Radiation

I have now finished radiation.

I started last Tuesday. I went for a total of 5 rounds to hopefully completely zap the one large tumour in my spine.

The only problems I had with the radiation was the nausea and exhaustion. I slept a lot after I had gotten home from each round.

It was very interesting. It took longer to line me up with the machine than it did to actually get radiated. The whole process would only last about 10 minutes in total.

My back is red where the radiation hit but not sore at all.

Over all the radiation has worked wonders. I can actually move with out pain in my hips.
I can move in bed with out massive pain. I can move!!

I am picking up Ethan, changing diapers. Yep, I am excited about changing diapers lol.

Its just amazing. I can do so much more and am getting my independence back.

Last Tuesday when I had started the radiation I had also gotten my infusion of Pamidronate.

The bone strengthening med. It will help the bone fill in where the tumour ate away at it.

That drug did not go so well. It took an hour to infuse. I had about 10 minutes left when my knees started hurting. That night it was pretty painful as well and I was up and down, couldn't sleep.

I was either walking around the house or throwing up. It was a pretty crappy night. I didn't know which it was, the drug or the radiation.

In the morning my mother came by to take me in for my next round of radiation and to see the Abbotsford Oncologist. (Did I ever mention I have two oncologists at the moment?)

I felt so horrible. By this point my legs and hips were so sore. I was still sick to the stomach.

I rolled out of bed, grabbed my barf bowl and went. I didn't get dressed, I really didn't care going in my jammies.

I felt a little better, I started with the radiation and after that I slowly started to feel the pain coming back in my legs and hips. I went upstairs to see the oncologist and by the time I got there I was in so much pain, pain I have never felt before. I felt like my bones had all been crushed and the pain was so intense and just did not let up.

This went on for about an hour. I had seen the nurse and the oncologist.

I was given a shot of morphine along with and anti inflammatory. At first all it did was make me too tired to walk around which sucked since walking around seem to help the pain rather than lying down.

Finally, the pain let up. I waited a while and the pain did not come back so I was able to go home.

This was a side effect of the Pamidronate. Apparently severe bone pain is a rare side effect.
Needless to say, I am going to be getting a different bone med. after this.
I have to have one once a month. Not sure for how long though.

I am still waiting for my Iniparib to arrive. I can't wait to get that one.

Chemo will commence once again this Friday. I am looking forward to it since it is working really well.