Monday, March 30, 2009

Week 3 of Radiation Down – Just a quick update

Michael has completed week 3 of radiation and only has 2 weeks left. He met with his radiation doctor today. Tomorrow he will have a few “adjustments” on his markings. They are going to intensify the radiation on a more concentrated area. They will do the same again next week. He is still getting headaches on and off and he is still getting the pain in his back and legs. They don’t think the headaches are related with his radiation.

Michael has an appointment with his oncologist on Thursday. We are hoping to find out what his next step will be once we finish his radiation.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Latest Update on Michael~

Sorry for not updating any sooner. We’ve had a busy spring break, spending time outside enjoying the lovely spring weather here in Texas. Michael has made it through his second week of radiation. He is still having a few headaches. He has started having back pain and leg pain again. He is also having trouble sleeping at night again. Not real sure why he is feeling these now. He will be meeting with his doctor tomorrow. His hair has grown in a little more. It is still very short.

We want to send a special “thank you” to Andrea Grace (http://www.carepages.com/carepages/supportnick) for adding Michael to the list of Sarcoma Friends. Please be sure to check out the list and keep each of these wonderful people and their families in your prayers.

We will try to send more of an update later.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Michael’s First Week of Radiation and More Doctors Appointments

Michael made it through his first week of Radiation. He has been getting a headache each day about an hour or so after his treatment. His radiation oncologist has ordered a brain MRI to be on the safe side. He is getting tired still. Other than that, he has no real side effects from the radiation. Michael’s hair is slowing starting to grow back.

Friday we had a day full of appointments again. This morning we had his 2 week follow up for his gallbladder surgery with the general surgeon. She said everything looked good and we would not have to come back to see her unless he had any other problems, so that was a good report.

We also had an appointment with his neurosurgeon. Nothing but good reports from him. He said he was amazed at how well Michael is doing. Michael still has his nerve lose in the back of his legs and in his small toes. That is tolerable. The main thing is he is walking and able to do just about anything. That is all that counts.

After that, we went imaging center to have his MRI of the brain. The doctors would rather be safe than sorry with the headaches Michael is having. His radiation oncologist called us later in the evening and said the films look good. We will continue to track his headaches and see if we can figure out what is causing them.

We want to thank everyone for their continued help and support. And thank you for all your continued prayers.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

First Dose of Radiation

Michael had his first dose of radiation on Monday. He had to go a little early so they could make sure they have his "markings" correct. They added a lot more to his back. It looks like a little kid took a marker and drew all over his back. After they touched up his marks, he went in for his first dose of radiation. He said it took a whole 2 minutes and he was done. He is going to love driving 2 hours every day for a 2 minute procedure.

He seemed to do pretty well with this dose. We didn’t notice any real side effects yet. He will go back this afternoon for his second dose. So he has 1 down and 24 more to go. He will meet with the radiation oncologist every Tuesday to go over his radiation plan and to check on his progress.

He is still working on building up his strength everyday. He still gets winded easily. His hair is slowly starting to grow back. We will go back to see both the neurosurgeon and his general surgeon for follow up appointments this Friday. We are not scheduled to go back to his oncologist until April 2nd.

I will update everyone later in the week on his progress of his radiation. Thank you for your continued prayers.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Appointments, Appointments, and More Appointments ~

Monday, we had 2 dr. appointments and lab work as well. His blood counts look OK. His white count is currently at 3.3K and his platelet count is at 137. The liver counts which they were concerned with on Friday are looking much better. We also were able to get his MRI’s rescheduled for yesterday. He had 3 MRI’s done yesterday afternoon. It made for 3 long hours at the imaging center. Let’s just say we didn’t get home until very late yesterday.

Today, we went back to the Radiation Center. Michael had his CT scan to do is radiation work-up. This consisted of them using the CT scan machine without the dye contrast to help them see where they are going to do the radiation. They put marks on his back that will need to stay there throughout his radiation treatments. They also were able to get the “calibration settings” from the machine. Between the markings, calibrations, and photo imaging, they will know exactly where they will do the radiation.

Right now, it doesn’t look like his next appointment with anyone will be next week. I know he is happy about that. He is so tired of doctors, driving back and forth to Dallas; he is ready for a “small break” to stay home for a bit.

He will begin is radiation treatments on Monday, March 9th. He will go Monday through Friday, every day for 5 weeks. On Monday, the treatment will be a little longer just to double check, re-check, etc the markings and calibrations before they begin. Then on Friday we will meet back with his general surgeon that did is surgery last week and we also have his 6 month check-up with the neurosurgeon. Wow, it’s been 6 months since they took out the tumor.

What a journey it has been this past 6 months. He was at the point he was not walking and we found out he had a tumor. We had the tumor removed and then he is walking, amazing everyone. Then comes that big “C” word and find out he is going to have very extensive treatments. I don’t think either of us thought it would be like it has been. And we still have another 6 months ahead of us. We will have to see what the next 6 months bring. Please continue to pray for Michael.

Michael’s Weekend ~

This weekend, Michael did OK. He still wanted to help as much as he could to finish off the move. It was hard for all of us to make sure he didn’t. As he said in his own word “He can’t stand not helping and not doing anything”. We were able to get everything finished this weekend.

His right shoulder was still bothering him through the weekend. He was not able to use his right arm at all over the weekend. He is finally able to use it about 50% today. The only real pain besides the shoulder is the actual surgical sites. He has 4 small incisions on his stomach. The hardest part besides keeping him from helping move was trying not to make him laugh. Those of you that know Michael knows he loves to crack jokes at anyone.