Having completed the first phase of interferon treatment, I was hoping the injections that I started yesterday would be easier to tolerate. If last night was any indication, they won’t be. I had chills and then a fever that lingered through the night, and I still feel pretty dazed this morning. These injections are supposed to continue for 48 weeks (!), but I won’t be doing them at the current dose if the serious side-effects continue. My next injection is Thursday.
I also started radiation yesterday (for five weeks). That’s certainly adding to the toll taken on my mental well-being. Fortunately, the process is pretty fast and simple; I was only on the table for about 10 minutes. The linear accelerator zaps me from three angles and I'm done. I won’t experience side-effects from this treatment for days or weeks, although the radiation load does add cumulatively to my fatigue .
I won’t be blogging daily about my treatments through this next phase. I’ll try to limit my posts to more interesting developments, or stories that might amuse you. Cancer therapy is mostly incredibly boring, and so are its physical effects. I want to focus on those things that have particular meaning in my life, as few and far between as they may be right now.
3 comments:
Peter,
I am sorry to read about the chills and fever that you experienced last night. I too was hoping that this phase of interferon treatments would be kinder and gentler to your body. I am continuing to keep you in my prayers as you begin this new phase of interferon and radiation treatments.
While I will miss reading your frequent blog entries during this next phase of treatment, I am glad to hear that you will be focusing on those things and in particular those people who hold particular meaning in your life. I will check back in often and look forward to reading what blogs you are able to write.
May God richly bless you and your family.
Your brother in Christ,
Kevin
I am glad that you finished the first round of your fight against interferon, even though it was not easy for you you came out victorious! Now that you are fighting your next round of interferon and radiation, I am confident that with the help of God you will win and came out again victorious. And finally defeat the cancer in your body.
Dear brother you are in our prayers daily and we are asking and beleiving for a miracle in your life. May the Lord strengthen you daily.
I still would like to stop by your house this week before the flowers of your garden are gone.
Your brother and friend
Josué
Hi Peter,
Debbie D. sent me the link to your blog, which I just read in full, so
I am now caught up with all the scary and difficult events of your
recent life. I wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you and
wishing you and your family the best during this tough time. I am so
impressed that you are able to write -- and write so well -- while
experiencing the debilitating effects of your treatments. But hard as
it is to read what you've been going through, the editor part of me
(so well-trained by you) can't help but appreciate how lucidly and
cogently -- and even humorously! -- you present life in "Cancer
World," as it has been characterized by some of its other -- temporary
-- citizens.
I really enjoyed reading about your achievements in the marathon, and
I'm hoping you'll get to do another one in the not-too-distant future.
As I may have told you, Bill, my husband, had cancer in his early 40s,
and apparently it was touch and go for a while. But within a year of
his surgery/radiation/chemo, he did a "century" bike ride, and has
done many more since then, not to mention swimming Donner Lake,
Alcatraz, and the totally insane Golden Gate Bridge swim from SF to
Sausalito. Now, at almost 65, he is still leaving cyclists half his
age in his dust. All I can say is that I wish the same kind of
recovery for you, and I think you share with Bill the positive
attitude, confidence, and courage to make it happen.
Peter, there is no need to respond to this message -- I'm sure you'd
rather apply your writing energy to your blog -- but I just wanted to
add my voice to the many who are thinking of you and sending their
positive vibes (the nonbeliever's version of prayer) to you, Ellen,
and your good-looking kids. One of these days, we'll all get together
at our place in Mt. Lassen.
Kathy (Lawrence)
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