June 21, 2023 - Second Phase

     Yesterday I started the fourth of six cycles of chemotherapy.  The last three cycles are not expected to be as intense as the first three cycles.  Two weeks on, one week off for the next nine weeks. 
     The hardest of the treatments has been reduced from once each week to just once each cycle.  I had that one today, so I only have two more of the most difficult ones left.
     I had something happen for the first time yesterday when I was taking the treatment.  I have shared several times that I often hear from folks that I don’t look ill.  It reached a new height yesterday.
     My family has said how good I look.  People I haven’t seen in a while say the same thing.  So do total strangers from time to time.  But never someone who has treated me.
     As the nurse was hooking up the IV for the Benadryl she looks at me and unsolicited says, “You don’t look like you are sick at all.  You are the heathy person I have ever seen taking treatments.  You look healthy as a horse.”
     I said, “Well, at least until the fall.”
     She then says, “I guess you are facing a stem cell transplant.”
     I said, “Yes.  And then I will look like lots of other folks here.”
     She said, “I am sure that you will.”
     Being healthy as a horse might be considered to be a good thing, unless I was running at Churchill Downs this spring/summer.
     There are lots of things for which I have been thankful in these last six months.  Beyond the “spiritual things” that the Lord has done in this, I am thankful that I have tolerated the treatments as well as I could have expected.
     Beyond looking healthy, my blood work has pretty much been on target of what the doctors had desired.  I have been able to deal with the fatigue and have functioned as needed most days.  I have been able to preach each Sunday.   What more could I have hoped for 10 weeks ago when the chemotherapy treatments started?
     I am a blessed man.  Seeing our blessings during the troubles helps us better handle the troubles.

     Not to complain, but I did have a couple of things happen yesterday that made me struggle.
     I cherish each day and see the time each day as a gift from God.  It unsettles me when I consider some time wasted.   Once it is gone, it is gone.
     I started the morning with blood work, followed by a meeting with the doctor.
     I then headed to the treatment and was called back about 15 minutes after the appointment time, not an unusual thing.
     Some things must happen before I can take the treatment.  An IV and blood work to make sure I can take the treatment.  That had already been done and the results were already posted.   The pharmacy must know that I am there before they prepare the treatment.   I had been there for an hour and a half at this point.
      Benadryl is then given through the IV, which takes 20-30 minutes.   Then I am required to wait an hour after the Benadryl is finished before the chemotherapy infusion can begin.
     I realize that I am not the only patient some nurses have.  I’ve got a decent insight on things after about 20 treatments.
     I sat for about half an hour before the nurse decided to start the Benadryl, which meant I lost about half an hour of my life waiting.  I finally asked her if I could be given the Benadryl.  Later I apologized for asking.  Twice.
     I then went to a large box store to pick up some stuff for the business.   I paid for the merchandise and then picked a couple of other things I personally needed, knowing it wasn’t likely that things would happen quickly.
     Well, they didn’t.  It was maybe 30 minutes before it was finally loaded in the van.   I am thinking maybe 20 minutes longer than it could have taken.  
     I confess.  I am a bit focused on the time I have.  Actually, all I really have is each day.  That is all that any of us has.  Wasting it, or someone else wasting it for me, is a hard pill to swallow.   And I have been swallowing enough of those of late.
     Lord, give me patience when I encounter others who maybe aren’t as concerned as I am about time.  It is very precious to me.