Cancer Chronicles

Bottom line is that cancer sucks, but when the doc tells ya you've got it then you just deal with it. I was diagnosed on March 14, 2008, did 6 chemo treatments that I tolerated pretty well. Then we went on the awesome family cruise to Alaska. When I got back they did a body scan and found there were 4 leftover "hot spots" so they started zapping me with chemo again on Monday, August 25th. I'll do one more in September then another body scan in December. We plan on killing this thing and living forever.

Ah well a couple of days after chemo they gave me a shot called "neulasta" it is supposed to increase my white blood cell production from the bone marrow. It stimulates the bone marrow to work harder and the side effect is aching bones. So it makes me feel like a little old man with arthritis for a few days.

I got tired for a couple of days and the other typical things like, headache, nausea, tender lymph nodes and sore throat, but overall I tolerate it pretty well and am glad it's not worse.

I finally finished my last chemo treatment on September 26th, 2008. It was probably my easiest one yet. A few days of nausea and tiredness, but nothing that kept me from missing work. The usual other side effects weren't too bad either - water eyes, sore throat, sore lymph nodes etc. I've got my PT scan scheduled for December and then I'll meet with my Doctor the following week to get the results from him. I admit i'm slightly nervous about it, but I just have to remind myself that I've been given some pretty powerful blessings about being healed. I don't know the whole story with that obviously, but I've got great confidence that I will be blessed as the Lord sees fit.

Well - here we are a few months later. June 2009. My latest PET scan in March showed NO CANCER cells. So as of now I'm cancer free. Just doing quarterly check-ups. I feel good and strong and believe that that little episode in my life is behind me. Thanks everyone for your love and prayers and care throughout all of this.