A Milestone

It took me awhile to grasp this cancer lingo:  A series of chemotherapy cycles is a course.  

In my course, each of the 8 cycles had two weekly treatments followed by one week rest.  24 weeks in all.  TODAY, I finished that course of Gemzar and Cisplatin, the go-to first line of chemotherapy for Bile Duct Cancer at this time.  I'm celebrating a milestone today!

So, here's what's next.

This week I'll go in for 2 more shots like I've been doing for about 2 months.  It's to counteract one of the side-effects of chemo's superb talent for killing cells - whether or not they are good or bad. It's been killing off my infection-fighting cells called neutrophils.  They've been too low to fight infection.  The shots work, but don't bring the levels high enough so, I've turned into quite the hermit.  

On October 25th I will have another CT scan to measure the tumor and also spinal x-rays to rule out possible causes for the recent numbness and pain in my legs. Chemotherapy can cause this type of nerve damage, but the doctor wants to see if there are other causes.

On November 8, I'll see a Radiation Oncologist to see whether he think the tumor has shrunken enough to safely receive radiation therapy and shrink it more. 

How am I feeling?  My physical woes fall into 2 categories:  Cancer symptoms and Chemotherapy side effects.  I still have the same cancer symptoms of pain and nausea that I've had since before the chemo started.  I'm accepting them and learning to deal with it them a bit better though. I won't list all the Chemotherapy side effects, but they include common symptoms of fatigue, weakness from anemia, nerve issues in my legs and feet and red itchy blotches on my face.  These side effects could go away soon, not-so-soon or not ever.  Other side effects could come up in the future.  

Chemotherapy, the gift that keeps giving and giving and giving.

How I'm really doing though? You know, mentally, psychologically and spiritually.  My answer is simple.  By faith, I am compelled to say "I'm feeling well"!  I am so humbled by all the friends and family who tell me that they are praying for me!  It strengthens me to know it!  I believe in a Creator-God who could say the word and I'd be 100% better.  He really can do this and might do it! 

But, even if He doesn't, I believe that He is GOOD and He will be praised and glorified - no matter what your health and my health is like.  And, even more humbling, if you and I would just open our little eyes, we could see that He has used, is using and will somehow keep using the twists and turns in our lives for the general good and our own personal good. 

In the meantime, I will post an update in early November when I learn what next physical steps have been recommended by the MDs etc. 


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