Woo hoo!

Today was my last day of chemo...for this round at least. I'll explain more in a bit!

Labs were fine, only 3 radiation after today! The next three radiation are what they call boost radiation. For the first 25 I have had the area with lymph nodes and mass treated. Now they will focus more on just the mass. I will have about 3 weeks off and then a PET scan to see the progress. They have to wait that long because the treatments will make the whole area "hot" and will light up. After a few weeks the area will have "cooled off" and only the cancer cells will light up. That test will be on 4/15. I will then meet with Dr Kosuri that day as well for a follow up. She will give me the results and let me know if the plan changes at all.

Jamie P took me to chemo today. Thanks girl! It was short (I slept) and sweet (I'm done!).  While we waited an hour for a chair though! They were busy today. It's really eye opening to see how many others are going through this is some way or another. During my treatment I called the surgeon. We put a date down for the 19th of April! That's A month away! Ahh! Crazy! So far the plan is still 7-10 days in the hospital and 2 months off. I'm so nervous already. That's a whole month almost of unpaid time. Yikes.

Please say a quick prayer for my BFF Jamie today too. Though they say the results are fine, the final pathology hasn't come back from a test last week. I know she is nervous and is telling everyone "Reva and I have done a lot together! I do NOT want to do cancer together too!" Haha! Me either sister, me either! ❤️

Nothing exciting this week to report...my labs are down but not crazy. I did have a hard time eating this weekend at work and am having to be more careful about what I choose. I have told a few people already...take food away from a big girl and there will be a mourning. I'm sure I will get over it...but it's a definite relationship change with food. Ok, pity party over.

My high school chum Sarah came with me this week. I was able to fight off the Benadryl and we chatted and caught up. Thanks for coming!!

I still have not heard from the surgeon so no scheduled date yet. I'm hoping they will call soon!

Only one more chemo and 8 more radiation! Everyone enjoy this beautiful weather today!

Dr. Patterson

Mom and I met with the surgeon today. He's a pretty no fuss kind of guy. That's ok...I need you to do one thing sir. He drew a diagram of where my proposed incisions would be, one below my left clavicle and one in the middle of my upper abdomen. Then mom, thank goodness, reminded him of my mesh from the hernia repair a few years ago. He asked what type of mesh it is. 😳 Uh...there are different kinds?!? That may change his approach, he has some research to do. They will place my PEG tube then as well. I won't eat for 6-7 days after and then they will perform a dye test to make sure there are no leaks in the reattachment. I will be at Barnes for 7-8 days if everything goes well.

So...finish treatment in the next two weeks.
PET scan 3-4 weeks after last treatment.
Surgery, no date set yet.

I am so happy to be moving through this all without a problem so far! Let's hope it continues that way!💜

Sorry for the late posting! Monday was busy and I didn't feel the best yesterday.

Chemo #4
Radiation #15

More than half way done...with this round at least!

Ok, so first of all I have to say thank you to everyone that has brought food, given gift cards, send cards, messages, etc...I am so grateful! You sometimes forget, as a mom and nurse, what it feels like to be taken care of by others because you're always so busy taking care of other people. My mom has been amazing as well and I don't tell her enough how much I appreciate her. Love you all!!

Alright on to business. Labs. Radiation. Meeting with Dr. Craft...I had to tell him that now I know what it felt like for food to get stuck. At work Sunday I was eating a sandwich and definitely could tell a bite did NOT want to go down. He says, again, just to expect more of the same and the pain I had before was probably just esophageal spasms. I do not have any red markings yet from the radiation so he was pleased. Keep on keeping on.


My labs were all fine again this week so Dr. Kosuri said no meeting next week, we can meet the day of my last treatment! Seems crazy that my last chemo is only 2 weeks away! I thought this 6 weeks would drag on forever but it hasn't so for that I am pleased. She said she was surprised I was even able to EAT a sandwich still when I told her about the food sticking! I must be a rare case! I am still not losing any hair, not puking, just some nausea...I do not have the stamina I used to. I get tired easily but ok...if that and nausea is all I can complain about right now I'll be quiet!

We did discuss surgery though!! Big Step! She says I will have surgery 4-5 weeks after my last treatment. This is a little sooner than I was expecting but I'm all for just getting it over with! She said I could meet with the Mercy guys but she also suggested trying to meet with the WashU guys. It makes sense and mom and I had already discussed it actually. They have volume and more experience there. They have practiced, if you will, on more patients than the guys at Mercy. Just like how women come to Mercy to have a baby because we are the baby factory, I want to go to the cancer factory. I had already started researching the WashU docs and found one that specializes in esophageal cancer. That happened to be one of the 2 names she gave me. She suggested I try and get in to see him before my last treatment so I called yesterday. They wouldn't even make an appointment until they received my records, so I hope to hear from them today. Kosuri thinks the hospital stay won't be too lengthy, but my home recovery will be about 2 months and difficult. She estimates I will have the PEG (feeding tube) for a month and then learning to eat differently will take a while as well.

I guess that's about it! Mike got to go watch me sleep this week during treatment and Sarah will be watching me next week! Mom and I have started shopping for the Horse race awards and such...it sounds like it's going to be so much fun! I am amazed by all the basket ideas and donations! I have a pretty awesome group of family and friends!