Monday was Marks first chemo and radiation therapy appointments. All went well. Feeling pretty good today, only a little tired, but was still able to get some yard work done. Today he'll be back in Wenatchee for radiation at 4:15. Two down, twenty-three left to go. Mondays he'll also have a some blood drawn, chemo thearpy port checked, and a visit with the oncologist. Here are what he has scheduled as far as radiation treatments as of now:
10/27 - 3:15
10/28 - 3:00
10/29 - 9:15
11/1 - 9:45
11/2 - 9:45
11/3 - 9:30
11/4 - 9:30
11/5 - 9:30
11/8 - 9:30
11/9 - 9:30
11/10 - 9:30
11/11 - 9:30
11/12 - 9:30
11/15 - 9:30
11/16 - 9:30
11/17 - 9:30
11/18 - 9:30
11/19 - 9:30
11/22 - 9:30
11/23 - 9:30
11/24 - 9:30
11/25 - no treatment, THANKSGIVING
11/26 - 9:30
11/29 - 9:30 LAST RADIATION TREATMENT
That's 5 weeks of treatments. We were originally told 6 weeks, but they've only scheduled 5. I think they'll assess how everything is going and what the results are at the end of November and decide if another week of radiation is necessary.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
post-op
Everything went smoothly and well with the port/cath surgery this morning. Marks home and resting. Only a little sore and stiff in his left shoulder (the port/cath was put in his left chest) and a little tired.
Monday, October 18, 2010
A few changes
Turns out there's a scheduling problem with radiology and we can't start radiation treatment on November 1st, so everything has moved up.
On Tuesday the 19th, Mark will get another CT scan to plan and map out the radiation route. Wednesday the 20th will be the port cath. surgery (out patient), and back to radiation on Friday to make sure the plan/path they've mapped out will work and to make any last minute tweaks.
Monday, October 25th will be the official start date of the chemo and radiation therapy.
On Tuesday the 19th, Mark will get another CT scan to plan and map out the radiation route. Wednesday the 20th will be the port cath. surgery (out patient), and back to radiation on Friday to make sure the plan/path they've mapped out will work and to make any last minute tweaks.
Monday, October 25th will be the official start date of the chemo and radiation therapy.
Friday, October 15, 2010
What we know now
Mark has stage 2 colon cancer with a 3T tumor. Chemo and radiation therapy will begin on November 1st. He'll have a port/catheter surgically implanted in his chest sometime during the last week of October (the port cath is necessary for the Chemo therapy, it'll be a 24/7 drip that he'll be attached to via a small portable pump that can be strapped on like a fanny pack). Hopefully we'll know the actually surgery date soon. He'll also need at least one more CT scan to help pinpoint the exact measurements they need for the radiation therapy.
The Chemo therapy they're going to use (FU-5 is what it's called if I remember correctly) shouldn't cause hair loss or have very many extreme side effects. He'll have radiation therapy 5 days a week (Monday thru Friday), and a chemo check up and blood drawn once a week for 6 weeks. Then a period of rest/recovery for 3-4 weeks with no chemo or radiation and then the surgery to remove the tumor. (So some time the beginning of 2011). After surgery he'll have 3-4 weeks of recovery time again and restart a different regime of chemo therapy for 6 more months.
So that's the plan so far. Things feel a little less 'up in the air' and better now that there seems to be a definate plan of attack. Keep the prayers coming, they help keep us strong.
The Chemo therapy they're going to use (FU-5 is what it's called if I remember correctly) shouldn't cause hair loss or have very many extreme side effects. He'll have radiation therapy 5 days a week (Monday thru Friday), and a chemo check up and blood drawn once a week for 6 weeks. Then a period of rest/recovery for 3-4 weeks with no chemo or radiation and then the surgery to remove the tumor. (So some time the beginning of 2011). After surgery he'll have 3-4 weeks of recovery time again and restart a different regime of chemo therapy for 6 more months.
So that's the plan so far. Things feel a little less 'up in the air' and better now that there seems to be a definate plan of attack. Keep the prayers coming, they help keep us strong.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Upcoming....
Ultrasound showed that the tumor was about 2 inches by 1 inch. Good news was that all lymph nodes, organs and other parts of the body were tumor free. They classified it as T3.
Appointment on Friday October 15th, in Wenatchee. Meeting with the oncologist to discuss findings of Wednesdays ultrasound and to do chemo therapy 'training'.
Appointment set with the surgeon on October 25th to discuss pre-op for the chest catheter/shunt for the chemo therapy.
Appointment on Friday October 15th, in Wenatchee. Meeting with the oncologist to discuss findings of Wednesdays ultrasound and to do chemo therapy 'training'.
Appointment set with the surgeon on October 25th to discuss pre-op for the chest catheter/shunt for the chemo therapy.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Papa Party
Papa Party!
We all got together and had a thanksgiving dinner and counted our blessings. Right now we have eight.
The dreaded 'C' Word
Monday, October 4th, 2010 was the day we first heard that Mark has colon cancer. It's been a whirlwind of doctor appointments, phone calls and driving. Already we've had so many phone calls, notes, hugs and words of encouragement. We appreciate it so much and we are grateful to be the recepient of all of your prayers. Stay tuned for updates on all the doctor appointments and findings as we travel this road together.
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