The decision WILL be made tomorrow and I wanted to give you all a brief summary so that you could be praying for Don and me as we decide.
Monday, December 22 we went and met with Dr. C at the Proton Center to discuss my eligibility and answer any questions we had about it. We were comfortable and excited and said "yes" this is what we want to do.
They took me down for my planning session. I was scanned and marked. (They used the tattoo marks I already had and added some sharpie marks of their own as reference.)
Then we saw a research nurse who asked if we would be willing to allow them to collect data from my labs and regarding my side effects for future research.
Easy, right?
The next day, we went to see my regular oncologist, Dr. M, for a followup visit after completing chemo. We explained to her that we had decided to go with proton therapy. How we were looking to reduce the risk of long term side effects from radiation, specifically to my heart and lung. She was surprised, but did not have much to say about it at the time.
On the way home, Dr. M called and explained that she had called a radiation oncologist friend and talked with her about proton therapy. This doctor was surprised as well as it is not the "standard of care" for lymphoma patients. She presented me with some questions to be sure we had answered regarding proton therapy so that we could be fully informed.
Well, this goes on for the next week: me calling the proton center, the proton center calling Dr. M, Dr. M calling another radiation oncologist, the proton center calling us, us calling Dr. M. Whew!
So, tomorrow, we are meeting with Dr. C at the Proton Center one more time to be sure that ALL our questions are answered and that I/we understand what it is I am getting myself into here with the proton therapy. That appointment is at 2 p.m. and my first treatment is scheduled for 5 p.m. Obviously, we have to make our decision by then.
We have postponed my other radiation start date by one day as we attempt to make this decision. If we decide NOT to go with the proton therapy, I will start on Tuesday at 2 p.m.
Either way, I will be done the first week in February.
Thanks for your prayers!
7 comments:
Molly,
Good luck with the decisions to be made. I will pray & hope that the course chosen is the right one! I'm sure that you & Don will be able to go forward with strength, courage, and love paving the way. You have a great deal of support in your journey (physical and moral) which is a great thing. Stay stong!
Steve in MD
Im assuming you have made your decision by now. Good luck and please update us!
Dear Sweet Molly, I am lifting you and Don up in prayer as I write. I know that you are seeking His will in your decision and He has never failed you and never will. So rest in the peace of whatever your decision is, it is the right one.
I've recruited many other prayer warriors to be in prayer for you through my website. Much love, Prissy
As I follow your story, I've been amazed and gratified by how God has been leading you through each moment, each day, of this challenging journey that has been thrust upon you. I know He will give you peace of mind when you make the choice you are confronting now. Continue to surrender your will to His as you have been, and the answer will come, from Him. And of course, we are all continuing in our prayers for you and your family. You are almost through this...
Molly & Don,
I have been praying fervently for you both to reach a decision and be at peace with it since we spoke yesterday.
Loving you,
Marie W
My dear Molly,
Listen to your heart and your what God is telling you to do. Just find that quiet place and listen. He will guide you. I will specifically pray for a calm heart and mind as you finalize your decision. I will pray for peace in your decision too.
Teresa Moon
We are praying for you, Molly.
Hugs,
Amanda
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