The treatment room is a large, semi-oval room with windows around the outside. Just inside the glass are large, plush, cream-colored loungers, separated by curtains and walls. Each little cubicle has a television, a few chairs and a cabinet for books and magazines. You almost don’t see the chrome metal stand from which holds plastic bags with various fluids.
In Mike’s treatment, most of the three hours is about liquids other than the chemotherapy: hydration, anti-nausea med, and a few other things.
Mike’s doctor dropped by as the treatment was coming to the ends. She was smiling large with news. Mike’s tumor marker had dropped.
Here’s the liberal arts, concentration-in-literature, explanation: most of us have a certain protein in our bloodstream. Normal levels are below 30. I don’t know 30 what. Just 30. Raised levels don’t mean a cancer diagnosis but such a reading would send a doctor looking for an explanation.
Before Mike had his gallbladder and its tumor removed, he scored 350. When his gallbladder was removed, this dropped to 10 and stayed there.
Apparently, that number had begun to rise. When we began the chemo, Mike was up to 200. Dr. Moore’s hope was that chemo would keep the tumor microscopic for as long as we can. We know we are buying time.
Our good news is that, right now, it’s 75. What that means is that the chemo is doing what we hoped it would: it is attacking cancer and slowing its growth.
Much celebration at the oncology department.
But, here’s something I learned that day. Those angels are all about celebrations. If there’s something positive, they will clap and cheer.
One of Mike’s new friends was in the next room. This time, he only puked once. Usually, he throws up 5 times. So, it was time to celebrate.
And I found myself thinking about how great it is to live looking for real things for which to be grateful. I’m going to work on that.
I like that, celebrating the small things in life makes every day a filled with victories! from someone who lives in happy exclamation point land, I am going to look even closer for all the small celebrations!
ReplyDeleteSeventy-five. Seventy-five, do I hear 50?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Father, for this gift of a lowering number. Now, for the sake of your Son, Jesus, please keep lowering this number to normal by erradicating every single cancer cell from Mike's body. Do this, please, to bring honor and glory to your Precious and Holy Name. Amen.
ReplyDeleteI followed the link to your blog from Janelle's. I am a card maker and Iook for daily inspiration on blogs :)
ReplyDeleteI visited Janelles' blog tonight for the 1st time and I saw the beautiful card she made for your husband (Michael) and well, that's why I'm posting here.
I just want to say that I am truly moved by the posts on your blog and how beautiful couple you are.
You surely are inspirational to your family and friends but see how far your story is reaching even to people who, until tonight, didn't know about you. That is meant to be.
God bless you and your husband and the wonderful doctors who are taking care of him. I will send you positive thoughts your way and I hope those numbers decrease!
From San Antonio, TX