An Update

Hi folks,

My apologies for the slow posting - almost 4 weeks! The major and unexpected side effect during March was developing a high level of intolerance for any electronic screens.  The computer has been my enemy as it leads quite quickly to headaches and even nausea - a passable excuse for the delay???  The good news is more walking, as I avoid computers and TVs!  The bad news is I haven't watched many Oilers’ hockey victories as they head to the playoffs!

The March round of chemo was double the dose of round one.  Although I was feeling a bit nervous about the double dose, I did tolerate it quite well, as far as typical side effects like nausea and loss of appetite go.  Note: with the addition of a few pounds in the last week, I am now back up to my high school weight - but I still can’t seem to find the 6 pack!  

With spring finally arriving in Edmonton I have been able to get out most days and walk for an hour or two.  What a gift it is to be mobile and outside in the sunshine.  Walking has such a link to cleansing and relaxing thought.  I am becoming quite European, as daily routines such as groceries, prescription, and doctor appointments are all now walking trips!  Overall, daily life has had a “typical” (what was the old typical??) feel to it, with events like eating, sleeping, visiting, and errands still being quite enjoyable and possible.  I even felt well enough to take on a firewood storage rack, a small design and building project with my brother-in-law Wayne. We are thankful that our prayers for tolerable side effects have been answered!  But I am hoping for healing of the electronics plague before the Oilers’ Stanley Cup run begins!

I was just talking with someone about how the recovery was going and we talked about the lack of consistency in daily expectations being very frustrating.  I seem to be trending upwards for a number of days and then have a day or two of regression.  The most challenging part of many days is trying to figure out what is “normal” for brain surgery/cancer patients.  Is the increase in screen sensitivity related to the cancer or normal for patients?  Is the increase in noise sensitivity a bad sign? Any regression seems to get linked very quickly back to the disease but I have to become better at linking it to the treatment.  

During a recent conversation with the doctor, he let me know that there isn’t really any “normal” side effects for patients like me.  He encouraged me to think of the healing process as being similar to a person who has suffered from a severe concussion, and the slow and unsteady progress of healing involved there - this was very helpful for me!

I am just now beginning the process of trying to gain permission to drive again, which requires all kinds of documentation and testing. (Who would have thought that they would be concerned about a person on my treatment regime to be a road hazard?)  Please pray that all goes well as the independence of driving for appointments (golf tee times!) is so important.  

I will begin the next round of Chemo in the middle of next week, pending a positive blood test result.  I will take the chemo pills for 5 days and then have a 23-day recovery period.   

I do have an MRI scheduled for late April that will provide, we hope and pray, a positive update on the success of the treatments to-date.  We will continue to pray for patience, and persist in the treatments.  

Thanks again for your regular encouragement and support - your thoughts and wisdom are so appreciated.  In the last blog I introduced you to Kathy Nieuwenhuis, a teacher-colleague from Rimbey Christian School, who had blessed me with an email that was very timely for me.  In the email she suggested a book that I might be interested in reading for Lent.  I took her up on it and have really enjoyed it so far.  The book is written by JoHannah Reardon and is titled No More Fear: 40 days to Conquer Worry.   I am more than 50% complete but still struggle with fear and worry daily, with the knowing of God’s promises versus the living these same promises. Intellectual is easy - heart and gut are harder.  Yesterday’s reading focused on the Holy Spirit as Intercessor, linking back to Romans 8.  I was encouraged by the promise that the Spirit intercedes for us, praying “in and for us, making prayers out of wordless sighs, our aching groans.”  I appreciate the reference to groans and sighs, which are the language of my heart and gut.

Okay, too much screen time so heading for a walk!  

Please continue to storm the gates with prayers that the beast will be slain!!!  And maybe for an electronics cure for the playoffs!