It has been a difficult few weeks & I haven't felt or had time to sit down & type much. The kids have had spring break the last two weeks, & the week before that I had to be hospitalized for five days. I was pretty much out of it to say the least. I was starting to get the shingles & had a bad UTI. So I had to get some IV meds to get everything under control & a pain pump. I got home the day the "big snow storm" hit. I managed not to miss any of my treatments, because it was my off week when I was in the hospital. I did have another scan last Tuesday before we left out for Seagrove Beach, FL for a few days. I got the results this past Monday, & everything is still stabilized & decreased by another millimeter or so. No new bone lesions, thank goodness. The lymph nodes are slowly taking their time getting a bit smaller, but these meds are working, so my doctor wants to continue on this clinical trial indefinitely. We were quite upset with the indefinite part because when we first started we were thinking six months then a year of maintenance. He let me know that this was going to have to be treated like a chronic disease & there isn't at this time any end in sight. He did mention that the way DNA testing was headed that possibly in the next 12-18 months that there will probably will be a way to pinpoint the right drug that will kill the cancer cells in each individual. It could be expensive, but at this stage you can't put a price on health. Please pray for patience on my part. The steriods are driving me crazy. I'm not always a nice person to be around, especially to my immediate family. The weight gain is also bothering me from the steriods as well. It is worse than the chemo itself. I am still very fatigued, but am trying to start exercising again. Even just a few minutes makes me fell somewhat better. I am having very little pain, which is the biggest blessing.
I have a team started for Relay for Life of Rutherford county. I would love for you to join up & come walk a lap or two. No running or being in shape is necessary. My team name is Team Arthanise...Hope & A Future. I will place a link on the right side of the blog. It is important to get registered soon. Thanks to all of you for all your love & prayers. It means so much!!
I will live & not die & declare the illustrious acts of the Lord. Psalm 118:17
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
Arthanise,
You are so incredible and your faith is an inspiration. I am so glad that the scan results were good.....sorry that you have to stay on the treatments indefinitely but it is great that they are working.
I would love to be a member of your Relay For Life team....I will contact you about what I need to do.
Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers always!
I am so proud of you girl! You are so strong and such an inspiration to me. I think it is crappy that you don't have and ending date at this time to stop treatment but I know you can do it. It is amazing what the future holds for medicine. Hang in there and as always, you are in my prayers.
Love,Deana
So glad you posted that link. I will gladly join you! Keep hanging in there, my friend. You are overflowing with more strength than you even realize you have...but all of us can see it.
Arthanise,
What an incredible inspiration, but I always knew you were special. Don't be discouraged by those ugly steriods, they make us gain weight, they make us moody, but they keep us moving and somewhat healthy and that's what matters. I've been taking them for 13 years, just be patient, it does get better.
You and you family are in my prayers, and I love you.
Jelinda
Post a Comment