Phase One is Complete

On Friday, I finished my interferon infusions. The relief I felt when I left the treatment center was surprising. I am so glad to be through with this phase and can move forward. I am very hopeful that the nausea will subside very soon.

The next phase consists of getting 3 shots a week for 48 weeks. The insurance company has approved my giving the shots to myself at home. I will only have to go to the cancer center once a month to get the port flushed.

The doctor said that the shots could be rough; however, the first three weeks will tell the story. If I get through them without incident, I should be fine for the remainder of the year. I am hopeful that the side effects will be minimal so that I can start walking/running again. The surgeries and treatments have really pushed me backwards in terms of physical fitness. I miss the exercise, and look forward to getting back to it – even if it is just a little bit.

Thanks for your continued prayers and support. When the shots start, please pray that God protect my liver, my bone marrow, and my thyroid. Those are the three areas that the interferon can attack. Any damage to those and the treatments will stop.

In loving gratitude, Kathy

It’s Time to Count Down

It’s time to start the final countdown, my last five treatments. Well, actually, my last five infusions. After that, I start the dreaded shots. I say dreaded because the man sitting next to me today is also taking interferons. He said the shots were far worse than the infusions. Now, if I were a worrier, that little statement just might be depressing. However….

I’ve got all kinds of reasons to be joyful, most of which have absolutely nothing to do with this cancer. But I did get some good news today about my second round of treatment. The insurance company has approved my taking the shots at home. I’ll be able to take the shot right before bed, pop a Benadryl, and sleep it off. At least, that’s my PLAN. Yes, I am a control freak that thinks she is control. Rest easy, my friends, I know who’s got this.

And that’s not all…

The shots are only going to cost me $30 a month. Isn’t that amazing? It certainly beats a $25 co-pay every time I walk into the office. I think I can definitely fit that into the budget.

So, infusions every day this week, and a doctor appointment on Thursday. The shots are already being ordered so I will start round two very soon.

Thank you for the continued prayers

Moving Ever Closer

By the time I get this posted, I will be three-quarters of the way done. And, on top of that, today is Freedom-from-Needle Day – a day of true celebration.

But let’s talk about some real reasons for celebration – answers to prayer. Now I know that God always answers prayer, and sometimes, He just says no. But this week, He made my walk just a little bit easier. I have slept soundly, and for seven hours, three nights this week. And, I’m expecting another peaceful, restful night tonight.

Seriously, this week I have felt very sore – like I have been smacked across the back with a baseball bat. But achy muscles can be relieved. First, a sore back is a PERFECT reason to go have a pedicure. If you go to a good salon, they have amazing (AMAZING!) chairs that knead your back from your neck all the way down to your bum. And then, there’s the long, quiet soaking one gets from a very hot bath. And Dr. Kathy prescribes the hot bath nightly. Ahhhh…..

So, maybe I’ve been a little (ok, a lot) sore, but it has provided some wonderful opportunity to pamper myself.

I’ve even come up with something that is helping the nausea, and it’s not with anti-nausea medication. I have starting eating a bagel every night – oftentimes for dinner. I’m not sure what’s up with the bagel, but I’m choosing to believe that it’s the density of the bread that is soaking up something evil that is deposited in my stomach during my treatment. Whatever it is, it works.

Before I come to a close, I want to pause and thank Holy God, my heavenly Father, my King, my Provider, my Protector, for helping me through this week and every week. I want to be very clear that I know where my relief comes from. He has provided the comfort. He has provided the peace. He restores my joy.

Oh yeah, I came up with another name for today – Needle Emancipation Day! Celebrate with me.