Words of
“wisdom” from the Nooter: “3/4 of the way there – time to pre-order a burger
and beer for the 19th hole. All the best for the home
stretch!” Ed Noot, longtime friend and golf fanatic! See the blog
post from December 10, 2016, for more background on the Nooter.
As of today we
are officially 75% of the way through the radiation treatments, with just five
sessions left. We are also 50% through this chemotherapy session. I
am very thankful that the side effects have been very manageable, with some
nausea and fatigue in the last week. We did have a bit of a setback this
week as I developed some facial soft tissue edema, which led to an extra doctor
visit, but it seems to be under control now. I went from Lizard Man to
Dinosaur Man for a few days.
My forehead is also
becoming quite red from the radiation so I have a rather bizarre looking
tan! When I complained that it was itchy, Tara reminded me to be thankful
that it wasn’t my prostate!
My short term
memory is also taking a hit. I am now being reminded, lovingly of course,
by Loretta and the kids - “Text me when you turn the stove off after making
breakfast” or “Did you take your pills?” (about 50/day). I also need a
daily list to keep on task. I was invited by a number of seniors,
“Welcome to the club!". What’s next
… Depends?
In fact, this
whole treatment process is quite humbling. I am suddenly reliant on others for
so many things. I now hop into the passenger seat rather than the
driver’s seat, need to ask others for help with basic home related tasks, and
have a scheduled nap time!
I had my weekly
check in with the Clinical Study Nurse and was pleased to hear that all of my
important blood counts are still quite strong! I am so thankful that I
was granted admission into the 4-week program rather than the typical 6-week
program – 75% completed sounds so much better than 50% completed! I'm not
sure my forehead could handle three more weeks of radiation either!
The Cross has a
neat tradition of ringing the "Hope Bell" after one's last treatment.
For me, this will be Monday at about 10:30 MDT. If you are free at that
time, listen carefully for three bell rings and ask that God continue to work
in my body to bring healing, both during the ongoing treatment and well into
the future!
Monday will also
be the final consult with my chief radiologist, who will provide an update on
the treatment to date. I am anticipating that it will be a bit of a
challenge to rest peacefully on the weekend and sleep well on Sunday. Please
pray for this as well.
Our entire
family would like to express our deep thanks for your ongoing and faithful
support and prayers. This support is expressed in so many fantastic ways:
the neighbour who often texts on Monday asking which day she may bring supper over;
my Mom who provides a wonderful Ribfest every Thursday night (as restaurants
are deemed to be too dangerous for my immune system at this point); the folks
who fire off weekly texts asking how things are going; and on and on! We
thank God every evening for how you have blessed us and cared for us! We
experience God through you in so many ways! Storm the gates!!
- Doug
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