- Full Speed Ahead (In The Palm Of Your Hand)

Okey dokey, so yesterday, it was back to the hospital to see an Allergist, Dr. Small, and then my Oncologist, Dr. Victor Cohen. 

George came with me so he could take notes, which is always a great idea whenever you go to a doctor, by the way, especially when it's about something very important. Take someone with you who can write things down, because if you forget what the doctor said (and you probably will), you'll have a backup. So George is always very wonderful about taking copious notes.

Dr. Cohen had asked Dr. Small to look at my case, since everybody in Oncology is pretty stumped about why I've had such a weirdo reaction to my chemo both times. So I guess they figure if they pass me around to enough specialists, SOMEone is bound to figure out what's happening with me! Right? Huh?

So Dr. Small looked up my info on his trusty computer and told me he couldn't see why there was such a problem. He sees a lot of strange reactions to medications and he says that Small Vessel Vasculitis is a pretty common one. 

But I AM THE MYSTERY PATIENT!!! It's meeeee, Dr. Small . . . I am the DRAMA QUEEN!! This isn't just ANY patient you're dealing with!! No siree!! It's meeee!!!

Yep, when he saw some of the results to some of my tests, suddenly it wasn't so common anymore. He got a very puzzled look on his face and got very quiet. And then he dismissed us, saying Dr. Cohen should give him a call when we got up to his office.

So we went to see poor Dr. Cohen, who says he gets a headache just thinking about me (gee, thanks) and who hoped Dr. Small would come up with some earth-shattering revelation about my health. But nope. 

Dr. Cohen phoned Dr. Small and they fretted together. They were double-stumped. They dunno. They just dunno. Heh heh heh.

So now what? Well, Dr. Cohen is worried about continuing with the AC chemo, which is so harsh on the body. There are only 2 rounds left to do, but still, he's concerned that even those 2 doses might do greater damage than just the vasculitis.

The next phase of my chemo - which was supposed to start only in March - is the Taxol combined with Herceptin. Taxol is a chemo that's easier on the body, and it's given in lesser doses, more frequently.

Whereas the AC chemo is given every 3 weeks, the Taxol is given weekly, for 12 weeks. And the Herceptin is not a chemo, it's a medication, I guess you could call it, given to combat one of the receptors that was found in my tumor, called HER2 (the Herceptin has no side-effects, so that's a plus).

 


















SOOO . . . Dr. Cohen finally decided to ask the expert in all this - ME! Ha! No, I'm not really an expert, but it is my body, so he told me that it's ultimately my decision. Hmm. I always wanted to be a doctor!

And so I've decided to go with the Taxol & Herceptin, starting this coming Monday. I'm just as concerned as he is about staying with the AC chemo, even though there are only 2 rounds left. 

NOT taking the AC is a risk, also, though, because the Oncologists are confident that 4 rounds of AC chemo, followed by 3 months of Taxol/Herceptin is a good recipe for fighting cancer, and they don't want to mess with that recipe. 

We're basically choosing the lesser of two evils, at this point. Or at least, I hope we're choosing the lesser!

Well, at least you'll all know that for the next 12 Mondays, I'll be staying out of trouble. THAT'S a relief, now, isn't it??!!!
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Here's a song from one of my favorite singers, Alison Krauss. Her voice is so clear and sweet, and it's soothing, too. The sound on this video isn't all that great, but . . . oh, well! 

The song is called "In The Palm Of Your Hand" and that's exactly where I believe I am - in the palm of God's hand. So why should I worry? 

People keep asking me how I can be so strong in all of this, especially given the complications.  Well, hell-l-l-ooo!!! I'm not doing this by myself!! I have Special Help!!! 

That's my secret, and I'm sticking to it. Except it's not a secret, because I just told you. So there!

Have a restful rest-of-the-week,

Love, Wendy

In The Palm Of Your Hand   by Ron Block

If I could have the world and all it owns

A thousand kingdoms, a thousand thrones

If all the earth were mine to hold

With wealth my only goal

I'd spend my gold on selfish things

Without the love that Your life brings

Just a little bit more is all I'd need

'Til life was torn from me

I'd rather be in the palm of Your hand

Though rich or poor I may be

Faith can see right through the circumstance

Sees the forest in spite of the trees

Your grace provides for me

If I should walk the streets no place to sleep

No faith in promises You keep

I'd have no way to buy my bread

With a bottle for my bed

But if I trust the One who died for me

Who shed His blood to set me free

If I live my life to trust in You

Your grace will see me through

I'd rather be in the palm of Your hand

Though rich or poor I may be

Faith can see right through the circumstance

Sees the forest in spite of the trees