Cycle One Wrap-up

One down, two to go. The first 3-week cycle of chemotherapy is now complete. I met with my doctor today, and he said everything is progressing well and on-track. So, I get another good weekend, and then I start on the full regimen again on Monday. Last weekend was pretty good, with each day getting just a little bit better. I don't think I had to take a nap at all this past Monday, which was a first. The doctor said this is one of the tougher cocktails of chemotherapy drugs, and was pleased to hear that I have not been sick at all.

This week has thus far mimicked last week, with the Tuesday shot in the morning, and me sleeping much of Tuesday afternoon and evening. Wednesday was tough, with today just a little better. Again, I spent much of the late afternoon and evening in bed. I have been able to make it into the office a couple of times this week, which is nice because it gets me out of my bedroom.

As expected, my hair has started to fall out this week. Of course, my head is already bald, but we are now finding hair from all over my body falling out in the bed, in the shower, on the bathroom floor, etc. It is strange - I can run my hand over my arm, and several little hairs will just fall out. I can understand how unsettling it would be if I still had hair on my head.

I am truly humbled by the wonderful service of my great neighbors. Before all this started, Debbie and I (mostly Debbie) had been spending quite a bit of time in our yard, trying to get our landscaping in this year. We had completed the front yard, but the backyard still needed quite a bit of work, and Debbie had been out there by herself ever since I started my treatments.

Our caring neighbors took notice, and for the past two days we have had neighbors in our yard digging, raking, setting sprinkler heads, etc. What an outpouring of love and support. We don't feel worthy of such service, and are humbled greatly by it. It reminds me of the quote from Thomas S. Monson: "In the New Testament we learn that it is impossible to take a right attitude toward Christ without taking an unselfish attitude toward men." We have seen such Christlike service and giving from our neighbors, family and friends.

Although I would never desire to be a cancer patient, it has been such a blessing in our lives already - just for us to see such unselfish service from those we love. It certainly makes it all more bearable.