So the journey so far has been gratefully limited on the side effects.  We have completed the second of four chemo series, and the primary side effect has been a little fatigue for a few days following infusion.  I give a lot of credit for that to (1) God's grace and mercy and (2) our sticking to a fasting regimen that includes a 72 hour water fast, followed by a 5-day "Fasting Mimicking Diet" which drops all meat/dairy protein and limits daily input to 800 calories of complex carbs, nuts and oils.  So 4,000 calories in 8 days - it has been surprisingly easy, but then again, I'm working hard to build up a strong immune system for the long run - I figure this is an effort that warrants my full attention, and likely a routine I'll sustain long after chemo and surgery.  

While this might sound a bit nutty (no pun intended, actually, yes, pun was intended) but the genesis of this was a friend telling us about a documentary highlighting 50+ years of medical research into the benefits of fasting, including how fasting impacts chemotherapy.  The net of this is: (1) chemo attacks highly active, reproducing cells (the nature of cancer cells), (2) fasting elicits a defensive reaction by healthy cells which shift from normal reproductive activities because they sense something is going on that's potentially bad, so they focus on fighting.  All this means that chemo becomes more effective, plus the fasting minimizes post-chemo side effects.  The 72 hours fast prior to chemo sets up the defensive reaction, then keeping caloric intake minimal during chemo sustains the body while still giving the healthy cells the impression that they should stay in defensive mode.  

We got more clarity from the oncologist as to how chemo affects the immune system.  Basically, week 1 is chemo week, with a few days of post-chemo fatigue (no other symptoms so far), week 2 the immune system crashes due to the chemo so I pretty much stay home and away from people (getting sick at this time can be very serious), week 3 is when the immune system bounces back, and week 4 - that's when the next round of chemo starts.  

The oncologist is very confident that the chemo "cocktails" they are giving me are doing their job, and he expects chemo to kill 98% of the microscopic cancer cells that are in my body.  When we asked if that means we don't have to do the surgery to remove the bladder (the source of the cancer), he said, "you don't have to but the cancer WILL come back" - so that ended that idea very quickly.  He said the surgery should complete the job of getting the cancer out of my body, then there will be 2 years of quarterly scans to make sure the cancer doesn't return.  

With that in mind, we are currently scheduled for a post-chemo scan (pray for that to be clear), then we move to surgery to remove the bladder, prostate and related lymph nodes - currently scheduled for May 24th.  Because of a wedding of one of our treasured family friends that weekend, we're hoping to get surgery pushed back to the following week so we can attend the wedding.  

Finally, my hair fell out as the Dr said it would - wow, that was sudden, and now I'm looking a LOT like Bruce Willis.  The part that was unexpected was how cold my head gets.  I wasn't exactly a bushy haired guy, but the little I had kept my head surprisingly warm.  Now I go around with a nifty hat (do you prefer tan, gray or black?  I have them all) all day - and I still haven't gotten used to the guy who's staring back at me in the mirror.  LOL

Check in and I'll have another update in a couple of weeks.  As always, we covet your prayers, calls and visits.  I'm truly experiencing "the peace that passes understanding", knowing that our Sovereign God has His eye upon me, and that no harm will befall be that's outside His perfect and good plan.  I love Him more every day.  

Roger