One week down, two to go

Hi everyone~

Well, I have successfully finished my first week of brain radiation. And praise God, no seizures! I have to tell you though, I had planned my move to my new house this past week before I ever got the news that the cancer had spread to my brain. I personally don't recommend moving, starting brain radiation, and steriods in the same week! E-gads!

But, God truly blessed me with angels from everywhere. Between my family, friends, and great neighbors, I am all moved in! YEAH! And I love my new house. It's like my own little sanctuary. The animals are settling in, too. I think this will be the perfect place for me in this season of my life....to heal and rest.

Well, radiation is tiring to say the least. But, again, no seizures so I really can't complain. I'm still having some serious issues with motor skills and memory, but that is to be expected. Unfortunately, I still haven't heard back on my lung biopsy. Regardless, my medical oncologist is going to start me on a new drug whether it comes back positive or not. It would be the drug he would put me on if it were positive, so I guess that's a good thing. Want to be careful.

I've found out that after the three weeks of complete brain radiation, they will do another brain scan to see how the tumors are shrinking. If they are still there, they will most likely do a biopsy of the tumors at that time to see if there is any additional cancers in the brain. Apparently, you can have more than one type of cancer in the brain at once. So, they'll want to make sure they are targeting all cancer(s) with the appropriate treatment. If they find there are still tumors in the brain after the three week treatment, then they will break out the "big guns" and use Gamma Knife Radiation to target the specific tumors.

Between my medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, and my neurosurgeon/neurological oncologists at Barrows Neurological Center all taking on my case, I feel I'm in great hands. I'm feeling positive.....tired, but very hopeful.

The only thing that is quite annoying is being grounded from so many things I usually take for granted. I so used to being self-sufficient and it is hard to go to do something and find it's hard to do. I cannot drive, I cannot use knives, I can't take walks for very long, my writing is atrocious. I even got lost and I've fallen a couple of times. I think this part is the most frustrating for me. I feel like I'm slowly losing my independence.

I shouldn't complain though. I've heard it could get worse and I'm still able to do so much still. Thank goodness.

Well, I'm going to hit the hay. I'll keep you posted on my progress. Thank you all again for your love, support, encouragement, and most of all you prayers.

God Bless
N~