Radiation and Chemo Update

So today I saw the Radiation Oncologist. He will be dealing with just my radiation treatments. This will start as soon as my super pubic cath is out, which will hopefully be this Thursday when I go to Dr Sutton's office. Next week (wednesday) I'll drive to Lebanon and get marked and measured for my treatments. The following week will start my treatments. 25 external radiation treatments. One treatment per day. Then I'll get a week off and do 3 internal radiation treatments done at St V's in Indy off of 86th street. One treatment per week. The Radiation Oncologist (Dr Smith) said I will loose all the hair below my belly button to my knees. I will be just about bed ridden when I come up to the middle of my second week of treatments. I can not eat any fruits or veggies, nor anything fried. I will have semi uncontrolable diarrhea from time to time. Memory problems. Extreme fatigue. Possible rash/burn from the treatment. I will also have to limit outings, so as I don't run the risk of picking up anything "hazardous" to my immune system, so I won't be able to attend the next clothing exchange or any meals after my treatments start. After the radiation treatments are all done I'll then start chemo. I'll get my chemo schedule from Dr Sutton's office when I see him this Thursday to get the super pubic cath out. Dr Smith said that it was Dr Sutton that was going to be doing my chemo and not him. Dr Smith said that Dr Sutton will be doing the basic chemo treatment and told me that all this was to secure any cancer reappearing in my vaginal area ever again. All these side effects and stress worry me greatly but, seriously, when it comes right down to actually thinking about it it's just minor things to deal with when you figure that all that "nonesense" will allow me to live longer, enjoy life, and get to be around for my kids. So bring it on. I'm ready. I'm little worried about my mom and Matt though. Esepcially my mom being the primary care giver for Quinntin during all this, plus taking care of the dogs, the house, running of the household and all the bills, etc.. etc.. because she suffers from fibromyalgia and is on disability for it. I put a call out/hollar for local friends to help her out, so I'm hoping some people come through. I'm also worried about Gage. I won't get to go to any of his wrestling meets and I've only been to one so far. Seems so unfair for him not to have people there to cheer him on. But we'll get through this and life will go on and one day we'll look back on this and "Wow that really sucked, but thank gosh you'r alive and we have happier times." Anyways, that's what is going on. Jodi

Jodi- Thanks for sharing your info with us and keeping us up to date! I hope that you know that I/we are here for ya and whenever you need to talk you can give me a call! I am keeping my thoughts and prayers coming and that all will be well for you and your family after all of this is done and over. You seem to have kept your spirits up and that is great- I realize that at times it can/may get a little overwhelming, but please know /remember that this too is normal and that we are all human and need to cry and let things out, sometimes! I wish your mom the very best and know that the upcoming events will be tough for her as well as Matt, but I know they love you deeply and will do anything for you and your boys! Does Gage wrestle here in Indy at all? If so, let me know, maybe I can go and cheer him on. I hope that your spirits stay high and that you know that you are a strong woman and can overcome this! I am here for ya, and wishing you the best! Hugz Dawn

Jodi I am keeping you and your family in prayer continuously.. I wish I lived a lil closer I would help out as much as possible.

Jodi, thanks so much for keeping us updated on what is going on with you. Remember that you and your family is in my prayers and it will continue too. Know that we are here for you for anything that you need. I too wish I lived closer but I am here and just a click away if you need to e-mail or just a call away if you want to talk. Keep your chin up wonderful lady and know that God is taking care of you and yours.

My grandmother (maternal) had Lymphatic cancer for 13 years before she subcumed to the disease. My father had lung, liver, and brain cancer. He lived a year past the 90 days they gave him intially before passing away March of last year. I'm pretty confident that I'm gonna live for a VERY long time. Without a doubt. It's just hard emotionally right now not to be scared and think of the people that haven't made it. My radiation treatments (externally) will be in Lebanon. So for the 25 treatments that isn't much of a drive for me to make and I've already had an offer to get me there and back. The internal radiation treatments will be at St V's in Indy off of 86th St, which I'll have to go once a wee for three weeks after the external treatments are done. I won't know nothing about my chemo treatments till after tomorrow afternoon when I see the orginal oncologist that diagnosised me.

While the Chemo and radiation come with side effects.. and they are not fun and yes indeed stressful.. My brother YEARS ago had cancer crop up in 3 places.. 3 seperate times. he had the treatments went thru the hair loss. Above and below the belly and had illness that went with it.. my brother is now cured. no cancer he can even be insured he has been totally cancer free for about 15 years.. And that was before they have new and improved treatments.. Prayers have surrounded you for a long time. Keep the faith..As for the kids... what you miss now you will gain in YEARS of having a future with them.. Much love, Linda Kay

It's such a hard fight, but you are a warrior. My prayers are with you. angie

Looks like you will be able to make the 1st of March dinner at Paragon 5 PM?  Hope to see you and Matt there, Becky and I will pray for you and keep you in our prayers. Let Gage know what is going on all the time.  I remember being a young teen and my Dad going through cancer treatments.  My mom choose not to include us in the information stage and we didn't ask.  I now would have liked to have known every step he was going through and why.  Kids know more then we give them credit for. God Bless you. E

It's on our plan list, however if I get the opprutunity to go visit my family in Michigan that weekend we might do that. I'd like to see family that still haven't gotten to see Quinntin yet while I still am able to, especially because of the wedding this summer. But until that changes, yes we are still on for the 1st. I've been very upfront with Gage his whole entire life. I know no other way. So every bit of info I get I've been getting him. So far he's totally been acceptive about why I can't be at his meets and usually calls me on his cell as soon as he's off the mat (the coaches have given him special privelages in that area). His dad has also been good about stepping up the plate (Finally) and being there for all of Gage's meets so far and all of his Special Olympic stuff too. But I would never think of excluding Gage. We spent to many years depending and living with just eachother for me not to respect his feelings and not let him know what was/is going on with me.