Chemo #2 - Exciting (again)! and Encouraging

The medical staff at the oncology clinic

Are getting a little paranoid now when I show up!

Today, as you know, was chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatment #2

We (Cindy and I) started out meeting with my doctor

To go over my blood work and discuss my progress

It is the first time that I can remember

One of my doctors actually expressing excitement

Over my progress:)

He must have stated three or four times in our half hour consult with him

How excited and surprised and amazed he was over my progress.

He is the doctor who described my potential for success as a "Hail Mary".

Because of the fast and massive growth of my tumor

He was actually expecting to see me come in a wheelchair

To my appointment

My condition being one of increased pain, shortness of breath

And basically one of increasing and serious debilitation.

When he saw, instead, how good I looked
(it may be that I took a shower!)

And that I was walking 1 1/2 miles a day

And had gained 9 pounds in the last couple of weeks

And that I was reducing pain medication

Not increasing it...

He was stunned...and excited

Genuinely excited!

THAT was an encouraging way to start the day!!

Then came the excitement...

Before they start the series of two immunotherapy drugs and two chemotherapy drugs

They prepare by giving me two anti-nausea drugs

To help offset the nausea that is expected to begin in a couple of days following the treatment

This is merely part of the routine

The exact routine they did 3 weeks ago at my #1 chemo treatment

Merely routine:)

Not so!

The first anti-nausea drug dripped through my port and into my vein just fine

The second did not:(

Within seconds, I again knew something was wrong
(I am getting to be quite an expert at this!)

And just had enough time to call out to a nurse that something was wrong

Before I AGAIN passed out!

The good news is...

My heart did not stop this time

So I did not need CPR.
(which was great because my ribs are just starting to feel better from the last CPR!)

And we now know another drug to which I am allergic!

Progress:)

After the above excitement

And about a 45 minute interlude

To flush my system

And let my body recover;

They proceeded with the chemo and immunotherapy regime

And all went great.

Yay!!

One thing became very clear again

As we experienced both the encouragement and excitement of the day...

Your prayer is vitally important!

Thank you again SO MUCH

For standing with me in this adventure.

And an adventure it certainly is!

Now on to see in the next days

What kind of side affects I will have

Or, if I will have any side affects.

It has become expected expectation to expect the unexpected!

Did you get that??

Well...

That about sums up chemo #2

Thank you again for standing with me:)

Many Blessings,

Dave