First, a quick update. The honeymoon with chemo is over. Ugh. I had a fever last night. This required blood cultures and a chest x-ray at 2:30 am. Good thing about getting the x-ray in the middle of the night is there is no waiting line. Good news: no sign of pneumonia. I am getting a couple antibiotics and plenty of Tylenol. I’m also getting weaker, have less energy, and have small sores all over my body. All this was to be expected and is normal. I still have my hair, but if it doesn’t fall out soon I’m going to need a haircut to remain within the Army standard. My neutrophil (white blood cells that fight infection) count is way down, so I’m at a high risk of infection right now. These won’t start to rise for at least another week, best case. The ice cream is still coming and so far none of the nurses are fed up with me, so life’s not too bad. Please, no pity, just prayer.
Tomorrow is a big day. I have my first bone marrow biopsy since beginning chemotherapy. The procedure is at 1 pm, so I appreciate the prayers about then. It’s probably best to not have visitors, unless you want to be traumatized for life. This test will tell us how well my body has responded to the chemotherapy. If it things are good, then I stay here and continue to recover and have another biopsy in two weeks. If the results are not good, then I’ll have more chemotherapy immediately.
I’m admittedly a little nervous. The biopsy is itself not a pleasurable experience. (WARNING: GRAPHIC DETAILS). The doctor essentially sticks a large needle into my pelvis, penetrates the bone, sucks out bone marrow, and then breaks off a peace of bone. The needle has a handle in order to apply extra force. They’ll give me some anesthesia and numb up my backside really good, but there is no way to numb the inside of the bone. Thankfully, that part only lasts about 15 seconds and can be managed with some good tactical breathing exercises. In the end, it’s a bump that I have to go through to get better.
This is the fourth biopsy I will have had. I’ve learned from my experiences. The first one was in 2007 and I opted not to have the general anesthesia. That decision ranks in the top five mistakes in my life. Word to the wise: take the drugs. There is no shame in it.
I’m also nervous to know the results. That’s human nature. I may know something Friday evening, but more likely it will be next week. Everything has gone very well so far. The daily blood tests I have indicate that my body is responding very well. I am hopeful that this will continue, but I also acknowledge that it may not. But, the God who knit me together in my mother’s womb is certainly bigger than my cancer. He gives peace and comfort. I haven’t forgotten that.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7 NIV)
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Jeff,
I wanted to know that you’ve been prayed for in Afghanistan too. 🙂 Tabitha sent word to keep you in prayer prior to leaving that part of the world. Father hears where/when-ever His kids talk to Him.
I’m proud of you keeping up the good fight even as you embrace the suck with faith and grace.
I’ll keep your example in mind as I’m getting ready for Air Assault once block leave is over.
Hope to come visit next month. We’ll be keeping you and your ladies in prayer.
The other R.O.L. Jeff C.
Thanks, Jeff. So glad you’re home. Good luck at AAS. You got it! Very much appreciate the prayers.
Isaiah 40:31
31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint. (ESV)
Luke 22:43
43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. (ESV)