It's been a while since I posted.  I needed some time to concentrate on what was happening and how things were progressing and I'm on kind of a spring break from my treatment plan now so it seems like a good time for an update.

On Good Friday, I finished Phase 1 of my therapy which was daily radiation and weekly chemo for 6 weeks.  My fatigue level gradually rose but fortunately side effects were minimal.  (I truly believe this was due to all the prayers and support I've received.   It was extremely rewarding to see the tumor in the right upper lobe become smaller and smaller throughout the 6 week period and progress from a donut to a comma.  That positivity helps.  And the radiology techs were absolutely wonderful throughout the entire time.  

I did have one minor set-back.  Believe it or not, I fell out of bed one night onto my right arm.  It really hurt but Xrays were negative so that was good.  It still bothers me but is slowwwwwly getting better.  I've had lots of vivid dreams-one night I was confirmed as a Supreme Court judge, etc. etc., so I don't know if a dream contributed or what.  That's what I will blame it on anyway.

April 25 I started 2 weeks of every-other-day radiation to nail the little spot on the left lower side (Phase 2).  I finished that on Wednesday.  So I have completed ALL of the radiation and chemo of my treatment plan.  The radiation oncologist has scheduled me for a repeat chest CAT scan the first week in June to see where we are at.  I am encouraged by this great progress and hoping for continued shrinkage of both areas.  I've gotten to ring the completion chimes at the Cancer Center twice!!!  My only concern is the continuing fatigue.  I am soooooooooooooooooo tired.  If I climb a flight of stairs, I need to rest and sometimes lay down.  Dr. Orcutt told me this will gradually improve over the coming month.  I hope so.  This is not my typical state.  

One other interesting observation...  It was difficult to celebrate the end of each phase.  When I'm leaving the Cancer Center and look around the waiting room, I typically see several people who are obviously much sicker than I am.  I feel guilty and selfish because I'm doing as well as I am.  I've taken to including them in my prayers also and my list seems to continue to grow.  This is a horrible disease and I don't want to take my progress for granted.  Several of the staff in the cancer center have new t-shirts with a rainbow of colored ribbons signifying the various types of cancers and the t-shirt says "Cancer sucks-no matter what color it is."  

Yesterday I saw the oncologist to discuss immunology and the next step of my treatment plan.  This is also the part I know absolutely nothing about so it is much more frightening.  Dr. Erlich had a resident with him also and they were great about answering all our questions.  If this were anyone else, there would be absolutely no question that this is the right step.  But with my rheumatoid arthritis, or any other auto immune disease such as lupus, there is a real concern about side effects.  There have been instances where use of the immunology medications results in an awakening of an underlying disease which then attacks other organs with very negative results.  I had to sign that I was willing to accept these risks before they could start the treatment.  This is scary to me naturally.  But my final question was if they were in my shoes would they choose this course.  Both of them immediately said they would.  So, here we go.  My first dose is scheduled for May 24.  They also need to change the medication I currently take for my RA to Remacaid so I will be seeing a rheumatologist at Mayo Clinic on May 16 to get that going.  

So to all of you, thanks for all your prayers up to this point.  If you have others with a more pressing need, I understand.  I'm still working part time and that gets me out of bed and keeps my mind on other topics.  But on May 23, please pray extra hard that the immunotherapy goes well and does as intended.  This is my chance for a cure and I will be working extra hard to get my body to accept the healing part of the therapy and not the side effects.  I receive both the immunotherapy and the new RA medications through my port every month for a year.  What a wonderful invention that port is.  No fighting to find veins to administer these harsh chemicals and getting blood for labs is a breeze.  

That's the other thing that is amazing to me.  I can't imagine the smart people who have made all the advances in cancer treatment through the years.  The equipment in radiology is amazing and targets such a small area.  And the progress in medications is also unbelievable.  All of these contribute to the one thing that all of us cancer people need and that's hope.  

Today would have been my mother's 102nd birthday.  And tomorrow is Mother's day.  My mother had breast cancer when I was six months old and was given one year to live.  She died at 72 of pancreatic cancer.  I hope I can fight as well as she did. If you have the option, please be in touch with your mother and let her know how how much she is appreciated.  The expression of feelings means so much and you never know how many additional opportunities you have to do this.  Thank you again from the bottom of my heart for all the prayers you have given me this year, and please resume or continue extra hard prayers on May 23.  I am afraid, but I will fight.  Thanks again!!!  

Sue