May 7th, 2012; today I met my Oncologist for the first time. I wouldn't usually say what his name is but, it's too funny for someone like me who has Colrectal Cancer. His name is.................Dr. Butts............... yes, you read it right. Now when you've stopped laughing I'll get on with my day. hahahahahahahahahahahaha
The Lethbridge Cancer Center is beautiful and very welcoming. The staff is very nice. I can't remember my nurses name, but she was amazing. Dr. Butts was wonderful and explained everything very well. He gave me two treatment options, one more aggressive than the other. I have chosen the more aggressive one, just because I don't want this to come back. I've already had the first line of treatment which is surgery, so this chemo/radiation is to get rid of any microscopic particles that could be floating around, which is very likely as 4 of the 20 Lymphnodes tested came back positive for cancer. Right now I'm considered at a level called Stage C or 3. There are 4 stages the 4th stage meaning other organs have become involved. I do still have to have a CT scan of my lungs, abdomen, and pelvis, but chemo and radiation will begin regardless of what those show. This Wednesday I go back for Chemo teaching and a tour and blood work. On Thursday I go back to meet with the Radiation doctor. Radiation comes first with one chemo drug. I get that everyday  for 5 weeks. Oh by the way I have to have a port-a-cath inserted into my chest so the Chemo can be infused into one of my much larger veins. This catheter will be in my chest for the duration of my treatment, which will be 6 months. After the 5 weeks of daily radiation I will begin the second chemo drug along with continuing the 1st chemo drug. I go every two weeks for 3 days, Mon,Tues and Wed., to get hooked up. It takes 46 hours for the drugs to infuse then I go back and get unhooked. This stage of treatment will last 4 months. 6 months in total. Should be done everything by end of October 2012.
Side effects- with these particular chemo drugs I shouldn't lose my hair, so they said. It may thin perhaps, but I shouldn't lose it. My main concerns is low white count and platelet counts as well as mouth sores and sensitive hands and feet especially to cold. Loss of appetite, and nausea and vomiting. They told me that everyone's experience is individual, from some hardly experiencing any side effects to the few who experience all and to the great extreme. I was told that once they know how my metabolism works they will be able to adjust the Chemo accordingly.
I was concerned about all of this starting before my daughter's grade 12 graduation, but with all the prep stuff I'm pretty much safe until after the Canadian long weekend- Victoria Day. Which is just after. The Doctor and I talked about supportive therapies such as suppliments and other things. Most of which he had no objection to. BUT he made a very good point, one which I already know and have been learning about. He said "all the homeopathic remedies in the world aren't going to cure you, if you are not taking every opportunity to be as healthy as you can be. There is no substitute for nutritional excellence and exercise. Not even vigorous exercise, but consistent moderate exercise on a daily basis is proving extremely effective is preventing cancer's return.
I read a pamphlet on Colrectal cancer from the cancer center, and it talked a lot about nutrition, especially avoiding lots of meat, and even encouraged more legumes and beans instead of meat. Also encouraging whole grains and eating more foods in their raw form. This goes along with everything I have been reading and studying about. And what a boost for the Word of Wisdom. The Lord in his wisdom knew what we needed even all the way back then. We must remove our beastly appetites and become more moderate, eating with prudence and thanksgiving all that we consume.
So begins my journey. I'll be posting more often now that the ball is rolling. Hopefully this coming Christmas I will be able to post the best post of all, no more Cancer.