Radiation Chemo and hope for quality

Short update...finished 5 radiation treatments last week. Different than the radiosurgery I did in May - shorter in length and more "widespread" in location. Objective purely to reduce vision symptoms. Outcome or success won't be realized for at least another week but I have noticed a slight reopening of left eye and some reduction in left pupil size during past couple days which gives me HOPE for next week :)

Until the eyes return walking to washroom and any other moves are really tough so mom and dad have been critical caregivers for a couple weeks now.

Dr. Nixon (oncologist covering Dr. Stewart) continues to be amazing and we will start a 3 drug Chemo cycle tomorrow bright and early. First cycle will take all day as they have to watch for drug reactions and run it real slow as it will go through my hand veins. Assuming all goes as planned, I'll feel worse later this week then start to rebound from both radiation and Chemo next week - with 5 more three week cycles after this one.

Sometime before I start the next round they will get a port or pik line in me too....making it easier to infuse treatment.

So things are busy! And very tiring! Energy limited but I have more hope the treatments will get me more quality for however long I can push this. I can read with one eye so thanks for messages love and thoughts you send. Don't be offended if j don't respond 😊💙. Love Tricia

Symptom Control (!@#)

My vision issues continue so this will be quick. Basically MRIs confirmed disease has spread in brain and to spine. I am still processing how this could be happening but we are now into symptom control...no longer cancer control.

I have been waiting for the timing to start some cranial radiation aimed at reducing my vision symptoms and now know that will start tomorrow. Last Friday I had a CT and the mask was made.   I think I will get 5-6 radiation treatments to my head in the coming week. Risks exist for things to get worse before better of course but I am ready to get going with something.

Following radiation the team also thinks doing some chemo may also be possible again with symptom control as the goal. We've already talked which drugs (IV). Nothing for spine makes sense at the moment.

Right now the way you can help me and my family the most is sending prayers, energy and/or strength to help us survive. There may be more tangible ways to help next week but right now we don't know what that looks like.

love Tricia