THE HONING AND SHAPING CONTINUES...

Dear Readers, my husband is making fun of me for considering letting you all know that I made it to the dermatologist to have the head lesion checked out, before the results are known. How many people truly want to know every minute of your day? He's right.

However, it was a new experience for me and I can now relate to myriads of patients who must have a "lob" (the Dr.'s term) removed. Kind of like going to the dentist for a major filling; only, of course, the needle is injected on top of the head rather than in the gum/cheek. EWW!


Up side: I no longer have the obnoxious growth; down side: he cut my hair--just when it's really started to grow back!


I empathize with all who must undergo this type of procedure; one I hope I never have to endure again. BUT, if I do, I do.


Thank you, Lori, for holding my hand. :-)

11th Treatment at the Block Center

On Tuesday, August 28th, we had the opportunity to discuss additional treatments and overall strategy with Dr. Keith Block. It was decided to "stay the course" with the current plan until Cathy's next CT Scan in October.

The results from three tests; Cathy's brain MRI, her echocardiogram and bone density, were all normal!  Even the blood work that is drawn every 3 weeks continues to show improvement with her liver enzymes, white blood cells etc...

However, it is with mixed emotions, that I report that Cathy has developed a large skin lesion on her scalp which 'erupted' yesterday. The Block Center has requested a biopsy to determine if the cancer has metastasized to her skin. Jen, at the Block Center, said that it could also be a yeast/bacterial infection. That appointment is scheduled with a dermatologist, on September 4th, in Fort Wayne.

Phil 4: 6-7  "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."   

Lori

ON ENCOURAGEMENT

As defined by Funk & Wagnall, encourage means "to inspire with courage, hope, or resolution." We are exhorted by Paul; for example, in I Thessalonians 5, to encourage one another and build each other up. In thankfulness to all who have encouraged me in word, providing me the determination to keep on keeping on. You are great role models for me to be an encourager to others.

"...he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." PROVERBS 11

LUPRON #2

Met w/Dr. Aggarwal (my oncologist here in town) briefly to discuss any issues created from the hormonal drugs I'm taking in place of chemo. Just one: a handful of pimples on the head that I can't seem to resist eventually scratching open, then dousing them in hydrogen peroxide, and placing a little dab of antibiotic on them. (TMI?).

My Lupron shot is administered in the Infusion room (actually the shot itself is given in a little private room of that area). But what I'd like to comment on is how very different the atmosphere is in this conventional cancer health facility than that which I experience at the Block Center.

It brings to mind, once again, how immensely grateful I am for the opportunity to restore my health at an integrative cancer center. Keeping all of you in prayer who have shown, and continue to show, your loving kindness.

Luke 10:27
..."Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and, love your neighbor as yourself."

Recently, a friend passed on this quote to me by William Wilberforce. I found it to be of great encouragement and hope that all of you do as well.

"...we are reminded that Jesus possessed little, yet He never complained. And if we find ourselves in circumstances of greater difficulty than the normal ups and downs of daily life, we deal with these difficulties through the filter of our vision of Christ on the cross. What He suffered for our benefit outweighs almost anything we must deal with. We face challenges and difficulties as part of God's plans and purposes for our life, knowing that in the midst of difficulty, He is there. We have confidence that even though we might not understand everything that happens to us, God will work all things out in a way that accomplishes His purpose. If this means we go through disappointment, illness, shame, or poverty, we are able to trust Christ. He is the One who went before and will bring us through. In Ways beyond comprehension there is a sense of God's grace and peace in the midst of difficulty."

10th Treatment at the Block Center

One of the tools that the Block Center uses to determine if treatment is effective is a blood test for cancer tumor markers. With Cathy's type of cancer they check CA 27.29 and CA 15-3 antigens. Here are the results since treatment began in January 2012:

     CA 27.29                                                 CA 15-3
January 2012          7748.7                           7153.0
March   2012          1082.4                           1223.0
July       2012              68.7                              69.8

These results are so encouraging as we watch the numbers plummet!

Overall Cathy's health continues to improve. Her vital signs remain normal. The rest of the blood work is good. Her low number of white blood cells and neutrophils continue to reflect the cumulative results of her previous chemotherapy treatments. Since this has stopped, we hope to see these numbers rebound. Cathy will continue with the hormone therapy in her battle against cancer.

It's always a pleasure to travel with Cathy to Chicago for treatments. We were blessed that Abbie, her daughter, could join us for this trip.    

Lori

DEPRESSION?

Had a not so fun experience not long ago. I didn't see it coming; just woke up one morning and it was there. Lasted only a couple of days, thankfully, and this has occurred only a few times throughout my adult life.

What I felt was a nothingness about anything through the course of the day. I'd go through the motions but without "meaning" in what I did or said.

The question for me to be answered was not "how did I get here?" but "how do I get out of this place of deadness?"

A dear friend of mine suggested that perhaps the correct term to best describe what I had gone through is weariness. If this is true, do I consider it as the catalyst to this latest episode? And, does that mean I'm mentally and physically weary in the fight for my life? I don't appreciate this thought; it makes me sound pathetic and weak. Which I am, but that gives me no excuse to ever willingly make the choice to run off course.

By the end of our conversation the two of us had considered several ways to fight against this state of weariness and I've decided that one of the best tools would be to read from the book of Psalms. This collection of prayers, poems and hymns are so full of wisdom, encouragement, and praise that the darkness would not be able to maintain its hold.