Update on interferon

I had my second radiation treatment this morning... it went much quicker than yesterday. I think I've finally figured out, after numerous appts., how to get to the right place! :) The clinic is under construction, so it is totally a maze trying to find my way around.

Afterwards, I met with Dr. Albertini to discuss the interferon treatment. We have decided to wait to do the inteferon until after the radiation. He felt pretty strongly that, in my case, the risks outweigh the benefits (my convenience being really the only benefit). Some of the risks include increased risk of radiation toxicity, lymphedema in my arm, and increased fatigue and flu-like symptoms. Also, if a problem does arise with either treatment, it would be more difficult to manage because we would have two courses of treatments going on at the same time. He also shared his concern that, as a parent of young children, both treatments may be too taxing on my body and I won't be able to manage the side effects as well. He also told me that he led a national clinical trial with a team of doctors, studying the effects of radiation and interferon treatments and that the team concluded that, except in some cases of advanced, active cancer, the risks often outweighed the benefits... I think this guy actually knows what he's talking about! So, I'm going to go with him on this one! :)

So, if everything goes as planned, I will start the interferon at the end of February. The treatment should be finished less than a week before we are supposed to head to Florida. Also, yesterday Charter announced that Todd was awarded a trip to a five-start resort in Mexico the first week in March. Obviously, we won't be able to make the trip, which is a big bummer. But, we'll hopefully be planning another trip later in the year.

I'm definitely feeling pretty fatigued the past two days... not sure if it's from the radiation or just running around so much this week... or school being cancelled for the past two days and having two energetic kids!!! :) I'm looking forward to a relaxing weekend where I can catch up on some much need rest!

Kim