A Rest Week
Today, we met with my oncologist, Dr. Pooja Suresh —she is wonderful. She paused my treatment this week because of my "angry" liver, low white blood cell count (WBC), and infected toe. So, next week will be my last chemo treatment in this first round.
While thankful for the doctor's wisdom to rest my body, Anthony and I both cried on the way home. Every week it's an emotional and physical "gear up" for treatment. So when it doesn't happen, it feels like an abrupt "system shut down." Also, the doctor said there's a 20% chance that my liver issues could be permanent. Of course, we're praying this is not the case, but it was hard to hear.
I went back on steroids today to help it calm down, and I'm on an antibiotic for my toe infection. These along with the other meds and supplements I take daily, my pill organizer has never been so full!). I will also receive Granix injections 3x/week for the next 2 weeks to increase my WBC and neutrophils. Praying all of these measures go a long way to help my liver and the rest of my body prepare for my remaining treatment.
The doctor said she expects the next round of chemo—Adriamycin and Cytoxan ("AC")—to hopefully be more predictable and perhaps easier to navigate. I will be given Neulasta with each round to boost my WBC, and steroids to regulate my liver (since we know it responds well to this). She said fatigue will be worse and cumulative and the nausea more intense, so I'll be given stronger anti-nausea meds prophylactically with each treatment to help. As with everything in this process, we'll have to take it a day at a time and simply see how it goes.
As for today, God gave us "manna"—A caring, wise doctor. Medicine to address what needs to be corrected. A rest week for my body to recover. And a beautiful sunny, breezy day to enjoy.
Guided by Psalm 18 (a favorite from the start of this journey) I continue to pray: O Lord, equip me with strength for the battle (v. 32, 39). Train my body for war (v. 34). Bow the heavens and come to my rescue from my enemies (v. 9, 17)—particularly this cancer and the long-term chemo effects on my liver. You are my strength, my fortress, my rock, my shield, my stronghold no matter what is to come (v. 1, 2). And whether you answer my prayers in the way I hope, or you answer differently, I know your response is filtered through your steadfast love for me (v. 50). By your grace, help my heart to always sing, "The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock; exalted is the God of my salvation" (v. 46).
Thank you for praying with us!
Prayer:
For protection for my liver against long-term effects from chemo.
That the cancer would show a complete response to the treatment.
For rest in the Lord this week as we "wait" (Psalm 131)
That my body would respond well to this upcoming AC treatment.
That our meeting with the surgeon tomorrow would bring clarity.
That Anthony would feel loved, celebrated, and refreshed on his birthday this Friday
Pictures: Our family at Maddie's graduation party