Sunday, June 5, 2011

Changing things up a bit...but got a good report

    Another day, another trip to the cancer center. Hoping the fourth time is the charm (third time did not work...neither did the first or the second. In my case, the five most depressing words I can hear  are "your platelets are too low". They have been running 55,000 to 66,000 for week after week. You start wondering is the cancer gaining ground. Every spasm or twitch you ask yourself, "Is that new? Is it growing?"      
    All my vital signs are good, with my weight holding above 200 lbs. Pulse, temp, bp, hemoglobin are all good. The culprit has been and still is oxaliplatin . It will not let the white blood cells grow. Doctor told me my case is a little unusual. 
    Doctor also told he was taking me off that drug and putting me on CDT. Each letter is a $1.00 word. No way can I repeat them. He also ordered a CT scan to have a benchmark with this new drug. 
    I was told the new drug is as effective as oxaliplatin. With this new drug, I give up the tingling fingers and the aversion to cold. I will gain a new side effect of diarrhea. Going from the cold to being afraid to sneeze. 
    Had the CT scan on Thursday but had to wait till Monday to hear the results. The longer the wait the more your imagination dwells on the worse case scenario. The people I interact with and myself  know the elephant is in the room, but we don't talk about it.
    After a long weekend I went for the fourth time to get  treatment number eleven. Platelets were 101,000 but he changed the medicine anyway. Results of the CT scan were positive. The tumor is still shrinking and the liver is stable. MY GOD {our GOD} is still in hearing prayer mode.
    If you run out of things to pray for in the next few days pray for me. When praying for me pray it's GOD'S will.
    Thanks for your prayers, concern and love. Till next time so long.  Wayne