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.