Mile Marker #1

So, we've appreciated all your messages of encouragement today as Derek has officially started his chemotherapy.  He is doing great.  It is still so strange for a person who is feeling totally healthy to sit and let people introduce toxic chemicals into his system.  We're so glad he feels well and is otherwise healthy but it has been hard to invite chemotherapy, and all its side effects, into our lives.  We are, however, grateful for anything that will kill the cancer!:)

We were in the oncology clinic for 4 hours this morning.  It will normally only take 2-3 hours, every other week.  The nurse was able to draw blood (to establish a baseline with his blood counts) through the port in his chest and then pumped the chemicals in the same way.  After the Oxaliplatin dripped in, they connected a little bottle with Fluorouracil in it, which he can discreetly carry around with him for the next 48 hours (It is currently in a "fanny pack" which is not necessarily the fashion statement he was hoping for, but he'll find a more stylish method, I'm sure:)).  We were shown how to disconnect everything at the appropriate time, how to flush out the port, and how to properly dispose of everything when he is done with it.  His next appointment will be on March 15th.

Derek has already experienced some random side effects, but they told us what to expect, and so far nothing has been too major.  Many people have said that when this second medication stops pumping into his veins, he will feel the most affected by the chemo for a day or two.  They sent him home with some strong anti-nausea medicine and told him he should not feel sick, just tired.  It will be good to see how his body responds to it and what days are the worst so he will know what day to schedule the chemo, once he goes back to work.  He is making a good effort to drink a lot of water, eat healthy foods, and get regular exercise.  We have established a "walk the dad" schedule so that he will feel motivated to walk for a bit each day.  I get the morning walks and each kid will take an evening:)  We've heard that these things will have a positive impact on his ability to get through the chemotherapy.  We'll do whatever we can to help.  Derek says his favorite advice he has been given by medical professionals is to "listen to your body and do whatever you need to do to make it feel better.":)  He doesn't naturally cater to himself much, but maybe this year he'll actually slow down enough to reach his goal of reading a book for pleasure!  He's half way through an inspirational autobiography and I am confident he will finish it:)  As always, thank you for your continued prayers for our family.  We are doing well.