Treatment 2 of 12 (7/5/12)

Today I’m getting treatment 2 of 12 (as I type this update).  The treatment starts out with an hour drive from Marshall to Ann Arbor.  When we arrive in Ann Arbor the first stop is for blood tests.  After the blood is drawn we check in for the infusion.  The treatment actually consists of several infusions over several hours.  Between waiting and infusions and a doctor visit we will spend eight hours in Ann Arbor today and hope to be riding home around 4:30pm

The side effects of chemotherapy are usually mild for most people but can be debilitating in rare cases. Luckily for me I’m in the mild category so far. The worst of the side effects I experienced was fatigue.  The Sunday following the first infusion was spent sleeping the entire day.  I suspect this treatment will probably result in similar side effects and therefore I’m planning on this Sunday to be a day of rest for me.

Sensitivity to cold is another side effect of the treatment I’m receiving.  You know how you feel if you touch ice for a prolonged period of time?  It’s not pleasant.  With this drug even touching cold for a short period of time is not pleasant. This means that I can’t drink cold drinks or eat cold foods and have to avoid touching cold things (frozen food, etc.). Luckily this cold sensitivity fades away in a few days following treatment.  Other side effects include tingling in hands and feet and digestion challenges.

Thank you Jesus for being with me today as I begin Treatment 2 of 12.  I know that you will bring healing through this therapy and I am thankful to all the care-givers assisting me in this fight.

Thank you LORD for bringing so many beautiful people into my life; including my family, friends, colleagues, and health care workers. They are each a blessing from you LORD. And I ask you LORD to please shower these people with your Love.  Shine upon them and their families today and everyday.

Amen