PEG tube

So I'm heading into hospital again tomorrow for a couple of days so that my care team can place a PEG tube in my stomach. It is basically a tube used to feed me but a little different from the usual NG tubes. We can't place one down my throat as that is getting radiation and is red, swollen, blistered, and bleeding. So I have to have a PEG tube. I'm a little nervous as this is done under local anesthetic but as Eoin keeps telling me I must be a brave girl. I'll be at UCSF for a couple of days and have the tube for about six weeks but I only have two weeks of radiation left - yippee! Soon I'll be in single digits and counting down.

Thanks for all your prayers and good wishes - they mean the world to us and really do keep us going even when we think we have no strength left. My main visualization that has kept me going through all of this is the thought of you all holding hands in a circle with me in the center (and sometimes the three of us as a family) just being sheltered and prayed for by you all. It has at times brought me to tears to know that we are loved so much and we are humbled that you all care so much for us all. Thank you.

UPDATE (Aug 7) Two weeks later and I'm still in hospital. I have finished my radiation treatment which is amazing but I got a bad infection while here. Also my calcium and potassium levels are very low along with my white cell count. My health care team are going to keep me here a while longer so that I can heal and rest as much as I need. Tomorrow I get a central line (PICC) put in as my veins have disappeared. The PEG feeding tube is working ok - it took me  a while to adjust to it but I'm almost at the required level.

Cancer sucks!

So my external radiation treatment continues. I have done four weeks and I have three to go. I'm really beginning to feel the effects now. I'm tired all the time (hence the lack of blog updates) and I have lost the hair from the back of my head but still have hair on top! Quite a sight I can tell you.

Eating and drinking remain a challenge as I have blisters all down the inside of my throat and I have thrush in my mouth. I was carted off to the ER last week because I was dehydrated so I am working very hard on drinking.

We as a family are doing ok. I have started to read chapter books to Eoin as a way to spend more time with him as running around is not going to be happening for a while. I think this might be the first week where I don't make date night out but I'm hoping Andy and I can snuggle and watch a movie - maybe the new Torchwood. Our friends and family continue to support us amazingly.

Tuesday is my day of the week to see the doctors so I'm hoping tomorrow I will be able to ask for some pain meds so that I can try and eat. The radiation gives you an awful taste in your mouth almost like you have been sucking on a penny so that along with my taste buds being radiated makes food taste downright weird!

With all your support and prayers though I continue to smile and keep going through this journey. Please do keep praying for me and us as a family too please. It means so much to us to know that you are sending us your strength and prayers.

Let's go fly a kite....

Still train crazy!

 

Whenever you ask Eoin what he would like to do the answer inevitably has something to do with trains. Either he wants to play trains in his playroom (he now has a double train table), go to Vasona Park or Niles Canyon Railway. He really misses living near the train tracks but we still ride Caltrain from time to time. The pictures are of Eoin climbing ALL over a train at the Denis the Menace playground in Monteray.

Beacons of Light

Pigeon Point Lighthouse on Route 1 California

Well I haven't been too good at keeping this blog updated in the last few weeks so huge apologies. I am currently in week three of radiation therapy and have an end date of 5 August to work towards. I am travelling up to UCSF each day which is a round trip of 100 miles but we like the doctors and the team up there so it is worth it.

I have met some wonderful ladies up there. The one thing that shines out every time is the wonderful spirit everyone has who is on the journey that cancer takes you on. It is good to meet others who understand what it is like and we always have a word of encouragement or hugs for each other. In terms of my progress the radiation has given me a very sore throat and swallowing is a major pain but an ice cream diet isn't that bad!

As a family we are doing ok. Eoin has been going through big transitions - he started preschool three weeks ago which has been good for him. We continue to spend as much time as possible as a family at the weekends mainly at the beach. Andy continues to be my rock and beacon through out all of this. He rubs my back when I feel nauseous, has unending hugs and words of encouragement for me.

I must also say a huge thank you to all our friends here in the Bay Area who have volunteered to drive up to San Francisco so that Andy can continue to work. And to those of you who have cooked for us, cleaned and bought me beautiful scarfs a huge thank - we love you all and are truly blessed to have you in our lives!