Cancer Blog #101
By Brian Zimmerman
Begun on July 31, 2021
Email: dyingman1@yahoo.com
My Dying Words
Entry #101– Medical Update
February 8, 2024
Medical Update:
Appointment: We (my wife and I) met with the oncology nurse practitioner on Wednesday (February 7) morning. There was little discussion about the next stage of my treatment plan. I think that they’re really focused on the results of the status CT scan so they will know what to recommend or in good conscience to permit. So, that item is now just a wait and see and continue to pray.
She (the NP) did comment on how unbelievably heathy my bone marrow is. She counted back and saw that I’ve had 48 chemo treatments, and yet my bone marrow results (referring to my CBC (complete blood count), mainly hemoglobin, white blood cell, and platelets) are all essentially normal. She was amazed. I told her that I had checked online and saw that the pharmaceutical company who manufactures my chemo drugs had a special going so that if you receive 49 treatments, you get the 50th for free! I was just kidding, but she got a big laugh out of it.
Seriously, the oncology folks do nothing to aid my bone marrow (chemo is attacking it), and I certainly do nothing (does craft beer help?), so there’s no secondary cause I can see. I can attribute it only and directly to God’s mercy. What else could it be? So, I give Him thanks and glory!
Now we wait on the CT scan (on Friday, February 23), then go to the review oncology appointment (on Wednesday. February 28), where we’ll see the oncologist to review the results and make the decision about the next step. We’re (my wife and I) leaning towards turning off chemo completely for 3 months, but that will be a part of the discussion.
Treatment effects: Pretty much normal for me: I received both drugs by IV, the second one making me nauseated, as well as weak and spacey. I took a Zyprexa pill, which helped with the nausea. So Thursday morning (February 8) I was still queasy but definitely better, and very shaky and unsteady (I had difficulty putting toothpaste on my toothbrush. Ha!) I’m pretty unsteady in walking, which I think the Zyprexa exacerbates. And, very tired. But, no falls, so all good, just careful gait and balance until it wears off. Same old, same old.
Meditation on it all: My wife has gotten me to start watching sunrises, and I’ve decided it reminds me of our life in this age. The sunrise is a harbinger of the sun approaching our world to give light and warmth. And, our life is like that in a way. Every day is an opportunity to reflect the glory of God and show the hope of the return of Jesus before a watching world. But, one thing I’ve also noticed is that it’s not much of a sunrise without clouds being present. I think we best reflect God’s glory and that hope as the clouds do the approaching sun. Those clouds remind me of the troubles and cares we face in this life. As God brings them into our life – as Hebrews 12 reports about God’s discipline – He is yet giving us another opportunity to grow in grace as we handle them. Discipline – as the writer of Hebrews says – is sorrowful, not joyful, yet when we allow ourselves to be trained by it, we receive the “peaceful fruit of righteousness. You will grow more and better to reflect His glory like the sunrise in those clouds as you submit to them and trust Him.
But they are hard to endure. So. Very. hard. But, the writer exhorts next, “…strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble…” (chp 12:12). I have seen this need repeatedly in my life in the last three years. And, as I have asked for help from the Lord, in dealing with my discipline, I have seen my brothers and sisters in Christ respond to strengthening my hands that are weak and my knees that are feeble. Thank you for that help and in being the answer to my prayers for that help. It means more to me than I can say, and praise my Savior for the care that comes from His body. I encourage you to do likewise as you face your own acts of discipline. You won’t regret it, but will be glad to receive that answer to your prayers for wisdom and help.