End the Chemo

In the meeting with the oncologist, we learned that the platelet count had fallen below a benchmark 10,000 level. The red blood cells were trending toward my needing a transfusion every month. I really didn't want another transfusion in December. So we agreed. Stop the chemo. Give the body a rest. Try an alternative. Hope that the red blood cells regenerate and the platelet count comes back up.
The oncologist recommended a hormone based treatment called Aberaterone. It will not be as hard on the red blood cells as the chemo. It was just recently FDA approved. We picked it up last Saturday. Since this is a pill, I won't need to get a chemo infusion every 3 weeks. Maybe every 4 weeks for a bone strengthening infusion.
Having been on the chemo for 18 months, I can say that it was God's provision for that time. I was considered one of the longest users in the country for that treatment and had few side effects normally associated with it. It allowed me to work and have a reasonably normal life.
Please pray that the new treatment will prove effective. I believe your prayers will be a key to the treatment's effectiveness just as they were for the past one.
Pray that the red blood cells and the platelets will regenerate.
Thank you for upholding me during this time of transition.

-Cal-

Prayer for evaluation

We had a good summer, with a getaway week for our entire family. But in October I felt tired. The red blood cells indicated that I needed a transfusion. I was a little concerned. I had had one in September. Now I needed another one a month later. I was used to one every six months. But the infusion put me back on my feet, so I was grateful.
In November the indication was that I needed another transfusion. Three in three months! The oncologist explained that the chemo beats up on the red blood cells. Since I had been on this treatment for 18 months, this could be expected. He has patients that need transfusions every month. I may be getting to that point.
So, we need to evaluate. Degrading of the red blood cells is serious; it could be permanent. I could continue this regimen, or come off it and try an alternative. The oncologist said there are alternatives, although how the body responds to each treatment is an unknown, and each one has its side effects. I will go through a series of scans this week. Based on the results, the oncologist will have some options. But we need wisdom to know how to choose.
Would you pray for us as we consider these options. We need God's insight to make this decision.
Thank you so much for your prayers. I'm convinced that the prayers are just as essential as the chemo in keeping me functioning.
Gratefully,
-Cal-

Caregivers

Throughout this entire journey I have been so blessed to have a wife who is a multifaceted caregiver. She has a soft heart by disposition so has truly stepped up to the plate in helping me in any way she can, spiritually, physically, and emotionally. Since she is a nurse and knows the medical world, she is an advocate and watchdog that questions a diagnosis, dosage, or particular med that she thinks might not be in my best interest. As a wife she has given me the sweetest emotional support at home, welcoming me with a warm hug and a cheerful kiss when I come home, and trys to make me comfortable after my work day.

But she is human and has her limits. She needs replenishing, and re-energizing. And where does that come from? The spouse? But what if he just can't give out the emotional energy, stays focused on himself, or withdraws. Especially if the illness covers a protracted period of time.

If our roles were reversed, and she was the one with the illness, I know I couldn't do it. I would make a poor caregiver.

So I ask for prayers for our relationship. I need to be able to keep Annie's needs in mind and replenish her in her seasons of need and depletion. And, or, have friends who can give to her from outside our family circle. I have heard this is true for others in this situation. He/she carries the burden of physical and emotional care and tending. The caregiver is also impacted by seeing a loved one suffer. But those on the outside may focus prayers on the patient and not think about the spouse.

Thank you for keeping both Annie and I in your prayers. I wouldn't be able to function, work, and have a life without her.

In the body,

-Cal-

One Year on Chemo

I have been on chemo for a year now. Most people think this is waaay long. What I have learned is that treatments differ for each kind of cancer. For me it is now a way of life. It is a blessing. This is what God is using to sustain my life. This has allowed me to live a normal life and continue to work. The other part of the formula are the prayers. I have heard from so many of you that continue to pray for me, sometimes I am moved to tears. Thank you, thank you so very much.

In June I go through the scans. If things look good to the doctor, he will recommend chemo for another 3 months. The longer I stay on the treatment, the better for me. And I continue to be aware of how fortunate I am to be at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. Everything there from the reception, the blood work, staff morale, to the setting of the infusions, is top notch. Patients come from other states and other countries for treatment. And I can get there in 15 minutes. Yes, we have been blessed.

Again, I cannot say it enough, thank you for your concerns and prayers.

-Cal-

On a business trip

My health seemed to be well enough so I am on a trip to Baltimore this week. I had to consider whether a long distance trip of 5 days would be too stressful. But now that I am on the trip, I can say that it has worked out. There were no sick people sitting in my row on the plane. I tried to remember to wash my hands as often as possible. I need to remember to take my pills. These are the routines we had to think about.

The biggest stress has been the time change. Would my sleep patterns adjust three hours? I thought so when I went right to sleep the first night. But the second night I was up until 3 a.m.. And an 8 o'clock breakfast means 5 a.m. for my Pacific time body. So it was rough today. Fortunately I was able to go to my hotel room late in the afternoon to rest. I hope I will be able to adjust for the remaining days.

Next week I get chemo treatment #17. The doctor will also let me know if the scans that I had done last week show anything. Last time, he said that if they show status quo, that's good. And he will recommend another 3 months of treatment. He keeps saying that he wishes his other patients were doing as well as I am.

I'm sure that the reason I have been doing so well is all of the prayer that all of you have been offering up to Our Father on my behalf. Thank you so much for continuing to interceed on my behalf.

-Cal-

Tests look good, so...

The oncologist announced that the CT and bone scans looked good. He was very encouraged. And that meant that I could continue with the chemo treatments. Yes, that's what he meant. By way of explanation he said that patients on chemo as long as I have been, sometimes develop side issues and symptoms that interfere. And the research shows that the longer patients are on this chemo, the longer they live. So it is a good thing that Iam able to continue the chemo. For another three months.

The routines are now very familiar:
Every three weeks I have an infusion. The port that was placed under my skin has saved me many needle pricks.
Every day I take pills, two of them being an oral chemo. If I forget, I am reminded by my body. Every three months I get scans. Sometimes we wonder whether the radioactive tracers are more lethal than the cancer.
The treatments by the Cancer Care Alliance have been totally wonderful.

In between I live as much of a normal life as possible. I go to work. The big event there has been the move of the offices to a new building in Kent. Everyone is making adjustments to a new environment and new routines. My commute is longer. The Seattle Office moved in December. The Kent Office will be moved in by the end of January. And stress is an impacting factor. The new paint, carpet, and dust is an impacting factor.

At home, a certain portion of the routines revolve around my condition. Annie has been so wonderful as a caregiver, learning about the indicators and accompanying me to treatments and appointments. This in addition to caring for the family, and for her charges at school in her role as a school nurse. Our third son, Jordan, got married two weeks ago, so some of the energy for the last two months has been on the wedding. Now the house is quiet and we are feeling out the new patterns.

So I am asking for prayer that things will settle down and stress will decrease.
I also want to have you praise God because we sense his presence and his provision in our work and in our family.

Thank you for standing with us.

-Cal-