The Treatment Plan

For the cancer I've got there is a specific treatment plan. I do this and the odds are 90% I will never see this cancer again. Here's what will take place:
Radiation: There will be approximately 33 radiation treatments aimed at my pelvic area. They began July 5 and will conclude at approximately August 18th.
Reaction: First third: No issues. Second third: Discomfort. Final third: Increasing discomfort, culminating in 'brutal'.
Chemotherapy: There will be two courses of treatment. The first was started on July 5. The second will begin August 1st.
Reaction: First course produced nasty mouth sores, an overall sludgey feeling and 'chemo brain'. At least I know what to expect for the second course, and can make some plans.

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Six Months

Thanksgiving came, and went. I was deeply thankful. I blogged in my mind, but I never actually wrote.
Christmas came and went. I thought of how grateful I am for all of you who followed this blog and prayed and sent good wishes, but I never wrote.
The New Year came, bringing another chance to reflect, but all reflecting remained trapped in my head.

Now - I have been given yet another occasion for looking back - and I will write.
Six months ago today I was hooked up to the portable chemo drip and had my first radiation treatment.
The beginning of the great take-down.
Exactly two months after they began, treatments ceased, marking the beginning of the great healing.
After four months of healing I believe I am 95% done.
Just a bit of itchy type discomfort in the immediate area of where the tumor was.
I can sit for as long as I want on the hardest of chairs.
I can work at my desk at my office for as long as I need to.
I can walk as far and as fast as I was walking six months ago.
Stretching needs work! But, actually I am returning to my previous level of flexibility at a very gratifying rate.
So! Restoration is accomplished! Praise God!

The Lord allowed a cancer to begin growing in my body.
He provided people with knowledge find it and treat it.
And He has healed me from the damage the treatments did - as only He can.
Whether we have a little scratch from playing too roughly with the cat, or we're flattened by a disease, or by treatments, it is only God who heals. By His hand our cells regenerate. To me this is an Amazing Miracle. I am in awe of His power. I am in awe of His love. I am in awe of the healing that has occurred in my body.

Your ways, O God, are holy. 
What god is so great as our God?
You are the God who performs miracles;
You display your power among the peoples.
Psalm 77:13-14

Onward - in Christ - into the New Year - and beyond.

The Hair Report:
At this point I have decent amount of short scruffy looking post-chemo hair.
In my opinion it is not in the least bit fit for public display.
I am enjoying collecting hats.
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