Yesterday morning we headed for the AZ Cancer Center in Tucson at 7:15AM. The sky was partly cloudy with a shower of beautiful pink and white rays shining down in the east. We could almost see Jesus returning as He said He would in John, "...I will come again..." With the hymns playing on our CD and experiencing this wonderful sight, we were ready to jump out of the car and go meet Him!
After arriving in Tucson, my blood was checked routinely and was found to be low in white and red cells which was also expected. The good news was that this was my scheduled week off from chemo which is normally 3 weeks on and 1 week off. While there, we met Fashion, a companion German Shepherd that was transferred from Guide Dogs for the Blind in San Rafael, CA. Our daughter, Lesa, had trained Zorine, a German Shepherd for the same organization nearly 35 years ago. What a small world!
Since it was too early for lunch, we stopped at The Chantilly Tea Room, for tea and scones. What a quaint and charming little place. As I sipped my chocolate mint tea and Mary her white fruit tea, we felt like we were back in the 17th century with our carriage rather than car parked out front. The tea cups and pots were all uniquely different, and our server, Kristin, was a delight dressed like she, too, was from long ago. When we stepped outside, we found our car, not our carriage, and we were brought back to reality.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
I LOVE THAT
Chemo session #5 for Ed came and went without any difficulties. A little more rash. A little less hair. Nothing outstanding. I do have to say that he seems to enjoy joking with the infusion nurse of the day. Others getting chemo in the same room seem to do nothing by lie back in the reclining chair and sleep or listen to music via earphones (of course they may be receiving chemo that takes anywhere from 1-8 hours~whereas Ed's just takes 30 minutes!). But in our little corner of the room there is chatter and laughter abounding. He is truly living God's Word: "A cheerful heart is good medicine..." (Prov. 22a). I love that about him!
We really enjoy our drives to Tucson each week. We are enraptured by the beautiful songs about our wonderful Savior streaming from our CD player as if we were in the very presence of God. Our Savior enhances our joy through His paintings in the sky. We've seen the reds, pinks, and yellows of unbelievable sunrises. We've seen sunny, cloudless skies as though painted on a beautiful blue canvas. Sometimes that beauty is enhanced by white, puffy clouds which seem to float effortlessly on their own throughout the wide expanse. And then, there was this time. As the skies became cloudy and overcast, obscuring the sun that started out the day, God seemed to open up small portals of the sky so that we could get glimpses of the sunbeams which emanated, it seemed, from Heaven itself~so much contrast that we could hardly keep our eyes off of that light. "At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory" (Mark 13:26). I love that about Him!
How can we not praise God for this driving time. It could be mundane and boring. It could be something we just endure to get the chemo done~a two hour ride each way, week after week. But no. We have chosen to make it an adventure, and that it is. There is something new and exciting in it week after week, and we can only thank God for this opportunity. I love that!
Mary
We really enjoy our drives to Tucson each week. We are enraptured by the beautiful songs about our wonderful Savior streaming from our CD player as if we were in the very presence of God. Our Savior enhances our joy through His paintings in the sky. We've seen the reds, pinks, and yellows of unbelievable sunrises. We've seen sunny, cloudless skies as though painted on a beautiful blue canvas. Sometimes that beauty is enhanced by white, puffy clouds which seem to float effortlessly on their own throughout the wide expanse. And then, there was this time. As the skies became cloudy and overcast, obscuring the sun that started out the day, God seemed to open up small portals of the sky so that we could get glimpses of the sunbeams which emanated, it seemed, from Heaven itself~so much contrast that we could hardly keep our eyes off of that light. "At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory" (Mark 13:26). I love that about Him!
How can we not praise God for this driving time. It could be mundane and boring. It could be something we just endure to get the chemo done~a two hour ride each way, week after week. But no. We have chosen to make it an adventure, and that it is. There is something new and exciting in it week after week, and we can only thank God for this opportunity. I love that!
Mary
Friday, February 11, 2011
Q & A
Here are some questions that people have asked, but I'm only answering from a patient's perspective. This is NOT an official medical information center.
What is chemo?
Chemo is short for chemicals that are infused into a person with cancer with the hope of killing the cancer cells. Some chemo is taken orally by pill. While this is taking place many good cells are also being killed, thus the side effects that we so often hear of like loss of hair. Different chemicals are used to attack different cancers, and the treatment varies according to the type of cancer being treated. Since I have metastatic melanoma, which is incurable, I've chosen to be part of a clinical trial research group where a new drug is being used with hopeful positive results. My cancer is being continually tracked through blood work and CT scans. Whether the tumor shrinks or grows larger, it is the doctors who will determine how long to continue the chemo. The treatment that I'm receiving is only 30 minutes every Thursday for three weeks and then a week off.
What determines whether one receives chemo, radiation, or surgery?
Many factors are involved, but I've had surgery when the tumor was found early and isolated such as colon, prostate and even melanoma. The problem was removed and no further treatment was required. Radiation is also used on isolated tumors, but chemo appears to be the treatment of choice when the cancer has spread and is present in the blood stream.
What are the side effects of chemo?
The list is endless, and every person responds differently. Fatigue is high on the list, and I'm experiencing that one. Hair loss has its positive points. No more barbers or shaving! Dry skin, a rash, and draining sinuses have been other effects of the chemo on me.
How do you keep from being discouraged?
Mary is my greatest encourager after God. I'm actually in a win, win situation. Living one day at a time in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ couldn't be better. Circumstances change, but He doesn't change! My daily prayer is to not allow that fellowship with Him to falter. And when God takes me home, I'll see my Savior face to face and enjoy Him forever. Can you offer me a better plan than that?
Our weekly trip to Tucson isn't drudgery. We have decided that it will be an adventure. Yesterday my infusion nurse was from the Netherlands where we had visited 50 years ago while in the USAF. Can you believe that we remembered eating in a quaint restaurant in Amsterdam called The Five Flies? After all this time, she said that it was still there!
Then while driving home our stomachs were saying, "Stop for food," so we did. Bubb's Grubb didn't look like much from the outside, but what a great discovery! Their pulled pork BBQ was outstanding, and we'll no doubt eat there again.
Your prayers are greatly appreciated, and the results are obvious daily in how God has kept us trusting and focused on Him.
What is chemo?
Chemo is short for chemicals that are infused into a person with cancer with the hope of killing the cancer cells. Some chemo is taken orally by pill. While this is taking place many good cells are also being killed, thus the side effects that we so often hear of like loss of hair. Different chemicals are used to attack different cancers, and the treatment varies according to the type of cancer being treated. Since I have metastatic melanoma, which is incurable, I've chosen to be part of a clinical trial research group where a new drug is being used with hopeful positive results. My cancer is being continually tracked through blood work and CT scans. Whether the tumor shrinks or grows larger, it is the doctors who will determine how long to continue the chemo. The treatment that I'm receiving is only 30 minutes every Thursday for three weeks and then a week off.
What determines whether one receives chemo, radiation, or surgery?
Many factors are involved, but I've had surgery when the tumor was found early and isolated such as colon, prostate and even melanoma. The problem was removed and no further treatment was required. Radiation is also used on isolated tumors, but chemo appears to be the treatment of choice when the cancer has spread and is present in the blood stream.
What are the side effects of chemo?
The list is endless, and every person responds differently. Fatigue is high on the list, and I'm experiencing that one. Hair loss has its positive points. No more barbers or shaving! Dry skin, a rash, and draining sinuses have been other effects of the chemo on me.
How do you keep from being discouraged?
Mary is my greatest encourager after God. I'm actually in a win, win situation. Living one day at a time in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ couldn't be better. Circumstances change, but He doesn't change! My daily prayer is to not allow that fellowship with Him to falter. And when God takes me home, I'll see my Savior face to face and enjoy Him forever. Can you offer me a better plan than that?
Our weekly trip to Tucson isn't drudgery. We have decided that it will be an adventure. Yesterday my infusion nurse was from the Netherlands where we had visited 50 years ago while in the USAF. Can you believe that we remembered eating in a quaint restaurant in Amsterdam called The Five Flies? After all this time, she said that it was still there!
Then while driving home our stomachs were saying, "Stop for food," so we did. Bubb's Grubb didn't look like much from the outside, but what a great discovery! Their pulled pork BBQ was outstanding, and we'll no doubt eat there again.
Your prayers are greatly appreciated, and the results are obvious daily in how God has kept us trusting and focused on Him.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Great week!
Missing a week of chemo really made a difference in my week. Less fatigue and the rash is almost gone! The hair is almost gone too!
Yesterday we drove to Tucson where it was 18 degrees! We didn't have to go to Chicago to cool off! My chemo resumed at a lesser dosage in hopes that my white cell count will remain in the safe zone, and next week we'll find out if it worked. All of the medical folks that work with me are very pleasant and professional which helps the experience to be more "enjoyable." The 30 minute chemo infusion goes by very quickly. There is a nurse who was assigned to me several weeks ago who is always available to brief me on not only what is happening but also with what will take place. If she isn't in sight, we have her paged or call her at her personal number. So, due to her input I know more than I understand! Tracking of so much data for the research is mind boggling, but thank God that all of the info will someday help someone with melanoma, if not me.
In 1988, Mary and I had the privilege of visiting the Holy Land with a friend who was to be our guide on a "walking tour." Before we left the States he emphasized how we had to be "fit" for our coming adventure. He encouraged us to walk every day and have comfortable hiking shoes. Our tour was great since we were "fit."
This week I read in Hebrews 10 (The Message), "...we are made fit for God by the once and for all sacrifice of Jesus." A pretty profound statement. But suppose that it is true! I'm already fit and ready for God because of what Jesus did. But shouldn't I try and go to church more, give more alms, do more penance, or whatever to be ready to meet God when He calls me home? Jesus did all that was needed ONCE on the cross for me to be ready or "fit" for Him. How can puny little me add anything to what God has already done? One day at a time. That is one of God's promises for me this week.
Yesterday we drove to Tucson where it was 18 degrees! We didn't have to go to Chicago to cool off! My chemo resumed at a lesser dosage in hopes that my white cell count will remain in the safe zone, and next week we'll find out if it worked. All of the medical folks that work with me are very pleasant and professional which helps the experience to be more "enjoyable." The 30 minute chemo infusion goes by very quickly. There is a nurse who was assigned to me several weeks ago who is always available to brief me on not only what is happening but also with what will take place. If she isn't in sight, we have her paged or call her at her personal number. So, due to her input I know more than I understand! Tracking of so much data for the research is mind boggling, but thank God that all of the info will someday help someone with melanoma, if not me.
In 1988, Mary and I had the privilege of visiting the Holy Land with a friend who was to be our guide on a "walking tour." Before we left the States he emphasized how we had to be "fit" for our coming adventure. He encouraged us to walk every day and have comfortable hiking shoes. Our tour was great since we were "fit."
This week I read in Hebrews 10 (The Message), "...we are made fit for God by the once and for all sacrifice of Jesus." A pretty profound statement. But suppose that it is true! I'm already fit and ready for God because of what Jesus did. But shouldn't I try and go to church more, give more alms, do more penance, or whatever to be ready to meet God when He calls me home? Jesus did all that was needed ONCE on the cross for me to be ready or "fit" for Him. How can puny little me add anything to what God has already done? One day at a time. That is one of God's promises for me this week.
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