Now My Spine Glows In The Dark, Too!

Last Friday I had radiation on my spine. It took place on Lumbar 4 in my lower back. Previously, I was trying to spare you all of the agitating details of the day to day hospital visits but now you might be a little left out. I'm sorry for that.

I'll try to sum up. Dr. Ramakrishna suggested we do stereotactic radiosurgery on this vertebrae. It is much like what I've done on the brain in regards to it being only one treatment, one visit and it's done. He told me compared to the brain stuff I've done it would be a piece of cake. I said sign me up.

Then I showed up for an information session with a nurse getting me ready for the procedure. She started explaining that I was to get 5 days of standard radiation treatment and went over what to expect and the side effects. I told her the doctor told me it was to be one sterotactic treatment. She went to ask him for me. She came back and said the doctor said he told me I may get up to 5 treatments. Sure he did. I'm just the stupid patient, what do I know? Whatever works, let's just get to it.

Did I mention that I got my first tattoo? Well, tattoos plural. When you are getting multiple radiation treatments, the hospital puts tattoos on you so they don't have to re-align you and the machine every time you come in. There are three pinpoint tattoo marks on my body for my alignment. I went in for my tattoos before I went in for my information session with the nurse because that's how the schedule fell. How efficient to lie on a machine and get tattoos for a procedure in which you know nothing about.

After the information session with the nurse, she told me if "they" didn't call me within 7 days with the schedule for my first radiation to call in to the hospital and find out myself. I lasted 6 days before I couldn't stand it anymore. I was there last Wednesday for chemo and stopped by radiology to see what I could find out. They didn't know but called me later that afternoon. Can you come in this Friday for your stereotactic treatment? So, I'm only having one day of treatment? Yes. Ok, I'll be there. Whatever works.

Friday came and it was relatively easy. Well, the night before, I accidentally ripped the flesh off around one of the tattoos from the sticker that was protecting it. The tech, Bernadette, (who has been there for all my brain stuff and is awesome) thanked me for keeping my raw red skin in such a perfect circle so they could still line me up properly. Anything I can do to help.

I checked in at 11:30 am and they took me back at 11:40. They lined me right up, the doctor came in and said hello and suggested I just meditate or fall asleep and assured me he had a really nice treatment plan for me. I wonder how many times he's been able to sleep on a treatment table. They put The Temptations on the radio at my request and off we went.

I do have to brag about what a good patient I am in these situations. Small victories people. For 40 minutes I lied there with both arms over my head. They told me to try not to move because then they have to come in and re-align everything. I did not move, not one millimeter the entire time. I thought the techs were going to have a happy heart attack or something. Apparently, everyone moves. When we reached the halfway point, Bernadette came giddily over the speaker and asked if we could keep going instead of giving me a break. I told her my left arm was completely asleep, but what the heck, let's push on. I just lied there and Zen'd out--me, my spine, the tumors and the radiation-synchronicity baby.

I had no exit interview after the treatment and no one prepared me for what to expect after the stereotactic procedure. Thanks for lying so still! Have a great day. See ya! Luckily another girl told me she got diarrhea so I had that to look forward to.

My family and I went out to lunch but within the hour my body completely crashed. I went to sleep for the rest of the day and all of the night. This night was particularly tough because I also happened to have a UTI and a problem with hemmorhoids-all side effects from chemo. Friday night accumulated with absolutely no energy to stand, burning when I urinated and blood with every painful bowel movement. Then, as told, diarrhea started because the radiation hit that area of my body-what fun! We finally got the right antibiotic for the UTI and some meds for the hemmorhoids and all is well. Anyone that has ever been in a support group with cancer patients that have been in treatment for a long time could probably write a novel about poop problems. Personally, I've declared myself the Mayor of Poop Town. It's just one of those amazingly awesome things nobody tells you about when they welcome you to the cancer club. You just have to discover it on your own. But if you need the Mayor for advice, I'd be happy to hold a ribbon cutting ceremony and formally welcome you to Poop Town.

I spent most of the weekend resting and sleeping-thank God for the World Cup games. My energy level is still low but the other physical problems have subsided. I'll be back to my regular chemo routine Wednesday but for now I'm getting a bit of a break from the big stuff. No brain treatments, spine treatments or anything else outside the box. My next scans will take place the first week of August. I am super hopeful this medicine is working and the August scans will bring good news. Please keep praying that this will happen. I need every single one of those prayers.

Love you all!

Muchos Smoochos!

Laura