Saturday night of Round 11. I can't believe I only have one more treatment to endure. What an experience. On Wednesday I went in for my appointment with Dr. Baltz (every other treatment). After a quick once over, I asked him how long I would have to keep the infusing port in my chest after my last treatment. He asked which number I was on and I said "today is number 11." He looked at my chart and asked "are you sure? I count only 9 done. You have this one and two more." I told him to count again...if there was ANYTHING I was more sure of it was how many of these treatments I had completed. He still only counted 9 but said it looked like Wendy had not recorded one. He went out of the exam room and came back to say "you were right, this will be number 11." Hallelujah! (I knew I was right. I said under my breath)
So I asked again how long I had to keep the port in since Wendy had said he usually liked to keep it in for about 3 months or more afterward. Which in my last post really bummed me out. BUT...he said, no, not in my case. "I told you you only had to do this for 6 mos. I do ask patients whom I suspect will have a recurrence. But not with you." After my last round, I will do one more lab work up and if my CBCs are up like always he said he would write the order for me to have the port removed. He then said "alright....I'll see you in three months!" I'll see him every 3 months for the next year or two (I think he said), then every 6 mos for the next couple years then if all is okay, he'll 'discharge' me!!!
So that was the greatest news. The neuropathy in my feet worsened over the past few weeks. No sensation in the toes anymore. It is very difficult and painful to walk. When travelling, walking through the airport between terminals takes extra effort. You don't realize how important your toes are until you cant feel them working for you!! I guess I am too proud or stubborn to ask for a ride on the people carts. Anyway, Dr. Baltz filled out the paper work for a temporary handicap placard for the car so I can park closer to shopping, etc. I told him I really appreciated it very much. Dr. Baltz is great guy.
I can finally see the light at the end of this long tunnel. And I am reasonably sure its not a train coming the other way. This has been an absolutely life changing event. I don't 'sweat the small stuff' anymore. Life is too short. I love my family more now, I guess I had taken them for granted over the years. But the spectre of dying sooner than I had expected made me realize how important they really are to me. Our younger son Scott is doing missionary work for our church up in Washington State. We did not tell him about the cancer or the treatments...didn't want him to worry. He'll probably be really mad when he comes home in December. I can't wait to see him.
My first grandchild will be born around the time of my last treatment (probably before, according to my daughter). People ask me if I am going to celebrate finishing my treatments....the Lord is giving me a great gift in this child. I am grateful to be alive to see this event and especially to see my son come home from his mission.
I have met some very remarkable individuals during this ordeal. Most, if not all, fighting a more difficult battle than mine. I was lucky. I hope the Dr made the right prognosis and this will be behind me. I won't forget those individuals that have just started this trial as I wrap up my own. I've learned that I need to take care of this old body of mine. Be kinder to it. Eat better. Get a check up regularly...head off anything that may pop up. And it will pop up. But at least now, if something happens in the future with my health, I know I have the courage to fight it and know I have to endure to the end.
Looking forward to Round 12 and done....
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