Birthdays and Radiation

As many of you know, my first 3 children were all born in September with the first two sharing a birthday (September 14th). Believe it or not, my 3rd was due on their birthday but came a few days early (September 9th).

This year Faith turned 22 and Josh became a teenager!! Because 13 is such a special birthday we allowed Josh to pick any restaurant in La Jolla (where my radiation hospital is located as I had it right after). We offered popular and expensive Hibachi Grills and Fondue restaurants, but true to form, Josh chose his favorite, Islands, because of his love for veggie burgers!!

 In the end there were 3 desserts at our table to share. We celebrated Zach's this night as well because he had his party on his actual birthday and never had a birthday dinner out with family.

 A couple attempts at selfies in the radiation waiting room. I know I look bald, but I am not. My hair is pulled back and I'm wearing a headband.

 I had to continue taking them until I didn't look bald as I know that is coming very soon!!

 Everyone went back into the radiation room with me and we took a photo which will probably be on our (spoiler alert) Christmas Card this year.

In this photo you can see me in the background with the mask on my face and yes, I am unable to move. The big dude on the left of this photo is my daughter's boyfriend Nicco, who after 3 years is basically a part of our family now.

Today was radiation number 4, so I have only 29 treatments left!!

Mutant Cells- CarePages

Mutant Cells

Posted Sep 13, 2017 11:32pm

Edit: REPOSTED FROM CAREPAGES

Yesterday I got a call from Dr. Bush, my oncologist up at UCSF saying the DNA sequencing showed that I have 179 mutated genes out of the 480 genes. Apparently this is very rare and I am considered "hyper-mutated." It appears that the chemo I took for a year in 2014 is what caused my tumor cells to mutate. This is the same chemo I am currently taking and that scares the crap out of me. Now my oncologist at Cedars Sinai wants to see us to discuss this. It sucks and I'm bummed. Hopefully something can be changed in my treatment plan, but as of now I'm told this "standard of care" is the only thing they know even if it is pushing me closer to death.

Radiation isn't Rad, but that's what some call it.

After a week and a half long fight with Blue Shield of California, my insurance, I have finally been approved for IMRT radiation. I will have 33 sessions and started tonight, which was a rush by me as I had to start my chemo the night before. So last night I slapped on my anti nausea patch and gave myself 2 hours before taking my chemo, not the usual 24 hours. So yes, I spent the night next to the toilet. However, in the long run I think it'll be worth it as I'll finish a day early. And I'm all about the finish line. Especially because my wonderful hubby booked a Disney cruise for my post radiation treatment celebration and as something to give the kids to look forward to. We're still hoping to make it with the whole insurance denying my radiation fiasco.

So here's my first day. I had a mask made 3 weeks ago in preparation for this and several scans done to show the doctors how to line up the radiation with my head and mask.

Once we (Sean went with me for my first radiation treatment) arrived, I noticed how big the door is. Huge and heavy, which tells me how bad this is for someone without cancer.

 It's a huge machine and here's a photo of it.

 I climbed on and they had my mask ready to go, so I had to pull my hair to the side just as I had when they made my mask.

And then I was snapped in, they literally snap my mask to the table and the mask is tight, leaving me no room to move my face or open my eyes.

Close up with my mask...ready to get this started. 

I am now one down, with 32 treatments left to go!! I'm praying that this 33 visits goes by quickly. Also praying that my anti-nausea patch works now that it's been on for 24 hours.