2025 – A Summer and Fall of Surprises – God has a Plan and Purpose for Our Lives – Part X

It’s Wednesday, and I took my first infusions last Friday, with three chemo pills twice a day since. First impressions – a general malaise comes over you, where you feel worse than the cancer has made you feel, with lack of appetite and diminished energy, the order of the day. You must force yourself to eat, take a brief walk, and do anything. Yesterday was our anniversary, and I could not bring myself to go to a restaurant, much less eat a meal. We arranged for takeout and I was able to eat a good portion of the food at home. Small, frequent meals are the order of the day. I felt bad for Stephanie, who was very patient and understanding of my situation. 

I take chemo pills for 14 days, with the side effects lingering during that time. After taking the pills, I have seven days before my next infusion. This will continue for months, provided the chemo and immunotherapy are effective. If not, the chemo would be suspended, and an alternative form of treatment may be considered, or I would just wait it out.  

To me, chemo and other treatments are the face of cancer. When you see people battling cancer at their worst, it’s the treatment manifesting itself, and not necessarily the cancer. JFK’s granddaughter has been fighting rare cancer for over a year while her family is caring for her young children, and she wrote an essay about her challenging experience and treatments.  In her 30’s, she’s been given no more than a year to live.

It’s only been a few days – this isn’t about giving up. This is about prayer and the number of prayers offered up daily are astonishing, and it bolsters me!  I got up this morning to get my coffee (Mornings are better dealing with chemo.) and write this reflection. By Saturday of this week, I am eating more for breakfast and lunch, but dinner’s another matter, where I force an extra portion to limit my weight loss.   

I feel like a hermit due to my voice, which is worsening as I am unable to put a sentence together to those calling me, which results in their asking “what did you say”? On next Thursday, I have my oncologist appointment, when I’m going to ask him could I seek a remedy for this speech problem while in treatment.  Although it pales in comparison to cancer, poor communication with family also reduces quality of life.

On Friday evening, we dined at French Market Grille West since I couldn’t make it on Tuesday. I liked the food and forced extra shrimp to avoid losing weight.   

Blessings!

Joe