Colson Update 12/4/05
Dear Friends and Family,
I realized it has been a while since we last sent out an update, so I wanted to try to get everyone caught up with how things have been going for this Colson clan…
On November 9, Joey’s radiation oncologist prepared him to start his radiation. He was lined up with the machine and marked all up so that they knew exactly where to do the radiation. It took about three hours to get this done, but they were very thorough and exact. We had originally thought that they would be doing radiation on a rather small portion of Joey’s abdomen. However, they told us on the 9th that they would be doing a much larger section. They decided to radiate his entire mid section from about just about the middle of his thighs all the way to his chest. Also, they decided to do radiation over his front, sides, and back. So, while that news was a big change for us, we know that all of this is just a means to and end.
A week later on November 16th Joey started his radiation. This was the first trip of many for radiation J Joey goes to Charlottesville everyday, Monday through Friday, for his treatments. He is scheduled to go every day each week for six weeks with his last treatment being on December 21st. So, it’s about a 3 hour round trip drive for 20 minutes at the radiation center J We have had many wonderful friends help get him to his appointments each day though and this has been a great help and has also helped break up the monotony for Joey. Joey is beginning to feel some of the symptoms of the radiation on his skin, and his doctor “kindly” told us it would only get worse J So, we just try to take any proactive steps we can and pray that the effects are minimal and not as painful.
Earlier this week I got really sick. Last Sunday I began to not feel very well, and by Monday morning I could not talk and was just overall very ill. The doctor told me I had gotten a virus that would just have to run its course. Well, it’s a week later and I’m still not 100% yet. I missed an entire week of work and when Joey went to UVA for another chemo treatment, I was not able to go with him because of his low immune system and those of the other cancer patients on the oncology hall. But, I am starting to feel better and am just able to start talking again so am ready so get back into the swing of things!
Joey did go back for another large chemo treatment this week. He went into the hospital on Wednesday and was headed home by Thursday afternoon! Because he is currently undergoing radiation, they had to take out one of his chemo drugs (this drug and radiation together can make your skin fall off!). The removal of this drug for now has appeared to make quite a difference because while Joey is still fatigued, it is not nearly to the level that it was before! He left the hospital Thursday morning, went for radiation, and then headed home feeling much better than usual. So, we were quite pleased with that.
December 21st will be a big day for us because that is not only Joey’s last radiation treatment, but it will also mark the halfway point for his chemotherapy. Joey will have his 7th of 14 total chemo treatments on the 21st. We are going to celebrate! J
Of course, we continue to see God’s faithfulness through everything! He has used so many friends, family members, and church members to meet so many of our needs – personal, emotional, physical, financial – you name it. God always places people and blessings in our path just in time! J So, we continue to say thank you for the love you show us and also for the prayers! We know that your prayers are making a huge impact on this whole process.
We love you!
Cynthia and Joey
