In many ways the Fitzimmons complex reminds me of the 'Land of Oz'. Monday afternoon the radiation clinic at the Anschutz Outpatient Pavillion called to schedule our first appointment with our Pediatric Radiation Oncologist, Dr. Liu. Oddly we were able to see this particular wizard right away (Tuesday morning), no broom required just a
very lengthy health history/questionnaire. We did a quick reshuffle of our day and followed the yellow brick road.
First we met with Dr. Field, a senior resident, who spent a great deal of time explaining the process, the risks, the short term side effects, long term side effects and the very clear message that due to both the chemo and radiation treatments Faye will be required to live super healthy from here on; daily sunscreen, no smoking (don't
even go there), weekly then monthly then quarterly (etc) checkups and tests.... The process itself is pretty wild. They start by mapping the 'areas of concern', make a full body mold and a head cage. Faye will slip into the mold and cage to hold perfectly still for each treatment - pinpoint zaps that she won't see, feel or hear. After meeting with Dr. Field, Dr. Liu came in and pretty much repeated everything all over again. Which is perfect when there is so much information to absorb.
After the appointment with Dr.Liu we went back over to the Hospital for another CBC. Faye did end up getting a transfusion on Friday ( it kind of freaked her out but it helped). Faye's counts are still low but they are beginning to climb and each day she feels better as she recovers from 'round 3'. She'll be hitting the books and enjoying the Thanksgiving holiday before starting round 4 on 11/28. Karl is working on making the first 5K happen on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, 10am-ish. We're hoping the weather cooperates and that lots of you will be around to join us.
A student at Faye's High School emailed Faye a few weeks ago and requested an interview for a section of the yearbook titled 'Overcoming Obstacles'. Faye gave me permission to post it here.....
Faye Walker
Junior, 11th
Q:
Describe the moment when you were first diagnosed.
(What was going through your head? How were you feeling?):
A:
I was first diagnosed on September 16th. It was a completely normal
Friday to me. I went to school, I argued with my sister, I did poorly
on a math quiz, and then, after school I went in to get an x ray
which my pediatrician had suggested because I had developed a small painful lump on
my collarbone. I got the x ray, went home, and started to make plans
for that night. It was an hour later when Dr. Bauer called my mom and
told her that we had to get to the hospital. The x ray had showed a
mass in my chest that was pressing on my heart and lungs and causing
my lymph nodes in my shoulders and neck to swell. He warned us that
it could be lymphoma. At first, I completely rejected the concept of
having any kind of cancer. The entire ride to the hospital I had to
keep telling myself and my mom that it couldn't be cancer; how could
it be when I have been so healthy my entire life? I had never even
been in a hospital. After a long night in the ER, a doctor confirmed
that it was lymphoma. I cried. I was in shock and scared. Once I got
over the initial shock, the question was “Okay, where do we go from
here?” Then questions came flooding: What stage is it? Am I going
to survive? Can you remove the tumor through surgery? What type is it
exactly? How bad is chemo really? After three days of testing the
official diagnosis was stage 2A Hodgkins Lymphoma and I was lucky to
have that diagnosis. My cancer is among the most treatable and has a
speedy recovery rate.
Q:
Medically, what procedures have you had to go through?:
A:
The tumor in my chest can't be removed by surgery so, to
treat my kind of cancer, I'm going through four, twenty one day
cycles of six different types of chemos. Then, I will have two rounds
of radiation. To administer the chemo, I've had a picc line and a
power port, which were both minor surgeries. They're basically just
ports with tubes that are run through your veins directly into your
heart. I've also had a lymph node biopsy, bone marrow biopsies,
xrays, CT scans, PT scans, EKG's, PFT's, transfusions, etc.
Q:
What has been the hardest part?:
A:
It's hard to say what the hardest part for me has been. Aside from
the physical pain and sickness from chemo, being diagnosed with
cancer is one of the hardest things to comprehend, and go through,
mentally and emotionally. One of the things that was really hard for
me was parting with my red hair, especially knowing that it might not
grow back red. But the hardest thing by far has been dragging myself
to the hospital to get chemo every round. It's the worst feeling
knowing that in a couple of hours you are going to feel absolutely
horrible, and you can't do anything about it because this horrible
poison is really saving your life. But then again, every time I go
for chemo, I get closer to the finish line.
Q:
Who does your support come from?/How do they support you?:
A:
I have to say that my parents have been my rock through this whole
experience. They do absolutely everything for me, from driving me to
and from the hospital to cleaning up vomit and holding my hand. I've
also found that support has really come from everywhere; the
community, my family, my friends, my teachers, my coaches, my team,
my dogs, the nurses, and the doctors at the hospital. They have all
been so supportive every step of the way. From the Facebook messages
and get well cards to the home-cooked meals and “Team Faye”
shirts, every little thing means the world to me and keeps me going.
Q:
Where do you get your optimism?:
A:
It's really hard to stay optimistic at points in this process but my
optimism really comes from everyone supporting me. Getting a text
that says, “Stay strong! Love you,” or “You're beautiful, and
you can do it” or a sweet, get well card really makes it easier.
You want to get through it, not only for yourself, but for everyone
supporting you and to make them proud. So you suck it up a little
more, try to be a little braver, and put on a smile.
Q:
What have you learned from this experience?:
A:
Being diagnosed changed my life and taught me so many
things. I've learned not to worry about the little things in life and
to make the best of every situation. For instance, losing my hair was
a huge downer, but I tried to make the best of it by getting some
cool hats and looking forward to how it will grow back in. I've
learned to enjoy and live every second to the fullest. I've learned
that nothing is more comforting than the love and support of loved
ones. I've learned that I'm truly lucky and that there are people out
there that are worse off and struggling. But I think, most of all,
I've learned to be truly grateful.
Q:
If you could give advice to someone going through a similar
situation, what would you say?:
A:
It's hard to give a person going through this advice because
everyone's situation is different. But I think it's super important
that you become the master of your disease or illness. Read about and
learn everything there is to know about it. Fully understand it so
that you are in control of yourself and your disease. I can say that
I'm almost an expert on Hodgkins Lymphoma, and Typhlitis, and the
treatments. I can also say that the knowledge has made the whole
process a lot less scary or intimidating, knowing what the doctors
are doing and have planned. I can also say that it helps to take one
day at a time. There are definitely ups and downs, and for me it
helps to take things one step at a time, with the last step always in
the back of your mind.
