Chemo Day

Wednesday Feb. 13 was chemo day, the third cycle in what I thought was a cycle of four. When I was examined by the ARNP prior to starting the session she said “well this puts you half way through.” I immediately asked what that meant. The Oncologist, after my last visit charted that there will be six cycles of chemo. All along we had been told there would be four cycles. The Nurse-Practitioner was unsure why the change was there, or if it even was a change. I must admit I was confused, and not pleased. I had felt rushed to arrange the next step of the treatment, and now that may get put off for two more months! It could be July or August before the transplant occurs. If this is the way it needs to be that is fine, but I sure wish someone had told me. I was mentally, emotionally, and spiritually prepared for one thing, and I feel now like I have to start all over again. So, I pray, and wait, and hope and trust that all of these folks know what is best. This round of chemo took much longer, 61/2 hours, due to the addition of a new drug, Aredia, a drug designed to strengthen bones. Hopefully this will keep me from breaking anything by keeping my bones healthy. My plan for the moment is to keep praying, and trusting that God is leading me on the right path. All I can do is step into the dark and have faith. Keep praying!!

St. Peregrine, pray for us.
Deacon John
Feb. 15, 2008