Chemo #40 Today
When I tell some cancer patients I’m about to have my fortieth chemo treatment in two years, I often hear gasps. A twelve treatment cycle is often considered a lot. Shoot, three treatments can be a lot, depending on the toxity of the particular chemo you are receiving and the side effects.
Others, however, tell me they’ve had over 100 treatments and then listen to me gasp. That number seems incomprehensible to me, and I wonder how they made it through.
So today, as I go in for number 40, I’ll try to focus on those who have paved the way before me, the heroes who take regular punishment to their bodies with the hope of someday being well. ”If he can do it, then maybe I can too,” I’ll say to myself. Or, “she’s a machine; you need to learn from her.”
Off we go.
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Comments
On Monday, I am usually at work. I’m a pre-school teacher
for a lively bunch and while I enjoy my work, it is exhausting. But today, I sit at home, waiting anxiously
by the phone, waiting to hear if my pap smear tests are
normal. One year ago, I had a complete hysterectomy for
endometrial cancer. To put it delicately, you may be “cleaned out” but you still have to have pap smears
every three months for the next two years. So, my mind is
a whirl with questions, fear, anxieties. And I don’t see
how Jim and countless others do this. I truly admire them and care for what they are going through.
Hey, Jim – It’s Friday today, hope you’re over the worst side effects of the chemo by now. Hang in there and I hope you have a good weekend.
It may sound weird, but my wishes are for the day you pass the 100th chemo treatment, and to many more . . and the good days that follow the bad days. Peace.
Jim, praying for you today. Not many days pass without thinking of you even though I barely know you. You’ve mentioned 40 a few times lately and think it’s an amazing number. Mentioned so many times in the Old Testament – 40 days in the wilderness, 40 days of rain for Noah etc – I think it’s significant that you were 40 when you had your amputation, 40 chemos (that is a LOT for sure..I ‘only’ had 8 and that was plenty). I continue to pray for God’s deliverance and that you will live long in this earth and grow old with your wife, see your children become adults, enjoy being a grandfather and all the things we all desire! Praying you receive excellent reports in Houston. You are due some great news!
Our Sunday School lesson was on suffering and how Jesus told his followers that he would have to suffer. Some were astonished that were not going to follow him and the ones who followed him were afraid. Take courage fellow follower.
He’s there with us in the suffering and we will all be healed someday!!!!!!!