Second Protocol Begins

The first round of the second set of Chemo drugs is in the “bag” and in me.  I definitely felt this set of drugs as they were going in, unlike the first set.  The most noticeable effect was abdominal cramping.  That was dispatch with a dose atropine.  That and steroids are now my drugs of choice.  As I write this update the cramping as well as the other side effects I experienced during the infusion are things of the past.  It will take a day or two to see what additional impact this Chemo might have on me.  Tonight, as I write this update, I have not experienced any impacts.  This next set of Chemo drugs came with a twenty page manual covering the infusion pump that I wear home for two days.  Thursday at noon they will take it off.  While that may be daunting to some people, as an engineer it is downright exciting to figure out how it works.  Y’all know how I love to read manuals so I get two things I love to do with a take home, do it yourself infusion pump.

There are other warnings and obligations that occur with a take home, do it yourself infusion pump.  There is a bag of stuff labeled “Chemotherapy Spill Clean-up Kit”.  It contains such items as a Scoop and Scraper, a 21g Green-Z® Solidifier Pouch, a 12”x12” Super Barrier Zorb Sheet, and a 33”x40” Red Biohazard Bag.  I can be my own HAZMAT team if something comes loose and the Chemo drug gets out, instead of going into my body.  I find it somewhat funny that I am “HAZMATing” my body.  Additionally, while I am cleaning up the chemical spill I am to call 911 because the port that is directly tied to the vein leading to my heart would have been compromised.  I only hope I have enough time to clean up the spill before the EMT team takes me to the Emergency Room.  That would be another Robertson Adventure for sure.  You have to admit it is hilarious to think of the sight of me in the Open Back Gown that comes in the kit cleaning up the spill as the EMT cadre come in the door.  I would have to be the one to clean the spill up since I was also told by the infusion nurse today that I was to flush the toilet twice when I was through doing my thing since that is how the Chemo makes its escape from my body.  If flushing the toilet properly is a concern for the safety of my family from the bad effects of this round of Chemo then how could I ask Jan to risk her life to clean up my HAZMAT spill?  Love can only go so far.  I make the mess so I clean it up.  The EMT responders will have to wait to take me to the Emergency Room.

Additionally the drugs in this round have a seven page fact sheet with four of those pages listing, in three columns, possible Side Effects, How to Minimize Side Effects, and Possible Treatments.  As an example one of the Side Effects is Alopecia, also known as hair loss.  The How to Minimize Side Effect column starts off with “Alopecia cannot be prevented but here are some tips to help you cope with your hair loss.”.  The first tip is “Use a soft hairbrush.”. There is no Possible Treatments listed since they already informed us that hair loss cannot be prevented.  I know that it may not be cool to make light of the myriad of things that have to be considered with Chemotherapy but I have to find humor in all of this as I go through this next phase of treatments.  I certainly understand how all of this is not funny to those fellow cancer patients.  I guess I just have a different viewpoint than most people.

This last weekend had both girls in town and my brother and his wife.  It was a great weekend filled with lots of fun things to do.  It was a bit sad as everyone left Sunday.  Those are indeed precious moments.  Tonight, Melanie and Jeff brought more food over.  They said it was their favorite dish.  I cannot wait to see what it will taste like.  I have gotten used to the metal taste so it has almost become normal to me.

Since I referred to food above, let me finish this update with some more don'ts that I was informed of about one of the drugs I am taking. It contains platinum which is ironic since everything taste like metal! It also causes ice and cold to be the enemy. Cold foods and drinks, cold air to the lungs, and cold to the hands all cause negative side effects. That means to me that I will eat and drink my tepid food while breathing warm air from the steam kettle and wearing ski gloves. Another hilarious sight if I do say so myself.

As always please continue to support us in all the ways God ordains but most especially in prayer.

Thank you,
Price

God Is At Work At All Times & In All Things

While I do not have a miracle healing the results from the CT Scan show the tumors are less dense and my cancer “marker” (from a blood sample) has continued to drop. The lesser density means the tumors are dying leaving behind dead cells. Dr. Strauss decided it is time to change chemotherapy protocols, so I start next week with the protocol he first suggested way back when all this started, with some changes based on recent studies. It is great news and more evidence that God is at work that the doctor thinks my liver and kidneys can now handle the regimen. I will start this next Tuesday. The Adventure continues and we are back in the Waiting Room (Check out the Blog if The Adventure and the Waiting Room references do not make sense). Julie was a super Shadow Soldier while Dr. Strauss was with us. She has had a rough three days with no sleep and a lot of seizures. The seizures held off while we were at the doctors and started back when we got in the car. She is doing better tonight but she is still having seizures.

When I reflect back on the last four months it takes my breath away. I have experienced the closest walk of Faith in my entire life and feel closer to God because of it. That is the effect that “trials” have had in my life. When life is easy and the sun is shining, as they say, we often look up to see the sky, not to worship the Lord. Why does it take troubling circumstances for us to look for God? I know I am not the first to ask that question but I can testify that I fell into that trap more than once in my 62 years of life. I will relate a funny story that kind of illustrates my point. I was walking with a fellow worker reading a message on my BlackBerry near the old Republic building happy as a lark and enjoying the day. As I was not fully aware of my surroundings, I failed to notice that one of the iron covers that surround the trees in the front of the building had been removed. You are probably ahead of me with this already because it was just like some of those You Tube videos we all laugh over. Yes, I stepped where the grate should have been and proceeded to do a somersault onto the sidewalk. In the process I kicked a package of cigarettes out of the hand of a woman walking the opposite way with my foot. I was flat on my back looking at the sky asking the woman if she was alright while she was staring down at me asking if I was alright. I believe that situation is why the word humbling was created. She was fine and I was fine but it took a pothole for me to look up at the sky, think about others, and stop perseverating on the BlackBerry. You might ask if I learned my lesson and stopped reading BlackBerry messages while walking. Sadly I did not, but that also illustrates my point about how quickly we go back to the status quo with God.

My foundation is Christ. My worship is for God. My wisdom is from the indwelling Holy Spirit. God has sustained me and He will heal me. The verses in 2 Corinthians 1:20-22 For as many as may be the promises of God, in Him they are yes; wherefore also by Him is our Amen to the Glory of God through us. Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge. We are in the Waiting Room again but we are not alone and we are not dismayed. The Adventure continues and we are refreshed because we are not alone. We have God and we have all those who are praying for us. Please keep praying and know that your prayers make a difference. Thank you, Price

CT Scan

The CT Scan is complete and the results are in progress.  I have an appointment with Dr. Strauss (the Oncologist) this Wednesday at 2:00 pm.  That  is when I will find out the results and what the next steps are.  Thank you for all the prayer in preparation for today and during the procedure.  Matthew 7:7-11 concerns prayer and speaks about how eager the Father is to answer our prayers.  That is the comfort I feel when I think about all the people that are praying for me.  Please continue to pray as you are lead. 

Thank you,

Price