One day at a time ...

Leaving the hospital on Sunday marked the completion of 1/3 of my projected chemotherapy treatments. Somehow that sounds much better than 2 of 6, doesn’t it? Progress is being made! My spleen appears to have shrunk which is good news. I’ll be having another PET scan next week and we should know more about the overall shrinkage from the scan results. 

Leaving St. Agnes on Sunday with her cute hat

The chemotherapy effects are affecting me more severely this time around. I told someone this morning that they are “kicking my butt.” I find myself much more fatigued and lethargic than before. After the first treatment, I had this sense of “just get up and get moving, it’ll get better.” Today I am in a state of “I’ll lay here until...??” and I’m okay with that. Chemo side effects are akin to having a very bad flu: Aches, pains, nausea, etc., coupled with, at least for me, an overwhelming feeling of lethargy. The effects tend to compound with each subsequent treatment, so I am actively attempting to “listen” to my body and just do what I can when I feel a burst of energy to do so. 

Next week, Jim and I will head to Stanford for an appointment with what my oncologist calls the “Lymphoma Guru.” He will review my case, consider all the updated scans and tests, and make a recommendation for how treatment should progress from this point. I’m impressed that my oncologist is willing to hear another opinion and that he has actively sought out an expert for us to visit.

Please keep us in your prayers as: 1) I work through this week and the side effects and 2) as we travel to Stanford next week. Thank you.

Jim’s P.S. -

As you know, Kristi’s a trooper. The chemo side effects seem quite a bit worse than what she experienced 15 years ago. Of course, it’s a different and more aggressive treatment this time.  She also continues to have some back pain that no one has yet been able to explain. In spite of all this, she is in good spirits at times.  And we continue to be blessed with well wishes, prayers, and help when we need it.

When people ask how we are it’s hard to answer. We are blessed beyond measure ... but this process sucks hard. I can’t imagine what it’s like to have the chemo side effects, but I do know how horrible it is to watch.  The answer is, we are OK. We will continue to be OK until we get through this. But we don’t ever want to hide the reality. It’s tough. 

Without all of you it would be tougher. God is love ... people can love ... therefore, people can share God. This gives us great hope. We see God everyday and it brings us great joy. Thank you.