Time to Fight!!

As I'm sitting here ar Texas Oncology waiting to go in for treatment #8, I decided to write for this week. This week has been soooo much better for me!! I knew that last week, I was fighting oncoming allergies and taking Mucinex to dry up drainage and quell coughing. Because of my small tummy, I already struggle with staying properly hydrated and I know Mucinex compounds the hydration issue. I was already behind the 8 ball, so being already dehydrated, those radiation treatments kicked my buttons where all I wanted to do was sleep!! I focused over the weekend in getting better hydrated and intaking more electrolytes, including an electrolyte enhanced drink once a day. This week I was able to drop the Mucinex and between that and being better hydrated, I've felt great!! On Wednesday, I had my weekly with Dr. Oas and he told me that while not a diagnostic scan, according to the images that they get during treatments and by touch, we have shrinkage!!! That's very exciting! Nex...

Finished up my first week of radiation treatments. There's no pain, but it really zaps me! I don't want to do anything but sleep. There's been some mild nausea, but nothing I can't handle. Hoping the fatigue subsides as we go on!! That's all for now.

Today was my appointment for the initial radiation consultation.  We arrived at Texas Oncology about 8:45 this morning and didn't get to leave until after lunch. Dr. Oas is VERY thorough!! He explained Hodgkin's Lymphoma in good detail. He said I was stage 2A(that's good). He explained my radiation treatment will consist of 18 treatments and I'll go Monday through Friday once they begin. He ordered new labs and CT to be done immediately following our appointment and explained that he would study labs and CT for about a week so by the time insurance approves, it'll be about 10-12 days. At that point his nurse Judy would call and we'd get me scheduled for 18 treatments! If you're unaware regarding the title of this blog, before radiation treatments begin, you get 3 small tattoos, just little dots, that are used to line up when being treated. Nan gets tickled when some of the older ladies she serves with at church ask her, "do you know they're gonna ta...

Been awhile since I've posted, do here's a brief rundown... On 10/1, I had a PET scan done in Ft. Worth. Upon receiving those results, it showed the Lymphoma to be relatively localized in my iliac and inguinal area(hip and groin). On 10/3, I had a bone marrow biopsy done at Hendricks North in Abilene. Those results took a little longer. Nan happened to see Donna(my PCP) at the steakhouse on Sunday evening and she said my results looked good. Today I had my appointment with Dr. Melnyk at Texas Oncology. He confirmed the results of the PET scan and bone marrow biopsy and recommended radiation treatment only!! No chemotherapy!!! He wants to see me in 2 months, which is right before Christmas, since I assume all the rounds of treatment will be completed by then. Thanks so much for the army of prayer warriors and by all means, DON'T STOP!!! Not only just against the cancer, but for the Lord to continue to use me through all of this! I want to ringing that bell til it falls off t...

I guess this will be considerably shorter than my first post, sorry about that. Today was my first appointment back with the oncologist after my biopsy. Initially, the results hadn't come in yet, but Dr. Melnyk received a call while I was there with an update. The verdict is low grade Hodgkin's lymphoma. Very slow growing and non- aggressive. While it's not the results I was hoping for, I can think of hundreds of scenarios that are much worse!! Our next step is a PET scan and  bone marrow testing. After that Dr. Melnyk will decide on a radiation or chemotherapy treatment and determine the level needed. This is something very treatable, it's just a bump in the road...and my life has been full of those!! I'm not scared and in a way I'm relieved. Through God, family, and friends- we'll smash this thing! I have faith that God will use me during this time and will ultimately be glorified! All of your prayers are so appreciated and please continue them!!! I got ha...

   Well... I guess it's time to address the elephant in the room! I might as well — many will have heard by now, and if you haven't heard, you will. Writing is a very therapeutic thing for me, and I've decided to start a blog to write in as this journey begins. NOT the kind of cruise I necessarily enjoy!     I guess the best place to start is, well... the beginning, DUH! So, here goes: Back in late April/early May, Nan noticed a lump in my lower left groin/hip region and inquired as to what it was. Now remember, I used to be a MUCH, MUCH, LARGER man! In the past 11 years, I have lost an incredible amount of weight. Well anyway, I told her I thought it was my hip bone. Feeling my pelvis, ribs, etc. had been quite foreign to me for a really long time! She told me that is NOT a bone; that's a growth! I'll refrain from the JH pun, while tempting, umm NO! Anyway, she said she'll mention it to Donna (my PCP and frequent restaurant customer), and we'll see what she...