Today is Friday. This week marks the end of the fourth cycle of chemotherepy. I am exhausted, and I have been virtually all week. The reason for this is two-fold.
First, the initial pre-med that I receive prior to chemo is designed to minimize the side-effects of the treatment. It wears off after the second day (Tuesday) leaving me defenseless. Well not exactly defenseless as I have these little pills that do a remarkable job with the nausea issues. But I still must deal with the other consequences of treatment which manifest themselves in the form of extreme fatigue and sores in areas of your anatomy that are not easy to attend to.
The second reason for the exhaustion is the cumulative effects of the drugs. As I have ended the fourth course I have the residual accumulation of the current course along with the courses proceeding this. This plays havoc on the immune system. I had to get a blood transfusion last week as some blood factors were rather low. Hope I didn't get any Transylvanian blood. I will monitor my tooth size and appetite for red liquids. I couldn't help thinking about the time that I spent wandering the Romanian Transylvanian forests, half expecting around any bend would be a Dracula or Vlad the Impaler type.
This reminds me of how much I love Romania. What a miracle of God's providential will is the movement of the Spirit in that beautiful country. The churches and bible institutions are a testament to God wooing and protecting his church within the most oppressive of conditions under Nicolae Ceaușescu.
So, I now have 2 more cycles within the protocol of the clinical trial. I will be undergoing scans next week to verify the efficacy of the treatment program. I would ask all to pray for continued shrinkage of the tumor and death to the cells themselves (cell suicide). Pray also that my body will recover enough that the next two cycles will be possible.
Grace and Peace
EL
Matthew 6:19-21
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures in earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Praying, praying, praying...for continued tumor shrinkage, that not one fraction of a cancer cell be left in you, for recovery from the last rounds so you can do the next two, for continued joy and peace that comes from trusting Him in all things, that God would give you strength, and give Vanessa strength and joy to be there for you, the kids, and that she know the rest, peace and joy of leaning fully on God. Bless you guys!!!
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