Home, Sweet Home

I am HOME, and I can't begin to tell you how great it is!

I slept in my own bed last night, with the window open for some fresh air. I was starved for fresh, real air, with oxygen in it. 

I made some phone calls yesterday to set up an appt. with my radiation oncologist, the doctor who has treated me three of the five times I've had radiation. We needed to discuss what to do about the new tumor in my skull. The doctor, Dr. Eulau, was able to see me this morning, and I've just come back from there. 

It has been two years since Dr. Eulau last treated me, so we had a bit of catching up to do. I trust him, which is why I wanted to see him, even though I already was pretty sure he wouldn't be treating me this time. That's because the better treatment for this tumor is targeted radiation, either gamma knife or cyber knife. And he doesn't do either of those. Ah, specialization. 

I now have an appt. for Friday next week with a doctor who uses cyber knife. I'll do a little bit of research before then, to see if there is much difference between the two. Gamma takes only one treatment, while cyber knife takes several but that could be an advantage. 

Anyway, the main thing is that I have a bit of time. Nothing is all that urgent about treating this new met, and I need some time to get over being in the hospital and to think about my options without pressure. 

The next thing on my agenda for the day is waiting for Constant the Wonder Dog to get home from the dog ranch. I tried to call the dog taxi to find out what time she is bringing him, but didn't reach her. So I guess I'll go outside and putter in my garden for awhile. 

The sun is shining, and the garden is really beaten down by the rain during the week I was hospitalized. It needs my attention. I love my life!

Jeanne Sather 2009. 

Comments

[carrie s]

Oh, thank goodness!
The hospital is not a good place to be. It's full of sick people! I'm so happy you can get out in the garden and that your dog will soon be there. I'm sure your kids and friends are so happy to have you back home and are filling the house with food and flowers and restful visits. Love.

[Brian]

WELCOME HOME!

[Airedalelover]

Glad you are home and I know having Constant at your side will be wonderful.

Ellana

[Marion]

I found this page to be very interesting when I need to know the difference between the gamma knife and cyber knife, hope it helps. I will return as I am in a similar situation.

www.livingwithbrainmets.org

[Jennifer]

I just got back from visiting my dad in TX, and look at what I missed! I am so, so glad you are back at home with your garden (and hopefully soon) Constant by your side. Stay well!

[Lopsided Blogger]

So happy you're home and have a little time to think and process before the next round.

Take Care!

[laila]

thank you for your blog, i read it all the time, and it gives me strength.

[Carla Carter]

Jeanne, I am so happy you are home from the hospital. You sound wonderful!

[Michele T]

So glad you're back home! I'm a regular reader, although have only posted maybe once before. I am currently recuperating from 5 treatments of cyberknife (not for brain mets, but for endometrial cancer mets to a lymph node that was pressing and eroding my spine). I wish you well in your decision and hope everything goes smoothly for you.

[carver]

Hi Jeanne,

I am so glad you are home. I know that must be such a relief. I did a quick look on the MPIP (searched posts) because so many advanced melanoma patients have posted their about cyber knife and gamma knife treatments. One that caught my eye was that cyber knife seemed less invasive (no drilling). Email me if I can help in terms of reasearch, although I know you have great research skills.

Fondly, Carver

[Megan Jones]

YAY for being home! Thinking of you as I visit family in Tucson. Looks like I'll be having some more brain radiation in the near future and my doctors have recently installed the cyberknife machine. I had stereotactic previously, but it was gammaknife - with the frame drilled into the head - yuck! - AND it left scars on my temples. Hoping this time around I can be treated with cyberknife! Hope you are feeling well and enjoying your life!

[Beryl Gorbman]

Jeanne, thought I would catch up with you today and - shit - (can I say that here?) - this really sucks, except for getting home of course. I'm glad you are feeling well enough to work in the garden. Kiss Connie for me.
Beryl

[Deborah]

Speaking as someone who works in a hospital, I am so glad you're home!! I hadn't read your blog in a couple weeks so I had no idea you were in the hospital. Glad you are home now and hope all your outpatient follow up goes smoothly. Thinking of you and reading always.