Treatment Eleven


 


Hello, it's Dawn writing this time. Alyssa has had a busy week so I thought I'd write on the blog tonight instead. 

🌼 First of all, thank you, thank you THANK YOU for all your prayers & support for me and our family. It means a lot to all of us! 

Treatment today went well but I can't say it was "uneventful". I didn't react to anything and the treatment itself was fine, BUT I had an "epic gastro event" when arriving at the cancer center doors. I wasn't sure if I would share this and I am not sharing it to highlight the drama but to share my reality.  This also highlights the caring that comes with wedding vows of "in sickness and in health" that Andrew and I made. 


🌼 I began a new drug this past June and it has mostly been a game-changer for my gastro issues...but there are surprises. Today was the day, no warning and I'll spare the details but I was so thankful for Andrew's help and for a caring nurse!  (And a shower when we got home!) 

These "events" are caused by the Amyloidosis damage in my gastrointestinal tract, which was my first symptom before diagnosis and has been the slowest to heal, although much healing has happened. 


🌼 Overall, treatment this time around has been easier for all of us, I think. I'm stronger and healthier, both physically and with my heart, and we know somewhat of what to expect this time around. We learned so much the last time that we have some "hacks" for when a similar issue arises - warm fleece on my feet for neuropathy, ginger candies for light nausea, things like that. And yet it has also been different as the protocol is a bit different - I get chemotherapy (minus the additional chemo drugs that I took in 2021/22 called "Velcade" now & was called "cyborD" the last time and maybe even earlier on this blog). I'm also getting immunotherapy called Daramatrub this time (it was not approved in Canada until just after my 2021/22 treatment). Both are shots - one in my belly and one in my arm usually, one is slow and one is fast. Both hurt but it's manageable. 


🌼 Today’s treatment was slightly different from the regular treatments I’ve been getting. This change was planned in that with treatment #11, I would only receive the one chemotherapy shot. This shot is the quick one. It will be the same next treatment and then the first treatment each month will be the two shots. Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy.


🌼 Another change today was that there was no acetaminophen or antihistamine before treatment. I will get those only on immunotherapy day. This meant I wasn't tired after treatment and Dr. A had also lowered my steroid dose, so we have no idea how my sleeping will go. I was able to nap this afternoon to be proactive in case of insomnia (from the steroid). Last week I was able to sleep on the night of chemo (which never happens), so I was hopeful I'd be less tired only to sleep in on Saturday, then sleep the rest of the day on Saturday, Saturday evening and Sunday all day again! I ended up going to bed early on Sunday again and half the day on Monday! Less sleep on the following days, but still plenty of sleep! 


🌼 Physically, I'm feeling weaker, especially in my legs, and I have more nausea and less appetite, as well as losing hair and mild headaches. My chemotherapy doesn't cause full hair loss, but I lost a lot in 2021/22 and it's starting again now. 

I had my blood checked last week and it's showing good results. We are SO humbled and thankful to the Lord for answering our prayers.


🌼 I'm attaching a podcast link that I listened to this week interviewing Tim & Aileen Challies.  They lost their son suddenly and unexpectedly in 2020. I have shared a quote from Aileen with many of you which eloquently explained how I also thought as I faced my own losses at diagnosis. A solid understanding and trust in God's sovereignty is essential, I believe - it brings the Lord's peace when facing life's disappointments. We are so blessed to have a caring Father to take all of our burdens to! I recommend listening to the podcast. 


"He blessed me by giving me a bedrock of theology that in my weakest moment I had to simply deploy. I can see how he gave us what we needed moment by moment to continue to walk in faith through such suffering. When nothing felt true, when God didn’t feel kind, when he didn’t feel good, when he didn’t feel just, I had a choice: I could choose to believe what my heart and my emotions were telling me—that God was cruel, unkind and unjust—or I could choose to believe what my mind knew to be true of God’s character and trust that eventually my emotions would catch up to my brain. ~ Aileen Challies, Nov3, 2022, article "Two years later: What Aileen is thankful for" @ Challies.com 

Podcast link "The Jinger & Jeremy Podcast" - with Tim & Aileen Challies


🌼PS some have asked how long treatments will go on for. Originally, we were told it would be weekly for about 8 months. It will be a "maximum of 32 chemo treatments" so likely a while yet! 


🌼PSS a highlight of this week was receiving a card of encouragement from our former Pastor Swets & family! I love "snail mail" and it was a surprise that arrived at a good time - the day before another treatment. I'm continually thankful for our Pastors' and elders' spiritual encouragement. I have been so blessed, and I pray for "my story to give God the glory".  


Prayer Requests:


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

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

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

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

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

  6. Pray that Mom will be able to sleep well this week.

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

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