Long Time Overdue

 

Someone told me it has been a long time since I have written an update. So, I am writing this in response to that person's request.

 

I have now been on the clinical trial for three months. It has been busy, with chemo nearly every week except for those times when I had to stop for one reason or another. 

 

The clinical trial is working, or at least the last scan seemed to show that some of the metastatic lymph nodes are in remission, others are not growing, and my cancer count dropped below 35, which is where we want it to be. They are watching some new spots on my lungs, but these are probably from an infection or inflammation. 

 

The clinical trial has brought about a variety of issues that come and go, such as high enzyme levels, a rash on my face, high potassium levels, low white blood count, and a blood clot in my ankle being the most serious. The enzymes are better, the rash is controllable, the white blood count is back up, I am on a low-potassium diet, and I take daily medicine for the blood clot issue. 

 

All in all, things are going well. I did catch a nasty cold after the holidays (cough and congestion), but it has improved. 

 

What does the future hold? I will continue my weekly chemo infusions until this phase ends in February. A scan on February 7th will follow these. The results of the scan determine whether I continue on the trial or not. My medical team has already scheduled treatments through March, so they assume I will continue. We sure wish we could have a break, but unless I get a clean bill of health on the 7th, that won't happen. 

 

I am still hanging on to the verse in Jeremiah 17:17, "I will restore you to health and heal your wounds."  I don't claim to know the future, but I know the God who does, and my life is in His hands and that gives me peace.

 

What are my prayer requests: 

 

• Please pray that the medicine will continue to work to kill every cancer cell in my body.

• The "other" issues will be resolved

• The medicine will not damage other organs like my heart and liver

• We will have the wisdom to know if I am to continue on the clinical trial. 

 

Thank you for your prayers and support. I will send out another update after my next CT scan. 

 

Blessings, Laurie