Cycle 9

Heat the water for my drink thermos.
Take my last shower for a few days.
Drink lots of water.

But I couldn’t find the top for my little soup thermos. One would think I’d have this checklist down by now. Apparently, two weeks is just enough time for me to forget some parts of the routine, forget some of the annoying parts of the side effects, and to remember that yes, I really am still a chemotherapy patient.

The week that I postponed my chemo due to a cough kind of threw a wrench into my internal timing and I’m trying to get back into the rhythm again. Today, I started cycle 9 of 12. It’s hard to believe that I am getting closer to the end of my chemo treatments. It has gone by quicker than I had expected. Thankfully, my cancer has responded positively to the current chemo, and I am in discussions with my doctors as to what will be my next steps in treatment. That could involve anything from another type of medication to clinical trials.

For that, I’m thankful for your continued prayers that:

1) Overall, my chemotherapy side effects have been manageable. I am grateful for that every day, as I know that it can sometimes be very debilitating for others. I hope that I continue to be able to tolerate the chemo and that it continues to be effective with my cancer.

2) That I will be able to find a matching clinical trial.

At church this weekend, I spoke to several people who are experiencing, or who are in touch with someone experiencing cancer at this moment. I’m realizing that every person experiences chemotherapy differently, both physically and emotionally. Each person experiences side effects differently, and it breaks my heart that some people have to stop treatment due to not being able to tolerate the chemo. I’m very grateful for the medical advances addressing the side effects of chemo, particularly the effective anti-nausea medications. I experienced some nausea for the first time after my last cycle, and the medication really helped.

I’m very thankful for my progress thus far and attribute that to:

1. Prayers
2. A good medical team
3. The encouragement of my core support group to use the available medications to manage my side effects as I sometimes forget the meds for side effects are there for a reason
4. Allowing myself to receive people’s encouragement and support

Anyway, thanks for coming along for the ride. Here we go with cycle 9!

P.S. I found my thermos top! And once again, I’m thankful that a friend got me plastic utensils for when my neuropathy kicks in. (It’s sometimes uncomfortable to use metal ones.)

Update: Just got my blood test report back from last week. My numbers continue to go down. It’s encouraging news to receive while I sit here receiving my treatment.

P