Sunlight, radiation from the sun. I'm going to keep that in mind when I'm undergoing radiation after I have completed the chemotherapy.

Sunshine lights us up and makes us smile, at the same time that it makes shadows. I took this photo on SE MLK one Saturday when I walked from the bus to the Architectural Heritage Center to attend a lecture. I really like this photo and hope that you do, too.




Dr. Thomas Johnson at Kaiser on Interstate Avenue said that I will not have radiation until about a month after I've completed the chemotherapy. Right now, if I am physically able to stick to having a round of chemo every 21 days, I should have the last round on November 11. If my body doesn't let that happen, of course the chemo will be delayed which naturally would mean the radiation would be delayed.

No matter when it begins, here's the gist of the plan. It will be external beam radiotherapy of the whole pelvic area. I will see Dr. Johnson about 2-3 weeks after the end of the chemo, have a treatment-planning CT scan, then begin the treatments 1-2 weeks later. The treatments will be Monday-Friday, 15 minute x-ray sessions that will last for 5 to 6 weeks. He will see me once a week during the treatments. He said that the last week, #6, would more than likely be extra treatment on the right side of the pelvic area since that is where the rotten-no-good-cancerous-mass was located. (The adjectives are mine, all mine.)

So, next Wednesday, July 29, at 7:30 a.m., I will be at Kaiser Interstate for my first six-hour long chemotherapy treatment. I am relieved to know that I will be undergoing just one type of treatment at a time.

Thank you so much for your continued prayers, love, and concern.