Round Two: Infusion #8

I am very blessed and fortunate that treatments 6, 7 and 8 have been easier; with each of these treatments I have not had to have Lukine injections until the second week following treatment and the fatigue has been better. Treatments 6 and 7 only required 4 injections; I did require a Procrit injection a few days prior to the eighth treatment but that was only because the hemoglobin level was raised from 10 to 10.5 and mine was at 10.


With less fatigue I feel more like myself and I am now able to do some things around the house like unloading and then loading the dishwasher. My appetite has increased and I now weigh 114. It is wonderful to feel more like myself.


The tumor markers have not changed but I am not worried since two tests are at zero and one and the third test is well within the normal range. I would prefer that all three tests be at zero but that may not happen and considering what the numbers were to begin with I've decided to be happy with what they are.


I did find out that I am scheduled for ten treatments and that I have been receiving a 75 percent dose of the chemo drug Taxotere; treatments 9 and 10 are scheduled for a 60 percent dose. I have asked that Dr. Patel be informed that I am willing to continue at the same dose if it is in my best interest. Veronica is one of the clinical trial staff and she said that she would discuss it with him but she also explained that my platelets had been very low so it might be in my best interest to have the reduced dose.


The 9Th treatment is scheduled for November 12Th; I will have a PET and CT scan, an MRI and an Echo test on the 18Th and 19Th; the 10Th, and hopefully final, treatment is scheduled for December 3rd. I am scheduled to see Dr. Patel on November 25Th and of course I am very hopeful that he will tell me that the tumors can no longer be seen and that there is no presence of cancer in my body.

This has been a very long journey and at times it has seemed unbearably long and difficult. Just when I thought I could no longer be strong the fatigue became easier - what a blessing the last few weeks have been.

I decided during Round One that if I wrote a book it would be titled, When the Rubber Meets the Road; if I were to write a book about Round Two the title would be, In His Time. Round One was a test of my faith. Round Two has been a test of my patience which is also a test of faith. I can now relate on some level to the Israelites who cried out to God asking him how long (how much longer would they have to bear their burdens). The answer for me has been to stay focused on what I have which is today - tomorrow has not arrived and so it is not mine to wonder or worry about.

I can handle today.