julie445's Cancer Blog
June 30, 2010
I had my second go around with the Cyberknife about 3 weeks ago. I was pretty sick for about 10 days. I don’t remember the Cyberknife making me feel so bad when I had it done the first time last February 2009. Don’t know if it is because they didn’t pre medicate me this time around. One thing I do know is that I could not eat for days and lost weight I could not afford to lose. This week my apetite seems to have made a come back and hopefully the weight will follow.
I will have a CT scan on July 29th and follow up with the rad/oncologist who did the Cyberknife the same day. He is the same doctor who did the treatment last year.
I don’t want to ginx my progress, or how I feel, so I will just say I have notice changes since the treatment 3 weeks ago, so I’ll leave it at that. I am supersticious I guess, LOL.
Emotionally I am in a huge funk still, just can’t seem to snap out of it. The life of a couch potato is no fun and quite depressing, can’t seem to force myself to do anything.
That is all that is going on, not too interesting. But that is good in a way, no drama.
Julie
You are a very brave lady. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Hang in there.
God Bless…... Ed
Posted on Hi Julie,
Its good to hear from you. I’m sorry that the cyberknife treatment left you feeling yucky – you’d think that something with that cool of a name would leave you with no side effects. Sorry to hear about the funk as well – those are just brutal. I have finally shaken my latest funk state, maybe its no coincidence that we’re finally having sunny weather here? Hang in there. I hope you’re feeling better soon, and that good news is waiting just around the corner.
Best,
Melissa
Posted on hi, julie. just wanted to say that i truly hope you get good results from the cyber knife treatment. God only knows you have been through enough. i know what you mean about the funk. i am in one now that has been going on for quite awhile…more due to circumstances with my hubby’s health than with my own. makes life so difficult. i will be praying for you. debby
Posted on Hi Julie,
I know this is tough and I am so sorry that the Cyberknife had debilitating effects. You are dealing with cancer so courageously, and I am confident that you can this next step. It is tough to be in a funk; perhaps some of your lack of energy is due to the weight loss. Can you do some tricks to add calories? —Add an extra tablespoon of olive oil to salad dressing, or add ground nuts to cereal.
I hope your kids are well. You are a wise mom.
With prayers and good thoughts,
Andrea
Posted on Julie—
You continue to amaze me, considering all you’ve been through. I hope this last treatment will be the final chapter for your cancer! May it be gone for good and leave you alone! As always, you remain in my thoughts and prayers.
Hugs—
Martha
Posted on julie…you have gone through so much…I truly admire your strength, courage and determination…keep fighting…and I will say a prayer for you every day to overcome this thing and all that you have been through…
d xo
Posted on I understand the funk that comes with this process. I have thought about it a lot lately. I think maybe we have to heal, not just physically, but emotionally as well, and maybe there is some numbness or lull if you will during this process. I hope you are out of the woods, both physically and emotionally very soon.
Wish we lived closer – i would bring you tons of different kinds of meals and snacks – even if you just take a bite or two.
I wish you well my friend. Let us know about the scan you get this coming month.
Posted on Julie,
Thanks for checking in with us! I am hoping that today finds you inching towards the day when you are feeling terriffic. Hopefully it is a bright sunny and mild day in Ohio? Do you have a hammock to go lay in and enjoy the fresh air?
It has been one seriously long year for you. You deserve to feel blue for a bit…then see if you can get back up, fight for your life and enjoy your boys!
Much love and hugs to you!
Bo
My thoughts and prayers are with you as always:) Glad to see you posted an update. I was out of town all weekend with friends and this is my first chance to get caught up with everyone. Tell your boys to take mom out on the town and go somewhere, even if it is to the movies so that you get out of the house a little if you can. A change of scenery is what you need I am sure.
Hugs,
Melin
Posted on Hey Julie. Hope you’re feeling better. Looks like a good day to play outside.
jp
Posted on I’d like to serve you a bowl of miso soup. wishing you well.
Posted on Hi Julie – hope the last few weeks have seen you regain your strength and find some lightness in your life. The funk stuff is sometimes tougher than the physical in my experience.
Wishing you well going into your scan and fingers crossed that it will be good news all round when you meet with your oncologist. Have been and will continue to think of you and hold you in my prayers.
with love, janet
Posted on June 4, 2010
Don’t know if I’ve posted this yet or not. But they have scheduled my Cyberknife treatments for June 14, 15, and 16th. Just 10 days away! :) Who would think one would be excited like I am. LOL. But I’ve been thru the treatment before and know what to expect, so I suppose that is why. Totally painless, minimal, if any side effects. And I remember last time almost immediate relief from symptoms. :)
Also, I have been on pain meds (Vicoden) since my exenteration surgery last July. I’ve had some pain since the surgery, so it is necessary. Seems my body has become immune to its effects, which I guess after nearly a year I can see that happening. So they are switching it to Dilaudid, because I can’t do anything with Codein in it, Percocet doesn’t agree with me either. So that is what they came up with for me to try. They have to Fed Ex the script to me, so I will get it tomorrow. They are doing that because this med, like Percocet can not be called in to the pharmacy and I live 200 miles from my gyno/onco. They told me to expect a box, not an envelope, which I understand why they do it like that, so nobody can get their hands on the script inside.
The pain I have has been lower back and stiffness. Doc says it is probably due to the length of the surgery and being in that position for so long, on top of doing nothing but lay down for about 2 months. Has put alot of pressure on the lower back. Hope the new med works, because I know I will feel better if I can get back into some type of walking and exercise routine.
Hi Julie – good to hear from you and to hear that you have the dates scheduled for your procedure . . . can totally understand your excitement and am so glad that you do not have to wait too long to get things moving.
You are sounding strong but can only imagine how stressful this time is for you. I just said a prayer asking that your new painkiller will be effective and get you comfortable. You need your energy right now for healing – not managing niggling pain. I pray for healing for you.
Sending you love and a hug, janet
Julie—
I want to wish you the very best with your upcoming treatments. I know you will do fine and that they will be successful. Sorry to hear you are in pain, but hopefully, the news meds will give you the relief you need. As always, you are in my thoughts and prayers and I look forward to hearing from you after the 16th.
Hugs—
Martha
Julie,
A woman with a plan of action, love that! Knows what she needs to do and will let nothing stop her or get in the way! Great attitude!
Sorry to hear that you are still in pain. I cannot even imagine. I agree with you, once you are able to get up and walk a bit, it might help, I am hoping so anyhow!
I continue to pray for you and your boys! I know you have thousands of prayers and well wishes coming your way. Please stay strong and continue the fight!
Hugs to you,
Kim
Hi Julie,
Glad your plan is in place, and the appointments are scheduled. I hope that the dilaudid does the trick, and gives you some relief. The secret packaging for the script is pretty funny. If only the FedEx guy knew what was in the precious cargo …
Here’s to successful Cyberknifing.
Andrea
Julie,
I had dilaudid after my rectal surgery – I hope it does the trick for you. I was in such a bad funk after my surgery I don’t know if anything could have helped me. The more dilaudid they gave me, the more I slept. Oh well – you pain needs to be managed and if you are feeling it – there’s got to be something out there that will help.
As for your upcoming appointments, believe it or not I am so glad to hear that the cyberknife is just days away. If my lymph node that it’s in the center of my chest does not respond to chemo, the alternative would be cyberknife…so maybe one day I will be asking you about it.
Anyways, have a great weekend – I will be keeping you in my prayers.
Michelle
Posted on I am sorry hear you are having more pain…Glad you got your cyberknife scheduled. I will be praying for you! How are your boys doing with this round of news? They are on my mind a lot and I worry about you all so much! Praying for you!
Melinda
Julie,
Glad to hear you have something to be excited about and look forward to. Sometimes we just settle for what we can get, no matter how odd it might sound to anybody else off the street.
Sending thoughts and prayers that you find relief from the pain and discomfort.
Take care,
Greg
Posted on I hate to hear you are in pain, but glad they are going to try something else. Very exciting news about the treatment plan. Y ou are just amazing. And HAPPY BIRTHDAY by the way. :) Linda
Posted on It sounds like you have a handle on these treatments and that is a good sign. If you can go into it with that kind of positive thinking it really does help. Sorry to hear you are still in pain. Yes you should try some water exercises because it doesn’t cause the stress that walking does, atleast for the first couple of months. It is the best for your back and legs. There are many aerobosize classes everywhere. I would tend to look at that first. Hope everything goes well and that the new pills bring some better results.
Posted on Julie…I am in awe or your strength and courage…you really remarkable and you continue to be in my thoughts and prayers!
d xo
Hi Julie,
Best of luck with your CyberKnife treatments. I work for Cyberknife’s public relations agency, and we’re interested in learning more about your cancer battle and your experience with CyberKnife. If you are willing to share your story, please email me and we can set up a time to talk.
Best of Luck,
Jen
jduggan@schwartz-pr.com
Like you said you have been down this road before and know what to expect. GOOD LUCK. You did answer a question for me that yes another treatment can be done. I JUST finished my first five treatments and a bit disappointed in that they say it will be three months before we will know the results so once again we WAIT….but once again good luck. I will keep you in my prayers.
Thanks for your support - 
