Eighth Treatment



Written by Dawn.


Hello friends & family, 

Treatment yesterday was uneventful so we're thankful for that again. It is painful but rather quick (5 minutes for the immunotherapy and seconds for my chemo) but there is prep time, waiting for pre-meds to work and pre & post vitals.


At treatment, the infusion machine was not working so my nurse had to do the infusion by hand, slowly pushing the infusion into me over a period of 5 minutes. For ME it was more comfortable than with the machine, but apparently it is tense work for the nurses, putting pressure on their hands, so I suspect those machines will be repaired asap, or I hope so for the nurses. Manually giving the infusions is also more time-consuming for the nurses, but on the upside we get to chat with them during that time! 


Mentally I had a bit of a difficult day on Monday. My treatments have been much easier this time around (although I'm cautious to say that!), and yet the side-effects have been more subtle and I feel sort of confused as to what my "spot" in life is right now. I know my job is to "listen to my body and heal", but that often seems elusive in actual terms. I need to figure out the balance between keeping busy and resting! I had some more physical symptoms during the past two weeks - more tired
(insomnia is my pal now) and some gastro issues - and have struggled with knowing my limits. What my mind wants to do is often different than what my body is ready and willing to do! 


Our former Pastor (Swets) used to say "get into the Word!" when I began to get discouraged and honestly that has been THE anecdote. Not that it makes everything better, but it helps me to focus on the important things and helps me to rest in God's provision for my life. The Lord has been SO good to me. And continues to be. So extra time reading and meditating on God's word is where I go and even that, I realize, is a privilege from the Lord. 


Photo credit: Claire Dam 
Last week's treatment was quite surreal with being placed directly beside one of our former adoptive families as the two of us received our treatments simultaneously. We knew we would both be receiving our treatments that day - her last (she rang the bell!) and my 7th - but we didn't know we'd share the same spot, and the same nurse, and go through it together! It was a bit of beauty in the mess that is called "cancer". We also share our Hope in the Lord and that is precious. 




I'm thankful that Andrew can be with me each week - much less lonely than during COVID treatments. He also remembers all the "stuff" that I begin to forget as my mind becomes clouded by the pre-meds - steroids, antihistamines and allergy prevention meds! 


We appreciate all your prayers and wishes for us along this journey. We have been encouraged by my monthly blood draws which are showing positive signs of the treatments doing their job. Again, we know that this is the Lord blessing the treatments and we are so humbled by this. 


Prayer Requests:

  1. Dawn’s low blood pressure continues to be an issue. Please pray that her blood pressure will stabilize.

  2. Praise God for Dawn’s positive reaction to the treatment.

  3. That God will bless the treatments so they may be successful.

  4. That Dawn won’t feel too discouraged when experiencing moments of weakness and anxiety.

  5. That the side effects Dawn has been experiencing will be as minimal as possible

  6. Pray that she will be able to sleep well.

  7. That she will be able to share the gospel and encourage those around her who are also receiving treatment.


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