Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Progress and Regress

My white blood cells have been giving me trouble again, and I'm on preventative antibiotics as well as nearly daily Neupagen shots again. I will not be having the IPT chemo treatments until my counts go up and stay there on their own. The doctor hopes that will happen quickly - about a week, but please pray about that. I'd also appreciate prayer that this bug I've been fighting will clear up. Every few days, the symptoms worsen again, and I'm getting worn out from these physical ups and downs. The combination of the chemo and flu bugs is not good.

Yesterday we got more good news about my tumor markers. In the last week they have fallen to 125! Please pray that my break from chemo will not seriously interfere with this progress. I will continue with all my other regular treatments.

One more prayer request. I've been having a hard time enjoying my food lately. Strange, since I loved it at first. Maybe the Christmas season got to me, but I've been pitching internal fits (and one or two that weren't) about not being able to eat the normal things that appeal to me. I threatened to eat a whole plate of pork roast on Sunday, but my supportive husband refused to be intimidated by my tantrum, and patiently reminded me why I'm doing this treatment regimen. All of you who have contributed to help pay for this option are also keeping me accountable. I sure don't want to waste your investment in me. In the last few days I started praying that the Lord would help my to enjoy me food and be thankful for it.

I want to tell you one very encouraging story from another patient. This man is a doctor who was recently diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer. (Pancreatic cancer has only about a 5% survival rate.) His oncologist recommended to him, doctor to doctor, that he decline the standard treatment and prepare to die. He came here about a month ago, and although this world of alternative medical treatment was a real challenge to his training, he decided to embrace it. His tumor markers very rapidly fell into the normal range and his PET scan over the weekend showed absolutely no unusual metabolic activity. He is one grateful man. It was funny to me, after all my food struggles lately, when he told me today that he is asking God to help him enjoy the food he has now committed to eating for the rest of his life.

11 comments:

Siberians said...

Thank you, Amy, for the update. We will definitely be praying that you get over the flu (or whatever). We don't want anything to stand in the way of your progress, for sure! We will be going to prayer meeting in a couple of hours and will ask the church to be praying specifically about that as well. Love ya. Jess

Donna said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Suzy said...

I can't imagine eating your diet...I guess when its life or death, self control has to kick in. It must be hard though not to be able to deal with the stress by diving into some chocolate or french fries! Man. Praying for you.....

Unknown said...

It is a blessing to read your posts, Amy - whether you write about your treatments, your triumphs, or your temper tantrums. ;) I truly can't imagine you pitching a temper tantrum about any of it, but this much I know. You have greater self control than I do. (My mom will probably read this and say, "No duh!") :D I love you, cousin, and am praying for you and your family. With this cold that's giving you problems right now, is the trip to Denver for the PET scan still on for the 7th?

Hugs and prayers,

Cousin Cynthia

Jon said...

Cynthia - PET scan is still on, but I've wondered too if it will actually happen. Tomorrow (Thursday) should tell a lot. Hate to have to reschedule all this, so please pray that I'll be ok. And, please - don't try to visualize my temper tantrums. Just ask Jon. I'm glad I come across and sweet and gentle and self- controlled anyway.

Izzy said...

I was thinking about you today, so I did a google search and found your blog. You and your family are in my prayers.
-Cherith Isenmann

thefedssc said...

Praying for your specific requests, Amy. Thanks for being so candid so we can pray for your specific needs. Rejoicing with you in your counts going down.

Nate said...

Hey, you don't know me, but I'm definitely praying for you. May God bless you and encourage you in a huge way today!

Anonymous said...

Your latest blog was a blessing to read. Our family prays for your healing at every meal. My daughters have colored a picture for you. I will try to get your email from Kevin Jones and email them to you. Also, our Russian church is praying for your healing at every service. We labor in the same city as the Jones'. Tell you family hello from ours. The Hearron Family, www.thehearronfamily.com

Anonymous said...

We are praying for you and your family, Amy! I am sure the holiday season made the diet VERY hard!!! Your self control is to be commended! I will pray you can enjoy your food again! I will also pray for the tests, and wisdom for future treatment, and that you get to feeling better, without that cold!!! Ruth Bustamante

Sheri DalPorto said...

So enjoyed spending time with your family this weekend! Missed you so much though! Loved seeing Jeremiah & Benjamin become fast friends & all the others just pick up where they left off! I enjoyed cuddling Gilead to even if he wasn't feeling well! He is a miracle! Praying much for you friend!

Sheri