We're headed over to the Delnor Cancer Center in Geneva at 10, for a blood draw and some appointments. Then, the infusion will start at 11 (CST). The drugs that they're giving me are called Folfiri. One of the drugs is aptly named 5-FU. I took this drug back in 2011. It's the one that I will be receiving over the next 48 hours, through a portable pump. The iri part of Folfiri is the new drug, irinotecan. I'll also be receiving Avastin, which is a newer drug that goes directly after the antigens of the cancer and prevents the development of blood vessels to the tumors. Last time, I did have an episode of coughing up large amounts of blood after my first treatment, so we stopped using it. However, I'd had a lung biopsy shortly before that and it's been long enough that my doctor thinks it is worth the risk to try it again.
Please pray that God will keep the side effects to a minimum and give me the strength to survive whatever side effects I do have. Also, please pray that I won't have any bleeding or other serious side effects from the Avastin.
Thank you all for your many notes conveying your thoughts and prayers for me. They mean a lot and God has used them to encourage me greatly. I am thankful for the way he has surrounded me with people who love and care for me. I know that many of you want to help in tangible ways; please know that you are already doing that. The biggest battle that I am facing is not the cancer, but the spiritual battle of trusting God, and having hope. You're helping me to fight that when you send me encouraging messages and pray for me. Please know that the Lord is honoring those actions, and that I need them desperately.
For example, here are some passages that my friend, Michelle, who has gone through some of these same struggles, sent me this morning. Like her, thank you all for the way you are supporting me in this next journey
Psalm 94
17
Unless the Lord had helped me,
I would soon have settled in the silence of the grave.
18
I cried out, “I am slipping!”
but your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me.
19
When doubts filled my mind,
your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.
Isaiah 43
But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.
O Israel, the one who formed you says,“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
2 When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
5 “Do not be afraid, for I am with you.
I will gather you and your children from east and west.
6 I will say to the north and south,
‘Bring my sons and daughters back to Israel
from the distant corners of the earth.
7 Bring all who claim me as their God,
for I have made them for my glory.
It was I who created them.’”
I will gather you and your children from east and west.
6 I will say to the north and south,
‘Bring my sons and daughters back to Israel
from the distant corners of the earth.
7 Bring all who claim me as their God,
for I have made them for my glory.
It was I who created them.’”
8 Bring out the people who have eyes but are blind,
who have ears but are deaf.
9 Gather the nations together!
Assemble the peoples of the world!
Which of their idols has ever foretold such things?
Which can predict what will happen tomorrow?
Where are the witnesses of such predictions?
Who can verify that they spoke the truth?
who have ears but are deaf.
9 Gather the nations together!
Assemble the peoples of the world!
Which of their idols has ever foretold such things?
Which can predict what will happen tomorrow?
Where are the witnesses of such predictions?
Who can verify that they spoke the truth?
10 “But you are my witnesses, O Israel!” says the Lord.
“You are my servant.
You have been chosen to know me, believe in me,
and understand that I alone am God.
There is no other God—
there never has been, and there never will be.
11 I, yes I, am the Lord,
and there is no other Savior.
12 First I predicted your rescue,
then I saved you and proclaimed it to the world.
No foreign god has ever done this.
You are witnesses that I am the only God,”
says the Lord.
13 “From eternity to eternity I am God.
No one can snatch anyone out of my hand.
No one can undo what I have done.”
“You are my servant.
You have been chosen to know me, believe in me,
and understand that I alone am God.
There is no other God—
there never has been, and there never will be.
11 I, yes I, am the Lord,
and there is no other Savior.
12 First I predicted your rescue,
then I saved you and proclaimed it to the world.
No foreign god has ever done this.
You are witnesses that I am the only God,”
says the Lord.
13 “From eternity to eternity I am God.
No one can snatch anyone out of my hand.
No one can undo what I have done.”
16 I am the Lord, who opened a way through the waters,
making a dry path through the sea.
17 I called forth the mighty army of Egypt
with all its chariots and horses.
I drew them beneath the waves, and they drowned,
their lives snuffed out like a smoldering candlewick.
making a dry path through the sea.
17 I called forth the mighty army of Egypt
with all its chariots and horses.
I drew them beneath the waves, and they drowned,
their lives snuffed out like a smoldering candlewick.
18 “But forget all that—
it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.
19 For I am about to do something new.
See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.
19 For I am about to do something new.
See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
Posts
"You will keep him in perfect peace,
ReplyDeleteWhose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You" Isaiah 26:3