KARDAS - Accbar Pita

* Chapter 3 *

6 February 1997

6 February 1997

Here I am again with the latest,

Yesterday I saw Dr.Machtay, the onco-radiologist. He said that the chest X-Ray was normal, and that the ultrasound of my liver showed some cysts -- whatever/why ever they are there he doesn't know -- or apparently care -- said that they are common and are nothing to worry about! That I should occupy myself with the cancer.

The CEA blood test results were not available yet -- blood drawn on 30 January! Just exactly what this test is for, I really have no idea -- I think it has to do with seeing whether the blood antigens show for colon or anal cancer?? Any ideas about this test??

After seeing Dr. Machtay and signing the papers for treatment -- listing pages of possible side effects, complications, etc. (Is all this really worth it?) -- he did the "orientation" thing in the lab, drawing lines on me, putting little tattoo dots to orient the radiologist for the radiotherapy. I have to see him next Thursday (13 February) to have a "walk through" of the actual radiation process.

According to him, I should be receiving some 5000 to 6000 rads of radiation, about 180 rads/day over a period of 28-33 radiation days. I would begin on Monday, 17 February, remaining in the hospital that week for combined chemo-radiation therapies -- which should really do a job on my immune system among other things!! Then the radiation would be from Monday through Friday -- which should probably take me until about 31 March, the last 4 days of which would be another session of combined chemo-radio stuff. After which I theoretically spend some/many weeks recovering from all of these modern medical "wonders".

I missed last Monday's AOL "survivors' chat room due to, again, an early doctor's appointment -- this time the dentist! Shall attempt to get on this Monday, 10 February.

The sheet listing the radiation effects/complications/etc. really has me climbing the wall -- AND I have not yet seen the same sheet(s) from the chemo guy!!

So there we are -- what else is new??

Forgot to put the recyclables out this morning, meaning I have containers full of stuff that must wait for another 2 weeks!

The 4 Siamese kittens are four weeks old tomorrow -- they are really cute, and jumping around in their box -- guess it will be time to let them roam in the other room soon, to learn to eat and use the litter box.

This morning at 5am I took Bernar and Bernie to the airport in Philly -- they are going to MardiGras in New Orleans -- will be back next Tuesday, if all goes as expected.

Until next time,

Sonny

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