How was your 2009? As I look back at mine - moved into a new house, lost a job, got cancer, became a chemo addict, sold the new house - plus all the associated emotional swings caused by all the drama (fears) I am just glad its over.
I haven't had chemo for a month now and the last week has finally resulted in better energy and mind clarity. In case I haven't told you before along with the other side effects of chemo is a "brain fog" which is debilitating when you don't have a lot of brain cells to start with!
The doctor visit this week sets up the new year for us. While the spots on the liver continue to be reduced there is no escaping the reality of a maintenance program from now on. In actuality, my maintenance will be what my 11th treatment was - both avaston (blood vessel starvation of cancer cells and not an actual chemo drug) and 5FU (chemo) will be administered every 2 weeks. The oxal (the really nasty chemo) is over but it has done its damage. I can hardly type due to no feeling in my fingers. The numbness in hands and feet will continue to get worse for awhile then I can expect a gradual improvement. The oxal results in the condition known as neropathy which has caused my foot drop (basically its all nerve damage).
I'll still have the pump on for 2 days after the infusion so every 2 weeks I'll have 3 days where I have to deal with a 6 hour infusion in the hospital and a couple more days of infusion by external pump that I will wear. We'll - so be it. What's the alternative? To me - the goal is to continue to get stronger and have better endurance - that will improve quality of life. Remember - this cancer cannot be cured - only controlled (for a period of time).
What will 2010 bring? For us it means closing on this house, moving back to Elbing, rennovating, remodeling and getting re-instated into the community. All in all its a "praise the Lord" scenario because we'll be able to do this - and there was a period of time in 2009 when I wasn't sure this would ever be a reality due to sickness and no buyer for our house.
I'm not big on New Year's resolutions - but here is what I have learned in 2009 - nothing is more important than relationships (with our Lord and Saviour, wife and family, friends and acquaintances). Thanks to all who have helped us through 2009 with your comments, encouragement and visits. We are blessed with such a strong support (includes prayer) community.
Love to all and a Happy New Year!
Gary & Sandy
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Dec 1 - anniversary and lots of good news!
Today is our 31st anniversary and we are celebrating not only the goodness of marriage but good news from the doctor and news of a buyer for our house!
Yesterday we visited with the oncologist and the CEA count is down to 13. Yes, that's correct - 13. That is a long way from where we started. The doctor grinned and said I was a poster child for getting well on this treatment! Great! I complained (just a little) about the side effects and how they are getting worse so he decided to drop the particular chemical that is causing the major side effects (sensitivity to cold, numbness in hands & feet, nausea, fatigue). I have taken 10 of the maximum 12 doses of this and it sure doesn't hurt my feelings to drop it. So I am hoping I just breeze through this treatment (and the next).
I am feeling much stronger as I start this treatment. So after 2 more of these we do the cat scan routine then go on a maintenance program. That's when things will get interesting - there is no prescribed protocol for maintenance on folks like myself that are dealing with metastasized colon cancer. So when we get to that point the doctor will prescribe what he thinks best and we shall see how I respond.
So praise the Lord for the good report! And - can you believe it? We have a buyer for the house. That is another praise item for all of you who have been praying. We have set a closing date of March 1 to give me time to make necessary arrangements for moving back home - to Elbing.
We had the best Thanksgiving ever and we hope you all did also. The weather was just great and our houseful of company was able to enjoy the outdoors as well as the indoors. So the blessings just continue (although we think we are going to get a dose of winter yet this week.
Stay tuned!
Gary
Yesterday we visited with the oncologist and the CEA count is down to 13. Yes, that's correct - 13. That is a long way from where we started. The doctor grinned and said I was a poster child for getting well on this treatment! Great! I complained (just a little) about the side effects and how they are getting worse so he decided to drop the particular chemical that is causing the major side effects (sensitivity to cold, numbness in hands & feet, nausea, fatigue). I have taken 10 of the maximum 12 doses of this and it sure doesn't hurt my feelings to drop it. So I am hoping I just breeze through this treatment (and the next).
I am feeling much stronger as I start this treatment. So after 2 more of these we do the cat scan routine then go on a maintenance program. That's when things will get interesting - there is no prescribed protocol for maintenance on folks like myself that are dealing with metastasized colon cancer. So when we get to that point the doctor will prescribe what he thinks best and we shall see how I respond.
So praise the Lord for the good report! And - can you believe it? We have a buyer for the house. That is another praise item for all of you who have been praying. We have set a closing date of March 1 to give me time to make necessary arrangements for moving back home - to Elbing.
We had the best Thanksgiving ever and we hope you all did also. The weather was just great and our houseful of company was able to enjoy the outdoors as well as the indoors. So the blessings just continue (although we think we are going to get a dose of winter yet this week.
Stay tuned!
Gary
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
