung cancer, radiation

LAST radiation treatment....

Happy that Paul's last radiation treatment is over.  They gave him a cute diploma!  They are so nice there.  One girl said, " hope we never see you again" (not here anyway!).

Side effects are minimal - sunburn looking skin on chest in both spots and little on his back.  Throat dry and a little uncomfortable but no pain.  Some intermittent short pains in his chest which will get better.  Some stomach upset but not all the time.

He will return for checkup 4 weeks - which means November 19 is CT scan and December 5 appointments with both VA oncologist and radiology oncologist. 

We are going to try and relax until then - do other appointments - dental, etc. and spend some time with family. 

More after results!  Probably chemo next!

Short update...

Today is the beginning of the last 10 treatments.  Everyone is encouraged that the tumors have shrunk.  Paul is feeling generally GREAT!  He still has periods of fatigue, little skin itching but nothing serious.  He uses his oximeter to test his oxygen levels often and is able to go without any oxygen most of the time.  He still uses it at night and will until he talks with his pulmonary doctor.

I am going with him and driving home from his treatments but yesterday he drove to our sons and back - 30 miles - for dinner and some football and climbed our sons stairs with no oxygen and no problems with short of breath.  Of course, mainly because of his bad back he has to move slowly anyway.  He also has been having problems with his ankles and not sure what that is related to but will keep an eye on it and have it checked out.

CT scan is November 23 and Doctor report on December 5.  We will enjoy the Fall and expect only the BEST news then.

Good news!

Paul saw three doctors today - radiology oncologist, oncologist at VA and pulmonary doctor.

All were pleased with progress 1/2 way through his radiation treatments.  Only side effect worth talking about is itching where radiation goes in - doctor gave him some cream to help!

At VA he had pulmonary function test and number were generally better than last time.  His blood test also showed no anemia, etc.  His oxygen levels were high even without oxygen.

Three weeks after radiation is finished he will have a chest CT scan to see how the radiation worked (we know it is working) and then he will see oncologist about chemo treatments.

We are very encouraged and although tired of driving and riding to radiation every day - we are doing fine.

Elaine

Four weeks to go ....

Here he is mowing after 17 radiation treatments.  Definitely feels better physically except for fatigue (less short of breath) - he has to rest more.  Still drives to treatments and I usually drive home.  No really bad side effects from radiation - little skin itching.  We both get tired but rest a lot and don't worry about little things - like mowing the lawn.  Today he felt like doing it - we do things as we feel up to it with family and friends helping.  Radiation treatments end on November 2.

Until later!  Elaine

Starting radiation treatments...

September 13... first radiation treatment.  There will be 37, then 3 weeks tests to see if it worked (we know it worked).  Everyone at the radiotherapy clinic are great, friendly and helpful.  Only takes about 15 minutes for the treatment.  Just the long drive - 25 miles one way - tiring but very doable.  More later.

Trip to primary care doctor...

Went to Va for primary care visit.  His NP (who is a very nice young man) looked over all blood tests and other tests unrelated to lung cancer.  Diabetes three month test (A1C) was very good.  Thyroid is normal.

He saw no reason no to go ahead with epidural for chronic back pain tomorrow.