Whole Brain Radiation ~ the process

[hermiracles]

Hello friends - well here I am staying in accommodation with my hubby and our babies - waiting for my WBR to start on Tuesday.

I wanted somewhere to record some of the process - and I thought here might be a good place - with people who understand what Im going through and could give me some helpful feedback - if yous dont mind that is:-))

I'll have to go back and check my scan results from last week - but apparently there are 6 mets (most under 1cm) - one 1.1cm. I will have to go back and check those notes - just dont have them on me at the moment.

I wanted to post though - as I got off to such a bad start with the nursing staff!! I couldn't believe it - I think going from Palliative Care to inpatient at Tertiary level modern hospital was such a shock to my system - I really had to say - I'll come back as an outpatient. It really freaked me out!!

Anyways - I'll post more later when I get a chance... very tired.... and crabby!! LOL! and need to rest badly. Say a few prayers for me folks - I think Im gonna need them!

Blessings all
Hermiracles (Marilyn)

[Mary Jo]

Hi Marilyn,

You are covered in prayer friend. You can count on that.

Sending my love and a gentle hug,

Mary Jo

[Patb]

You will receive my prayers every day and keep us
posted as we care for you and your family. Take
care much success with your treatment.
patb

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

A truly warm, tight (but not too tight) and long long hug to you, Hermi. Filled with LOVE! Can you feel it? I can feel your heartbeat...

And, I promise, many prayers will be sent out in your name by me. Starting right this minute. Every day.

You are in my thoughts anyway.

Vent all your crabby thoughts right here any time you wish. We're all here to support you.

Wish I could give personal experience advice re WBR.

How could the nurses not adore you? You are such a darling!

Andi http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/clip_art/gstres/anmls/animals-butterfly

[Mary Anne in TX]

I'm sending you and your family my love and prayers, Marilyn! ma

[caya]

I am sending you good wishes Marilyn from Canada. Prayers too.

all the best
caya

[SoCalGal]

Me too. Sending good thoughts and prayers too. Please post everyday and let us know how it goes. Give them hel* in the hospital and remind them that it's the difficult patients who are the SURVIVORS (tell them Flori says so:).

[hutchibk]

I will be thinking of you constantly - sending you prayers and strength!

[Sheila]

Hermiracles
Sending thoughts and prayers to you and your family that this will be completed soon and you will be able to return home with your little miracles.

[DonnaD]

Not a few, but many prayers are coming your way. Please let us know how you are doing.

Donna

[MJo]

Marilyn -- I always enjoy seeing your posts. Looking forward to hearing from you while you undergo this treatment. You know, I thought your name was Sheila, and then I heard that women are called Sheilas in Australia. I hope it's not something women in Australia don't like and that I'm not offending you. But I was surprised to hear your name is Marilyn. LOL.

[Vi Schorpp]

http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/pp141/cstark0824/thget_well_soon.gif

[hermiracles]

Oh my friends - you are all so sweet - this is some journey we take eh? and I appreciate every kind thought and prayer.

So we have been resting up with the bubbas - having some family time and its been good. Getting ready for my 1st treatment this morning.

I went back and checked my CT scan (11th Sept)report of my brain. It said:
-> there are ring-enhancing presumed metastases in the L/ cerebral hemisphere
-> larger 11mmx8mm
-> another at the craniocaudal level
-> tiny enhancing 3mm focus
-> and similar 3mm x 4mm enhancing nodule
-> small enhancing nodule at the grey white matter region
-> another similar sized enhancing nodule in the r/ vertex
(That's 6 altogether eh?) Each of these small ring-enhancing lesions is associated with considerablle white matter oedema."

I said to Anthony, I got so many mets in my body - bones, lungs and brain - I honestly dont know how Im still walking around!?? and then of course my fear is I wont be for much longer :-(( = less time with Hubby and my bubs. So be gone fears be replaced with faith ~ just for today I am alive and my bubbas and my little family are happy and sleeping soundly and I have my lovely friends here in HER2 group to chat with :-)) Thank You God - just for today.

It's so much better for me to be here as an outpatient! I've been grieving a lot my loss of independence and the loss of what I can do for my babies.. so the furtheriest away from the hospital the better for me... and I'll tell 'em Flori said so! LOL! You girls make me laugh.

Well Im off to get a bit more sleep now - every one else is sleeping soundly.
Blessings all
Hermi (Marilyn)

http://her2support.org/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=15&pictureid=45/ http://her2support.org/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=15&pictureid=46

Sissy & Junior say Hi! :-))

[Mary Anne in TX]

Could anyone be cuter than those two? Nope! what darlings they are. You and your family continue to be in my daily prayers and longing for your recovery. May your moments be blessed and joyful. ma

[WomanofSteel]

Will keep you and your beautiful family in my prayers.

[tricia keegan]

Huge hugs and prayer's for sucessful treatment Marilyn, I'll be thinking of you also.

[Ruth]

Thinking about you....
Ruth

[jones7676]

Thinking of you...love the pics!

[Yorkiegirl]

AWWW just love the pic of your sweet beautiful bubbas. I will certainly keep you in my prayers and thoughts.

[karenann]

Marilyn,

Sending strength and healing prayers your way.

Karen

[Soccermom]

Marilyn, your sweet bubbas have the most wonderful smiles...almost like they know something that we don't. Truly little angels..

many heartfelt prayers for you ~
With Love ,Marcia

[Believe51]

Thinking of you so strongly today as you embark on WBR. Kiss those gorgeous bubbas when you get home and take it easy for a while. One baby step at a time, just like you taught those beautiful 'lil ones. Praying that you are back to yourself as soon as possible. Really try to relax as you are killing those nasties!! Lots of love to you and your entire family>>Believe51

[Barbara H.]

Thank you so much for posting those beautiful pictures. Sending healing thoughts your way!
Barbara H.

[hermiracles]

Hello my dearest friends - I have survived my 1st two treatments OK!

My days seem pretty full-on even though the treatment itself only takes about 10 minutes - most of the day is spent hanging around with Anthony and our bubs - doing our shopping, washing or picnicing in the park.

I guess so far so good??.... Actually do any of you think only 2 treatments could actually be having any effect??? I seem to be feeling a bit better in myself.. with less confusion.... who knows I could be dreaming!? Sorry to be a bit flippent... guess it lightens some of the stress! (There's a part of me that still can't believe this is all happening!)

Going to catch an early night tonight - maybe even a good nights sleep :-))

Blessings all ~ thanks so much for all your love and support.
Hermi (Marilyn)

[Mary Jo]

Hi Marilyn
High 5's ya friend and gives you a HUGE hug 'cause I'm so happy to hear how well things are going for you. And, to top it off, such blessings in being able to spend all that wonderful, fun time with your husband and adorable "miracles!" YAHOO!

Love & Blessings,

Mary Jo

[hermiracles]

Hey - Hi 5s y'self Mary Jo! LOL! It helps to have a laugh eh? Thanks Sister. (Now I'm really going to bed! :-))
Blessings
Hermiracles

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

HEY MARILYN!

Seems all the prayers being sent out in your name are being answered. Yes, I do believe in SPONTANEOUS HEALING. Immediate relief. Did you see a purple light?

Love and hugs to you. And give a gentle hug to each of your miraculous bubbas. Even your sweet hubby Anthony surely needs a hug, so please do, on my behalf...

Keep smiling, Sister... http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/2b00001c91/06

[chrisy]

HEaling prayers continuing to come your way!

[Soccermom]

More healing prayers,Marilyn...kisses for the bubbas from their aunties across the pond...XOXOXO (for you too)
Marcia

[hermiracles]

Hello friends ~ Well I have survived my 1st week of treatment! So far so good ~ the side-effects dont seem too bad. Mild - indigestion, confusion, forgetfulness, a bit wobbly on my feet, very exhausted... I guess not nearly as bad as I thought it would be! Only one more week to go!

Bubbas were 1 1/2 today!! We had some free movie passes and tried going to the movies to see Beverly Hills Chiuahah (?sp) - but it was way too loud! Really freaked the bubbas out! (too loud for me even!)

So we had to leave but luckily there was a park just across the road so we went and sat there - and it was good actually to be out and about and away from the hospital walls or the confines of our accommodation! Bubbas seemed to enjoy themselves and we took some great pics which I maybe able to post here... one day LOL!

This week I am also having Aeredia to strengthen me bones - have that once a month and also a bone scan on Friday with me last raditaion before we pack up the car and set off for home on Saturday. It is about a 3 hour drive to home from here - looking forward to being home: One day at a time.
Blessings all
Hermiracles.

[Joan M]

Marilyn,

It seems like you are really progressing. I'm so happy for you! I sending more prayers your way that you'll feel better and stronger everyday.

Joan

[Mary Anne in TX]

I can surely picture your sweet family in that park! Have to admit that I'd rather spend time outside than inside. So glad that you are doing good. Still praying for many miracles for you! I love to see the Big C lose! Lots of love, ma

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

My blood Sister has a I swear 100 yr old Chihuahua. I never can remember how to spell it. So I looked it up. Is that what you are referring to, Marilyn.

You sound like you are doing great! Thank you for sharing with us. I also remember my babies and the giant movie screen and the loudness, which I hadn't noticed pre baby. VERY SCARY! I think we left too, in a New York minute...

Also once we took the kids to a local restaurant, w/peanut shells covering the floors and crappy fried, cheesy food (perfect for little ones' pallettes) and -- someone inside a SNOOPY outfit. They loved Snoopy. However, they freaked out when they saw the real deal, taller than their Dad. Bad idea. They just cried and ran...

Trees and grass, birds and sunshine are always very friendly, though. Are there squirrels down under? The beauty of nature reminds us of home (in the Spiritual Realm) I think. http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/2b00001c91/06 Though one of my daughters refused to budge if barefoot on grass for the longest while. Guess it creeped her out...

You sound surrounded by LOVE, Hermi. And I continue to send you mine, along with healing energy. Stay close, please... http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/clip_art/gstres/anmls/animals-butterfly

Staying in the moment is what one day at a time is all about. That's where happiness is! (As Eckie has reminded us all...)

[Kavy]

Marilyn,
Sending healing prayers your way. I am glad to know you are doing good and that the side effects are mild. This week is going to pass fast, and soon you will be done with the WBR procedure. Hang in there.
Your children are adorable, they are very cute.
A big hug and lots of prayers,
KarlaV.

[chrisy]

Marilyn,
Well done. Especially bailing out on Beverly Hills Chihuahua in favor of a nice time in the park. Your bubs are so beautiful I smile every time I see them. As I'm sure do you.

Much love,
Chris