Radiation week #1

Tom's almost finished week #1 of radiation.  He's staying at an AirBnB this week as Hope Lodge was full, however they've already offered him a spot next week so he can stay there for the next 2 weeks!  It's within walking distance from Mayo and is free (run by the American Cancer Society) 

Overall he's doing ok with side effects so far, however it's increased his GI symptoms so he's not loving that.  His radiation team has told him he's doing a great job of holding his breath and lining up his sensor with his target.  They joked that he should teach other patients how to do that (breathing moves the diaphragm, stomach, pancreas, etc--so they practice specific techniques to keep it still) He's also had some bloodwork from earlier this week and was strongly encouraged to increase his protein intake.  We also got updated CA 19-9 numbers--it was 38 :-D  so not quite below the 35, but super close.

Mayo has also been adding a TON of appointments while he's up there.  He's getting appointments with the endocrinology team, the Home Enteral Nutrition (HEN) team, the vascular surgeon, and education for pancreatic surgery.  So things are moving along--still not surgical date confirmed, but moving in the right direction.

The girls and I are just doing the day to day things at home (work, school, volleyball, etc) and all 4 of us plus 2 dogs are not loving this cold snowy weather.  Tom reported Rochester was cold with a couple inches of snow as well.  Picture I sent Tom to show him our snow--pink because of our Valentine's lights 💗    



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