Chernobyl Charlie…
It’s been a few weeks since my last post and I apologize to everyone who comes here to get updates. I met with the radiation oncologist two weeks ago. Thankfully she is very smart, knows what she’s talking about, and has informed me of all the possible side affects that come with being radiated. Some of the side affects are less than favorable…I could loose the function of me salivary glands (they make spit) permanently…that would suck! I will have scar tissue on my lungs because they are too big to protect completely. I will loose some hair on the back of my neck and under my chin…which kind of pisses me off because I just started to get all my hair back. And lastly, I will get a very sore throat…she said that it will feel like I’m swallowing glass…not looking forward to that one. She then informed me that I’ll be having 18-20 treatments…which is about three and a half weeks and it will take two weeks for the side affects to go away.
After that visit I had another visit where they took a bunch of x-rays and lined me up on the machine…once lined up they gave me six little tattoos that they will use to line me up for each treatment.
I started radiation on Monday. When I got there I changed into a johnny and they brought me into the room with the machine. They lined me up, taped me chin up so they can get to my neck, and zapped me three times from the front and three times from the back…that was it. It only takes 30 minutes from the time I get there to the time I leave. I was in a particularly bad mood that day. I didn’t get any sleep the night before and was miserable for the entire day. I’m not sure if it’s just the stress of all this cancer crap or if it was the full moon, but I’m leaning towards the cancer crap. I wanted to break stuff all day, but luckily I stopped doing stuff like that a long time ago. I just went to the gym and took it out on some of the weight machines.
Well, I’ve had three treatments so far and on Tuesday I met with Dr. Lingos (my radiation oncologist) to tell her how things have been going. I told her about my horrible mood on Monday and the lack of sleep. I also told her about an issue I’ve been having with my heart…I have something called PVC (premature vascular contractions) and have been having them for at least fifteen years or so. But now they are getting more prominent and happen for longer periods of time. So…she wants me to see a cardiologist and find out what’s going on. I ran into her again today and she gave me a prescription for Zoloft to help with my sleeping and my mood. She even spoke to one of her colleagues from Dana Faber and presented him with my case…he told her that because I had a negative PET scan half way through treatment that I was cured! That’s cool!
I’ll end on a strange note…I learned yesterday that a girl I dated about five years ago was diagnosed with lymphoma! How weird is that…makes me wonder what it is that is causing so many people to get this type of cancer?
Oh, as for the tittle of this post. The wife and I were watching a show the other night that was talking about how the Chernobyl explosion ruined an entire city…so I pointed out that what ruined that city is what they are zapping me with everyday…so I joked that I’m going to change my name to Chernobyl Charlie…HAHAHA! I know it’s strange for me to be making jokes like that but if ya can’t laugh then what do you have?
Hey Jay – You know I havent looked at this in a while– Like since the first post.Even though Im in contact with you all the time. There are things I learn from this I wouldnt know otherwise. I think its a really important thing for you to do. For you, and for us. Everyone you love and everone wholoves you should take the time to read this.You should remind them to check it out.Reading your thoughts has reminded me this is an on going battle for you. Although you have handled it extremely well,it is the hardest thing you and my sister have faced in your life. It also is outweighs the hardest things most of us who read it have faced in our own lives. We all love you and think of you and Melissa. Wishing things would be all better now. But, unfortunately, with everyones busy lives we sometimes forget how lucky we are and we sometimes accept your situation as a new normal. Its important that you have this to remind us all that this is not normal. Its very tough and very tough for you and your spouse. You both have more to deal with than newlyweds should. Im proud of you and Im proud of my sister.You have both faced this with humor,strength and pride. Never be ashamed of your bad days- or reaching out to share those feelings with those who love you both. There is no good cancer. This can’t be an easy journey! Be proud of yourself for handling it so well. And remember to remind us how we can help you through it. With Love, Your Sis-in -Law