Treatment 3 of 12 (7/19/2012)
Posted: 07/19/2012 Filed under: Uncategorized 18 Comments
Chemo treatment 2 was on July 5. As I reported in the last update I expected that the side-effects (downtime due to fatigue and other issues) from this last treatment would subside on Sunday July 8. My “plan” was to feel good beginning on Mon July 9 [smile – we need to have a plan for this stuff].
Unfortunately things didn’t go as planned. The side-effects from this last treatment left me reeling and whirling through Thu July 12. I never imagined I’d have that much trouble from this. It is scary how we can go from feeling good to feeling sick so fast.
And so now the reality of this process is beginning to become clear. It is an organic process, meaning we really don’t know how it will go from week to week. There are many variables that need to be managed to help minimize the side effects and unfortunately I’m learning though the school of hard knocks. The good news is I’m a lot smarter for this treatment and I’m optimistic and hopeful that applying the lessons learned will minimize downtime this round!
Marlins Update: This past weekend was the final tournament for the Marlins and the Team honored their commitment to fill my trophy case. They won all five games they played and added a first place trophy to the collection. And I was lucky enough to be at all five games. I was very proud and honored to accept a first place trophy along with the team. Congratulations Marlins on an excellent season! I can hardly wait until next year! GO MARLINS!!!
Golf Update: After a wonderful weekend of Marlins’ baseball I felt great! And on Monday night I decided to play golf with the league. My round started out excellent. I hit a perfect drive, followed by an excellent 80 yard chip, then a “nearly in” 10 foot putt, and a tap-in for par! My score seemed to steadily increase one stroke with each subsequent hole; but that didn’t matter. The important thing is that I PLAYED GOLF! That alone felt like a victory! After golf we went to my house for some brats and Tigers baseball [thank you Connie and Alexis for preparing a delicious dinner]. And the Tigers obliged us with an excellent come-from-behind victory as well [thank you Tigers]!
Looking Forward: Today is treatment 3 of 12 AND it is the last treatment before our family vacation up north. Treatment 4 will be on August 9 which means I will have a couple weeks to enjoy between treatments [Yay – a break from chemo]. I’m really looking forward to this break and going up north with my family!
Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement – they are truly appreciated!
Pray for rain and a break from this heat wave!
I pray that God bless you and shower you with his Love today and every day!
Love, Light, and Warmth to all!
Phil's Blog 
I hope you’re feeling better after this round by the time we go up north! so excited! Love you!
Anna, thank you for driving with me to this treatment. Giving your mom a break is important and having you with me is helpful. Love you!!!
Phil–Your blog is beautifully written. Your positive attitude and deep faith are inspiring and I want you to know that you, Connie and your entire family will continue to be in my prayers as you weather the storm of this disease. It sounds like you have a fantastic doctor at U-M and that is truly something to be grateful for!
I smile when I think of the great husband and father my friend Connie married. God is good!
Lynne, Thank you for your prayers. I am the lucky one — to have Connie and a beautiful family is truly a blessing from heaven. I’m also lucky that Connie is a very strong woman. Going to college, working full time, supporting me as we deal with cancer, mothering college students and taking care of a very active 12 year old boy is a lot to do. Thank you God for giving Connie strength and patience.
Good luck with this round of chemo, Phil. I can only imagine how difficult it is to ride this roller coaster, and my thoughts and prayers are with you always.
Remember that when the chemo is impacting you it’s also destroying those nasty cancer cells. Fight on to victory!
And, speaking of victory, way to go Marlins!
Thank you Maureen. You are right — I visualize the chemo as attracting the cancer cells, attaching to them, and rendering them harmless.
You’re family is there to support you….you’re also in my prayers… sounds like you’re a fighter…!!! That’s half the battle.. hope this treatment goes better..
I am lucky to have a loving family. I pray that each of my children continue to grow in Love.
so proud for what you have survived already and what a positive attitude you have while doing it! love you. xoxo
I Love you too and I’m proud that your in school and pursuing a goal to work with children. I know you will receive countless rewards for helping and loving children.
Sending our love and prayers that this treatment goes better.
Hope you have a Great Vacation :)!!
John and Trina, thank you for keeping us in your prayers and know that I send my Love and prayers to/for you as well. Also thank you John for fixing my pressure sprayer.
Sent from my iPhone
Keep staying strong and positive. I am glad you got to do some of the things you love doing, and pray there are many more days like that to come. Our church and our family continues to keep you in our prayers.
Should this round be a little tough remember Joshua 1:9 (NKJV)-“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
We love you!!
I love you too! This round is going much better than last.
thinking of you Phil.. on the way up north.hang tight.. i love you little brother..
I am doing pretty good this round. I hope you all have fun up north.
Thinking of you today as you head into threatment #4. Go get ’em!
Thanks for keeping me in your thoughts. I’m at U of M now, waiting to see the doctor. I’ll begin the infusion around 10:30 today. I have to say it’s harder to come back here after having an additional week off. But I need to remember that the treatments are good for me in the long run.