Another great day. We got a radiation treatment, met with
Dr. Tolentino, and did a few errands. I am going to see if Dr. Viola and the
State of South Dakota will allow me to drive again. I need to fill out some
forms, then rely on the good Doctor’s input. That may take some pressure off of
my lovely chauffeur, and allow me to be in control for a bit longer.
I had been contacted by a friend who had a friend who has
been cancer free with the “same type” of tumor now for seven years. He uses
some nutritionist from Utah, and has had good luck. His type of tumor is
different than mine, but I inquired anyway. The nutritionist wants to put you
on a strict diet that helps to slow growth in brain tumors. The oncologist
looked over the list and found several supplements that will directly conflict
with what the treatment is supposed to do. I have to err on the side of the
doctor I am seeing, and not an unregulated nutritionist from Utah. The highs
and lows of all of this can be like riding a roller coaster. I think the bottom
line, and Dr. Tolentino agrees with us on that, is to have the best quality of
life possible during the treatment of this cancer. This cancer is an aggressive
brain cancer – there are no Grade 2 or Grade 3 in this type – it either is
Glioblastoma (grade 4) or it is not. So, Margaret and I have decided to try to
eat as healthily as we can, exercise when we can, and enjoy the time we have to
do so.
The treatment path is to finish radiation on May 1st,
then get a two week break from all medicines to let the body rest and catch up.
After that, I get the chemo drugs for another 6 months. At that time we assess
where we are at to decide how we proceed. Each case is different, so hard to
predict. I want to be able to dance with my newest daughter-in-law on September
1st, although I may step on her feet a bit.
I also want to be able to enjoy a few bird hunts, build a
few projects in the garage, fish a bit, watch some deer hunting, enjoy the most
beautiful Christmas Season ever, then we can wind down. We’ll see how that
works with God’s plan for me. If we go on longer than that, it is another gift.
Anyway, I rattle on.
We got to attend the Holy Thursday services at St. Michael
Church tonight. What a beautiful ceremony they have each year. It was a very
moving liturgy remembering the Lord’s Last Supper. I was moved to tears several
times, but I get philosophically once in a while. I think I might see this
service from heaven next year, so I look at these things a bit differently now.
My touched by God moment was all through the services
tonight. It was a nice touch too. Have a Good Friday tomorrow.
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