I'm Done With Chemo
I completed my 6th (and hopefully final) chemo treatment today.
I want to celebrate, but I don't really feel like celebrating. I'm sick to my stomach, for one thing. I also need to see what the chemo has done to my cancer. I have a PET scan scheduled for next Tuesday morning, which will be able to tell us how much the cancer has been eaten away by chemo.
This is an image from my first PET scan, which was conducted back in May. You can see the cancerous lymph nodes near my left shoulder. I still do the "five-finger shuffle" around my neck, checking to see if the bumps are still there. A few of them are, but they're much smaller now. Something smaller than a pea. Doc says I can expect some permanent swelling on those lymph nodes as a result of scarring. I'm hoping the "after" picture will show great improvement. We'll see.
For the PET scan, you have to lay absolutely still in this tube while they shoot pictures of you. It takes about fifty minutes. One of the positive things is that they allow you to crank some tunes while they do their thing. They encourage you to bring your own CD to listen to, but of course, I forgot. So I had to choose from their selection. They had about 20 CDs of all different styles. They had classical, jazz, new age, pop, rock and roll, and Neil Diamond. I went with Neil. I was thoroughly digging my selection at first. Kentucky Woman. Holly Holy. Sweet Caroline. Good times never seemed so good. Then my bladder started barking. Before I layed down, I was ordered to slam a huge jar of this sugary, radioactive concoction that tastes like a cocktail of coconut milk and windshield wiper fluid. By Forever in Blue Jeans, I was ready to pop. After Coming to America, I was begging to be excused.
"Just five more minutes", I was told every five minutes.
Sadly, I will now always have an excruciating, Pavlovian need to pee whenever I hear Neil and Barbra Streisand's 1979 classic You Don't Bring Me Flowers.
So, I have that to look forward to. I think I'll lay off the water that morning and pick a different disc. Do you have any suggestions?
The other thing is, I have a month of radiation ahead of me. I really don't know all that much about what to expect. Apparently, I'm going to get my "mantle" zapped 5 times a week for a month. The x-rays are specifically targeted for the affected area, so they spend a lot of time lining up the machinery with some tattoos that I'll have imprinted on my chest to make sure it is precise. The treatments are allegedly just 15 minutes a day. I've heard conflicting reports about radiation. Some say that after chemo, radiation was a breeze. Others, including a nurse at the infusion ward today, tell me that radiation is even more fatiguing than chemo.
So, I have that to look forward to. I always wanted a tattoo.
My first meeting with the radiation doc is next Wednesday, so I'll let you know how it goes.
Thanks to all of you for all of your support. It means so much to us!
I want to celebrate, but I don't really feel like celebrating. I'm sick to my stomach, for one thing. I also need to see what the chemo has done to my cancer. I have a PET scan scheduled for next Tuesday morning, which will be able to tell us how much the cancer has been eaten away by chemo.
This is an image from my first PET scan, which was conducted back in May. You can see the cancerous lymph nodes near my left shoulder. I still do the "five-finger shuffle" around my neck, checking to see if the bumps are still there. A few of them are, but they're much smaller now. Something smaller than a pea. Doc says I can expect some permanent swelling on those lymph nodes as a result of scarring. I'm hoping the "after" picture will show great improvement. We'll see.
For the PET scan, you have to lay absolutely still in this tube while they shoot pictures of you. It takes about fifty minutes. One of the positive things is that they allow you to crank some tunes while they do their thing. They encourage you to bring your own CD to listen to, but of course, I forgot. So I had to choose from their selection. They had about 20 CDs of all different styles. They had classical, jazz, new age, pop, rock and roll, and Neil Diamond. I went with Neil. I was thoroughly digging my selection at first. Kentucky Woman. Holly Holy. Sweet Caroline. Good times never seemed so good. Then my bladder started barking. Before I layed down, I was ordered to slam a huge jar of this sugary, radioactive concoction that tastes like a cocktail of coconut milk and windshield wiper fluid. By Forever in Blue Jeans, I was ready to pop. After Coming to America, I was begging to be excused.
"Just five more minutes", I was told every five minutes.
Sadly, I will now always have an excruciating, Pavlovian need to pee whenever I hear Neil and Barbra Streisand's 1979 classic You Don't Bring Me Flowers.
So, I have that to look forward to. I think I'll lay off the water that morning and pick a different disc. Do you have any suggestions?
The other thing is, I have a month of radiation ahead of me. I really don't know all that much about what to expect. Apparently, I'm going to get my "mantle" zapped 5 times a week for a month. The x-rays are specifically targeted for the affected area, so they spend a lot of time lining up the machinery with some tattoos that I'll have imprinted on my chest to make sure it is precise. The treatments are allegedly just 15 minutes a day. I've heard conflicting reports about radiation. Some say that after chemo, radiation was a breeze. Others, including a nurse at the infusion ward today, tell me that radiation is even more fatiguing than chemo.
So, I have that to look forward to. I always wanted a tattoo.
My first meeting with the radiation doc is next Wednesday, so I'll let you know how it goes.
Thanks to all of you for all of your support. It means so much to us!
Posted by Bill Wixey at 8/3/2009 1:16 PM 
Categories: Neil Diamond, PET Scan, Radiation, Chemotherapy
Tags: PET Scan Chemotherapy Neil Diamond Radiation
Categories: Neil Diamond, PET Scan, Radiation, Chemotherapy
Tags: PET Scan Chemotherapy Neil Diamond Radiation
I think you would enjoy CASH, Johnny Cash,it's just called CASH b&w cover!
Take care Bill,your always in my prayers.
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Congratulations! My music vote is for a movie soundtrack, so you can have a compilation of different artists, and also have a visual to go with it - like The Big Chill, or something classic. Good luck with radiation! Glad to see you're staying strong and positive.
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Congratulations Bill! You did it! Instead of the liquid before the PET scan, maybe they can give you the radioactive injection like I've had. Very cool. A nurse in a full haz-mat outfit comes into the injection area lugging a 3 inch steel tube with the injection material inside. Then she shoots it in you and runs for the hills. (Okay, I'm exaggerating there.) They ask you to lie REAL still for 30 minutes or else you'll explode. (Okay, really exaggerating there.) The radioactive stuff apparently sticks itself to the cancer cells.
Radiation is going to be okay. I had no idea I was going to have three little tatoos before it started. My mom was horrified!
Now look at the bright side Bill. Your hair will start to grow back in the next 2 weeks or so. And the hair products industry will heave a collective sigh of relief.
All the best to you!!!!
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Congratulations on finishing chemo, Bill! Radiation will seem like a breeze in comparison!
You are right, the radiation appointments are about 15 minutes. Most of the time spent is making sure your body is in the right spot; the actual radiation is quite quick. You will feel tired and want to sleep a lot more than with chemo. Radiation goes out like the light on a flashlight, so I had a weird burn on my back in the shape of a perfect circle.
I'm glad the end of treatment is nearing for you. Hang in there! You're almost finished! After this, you can do anything!
Take good care and know that my thoughts are with you through this all.
My best, Laura Berry
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For next time: American Beauty by the Grateful Dead
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My radiation tips/experience:
Have them give you the tattoo that will be in the least visible place first.. it usually has the most ink (I have a nice big black dot in the middle of my chest..not attractive).
In a lot of ways radiation is more fatiguing than chemo.. but it's a different kind of fatigue. A lot of it is from the drudgery of going in for treatment every single week day.
In my experience, the week after radiation ended, much of the irradiated skin turned into open wounds.. they hurt like hell. Think of your worst sunburn ever x 100 and with open wounds. If you are this unlucky, ask for the wound gel packs.. they are heaven. I also used cooling skin pads from Lindi Skin. They felt great on my neck (one of the more painful areas). Here's the link if you want to check them out: http://www.lindiskin.com/v/vspfiles/product_detail.asp?code=01CPR01
Get lots of sleep and if you have a long drive home, bring someone with you to drive, especially in the last 2 weeks.
It really does only take a few minutes, but it's a process. After the first week, it starts to go like clockwork. Have you had the CT/setup yet? That's where you go in and get a mold made of your head to keep you in place and they do the CAT scan to determine exactly how they will position the beams. About 2 weeks after that appointment, they will start the treatments.
I had 6 1/2 weeks of radiation, and it sounds like you will have less. Hopefully you won't be as affected as I was!
Good luck!
~Julie
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Bill, you and I were both diagnosed at approximately the same time in May (Hodgkins). I'm stage 3B. I'm not sure what yours it however you seem to be motoring along and doing well. I wanted you to know that I lean to your blog for both spirit and support. You've done six chemo treatments already to my 4. I have 8 more to go and treatment will not finish until March of 2010. I hope that the 2nd half of your treatment lightens the load however I am in no doubt you will continue to battle on with the great strides in any event. Just know that you do have followers that are looking up to you and admire you for your great courage thus far. Keep up the fight!!!
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Just wanted you to know that I have NHL Follicular Lymphoma Stage 4- I was diagnosed in 3-2006. I have been through the chemo end of it and since then have had 32 rounds of rituxan 4 rounds every six months. I am in remission. I have pet scans every time I finish my rituxan and now I see the dr. every six weeks for blood and have a pet scan every six months. I just wanted you to know that with you sharing your cancer with others it makes people forget about their petty issues and take up and notice that there are bigger issues at hand. I applaude you for telling others and making others aware. I want you to know you will have some pretty crappy days and you will need to listen to your body. When it says I am tired go sit down and rest. You just need to take a breather and then go back to what you are doing. Cancer is a mind game and if you feel like doing something do it. Don't sit and think about it do it. You may not do it as you used to but its okay you did it. Start small and work up to it cuz with chemo it will take you down to your knees. NHL has re-arranged my life. I don't go as fast as I used to. I have learned it is a slower pace. You learn to not sweat the small stuff cuz in the end it is all small stuff. I have stopped using all of the pain meds cuz ya have to otherwise cancer will make ya a junkie. Your family will not understand how ya feel and no one can fully understand how you feel unless ya have been there. I for one laugh often and have decided that I am gonna beat this monster. I can tell you I have bouts of vomiting and diarihha as well as my bones hurt still. I figure NHL just wants you to know that it is still around. I don't complain about it cuz after a while no one will listen. So, I want you to know there are many NHL patients out there fighting this disease. I want you to eat what tastes good to ya and try to maintain your weight. I thought I would get skinny with cancer. No- I did loose the majority of my hair. I cut it real short and as it has grown back it has a different consistancy. Your hair will grow back but it is a real blow. Bad enough ya have cancer then ya loose your hair- very upsetting. But your family and friends love ya with or without hair- So, take care of you- rest- eat even when it doesn't taste good and most of all know that there are suvivors out there- I have almost 3 1/2 years of being cancer free-so don't fret. You can get through this remember cancer is a mind game how bad do ya want to win? Me I am just that little thorn in your side that I don't want to give in just yet..You have experienced the worse now it is only up from here.. Take care and god bless ya...
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Jimmy Eat World- pain
Green Day....anything
I suggest a good mixed CD of all of your favs.... stuff that makes you smile or think of your family or just rock out......good luck cant wait to hear the results
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Bill, you and your family are in my thoughts - I have two more chemo treatments to go. My dx is breast cancer and go to Fred Hutchinson. What an incredible place that is. I will keep you in my prayers for good results.
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Hi Bill - congratulations on completing chemo! I recently finished a month worth of radiation and chemo at the end of June for a brain tumor and I have to agree the radiation treatment itself was a piece of cake but it gives you major fatigue and you can expect to get burned like a sunburn on the area that is radiated. The radiation treatment is quick, probably less than 10 minutes for my treatment and pain free, just lie back and relax as the techs do the work.
I got used to having a daily nap from the fatigue and didn't have to worry about feeling guilty for it! I count myself lucky that for my chemo I didn't have to take IV like you did, mine was a daily pill but for 30 days. And losing the hair does take getting used to but with the hot weather lately I am happy for it now!
I just found out last Friday that my cancer is now in remission, yahoo! So it has been a tough 4 months since my diagnosis, brain surgery and radiation/chemo treatments but I feel great and life is slowly returning to normal. I will have to continue with monthly chemo treatments over the next year to keep the cancer cells in remission but that is a small price to pay for being alive and living a normal life and watching my kids grow to adults.
I have been following your story on Q-13 and on the blog and I thank you for sharing. It is great that you have been wiling to share your story it really helps to open the eyes of those who have not experienced having to go through cancer.
Keep up the good fight and soon you will get some great news like I did, it is music to your ears to hear "in remission".
Best regards - Marty
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Bill-thanks for your courage in telling your story-today was my 1st radiation treatment after 5 chemos for breast cancer-I've been working almost full time- nothing compared to watching you run marathons!! I love Q13news--Love it more now--Take care!!
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Bill you have been very strong through this and I really admire your courage in sharing something so personal with us. I think and pray for you very often and I hope you come of this experience cancer free.
Be Blessed!!!
-Ciru.
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Keep your chin up.Sorry to tell you this but radiation isnt any easier 3 years ago I did both at the same time.I hope youl keep in touch then I can share things I am doing to stay healthy.I am sure your hair will grow back but it might be curly.Ive known a few people that it happened to.Oh yes I almost for got I went to cancer care also your doc that was on wasnt mine.I hope your doing ok,your wife is a wonderful help to you,this will be great for you. Take care,Karen
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Hey Bill,
I think it all depends on your illness and how much chemo you had (just my opinion) My daughter had Leukemia, had about 5 months of chemo, went into remission, relapsed 5 months later, had more chemo, then radiation to get her ready for her bone marrow transplant. After her first radiation treatment, she couldn't even stand. It was very hard. But she was very weak to begin with. She only had 3 days of radiation, but it was the worst for her. Sadly she passed due to complications from her transplant.
Just being honest here, as you asked about the radiation. I wish you the best in your treatment ahead.
Sue (Sara's Mom)
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Concrat's to Bill for his courage to share both his personal and family journey through what must be a difficult and stressful time. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bill and his family.
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Hi Bill, I send my heart felt positive thoughts to you and your family. I to have as of July 8th been diagnosed with a blood cancer Multiple myeloma, I am very much in your shoes with young children 11 and 9 years old. I want to thank you for this outlet to read and learn from. I will be starting oral chemo within 2 weeks and like all am scared and worried about the side effects etc... also this small world we live in I do believe my wife may have gone to high school with you she graduated lake washing ton high in 1988. Bill all the best to you in your recovery.
Mike Benson
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good luck to you Bill, you are in our prayers. we watch you every night and think you look just as handsome without the gorgeous hair!
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Hi Bill,
It was great seeing you on the news a few nights ago. I pray you have a full recovery.
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