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Tag: Thoughts
Yesterday I finished the targeted radiation treatments. Now I wait till my next CT scan, in April, to see if the treatments worked. Hoping, but if not, I’m sure there is a Plan B. In the meantime, my PCP has referred me to another oncologist, one who specializes in blood issues. My labs have been consistently off for the past year and for most of that time we thought it was anemia caused by CKD. My kidney labs don’t support that theory anymore, so…. I won’t be straying too far from the cancer clinic. This oncologist will hopefully fit this piece of the puzzle with the rest of the stuff I have gone through since 2019 and my first go around with cancer.
In the meantime, still dealing with post surgery issues on my lower back. Hoping some PT this Spring will help that situation and maybe I’ll recharge the batteries on a couple of cameras and get back out shooting 🤞🏻.
My best to all!!
❤️
Started Week One of SBRT
Week one of four weeks of Targeted Radiation started. Today went well. I can’t say enough good things about the clinic staff; they’re so supportive and really listen to my concerns and explain the process, as it relates to me, extremely well. I can expect fatigue and skin irritation. They gave me a cream for the irritation, which I apply twice a day.
The anxiety I had as well as everyone who has come in contact with my case is the tumors close proximity to the coronary artery that feeds the left side of my heart and to the main nerve that runs down my left arm. It was explained to me today that they can adjust the beam to within 1mm of where it needs to be. Additionally, if I were to slightly shift my body, for whatever reason, the SBRT machine automatically shuts off, so the beam cannot damage any tissue it’s not supposed to.
So, all good today 👍🏻. Thinking all positive thoughts!!
🙏🏻❤️
PS: Diseases like cancer can rob you of your identity. I haven’t used any of my cameras in months and it seems the real ‘me’ is slipping away from me. The mental battle is to not let cancer/disease to take away what is ‘me’. Never give in!!!💪🏻👊🏻
Health Update
I had my last CT scan this Tuesday. Today I got a call from the Radiation Oncology Clinic, apparently the doctor saw something in my scan and he has decided I need 15 SBRT treatments rather than the 5 that was initially scheduled. Big change. I still start on Dec. 19th, but now the treatments go until January 10th, including my birthday on January 5th. Now we’ll have a quiet Christmas, New Year and birthday!🎉
The CT also discovered that I have a fractured T12 vertebrae. That problem will have to be put off till end of January. When it rains it pours, I guess..
I miss being out with my camera 📷.
Will post after my first treatment.
🙏🏻
CT Mapping
Today we did CT Mapping of the tumor and surrounding areas, getting those locations entered into the SBRT system/machine. I have 3 ‘tattoos’ on my upper body to help the machine locate the area that needs attention.
Afterwards, they set up my treatment schedule. SBRT is high dosage radiation. I have five sessions scheduled. I do get Christmas Day off, but go back on the 26th, for what is planned to be the last session. 🤞🏻.
Looks like it’s going to be a quiet Christmas in our house this year, but getting the family together a few days later for dinner at a local restaurant.
Best Holiday Wishes to all!
I’ll be back in a week or so.
❤️
Health Update
A month ago I had lower back surgery. Simultaneously, I was also dealing with a different hospital /doctor group for my cancer. I have an inoperable tumor in my upper left lobe/lung. Juggling two critical health issues at the same time was more than enough for me to deal with. I haven’t posted as I have rarely left the house, hence, no new photos to post. I actually have a few from before surgery, but it’s tough to get past the circumstances of surgery, etc.
This morning I got a call from the doctor working on my cancer case. The two biopsies they took 10 days ago were NEGATIVE. This was the best news. Now things are in motion to treat the inoperable tumor with Targeted Radiation. Next week the the Radiation Oncology doctor from another clinic will be contacting me to schedule an intake exam and treatment schedule.
I’ve left out a couple of health related issues that have occurred in the past month; I’ve lost 35 pounds, kidney function dropped, etc.
Targeted Radiation has its own set of side effects. I feel good about handling just one treatment course. Had one or more of the biopsies been positive I would be facing chemo in addition to radiation.
I was so relieved to get the good news this morning; nearly in tears. My family and more have been so supportive these past few months;prayers, hugs, chicken soup….
My goal has been to stay alive and relevant for as long as is possible. Today’s news gives me hope that I still have work to do and things to photograph in this crazy world we live in.
Blessings to all,
Fred,
The wandering photographer
📷🎞️
What’s in My Bag
For an itemized list see the homepage of my blog. Thought it would be fun to do an aerial shot of what is currently in my camera backpack.
Note: On my Gravatar, I mentioned I am a cancer survivor. Today I have updated that status. The cancer has returned ( so far, a 1″ tumor with cancerous tissue surrounding the tumor, in my upper left lung.) to the same place as last time. Surgery is out of the question this time around as the tumor is very close to a major blood vessel ( which caused problems last time). One more CT scan on Oct.2nd to get a fresher look at things before starting treatment, which of this writing will be Directed Radiation. Treatment may be more comprehensive as new imaging and tests are completed. Probably won’t know something substantive until early November. Doctors want me to get my back surgery completed before I move onto treating the cancer.
I plan on posting till early October, when appointments get a little crazy and distracting. ( Just a warning :-)).
Happy 4th!!
From the WayBack machine, 1970
( find the flag 🤔🙂)
Flood Mitigation 2022/23: South Park, Seattle.
One of the locations that I have been shooting for the past decade is the South Park neighborhood in SW Seattle. Part of the reason for photo documenting this neighborhood is that I actually lived in the area for a short time before starting school. Also, it has been a neighborhood in transition for decades; it’s part residential, part light manufacturing and part indigenous heritage. This makes for an interesting mix.
This past winter we had both a very high tide and exceptional rainfall event. The result was that the Duwamish River overflowed its bank by two feet, which caused residential flooding. The city came in with a Laundry Trailer, which is still there, months later. Also, not pictured, is all of the POD units the city brought in for residents to store their non-flooded items. Basements were severely flooded in those houses closest to the river. The sandbags you see ( orange and green) were used to build a three foot wall, unfortunately this was done after the flooding event. The city has left most of the sandbags in place. I’m not sure what the overall plan is, going forward. In all of my years of spending time in this neighborhood I have never seen flood mitigation done on this scale. ( just as an aside- The Duwamish River was the very first EPA Superfund Site. Most of the offending industries have left this area, moving away from the river. However, after 50+ years, it is safe to say the federal government is slow-walking the cleanup. It would take a monumental dredging operation to clean up all of the heavy metals and toxins that have long settled on the river bottom).
I’ve been sitting on these photos and more for months as I just wasn’t sure how to present the after effects of an unusual flood event.
Bluestar2012's Photoblog 