Oncology appointment at Duke

We were back at Duke for an oncology appointment today. Lots of good news and reminders that someone would gladly trade places with me.

Verdict is 6 weeks of radiation that i can have done in charotte. Then, a year of chemo either concurrent or after the radiation. The doctor explained that in clinical trials - radiation followed by chemo resulted in more years of life - so we are going with that. The good thing is that the oral chemo pill, while convenient, is also milder. I shouldn’t lose my hair and will likely have a bit of nasea. The radiation will leave me feeling foggy and while they try to concentrate it just on the tumor, there will be some collateral damage on memory, etc. I told Dr. Khasrow that my memory was pretty bad before so likely no one will notice. And like i told Brad, i now have an excuse any time i forget a name or birthday. Who is going to argue with a girl with a brain tumor?!

Based on the pathology, the tumor had some mineralization that indicates it has been with me for quite a while. Tang’s probably tagged along on most of our adventures. The PA said my youth and health likely kept it at bay this long

Next steps, we meet with my oncologist in charlotte, after he or she confers with duke. They need to address some significant swelling that’s still present and determine a map for the radiation.

He also said to keep working out as i feel up to it, eating healthy and keeping a positive attitude. Brad said what else could we do? He said some people just give up but they also don’t do very well. We saved him the dissertation on positive psychology and the findings linking a positive affect with better health outcomes 😉

We are thrilled to have a plan in place and some next steps forward!

Thank you all for your positive thoughts and love!