Dad started his chemo today. First, we met with the Nurse Practitioner (NP), who reviewed the side effects, the process and the what ifs. We learned today about a drug, Aranesp. This is used if Dad's red blood count gets below 10, it is given to lessen the need for red blood cell transfusions. Aranesp stimulates your bone marrow to make more red blood cells. They will be monitoring his red, white and platelet counts during the process.
Seems to me like Dad could make some new friends during treatments. It is an open room with recliners for patients with a visitors chair for each "station". The nursing staff is very nice, very happy and very attentive. I noticed that one nurse called each patient by their first name and seemed as if she had really taken the time to know everyone being treated.
As for next steps, tomorrow is the PET scan and Tuesday will be the next treatment, plus a follow up with Dr. Roa. We have canceled our appointment (or taken a raincheck) with Sloan so we could start up chemo and start killing the cancer cells. We will set up another appointment with them when this series is up.
Here is a prayer courtesy of Pat Briscoe and Pudge, St. Peregrine, who is the patron saint for people with cancer. Thank you Pat and Pudge for sharing.
O St. Peregrine, you who have been called "the wonder worker" because of the numerous miracles which you have obtained from God for those who have had recourse to you, who for so many years bore in your own flesh this cancerous disease that destroys the very fiber of our being, and who had recourse to the source of all grace when human power could do no more: you who were favored with the vision of Jesus coming down from his cross to heal your affliction, ask of God and Our Lady the cure of these sick persons whom we entrust to you (names of those for whom you are praying). Aided in this way by your powerful intercession, we shall praise God for his great goodness and mercy. Amen.
"Your present circumstances don't determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start" -Nido Qubein
Keri
(peaceofkeri@gmail.com)
What Cancer Can't do
ReplyDeleteCancer is so limited
It cannot cripple love
It cannot shatter hope
It cannot erode faith
It cannot eat away peace
It cannot destroy confidence
It cannot kill friendship
It cannot shut out memories
It cannot silence courage
It cannot invade the soul
It cannot reduce eternal life
It cannot quench the spirit
It cannot lesson the power of the resurrection
If an incurable disease has invade your life, refuse to let it touch your spirit. Your body can be severely afflicted and you may have a great struggle. But if you keep trusting God's love, your spirit will remain strong. Why must I bear this pain? I cannot tell, I only know my Lord does all things well, and so I trust in God my all in all. For He will bring me through what ever befalls. Our greatest enemy is not disease but despair.