Chemo #6
I wanted to send a quick update before I get all drugged up Benadryl. Met with the Dr this morning, she said my blood counts look great, steady, in normal range, including iron. Not something I thought to worry about, I have felt pretty close to my old self the past few days. But I’m happy for the “you’re healthy” report and to stop the iron pills. I haven’t had an issue with them, but I’m glad they plus a lot of iron-rich foods have done what they should.
Because things look (including the biopsy site) and sound good, I’m doing chemo today. Chemo today was not a given until she heard my report on the last 3 weeks and saw my bloodwork from this morning. She checked for infection, but it seems the procedure went well without complications or side effects. I still have a 10 pound lifting restriction until Friday, but thanks to Jason and my sister, Kate, I have all the lifting-Graham-in-and-out-of-the-crib help I’ve needed.
Preliminary results of the biopsy are in. It still shows that I have lung adenocarcinoma, which the Dr said is a good thing that the type of cancer hasn’t shifted. I guess that can happen??? The specific molecular markers take more time to process and we don’t need the results at this time. But assuming there’s enough tissue to sample, the report to come will tell us exactly which clinical trials I might qualify for at the next point of decision. For the foreseeable future, I will continue with infusions every 3 weeks, with an infusion of immunotherapy and the antibody Jason previously wrote about (the blood supply network disruptor).
For a couple of reasons, I look forward to leaving this chemo path. Infusion day will be much shorter (instead of 6 hours of infusion, it will be 1 hour), which means I can plan for something else on infusion days. Also there are much fewer side effects with these two drugs, side effects I haven’t experienced so far. In general, as best the Dr can predict, I will feel much better with the chemo no longer in my system.
Last night, some friends from church came over to pray for me. I loved it! I ended up sitting with them outside, listening to the wisdom and truth and encouragement they shared. Many of you reach out, telling me that you are praying for me. Which I love to know about, but it was especially meaningful to hear their prayers last night!
