I know it’s been several days since my last update. The past couple of weeks have been a bit different with some ups and a few downs. I’ve not been sure exactly what to say, but that’s just me being overly complicated. The message of truth never changes.
When we last spoke, I was beginning a new round of 5 days of IV chemo in conjunction with chemo in pill form for a roughly 30-day period. I successfully completed the IV portion of the chemo last Friday, January 7, 2022, with nothing remarkable to report. This is the same chemo regimen I had beginning around December 3 just before leaving the hospital on December 8 to come home. I also had no issues during that first round.
Great News!
I got the report back on my bone marrow biopsy which indicates that the leukemia is going into remission. That’s great news! For which, I am very thankful. We’ll begin conversations about pursuing bone marrow stem cell replacement. My choices are Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and Duke University Hospital. Both are national cancer centers at the top of their game. I have no strong preference. I expect to get recommendations from my medical team. This is a long process and I’m sure we’ll talk more about it later. Right now, I don’t know enough to discuss it.
Something strange this week.
As I said before, my last course of treatment was the exact treatment I’m currently getting. For this treatment, I’m going into the Novant Health Cancer Institute in Mt Airy, NC for the required IV’s as well as bloodwork twice a week. This week, since I finished my IV’s last week, I went in for typical blood withdrawal and testing on Tuesday. Fortunately, I still have my PICC line so it was painless as it could be. They have a new location with a great staff. It’s actually a pleasure to go in. My Tuesday visit was uneventful. We were in and out in nearly no time, picked up lunch and headed for home. We had a good dinner and finished the evening content.
On Wednesday I got up took my early meds, had breakfast, 2-cups of coffee and then my mid-morning meds. I was at my desk with a cup of hot tea when I realized I really didn’t feel quite right. Something just wasn’t up to par. I stood up and realized it was more than a minor issue. I was very dizzy and began to be nauseous. Since beginning treatment on November 17, I have had ZERO nausea. And I’ve never experienced this type of dizziness in my life. Bottom line, I’ll make this short and not so graphic, I called Iris for help. I proceeded to lose anything I’d ingested up to this point, but still had the dizziness.
After calling my oncologist, we decided a visit was in order. That was an easy decision. After a brief check and comparing notes, I got fluids and an IV dose of an anti-nausea medication as well as something that might help with the dizziness. That was accompanied by a prescription for the same medication in pill form and we headed home. It wasn’t a pleasant evening, but we survived. In the early hours of Thursday, I took meds that stayed with me.
No more nausea after Wednesday but the dizziness persisted. Further discussions suggested a remedy for Vertigo, although we haven’t reached a definitive diagnosis. There is no apparent cause for the dizziness. The suggested remedy is called the Epley Maneuver (feel free to search YouTube for it). It seems to cure Vertigo in many cases if that is the true illness. I tried it and it helped me but not completely. I can retry the Epley, which resets the crystals in the inner ear.
Here’s a good article on what it is and who it might help from John Hopkins Medicine.
NOTE: I’m not offering medical advice. This will simply help you understand the Epley Maneuver.
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/home-epley-maneuver
Meanwhile, I’m currently on a steroid against the possibility of something we’ve missed which is exactly the same medication I was on with my earliest treatments. Not much has changed.
Don’t get distracted.
This has NOT been a bad week. It has been a distraction from the healing process I’m undergoing. I’m still patiently waiting for the complete healing I need. That is THE BOTTOM LINE.
A great friend reminded me today of an old poem. You’ve probably heard it.
“Two natures beat within my breast. The one is foul, the one is blessed. The one I love, the one I hate. The one I feed will dominate. -Anonymous”
You can choose to wallow in pity about what’s going on in your life. Or you can choose to trust God for the solution. Live in Grace or live in misery. It’s your choice.
We know the finished work of Jesus on the cross provides salvation from sin, sickness, and mental torment. That is where my hope lies. In Jesus. That’s where I began this journey and it’s what will see me through this journey. Even when some days aren’t as much fun as others. 😊
Here’s the truth!
Trust God has your best interest at heart.
Keep the faith.
Win the battle.
In His Love,
Wayne
