SIX MONTH CANCER-VERSARY

This morning as the scan technician questioned me on Taylor's health, he pointed out that today marked exactly SIX MONTHS to the day since he was diagnosed with cancer. What a roller coaster this time has been. One day you're up. One day you're down.

Oh, who am I kidding. It ranges from hour to hour, minute to minute. The past few days have been wonderful.  Excluding his legs and feet aching and the hand tremors he experiences, he has felt wonderful. He has laughed and smiled. Been that teenage Taylor that he deserves to be.

And then last night cancer took over. He was physically exhausted from enjoying a day with his cousins. This morning he literally rolled out of bed as it was time to leave, put on his shoes and got in the van.

These are the days that tear at your heart strings. You watch the exhaustion in his eyes and face,and it just hurts. Watching him laying in the chair before the scan just broke my heart.

He is such and incredible young man. Never complaining. Never asking for anything. Just enduring this trial.

I often wonder what he is thinking. Is he as scared as I am?

No answers today. Echo cardio gram and Pulmonary Function tests tomorrow. Than a meeting with oncology to discuss the results. Hoping and praying the chemotherapy did what it was supposed to and that his heart and lungs haven't been damaged by it.

RADIATION 101

When we saw the radiologist over a month ago, he set up our appointment for today.  I wasn't quite sure what the appointment would entail.  But I was so unprepared for what it did.  Neither Taylor or I slept well last night, in anticipation of today.

Upon arrival, we were quickly ushered into the "clinic".  Even though we were 20 minutes early.  No sitting, waiting, or time to catch our breath.  Taylor was immediately asked to change into a hospital gown.  

Then we were taken back to a "prepping" room.  They had him lye on a table with a head support in it.  Then they lined up lasers on him up as if they were going to do a CT scan.  He had to hold his chin up at a certain level.  Once he was all lined up, they stuck football type mouth guards into his mouth to form molds for his mouth.

Once that was finished, (still holding his chin up and being completely still, mouth guards still in place) they placed a piece of heavy wet plastic mesh on his face.  He had to lye completely still for 7-10 minutes while it dried.  Then they scanned him.  Once that was done, they began marking all over his body with a permanent marker.

When this was over, he was given three small tattoo's.  One in the middle of his chest and one on each arm.  The whole experience was rather traumatic and I wondered if I should have waited outside.  It is an image I will never be able to erase.

Following the mask, marking and tattoo's, we met with the doctor.  Looks like things will be going hard and fast from here.  We have a dental certification this Thursday.  A PET scan next Wednesday.  Echo Cardiogram, Pulmonary Function Testing and an appointment to review the results with the oncologist on Thursday.  Friday we will have a radiation simulation test.  And we begin the actual radiation on Tuesday, July 26th.

We had intended to have Taylor's port removed before they begun the radiation, but it doesn't look like there will be time.  It all seems to be happening so quickly.

Today was REALLY, REALLY hard.  I wish I had taken someone with me for moral support.  I cried a lot.  Seeing your child in that mask and bolted to the table is not a pleasant thing.  He is such a brave young man and I am so very proud of him!