December 18, 2007-first radiation treatment

I had my first radiation appointment today at 1:00 pm. Dr. Raish had told me that unlike himself radiation is prompt & on time with their appointments. I heard they lasted about 30 minutes & I was there almost 3 hours. It was a long wearing day. It was a little frustrating & upsetting for me. Monday when they called me with my start time for today I asked if it would be every day at the same time. It will not. My appointments will be at 7:00 pm. I was completely shocked. I didn’t even know they were open in the evenings. That was a little bit upsetting to me also. I won’t have much of a life again for the next month. I’ll be missing out on friends & family home for the holidays. They’re also open New Years Eve, so I’ll be having treatment then. There is a possibility if someone finishes up with their radiation treatment I might be able to get a different time. I don’t know how far down the list I am though. As of right now my last radiation treatment will be January 15. Sorry this is such a down update. It’s just been a little bit rough lately.

December 13, 2007-moving forward with radiation

I met with Dr. Raish Tuesday & even though we don’t have all of the results back yet from the biopsy he has enough information that says I’ve got Hodgkin’s again & we’re moving forward with radiation. He prescribed Percocet for me to try for the pain instead of Vicodin. We’re trying to find something that doesn’t make me so sleepy. I’m just so tired I can’t even function most of the time. I had a radiation consultation yesterday. They had me watch an informational video, asked me a bunch of questions & tattooed me in 3 places that they’ll use for lining me up for radiation. They’re going to call me Friday & let me know when my first radiation appointment is. They told me it could be 10 days yet, which was very upsetting. I told them I can’t wait that much longer. The pain is just killing me. Hopefully they can put a rush on it.

December 7, 2007-biopsy surgery was yesterday

It was a long day yesterday. My surgery got moved up. I had to be at the hospital at 9:00 am & didn’t get home till 4:15 pm. They got what they needed from the spot on my neck, so didn’t do anything under my arm. It’s being sent down to Seattle & I should have the results in about a week. When I woke up from surgery my arm, shoulder & neck area were all numb. It was nice because I couldn’t feel the pain under my arm all night. The pain is slowly coming back now though. I try to keep it under control by taking Aleve, Vicodin & anti nausea pills. I meet with Dr. Raish Tuesday. I’m assuming it’s to go over my radiation schedule, since we probably won’t have results back yet from the biopsy. Until then…

December 2, 2007-biopsy surgery Thursday

The antibiotic I’ve been taking for the possible infection has done nothing, so we’re moving forward with biopsy surgery. It will be Thursday at 12:30 pm. I’m hoping there will be a cancellation & they can get me in sooner. They’re going to biopsy a lump I just noticed Wednesday morning. This is a new one. I believe the one my doctor found was in the same place as the last 2 times near my collar bone. This lump is on the left side of my neck about half way up kind of towards the back. They’re going to dissect the lymph node while I’m still on the operating table & if they don’t find anything then they’ll go after the one under my arm. That will be more dangerous with all the nerves & tendons & everything in that area. They don’t want to biopsy at the collar bone again because of all the scar tissue. I’ll meet soon after this with Dr. Raish to discuss when things are going to start with radiation.