Plan F:

We saw the radiation oncologist last Thursday, who strongly recommended the cyber knife radiation of my abdominal tumor. After much thought and discussion with my oncologist, I have decided to go that route and to do it as soon as possible. I had a CT scan yesterday (tumor slightly larger) and will begin the radiation either this coming Monday or Tuesday. I will go in every day for 1 to 1½ hours for 5 days in a row. Supposedly will only have mild fatigue, perhaps mild nausea and perhaps some mild reflux ... sure. Symptoms should subside within a few weeks.

Part of the reason for doing this sooner than later is that Paul will be having his shoulder surgery mid-to late November and one of us needs to be functioning normally, what ever that is.

On a positive note, we spent a glorious weekend in Marble with friends (thanks, Jodi and Max), the mountains are a brilliant gold and red, the Broncos and the Rockies are kicking ass. Yes, life is good…

Love,
Nyshie

from Nysh...

Well, the fun just never ends. I was evaluated yesterday by a radiation oncologist here in the Springs for the possibility of having a “cyberknife” radiation of the abdominal tumor. His feeling is that there are probably smaller ovarian cells (too small to see with a CT scan) but that radiating the existing tumor into oblivion could prolong chemo for some time (yippee!!). He doesn’t know for sure, but if it’s even a possibility, I’m willing to try it. I’ll find out tomorrow night for sure if he thinks it’s feasible. It’s supposed to have very minimal side effects (slight fatigue and possibly slight nausea). I’m still planning on not doing any treatment until the middle of November, yes, just in time for the holidays again. You can google it at “Rocky Mountain Cyberknife.”

Paul had his purple mountain majesty cast removed yesterday. The doc said it is “healing”, but not “healed.” Now he has a knee high boot that he is able to remove for a shower. This afternoon we found out that his MRI done yesterday revealed significant left shoulder rotator cuff tearing. He’ll see an orthopedist for that within the next couple of weeks, but probably not surgery until, you guessed it, around Thanksgiving.

“Getting old isn’t for sissies, but it’s better than the alternative.”

Love you all,

Nyshie (aka Big Giant, aka Grandma Nysh)

P.S. Wanted: strong, young, good-looking houseboy/girl to assist rapidly deteriorating older couple from the middle of November until after New Year’s. Free room and board. Spectacular mountain living with lovable cat included.

Update

Hello,

We’ve been on quite a roller coaster for the last couple of weeks trying to decide on the best treatment option for the reoccurrence of my cancer. From the CT scan, it appears that I have one 2 cm. tumor in a lymph node in the center of my abdomen. To make a long story short, we’ve discussed this with 2 oncologists, 2 OB/GYN oncologists and a radiologist with possible options for surgical removal of the tumor, cyber knife radiation of the tumor, and/or chemotherapy. As of today (for a variety of reasons), we have decided to simply do the chemotherapy and to postpone starting it for about 2 months. The physicians’ opinions are that waiting a couple of months won’t make any difference in the long run, that the tumor is very slow growing and that the chemo will be just as effective if we wait. The oncologist in Southern California (Thanks, John) spoke very clearly with me about trying to achieve some quality of life during the months when I feel well, which I do now.

As long as I can keep my head clear and a positive attitude, I plan to enjoy the beautiful fall weather, do a little fly-fishing, allow Paul’s foot to heal so he’ll be healthy, enjoy my two granddaughters, go stay with my parents for a couple of weeks and just live and be happy.

“We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude.”
Charles Swindoll

Love you all,
Nyshie (aka Big Giant)