Round 5, Day 1 and Other Stuff

Yesterday was R5D1. I spoke with the Dr. yesterday about my difficult recovery (9 days) after my last treatment. He did some math, and figured out what my average dosage has been. He lowered my dose in the hopes that I won't have such a roller coaster of white cell and platelet counts. I didn't feel too bad yesterday and today I feel pretty good. I hope this will make it easier, yet still be effective. We can raise the dosage over time and see where the 'sweet' number ends up.


The other thing going on, is that my stepfather is dying. He has battled slow-growing prostate cancer which has been spreading to his bones. He was managing that with radiation over the past year. A recent scan, tho, showed that it was spreading. He took a sudden turn and was in a lot of pain. He is now heavily medicated. His youngest daughter, who is studying to be a hospice nurse, is there helping to care for him and helping my mom get through this. His other children and grandchildren, nieces, and nephews will be visiting in the next couple of days. Michael and my sisters and I will go out probably when he's gone. My mom will need us then.

I am very sad. But, he is 87 years old, and is a person who has lived his life well. He's had a lot of adventure, got his college degree at age 70, he's travelled, met lots of people and had an impact on their lives. He will be missed by many.