Chemo Again

Jack and I went in to the University of Chicago Hospital twice this week, hoping and praying for direction as to what to do with the recurrence of my cancer. The upshot of it is that, although I am eligible for two different experimental programs there, I really am not. The reason is that one of them has to be done within six months of finishing Sisplatin chemo, which I had in Milwaukee, and the other has to be done within 30 days of the same.

So, I will be doing a different kind of Chemo, and it looks like I may be able to do it here in Elgin. That will be much more convenient than UCH! After going through this regimen, I can try again for one of those experimental programs at UCH. The effects of this new chemo is less troublesome, they say, than what I went through in Milwaukee. The main problem will be a rash-not exactly pleasant, but I think (hope) I'll be able to handle it OK.

We went to the interview in Chicago with the hope of getting some direction. Once again, God made it very clear what we need to do. I refuse to do NOTHING, so Chemo is going to be my lot for a while.

Once again, I feel peaceful, knowing that God's timing is the very best. I'm still in His hands.

Update--I Am Trusting God for the Future

On Monday, April 21, my ENT doctor, Dr. Portugal, saw that the wound under my chin was not healing. He took, what I supposed to be a routine biopsy. Two days later, on Wednesday, he had the report from the biopsy--indeed, the cancer had returned. He was as surprised as we were and said that he would need some time to confer with his colleagues and decide what kind of treatment would be best for me. We did meet with the vascular surgeon, who said that a stent would be counter productive. So, that plan is abandoned.

We will meet with my oncologist on Tuesday, May 6, and learn what options there are to slow the cancer down. Meantime, Jack and I are planning to go to the Cabin for a few days. This is probably a good time, because I'm feeling fine, living comfortably with a trach and a G-Tube. I'm trying to do as much writing as I can on another book. (If you have not gotten a copy of my book, Do Not Go, My Love: An Odyssey of Eight Years with Stroke and Dementia, you should be able to get it from Amazon.com or by e-mailing Warren Anderson at wanderson@judsonu.edu Or you can write to him at Judson University, 1151 N. State Street, Elgin, IL 60123).

I am trusting God for the future. I will take one day at a time, and enjoy as much of life as I can. God is faithful and I know that I am in His hands. Please pray for my family.