Hot, Hot, Hot

In about 2 weeks, I am going to be HOT! (No, you crazy blog-readers, I'm not working out again - that's when I start radiation).

I had my consult with the radiation oncologist on Tuesday and as expected he is recommending radiation to be sure any microscopic cells are eliminated. Because I will not need radiation bi-laterally, he thinks he will be able to avoid radiating the throat or tongue so I should have good salivary function (on the other side), and shouldn't have sore throats or significant taste diminishment (it would suck to lose that now that food choices have expanded). Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of other fun side effects to deal with (dry mouth, sunburn on the face, fatigue, lowered blood counts, etc.), but luckily most are not permanent. And quite frankly, this will give me a chance for a better (hopefully curative) outcome.

In preparation for all this, I will be going Monday (the 6th) for my simulation (wherein they do the actual planning for the radiation); then a verification on Friday; then filming on Monday (the 13th); and the first actual day of radiation will be the 14th (the treatment itself only takes 15-20 minutes total each day, so I'll be going early in the morning before work). Then it's 5 days a week for 6 weeks, 30 total treatments in all. So you know what that means - I'll be celebrating my 50th birthday by getting zapped! (And I don't mean with an Effen martini either). It's looking more and more like GALAGANZA will be postponed at least to the summer.

I love you all dearly, but...it may be time to stop spoiling me (well, except on May 18th of course). Don't get me wrong, I am loving the cards, the e-mails, the visits, the gifts, the pudding (Diane, it's REALLY good!), the quiche, the calls, the prayers...all of it (never let it be said that I minded attention). But I'm really doing well, physically and emotionally, and I feel like I'm hogging all this good will away from folks who might really need it! Then again, you have all been so generous you may have single-handedly saved both the economy and our faith in human nature (take that Bernie Madoff)!

Speaking of folks who need some prayers: Danny B. (good luck buddy!); Taryn (arthroscopic knee surgery on Monday - don't worry, she'll be back on the lacrosse field in a couple of weeks); Ken (my step-father, still recuperating from his fall off the ladder); Carole (my mother-in-law); Stephane and family; Margaret; and most of all Patti B., who we almost lost, so thank you God for giving her doctors the skills to save her, for making sure she was in the right place at the right time to get help, and for giving her the strength to come back to us. XOXO sweetie.

I'm ready for some warm weather - bring on the heat!