For those of you who want to know what’s scheduled to happen when with treatment, here’s a list of my upcoming appointments and procedures. (By the way, I’ve learned already that these things are subject to change quickly).
- Wed 8/5 @ 9:00 – Ultrasound at UNM in Albuquerque (this is to help “stage” the cancer)
- Fri 8/7 @ 9:30 – PET Scan @ X-ray Associates in Santa Fe (another piece used in “staging”)
- Wed 8/12 @ 10:30 – Office Visit w/Dr. Fekrazad @ Cancer Center in Santa Fe (he’s the chemo guy)
- Wed 8/12 @ 11:30 – “Chemotherapy Teaching Session” w/nurse @ Cancer Center
- Wed 8/12 @ 1:00 – “CT Simulation” @ Cancer Center (to create a mold of my pelvis for use in radiation treatment)
- Mon 8/17 @ 10:00 – Out-patient surgical procedure @ St. Vincent’s Hospital to have the chemotherapy “port” placed (near collar bone)
- Wed 8/19 @ 10:30 – 1st Chemotherapy Treatment (4.5 hrs) simultaneous w/ first Radiation Treatment
Thereafter: Radiation every day (5 days per week) for 5-1/2 weeks, simultaneous w/ weekly chemo treatments
A Different Wholeness 
Oh my dear Karen, i am so shocked and saddened about this awful news. i can hardly believe it.
i am glad that you are getting a port, it will make things so much easier. Please be aware that there are things they can use to make sticking the port more comfortable. There is a cream called EMLA that you can glob on and cover with seran wrap 30 minutes before your apt. and it will make the skin numb over the port. it does require a prescription from the doc. The other thing is a spray that basically freezes the site over the port. i used it all the time with my patients with pretty good results. You will need to ASK for either of these as most doctors don’t think of it. a lot of ocology nurses will but not all. The oncologist should have the spray in his office.
i will say that the drugs to manage the side effects of chemo are pretty darn good now. they have come a long way in the 30 years i have been doing this.
i have been praying for you and will do so on a daily basis.
Erik and i send our love.
i am available if you have any questions or just want to talk.
Love,
Candy
excuse any spelling!