Radiation by Beads

Friday 7/13 I received somewhere between 40 million & 70 million tiny beads of radiation.  The radiologist oncologist said he'd been up all night counting them but he lost his count!  Then, he laughed.  I explained that I'd heard I shouldn't use silverware only plastic ware to eat.  He laughed again and said he'd never heard that one!  Since I'd been given my I V  to la la land, he suggested we travel onward to the operating room.  There was a multitude of folks awaiting my arrival.  Several of them asked me, individually, if I was allergic to anything even tho' I had on a bracelet which stated NO ALLERGIES.  The nurse who wheeled me into the operating room said they're testing you.  Next a male technician stepped up and asked the square route of 144.   I answered I thought it might be 12 and he said well she's not in la la land yet!   Soon in came the dr and the procedure began.  Since they'd made the path a couple weeks ago, the beads flowed in easily.  It took about an hour.  Then I was wheeled to the recovery room.  By now, there'd been a shift change so I had a different care nurse.  Dorrie was just as attentive as Susan had been before surgery.

I'd had Susan for the mapping and had learned she goes on mission trips.  She's an Anglican.  I took her one of my beaded bracelets on Friday and she wanted to know how to make them.  She had me explain how to roll them from bulletins while she accessed my medi port.  It was an effective detraction.  I told her I'd bring some to show her when I go back in 4 weeks.  She says she'll try it before then but to bring the "helps" anyway.  You can imagine trying to explain this procedure while lying on a gurney getting my I V !!!

Now back to Dorrie.  She offered me ginger ale which tasted great after been without liquid since midnight on Thursday.  When I kept that down she asked me if I'd like a turkey club sandwich.  I readily accepted that and ate it without difficulty.  Then, I got to change into my clothes.  I felt fine and left for home about 4:30.  I had no problem riding and continued to feel OK.  My neighbor, Patty, brought us some delicious chicken soup.  After I'd eaten some I didn't feel very well.  I took some anti nausea pills and felt better temporarily then I got sick.  It wasn't the soup which made me ill.  They'd given written instructions that this WOULD happen.  That's why I had 2 different medications to take.  One I had to take 6 by the time I went to bed and the other as needed.  By midnight everything had settled down and I've been fine since then.  Saturday I ate cereal with bananas a couple times then other fruits & veggies later in the day.  Sunday I had bagels, banana bread, soups, and sandwiches with no problem.

I have not had to take any pain medication whatsoever yet.  I've been warned joint pain may come but so far nothing hurts.  I am fatigued as expected and still have the "don't give a hoot" attitude.  Hopefully that'll wear off soon.

I appreciate all the prayers and kindnesses shown to me and my family!

Selective Internal Radiation Therapy

Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT) for liver tumors using SIR-Spheres microspheres is also referred to as Radioemobolization.  SIRT is a targeted treatment for liver tumors that delivers millions of tiny radioactive beads directly to the liver tumors.  The SIRT procedure is conducted by a medical team that includes a specialist known as an interventional radiologist.  SIRT has no effect on tumors outside the liver.
the first angiogram or mapping is to prepare your liver for the SIRT treatment.  Thursday 6/27 is when I had this done.  You visit la la land during this procedure, not being fully asleep so that you can communicate with your treating doctor. 

Friday July 13 I am scheduled for SIRT at 1:30 PM in Fairfax Hospital.  It is a 4 - 6 hour procedure.  Following that I can come home.  I have to stay away from crowds, not sleep with anyone, not hold children & not physically touch anyone for 3 or 4 days following this procedure.

This beading is radioactive beads.    My second bead project entails Salvation beads and the making of Salvation Bracelets for our church's evening outreach program for children.  Thursday afternoon, following mapping Hampton & I filled 120 zip loc bags with 6 colored pony beads.  The beads with their colors are BLACK for sin, RED for Christ's shed blood, WHITE for washing away our sin (wash white as snow),
BLUE represents Christ's Resurrection, GREEN represents new life in Christ, YELLOW represents Heaven.

Thirdly I am making rolled paper beads from church bulletins.  With the beads I make necklaces and bracelets.  Sarah's grandmother inlaw who lives with Sarah & Kirk is going to Tennessee next week.  Her niece has been sending me colorful bulletins so I want to have some jewelry to send with Dorothy on her trip.

As you can read, I'm fully immersed in BEADS.