Today I started my pre-meds in preparation for “D” day — the start of the harsh chemotherapy treatment that could be a part in my healing, but could also threaten my life.

I was prescribed twice the dose of steroids to protect me against an allergic reaction to the chemo and also to help protect me against a side effect that would cause my body to swell with fluids. How well this pretreatment works will be seen shortly. I was also given pretreatment for the neuropathy that accompanies this particular chemo. I already experienced this attack on the nerves in my legs with the last chemo, and I came close to over medicating myself with Tylenol because I couldn’t sleep due to nerve pain, but the next level is said to be much worse. In fact all one’s nerves can be affected include the nerves in one’s ears which could lead to temporary or permanent hearing loss. There is so much to be afraid about, but God is giving me peace to walk this road to go for the cure.

The pills 

I have become used to what I call my “no-sleep” steroids. When I am on them, I sleep very little for three days and when the steroids are done, I crash. This time seems to be different. Even though I am on double the dose of these steroids, the pill that was given for neuropathy overrode the “no-sleep” steroids made me extremely tired and gave me a feeling like being intoxicated, and I slept for the entire afternoon! The pills were originally designed to treat epilepsy, but people have been known to abuse them as recreational drugs. I can see why. They interfere with one’s brain and give a “buzz” and then typically make you very tired. I think it is better to sleep than to suffer with not being able to sleep, but it is hard to get any work done in this state. The pills are also very strong so I have to add one every day for three days, and then I take three a day for 7-10 days. I can’t even begin to imagine what three of them will do to me! In God’s amazing grace, I was able to talk to a friend at my church tonight who has been taking these same pills for her very rare cancer, for a long time and she said that one eventually gets used to them and they no longer have the same effect with the buzz and tiredness. Good to know! I will also have to come down from them slowly to make sure that I don’t have withdrawal symptoms.

Tomorrow

So tomorrow, November 14, 2013, I start a walk of faith in the world of harsh chemo drugs. The drug will be removed from my body through my liver, so it is important that my liver function is working well. I will instruct my husband on how to update this blog, so that if something happens to me and I am no longer able to give updates, he can inform people what has become of me. He isn’t very fast, but he is faithful, and I am sure he will be able to do the work of updating my blog and also to release comments that are in the “held for release” folder.

The Future

There is so much that I would like to accomplish. I am in the midst of a huge DVD project that has been on my heart for years and I would like to finish it. I would also like to continue in ministry and help as many people as I can. I still have more things to write about on the cults, women in ministry, and doctrine in the church. Above all, I would like to please my Lord with my life, and someday my death. I would like to finish well.

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I greatly appreciate all those who are praying for me. I may not be able to answer everyone’s comments, depending on how I am functioning with the new chemo treatments, but know that I get emails of every comment and even as I am sitting in the chemo chair, I have access to the internet through my iPad, and I am able to read and appreciate your words of encouragement. We are brothers and sisters in Christ and we can make a difference in each other’s lives. You have already made much difference in my life, all of you! Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, please give me the gift of life, and help me to finish well for your glory and honor. Thank you for everyone who has prayed for me in the past, or who is praying for me now, and please bless their socks off for their kindness towards me. In your name, Amen.

The journey begins……