Health Update #4: Radiation Schedule

A new head scarf from Cindy for the anticipatory hair loss. 


I still haven't figured out how to set this blog up so that people can subscribe to it and get automatic email updates rather than seeking out updates periodically. 🤷 So, feel free to check in periodically and to message me through social media or email such as mwkitch@gmail.com.

This week was the simulation session for stereotactic radiation therapy (SBRT). Cathy, Cindy, Liz, and Jody have been gracious enough to share their stories with me in terms of what to expect, and that was very helpful. I went to the treatment center in Reed City on Wednesday and it took about two hours total. The first half was spent on the education session where one of the nurses explained the process to me,  and then I spent the second half of the time on the table while they molded the forms around me and tattooed three small dots -- one on a left rib; one on a right rib; and one in the center. They are about the size of a small mole and will be used to align me each time in the radiation machine. This technique will allow doctors to target a high dose of radiation to the tumor in my lung and in my shoulder in a short amount of time over 5 treatments.

Something like this, except I can't lift my right arm over my head:

Now that I've had the simulation done, we were able to set a firm schedule for radiation -- 5 pm on 4/26, 4/28, 5/1, 5/3, and 5/5. There shouldn't be many side effects and in fact I should be able to drive myself to and from each appointment. Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy will begin the week after. I'll be looking for drivers for some of those dates when Corrine has to be in Chicago. 

Since I can't ride the motorcycle, I'm considering renting a convertible over the next few months to get through all of these treatments. Maybe an Audi or BMW or Porsche. Something fun for short term. 

One frustrating aspect of this week was trying to get set up on insulin in preparation for the immunotherapy sessions, which apparently has a very high glucose content. My oncologist tried to set me up with an endocrinologist, but apparently there's a one year wait period to see an endocrinologist in the area, so he sent me back to my PCP to make arrangements for that. My PCP was all on board and set up prescriptions so that I can have sliding-scale insulin injections and a continuous insulin monitor, but there was a snafu with the prescriptions and I ended up driving back and forth between Baldwin and Ludington to different pharmacies about an hour apart trying to get those prescriptions filled. Finally, I was able to get the needle dispensers from Baldwin and am to pick up the insulin and pen from Ludington in the next couple of days. 

Next week is nearly free from medical appointments, except an echocardiogram on Wednesday. 

Photos from this week



The muck and mire behind the house now that the 
tree removers have taken a pass at it. 

The boat adrift


Emerson Lake

M&C

Well wishes

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