I just got back from my first round of chemo. The doctor re-thought the way he normally does things, talked to the hospital CEO, the drug company and offered his own services free of charge to get my cost down from an initial AU$5000 monthly to AU$900-1000 for at least the first month. When I left his office to go to the “Day Oncology” room to actually begin the chemo, I told him: “I’ll do something useful with whatever time you can give me, I promise.” He took my hand in both of his, and then patted me on the shoulder, and told me he believed me.
In 8 weeks he’ll make his first assessment of whether the chemo is working. I spent 3 hours getting drugs injected today. Next Tuesday I’ll spend 1 hour getting drugs injected. It’ll alternate like that thereafter, 3 hours one week and 1 the next. The doctor doesn’t think I’ll have a problem with nausea, but gave me medications just in case.
When we got home, Roland told me about a news item they’d just heard of about a possible major breakthrough in the cure of bowel cancer (which is what I have), from the cancer research department at Royal Brisbane hospital right here. The doctor in the story said it may be available in as little as 12 months. If they look for test subjects I hope to be right here, standing in line (and watching the birth of a new, life changing church at the same time.)
I believe in miracles and I believe in medicine and I’m willing to suspend judgment on alternative therapies and give them a shot. The biggest miracle, of course, would be to have the doctor in 8 weeks find no sign of cancer. Next step down would be a remarkable shrinking of the cancer after just 8 weeks. The lowest level of “yes” to our prayers would be that the cancer has not grown at all, and that my life expectancy is not reduced from the initial average I was quoted. If the cancer in 8 weeks has continued to grow, I keep praying and hoping for a miracle, but I probably start giving serious attention to getting affairs in order and preparing the hearts of the people I love, as best I can. At least that’s my feeling right now.
At the moment, though, I expect a miracle. Eight weeks from today is May 29. My mother is expecting to be here the first week of June, so if she comes a week early and the news is good, she’d be here to hear for herself the answer to her prayers, which would be cool. If the news is less good, I guess it’s no worse to hear it in person than an hour later by e-mail or blog.
Anyway, thank you for your prayers. Keep’em coming.
Love,
Brad
5 comments:
Brad,
I'm sorry that I am asking many questions, but do I understand that it is not liver cancer but rather bowel cancer that has also affected the liver? From my layman's point of view (regarding to medical issues) that would offer some more hope.
But of course we'll keep praying none the less!
Bowel cancer is the primary cancer. It moved from there to Brad's liver and his liver is much more affected than the bowel. As I understand it, the bowel cancer could be taken out with surgery but the spots throughout his liver are too many and too expansive to remove with surgery. They hope chemo will shrink the malignancies in both places.
It is good to hear the oncologist is so obviously caring. That level of concern and efford goes a long way towards making you feel you are getting the best care you can get from him at least.
I like him....when I rule the world his death shall be quick and painless. (stewie from Family Guy)
Brad, you are simply amazing. I am praying so hard for you. In fact, I was thinking, I am going to go get a colonoscopy just for you! And, I'm going to get a Mammogram just for my friend who had a double mastectomy and my son's best friend who lost his mom to cancer. I think about your situation a gazillion bazillion times a day and each time you come to mind, I say a prayer. . . you are definitely being prayed for! Karen too! How is she anyway? And, how old are your kids now?
Love you in Christ,
Renae & Herb too
Thanks Karen! When I tell about Brad, people often ask what exactly is the matter and this helps a lot.
Post a Comment