Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Remission Today....

I started cyberknife on November 5th.  Above is a picture that a good friend posted for Mason and Nolan in his blog.  I love it!  The depiction is very accurate except for the person standing there.  When "Leora", the cyberknife machine, is in operation, no one is standing there.  Remember, this is HIGH dose radiation.  You are entombed in a room with 18 inch walls.  I have music and I can call to the operators to take a break.  Break you ask?  Yes, a break.  When I started treatment, we started on the spot with where the markers were "installed".  Leora was able to track my area perfectly and my treatment of that area took 29 mins.  It ends up being a little more because they have to line you up, etc.  So, I was on the table for around 45 mins.  The best way I can describe it is that I am a possum playing dead and I am being sniffed by a dinosaur that sound like R2 D2.  When we started treating my second spot, a voice came over the intercom and said, "Well, Leora can see it, but it will take an hour.  In addition, I have to wear a special shirt and have lights attached to my torso so that another machine can track my breathing so that Leora, all 2500 tons of her, can move the laser with my breath.  It is crazy and cool. This machine that is a bit noisy when it moves into is 150 different positions ever so gently moves with my breath.  I am thankful, but there is work to it.  On this spot, I spend 90 mins in one position.  The first treatment, I had to stop and take a break.  The second treatment, I got through, but I was like, "Leora, getter done because I am in PAIN!"  The days have flow by with 3 hours of everyday driving to treatment, driving home, coordinating childcare, etc.  I have been so tired from all the driving, from stretching like Gumby every night so that I can stay in one position which is not that comfortable on a hard table for 90 mins without a break.  I have been so involved in the moment of it all I forgot about today................................Today at 1:00pm I will be done with treatment and in remission.  Today I will leave that building and not have another doc appointment (after Thursday) for two weeks.  I will have Thanksgiving and Christmas without chemo.  Now, they tell me that I may get a cough which, knowing how I am, I will.  They also told me that in about 2 weeks I will be very tired and that I should cut my "to do" list in half for 60 days.  Tired?  Cough?  Bring it!  Today at 1pm, I will be free.  Love, Ang

15 comments:

Laurie said...

WOW. You are amazing. And so is Leora. xo

Anonymous said...

Yeah !!!! Ang!
Good luck with the taking it easy: )
Do you even know what that means? : )
We are so excited for you!
Enjoy the next couple of months with all of its holiday memories you will be making!
Carla

Anonymous said...

Best birthday present ever! Give my love to Leora!

Anne Marie

Anonymous said...

Absolutely Fabulous news!!! Sending continued love and blessings your way. Now it is time for you to Relax and Enjoy. Try repeating this until you understand what it means. R-e-l-a-x and E-n-j-o-y. ^..^ xoxoxo

Anonymous said...

Simply amazing!

Annemarie

Anonymous said...

OK - strike the "simply" as there is nothing simple about any of this. AMAZING!

Love & laughter,
Annemarie

Anonymous said...

So happy for you Ang!!! Woo hoo!!
Your unmet friend

Auntie Jane said...

Boy oh boy, I know what I want to share at the Thanksgiving dinner table when it is time to count blessings for this year! Thank you for giving our Angie and therefore all of us this gift. Remission is one beautiful word.

Leora, I love you.
You too Angie

Dawn Finlayson said...

I love Leora!!!
Such great news during a Thankful month and the start of a magical season.
Yeah for cyberknife. Yeah for you!

P.S. Cool lego picture! :)

Dawn

Anonymous said...

Ang, Thanks for being the trooper you have been thru all of this. You deserve every bit of time off, especially for the holidays. Keep strong, courageous and hopeful that this will continue to give you remission. Hugs to you all. Love, Judi

Anonymous said...

Full of Thanks, and hope, and celebration!! A gift to make more memories to look back on and scrapbook!

Libby said...

Good job, Angie! I am so happy for you and Grant and the kids. GOOD. JOB.

Cameron VSJ said...

Hi,

I have a quick question about your blog, would you mind emailing me when you get a chance?

Thanks,

Cameron

Olivia said...

My husband has mesothelioma and is going to do proton therapy. He is currently enrolled in a clinical trial with a hospital. Is this type of technology better than proton?

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