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!