I had an ...

Well, I've tried to think of the right word for this experience, but I think what I'll call "it" is a Tender Mercy of the Lord. (I love that phrase, don't you?)

So, what was "it"?

After the phone call yesterday regarding one HUNDRED milligrams of Prednisone each day, I started to kind of freak out about this whole hair loss issue. Well, it's not really the hair loss issue, it's the hair loss issue with the beautiful effects of high dosages of Prednisone. Think about it. Me. Rolly polly and bald. Nice image, right?

Yesterday as I was driving home from the pharmacy, I was thinking about my feelings and thought I need to pray about this. And, so I did. Prayer is always the answer. And, then I prayed some more. And some more.

As I was going to sleep last night, I had a thought. What about men that go bald? There are many men who know for years that they will be bald, and that it will be permanent. It's just an eventuality.

Me. I have a 30% chance of not losing my hair, and it almost always grows back. It just put it into perspective for me. Men can't wear silly wigs or beautiful scarves or fun hats everywhere they go. But, if I choose, and if I need to, I can.

So, tonight I feel thankful.

Thankful for the reminder that this is only a brief moment.

Thankful that I was taught to pray.

Thankful that God hears and answers prayers.

Thankful.

Prednisone

The Cancer treatment center just called. They're calling in my prescription for steroids, the 3rd drug in this cocktail.

100 milligrams... ONE HUNDRED MILLIGRAMS each day...

I don't want to do this.

Let the marathon begin!

I'm starting chemo on Monday. I'm anxious to get started ... and anxious to finish. Pray that I won't be too whimpy, kay?

More Poems

The younger kids are learning about poetry at co-op. Tina Millar, their teacher is doing a fantastic job! The kids are really enjoying it! She wrote this one about Deborah:

David likes poetry and has lots of fun writing creative things.
In case you can't read this one by David, it says:
Curds and whey are an early stage.
High in lactose.
Edible.
Every type is just moldy milk.
Some types come from cows.
Enzymes make it what it is.

I've made the decision

After discussing it my sweetheart, and many prayers, I have made the decision to treat the cancer aggressively. I'm relieved to have the decision made. The doctors office will call today to get the pre-auths they need from the insurance company and then we'll get started. The duration of the treatments will be about 6 months with each cycle lasting about 3 weeks.

The side effects are the typical chemotherapy side effects. Lovely, right? Thankfully, they have meds to treat most of them.

A funny thing ... with this chemo there's about a 50-70% chance that I will loose my hair. With this in mind, I decided I might as well color it red. I'm always nervous about doing reds and I usually shy away from them because they require a lot of maintenance. But, if I might loose it any way, I might as well have fun with it. So, watch for the red to come. :)

And, please, keep the prayers coming!