Answers
I seen Dr. S this morning. I was prepared with my list of questions.
He walked in and initiated the conversation by saying, "I think you might have got the wrong idea the last time we spoke." I said, "Doctor, I have a list of questions I want to ask you first." He was terrific. He patiently listened to my questions and concerns.
He explained why they are using the conventional radiation machine instead of the more modern IMRT (intensity-modulated radiation therapy). We talked about my most recent bout of Klebsiella bacteria (not resolved yet) and if it would impact my radiation therapy. I had concerns about finishing radiation just about the time the H1N1 influenza is suppose to hit the Ottawa Valley. (September) We talked about the possibility of the getting the influenza vaccine.
It came down to this. At this time, there is no visible cancer. I am not exhibiting any symptoms of organ disease and I have tolerated the first two steps of the propose treatment plan. The radiation will scope my abdomen for microscopic cancer. This is cancer that is impossible to see or detect. He added to this, that he is so sure that my symptoms will be minimum based on how I have tolerated the chemotherapy. He told me that about 1/2 of the people who receive treatment for cancer get radiation at some point. The statistics show that adverse reactions are rare.
So, here I go, off to radiation. I know I have waffled on this last piece of therapy. I guess if there is even one tiny, tiny, tiny, bit of disease this could impact on me down the road.

update: radiation starts Monday, August 17th @ 9:00am