Lita57

Oh, it is ChelleG's great idea. I just reposted here without her permission (sorry! But it indeed is a great idea.

Lita I too am a silent follower of you and your journey. I admire you greatly and will join the que this Sunday. I too have brain mets with liver and right lung nodules involved. I am praying for you and your family as well as those who are taking care of you. Gods peace and loving touch be with you always

I will update everyone when I get back. Got lots of errands to do today.

Whole Brain Radiation Starts TOMORROW!

Here I am next to full brain mask and with my TEMPORARY glasses. The shiners and bruises look a little better today but still hurt. Had blood work done today. RBC still low, but WBC creeping up ).

I'll have more details later. They want to put me on Alzheimer's meds as a protection to help memory issues. Dr. Fisch specializes in brain mets, and later I will consult with neuro oncs in another city. Brain mets very serious as it's confirmed in leptomeningeal area, so we must start radiating ASAP, sadly.

Keep those prayers coming...I can FEEL them!

I have one of those masks! When I finished rads they asked if I wanted to keep. I said"yes, I earned it!"

Best wishes, Lita!

Lita, I know that what I think does not matter, but I am so damn PROUD of you. I know how scared you were about WBR and the fact that you are leaning into the treatment AND getting the Alzheimer's meds is giving yourself the best shot. I will be thinking of you tomorrow, if you have any WBR questions let me know. Good thing, is the treatments are very quick overall.

Again, I am thinking of you and rooting you on and your smiling is a lot more than I managed myself. I cried my first day so you are giving yourself the very best chance.

Lita. Even with bruises and temporary glasses you look fab -your smile lights up this board! Thank you for being such an inspiration for all of us. Now get rid of your second husband!!!!!

Bab

SUCH A BUSY DAY!

I'm pooped. After all this medical stuff, I went to a live support group and then on to Staples Office Supply to buy a dry erase board, a BIG calendar to write all my up-coming appts. on and new BRIGHT red pens. We have plenty of Post-it notes, so I plan to put those all over the house, too, to remind we what to do and where things are.

I'm making check-off lists for my board, and will slowly check them off. I guess the lesson here is to PREPARE as best one can for the onslaught of memory lapses and neuro losses. Dr. Fisch can't say exactly what will happen once the ball really gets rolling. He assured me that EVERY patient has a slightly different experience. I'm hoping my attitude will help: Just think of the radiation as God's healing beams of light, penetrating my skull and KILLING those damn cancer cells. Dr is hoping for a GOOD response and some shrinkage. We will do a brain MRI when it's all over and plan for any additional "clean up" with either cyber knife or gamma knife radiation.

Am a little concerned because all during this WBR time I'll be OFF all IV chemo, so I imagine the other little darlings in my bones, pelvis, abdomen, etc., will keep on growing. Dr said to try NOT to eat a lot of antioxidants at this time (other than what's in usual food), but no special antioxidant vitamins or even drink green tea (high in antioxidants).

Wasn't up to driving to pharmacy to pick up Alzheimer's meds yet....they probably weren't ready anyway cuz Dr has to call them in. I need to have SOME down time b4 all this starts. It's already after 5 PM and I've been at it since 8:30 this am! I'll go pick that stuff up tomorrow am. My 'roid rage is starting to act up ;o).

I did manage to mail off my insurance refund claim for the airline tix I cancelled. Boy, what a hassle THAT was. They will probably need more docs (they ALWAYS do!)

On a positive note, Dr says I CAN continue to use CBD tincture to help me sleep at night. As I've posted earlier, they did call in a sleep aid for me just in case, but Dr says I'll probably be fatigued enuf from rads to sleep, and he also said I DON'T have to take the full 16 mgs of steroids a day. I told him that I'm titrating up to about 8 mgs, and he says that's probably enough. It will also be easier to taper down from them when the time comes, too.

Sorry this is such a long post, but I really won't have much news tomorrow. The sessions should only take about 15 mins, and they're not painful. Also nice that I only have to go Thurs and Fri this week and then I'll have the weekend off. Then all 5 days next week. That is probably going to be rougher, but I'm just going to take it one day at time.

Thanks again for all your love and support,

Lita

Lita your cheering squad is in high gear! Mara used Namenda, she said it was very helpful for memory loss. The rays will be shining bright. So smart that you prepared, and it's so exciting to hear of a Doc that actually seems to give a damn.

Lita,

So glad to hear your tx plans are moving forward, but sorry about the gardening incident. Your smile still shines!

Caryn

PS: I love Dr. Fisch! Out of the very large numbers of doctors I've seen over the last 6 years, he was one of my favorites

Lita, your perseverance through all of this is awe-inspiring! Sounds like you are in good hands, so rest well with the CBD. I'll be thinking of you Sunday while lighting a candle and toasting to WBR success. Hugs, love and support.

Good luck Lita, time for some good news for you.

Good luck tomorrow Lita I will muster up all my good vibes and send them your way.

Also I bought a candle today will be nice to do something together for you.

Lita, Holding you in the light as you venture forward. I've been so inspired by your candor and kindness. Much love to you.

I'm praying for you today, Lita. May God bless you with strength to face yet another demon. May He bring you peace today.