Chemotherapy #5

John and I started out the week on Monday with a quick evening trip to Grand Rapids to see Peter Storey (South African Bishop), after John's full day of work, the church healing service, and a "blood draw" for me. Long day, but it was good to see friends.

Wednesday, I both had chemotherapy and (unusual schedule) also had my monthly appointment with Dr. Malviya. He explained something about lymph nodes and the need to be especially protective of my lower body. Most of my abdominal lymph nodes were removed, so infection cannot be filtered out as well. In two years, about 50% could grow back, but never all of it. (I liked the idea of having time for it to grow back. He also mentioned having a mole removed before my hair grows back.)

Other new information.
I had understood that the regimen of chemotherapy treatments consisted of 6 cycles, one every 4 weeks. So I was beginning to plan around that.

I found out it is actually 9 cycles.

That is good. A chance for more healing. I just need to readjust my thinking, as I thought July 2 would be my last one and that I would have a month to recover before my August 2 class reunion. Now Homecoming/Reunion will only be the third day after treatment #7.

Oh well. I am thankful for the opportunities of those "extra" treatments!

People sometimes ask how chemotherapy goes.
This time it took three needle-pokes to find a vein, but I normally have had pretty "good" veins.
I sit in the transfusion room with as many as three other patients and two nurses.
I have an IV transfusion in my arm for 5-6 hours, with various medicines besides the chemotherapy drugs.
I return to the office 24 hours later for a Neulasta shot (bone marrow booster).
I try to avoid the constipating Zophran (anti-nausea drug), but took one-half tab today.
The drugs, and especially the Neulasta, tend to make bones and muscles ache for a couple days.
So I am currently tender-to-the-touch.
And tired.
But I am in the process of healing.

Rest of the week
Yesterday, we drove over to the Royal Oak church to see John's office and then to see the house. Trustee Chair Kay and husband Dick (and others) are taking good care of preparing a place for us.

This evening, there is a farewell dinner at the Northville church.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

It is not everyday I would have such an exotic title.

While otherwise enjoying walks through the woods and fields, John apparently encountered some of what we have heard described as a "bumper crop" of dog ticks (or wood ticks). We later found (and removed) a couple latched onto his skin (arm and back). While at his regularly scheduled checkup Monday, his doctor put him on antibiotics, just in case. (No signs of illness, mainly in the interest of taking care of me.)

I appear to have been spared from a tick-attack (as a friend termed it). I was mostly covered up with a hat and long sleeves and slippery light-colored hiking pants tucked into my socks. A couple times, I brushed something off that I assumed was a little spider. Who knows? So enjoy the woods and fields, but keep watch.