The Treatment Plan

Carroll and I returned to Long Beach Friday afternoon. I will begin taking my chemo pills on Monday - 5 of Tykerb and 6 of Xeloda each day. The Tykerb is a 30-day course of treatment and Xeloda goes for two weeks at a time. I won't know how many courses of treatment I will need until we see how the cancer is responding.

I saw the naturopathic doctor again and he gave me a ton of natural supplements to help me build my bones back up, work with the traditional cancer treatments, and lessen the side effects of the chemo (and I preparing an Excel spreadsheet to help me manage all of these meds and supplements.):

• whey protein powder to put in my smoothies


• Vitamin D3 (2000 units) - anti-cancer effect and strengthens bones


• Vitamin B6 - to reduce neuropathy and protect the nerves


• Similase - to enhance digestion and absorption of nutrients


• Osteo Nutrients PRO - to protect and strengthen bones


• L-Glutamine Powder - to protect the GI tract, nerves, and muscles


• Melatonin - anti-cancer effect, decreases chemotherapy side effects, acts as a natural sleep aid


• EPAmax - natural anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer effect, benefits the skin, digestive tract, and cardiovascular system


• Culterelle Lacto GG - to prevent diarrhea associated with chemotherapy


• ground flax seed to increase fiber


• pomegranate juice for extra anti-oxidants

I have to admit that my biggest worry now is how I am going to react to the chemo pills. Hopefully the natural supplements will reduce the side effects. Again this situation calls for faith. Either I trust that Jesus loves me enough to get me through this, or my faith is worthless.

Mother Angelica on Stress and Tension
If your experiencing stress or tension give it to Jesus. Tell Him, "I feel like crawling the wall, but I love You and I want to give this to You." Do you think our Lord wasn't tense living with those twelve screwball apostles?

I spent an hour in patient education before I left CTCA. The nurse went over what to expect and gave me a little chemo "emergency" bag that I can carry around with me. These folks think of everything.

The pain management doctor I saw is also the chief anesthesiologist for the center. The 72 hr. patch he prescribed is fantastic. I was so afraid of being overly medicated and turning into an addict that I hadn't realized that I my body was spending so much time fighting the pain that it didn't have time to fight the cancer. This patch slowly releases the pain medication over a three-day period. I am not "doped up" or even sleepy, just free from pain. The doctor told me that this patch often enables cancer patients to go back to work.

I am feeling the best I have felt in months. I am back to doing my own laundry and getting in a lot more walking time during the day.

The doctors at CTCA told me to go back home for two weeks so I could keep my MRI followup at Hoag for the gamma knife radiation and my second zometa IV infusion which is building my bones back up.

I fly back to Tulsa June 1 and begin my three weeks of radiation treatment on my hip June 2. I will be staying on site this time which will make things easier with my mobility issues. After that we will see how I am responding to the oral chemo. If everything is OK, I will be able to go back to work soon after I return home!