Radiology time

     With our last treatment in sight, it was time to meet the next member of my wife's treatment team.  Our Radiologist is on the first floor of the cancer center, a place we usually only spend a moment or two as we're dropping off our car in the garage.  This part of the building is new to us and we weren't really happy to be there.  This visit was very similar to the others at MDA, very bright and informed doctors with a better grasp on  our own current condition with systematic approaches laid our for our next phase of treatments.  The folks really are some of the brightest we've ever met; unfortunate for the way we had to come about for this meet and greet.  The skinny of the conversation was that we really won't know if radiation will be in our treatment plan until after surgery, which is scheduled for May 10th.  She was very assuring in that we wouldn't apply this treatment unless is was absolutely necessary.  I know, but Amy's so young and wouldn't it help for prevention? Well, it would, but only if certain conditions present themselves which can only be seen during surgery.  So we left feeling relieved and happy.  Yes, we may still have to cross this path, but at least we have a little hope to hold onto and if we do need it, so what, we were expecting it anyway.

     One last chemo treatment and a few weeks for recovery and we'll be moving to the healing phase of this visit to Cancerland.  Always something to be thankful for...

Going It Alone

     With the boys school schedules, shift work, and Amy trying to recover from the last dose, the next appointment seemed to come much faster.  My lovely bride showed up on time, with her mom in tow, only to be turned away for her chemo cocktail.  At this stage in our treatment, we have to get lab work and see our Oncologist before each dose.  Somehow, those two important details were left off of our schedule for today.  So down the elevator to the 2d floor for labs, then up to the 5th floor to wait to see our doc, then up to the top floor for the most dreaded part of all.
     Even though her appointment was scheduled in the morning, it was already after noon when she made it back for her treatment and I was well on my way out of town with the boys for a weekend in the woods with the Boy Scouts.  I didn't want to miss her treatment, but I was outvoted and she wanted me to get them out more than I needed to be with her...still felt helpless not being there.  When she finally called to tell me her and her mom were leaving the hospital, we had already set up camp and were tucked away in our tents for the night.  Another lovely experience at MDA with only one more treatment left on the books.  What was five days for a semblance of recovery has stretched to seven.  The chemicals are building up in her system and taking its toll on her.  Did I mention how much I hate cancer?
     She's pushed through yet another personal holocaust and has somehow made it to the end of this nightmare with her sanity still in check.  We still had our moment of tears when I returned for the weekend trip and our usual talk about not wanting/needing to continue this, that it should be enough, right?  I see why so many survivors show up to the charity sponsored walks/runs and soar through without any complaints or issues - they've been to hell and back, this 5k thing is just a walk in the park.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.  Romans 15:13