Treatment 6

This treatment was a bugger!  I had diarrhea twice during my treatment--just lovely. I spent half the time with my IV pole in the bathroom.  Then I had nausea in the evening to beat the band.  But I did manage to sleep it off and have felt better today.

Today was my big dentist appointment this morning.  It went well and I like my new dentist.  I did not like writing that big check though.

prepping for Disney World?



Closer

My prayer each day is to draw closer to my Master and in so doing I have been thinking about all the blessings of the last ten months.  Since being diagnosed in September and October with  two stage 4 and stage 3 cancers, there have been unnumbered trials and tribulations.  I've had six surgeries and been hospitalized five times.  I have had 28 radiation treatments and am currently taking my second round of chemo.

A year ago I would have thought all this was an insurmountable mountain of pain and suffering, but my Lord has brought me through it all and I can still smile.  There have been so many blessings along the way:  too many to even write them all down.  My family has shown me how much they love and cherish me in so many ways; even the little children have drawn me pictures and brought flowers.  My Sunday School class has been wonderful, and I love each of them. Every card and call that I've received has lifted me up above the pain and blessed me.

I had the blessing of having my whole family at Christmas and feeling like enjoying them.  I even had the joy of being present at the birth of grandchild number 7 in May.

Melanoma is so insidious that there is no way of knowing when it may recur, but I know now that with all of you and my Lord I can face even a painful death without fear.  Thank you again for being my faithful family and friends.

J. H. - 50 days and growing

Treatment 5

Well, I've had 3 dr appointments this week--way too many.  Monday I went to my "primary care physician" to refill my hypertension meds.  My blood pressure is all over the charts but generally in good shape.  Then we went on to my six-month followup with the radiation oncologist.  She was very pleased with the path report after my colon surgery and my progress in general.  I go back in another six months.  I love how all my doctors still converse with each other about my case.

Wednesday was treatment 5 and the medical oncologist.  My anemia is getting worse (seems like I give a pint of blood every Wednesday), and he insists that I need to take about 2 or 3 weeks off after my next treatment to let things "catch up".  I was hoping to go straight through with the 12 treatments and get them over with, but ...

The treatment went well.  I left off the steroid; so I slept better Wednesday night.  Still no nausea but the fatigue is definitely getting worse.

Any wet spot will do in Texas

Sebastian and Juliette



Treatment 4

Still counting down the treatments!  Now only 8 more to go!  Things are still going well.  Wonder if I'll sleep tonight?  So far the first couple of nights after a treatment are pretty sleepless.  But I get a good bit of reading and quilting done.

Next Monday I see my radiation oncologist for a follow up; then an appointment to see the medical oncologist before my Wednesday treatment.  Hope my blood work will still be good.

Dana calls this their 'retro baby'

John Harvey Taylor

4 weeks