Journal entry by Tim Filston —
Today Beth started a new leg on her road to healing with her first chemotherapy infusion. It is a full-day event. The insults continue for two more days through a take-home pump with one of the four drugs. Looks like a vintage Polaroid on a strap. Treatments take place every other week, continuing through mid June.
This phase is not an extra precaution. It is an intense regimen only prescribed if needed. Although her pathology report was encouraging, (clear margins and nodes) there may have been neurovascular invasion. This point is not always a sign of spread, but it is a factor in how it spreads and makes chemo necessary. So we need her bod to tolerate it.
Knowing these challenges, please pray as you feel led. When I'm not sure how to pray I remember these ancient encouraging words from the Apostle Paul to the fledgling church in Rome: "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.." (Rom. 8:26)
With gratitude,
Tim