It doesn’t help anything that Nelson is now struggling against the symptoms of Covid as well as those of advanced cancer. Mayo Clinic is staying on top of testing and treatment, though Covid restrictions have pushed the next scheduled chemo forward to an indefinite date. This is scary and discouraging, since without chemo treatments, the cancer grows at breakneck speed. But Nelson remains positive.
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July 13, 2022
Since a positive Covid reading came back for me the day before yesterday, I was told no “in person” visits at the clinic for 10 days. That seems to have set me back, as my next round of Chemo had been set for July 20.
Even if they wanted to go ahead, it’s unsure if [a general] chemotherapy fits with the latest finding of a genetic mutation that would change the course of treatment going forward.
Lots of layers to the onion and lots of teams working together but on separate, specific areas and methods of treatment—working toward the goal of a cancer-free Nelson.
Today, I was in touch with the folks in the radiology department but no treatment beyond that. They were just touching base to see if any areas had become problematic since my last meeting with them. I asked about the mutations and a few other things, but they directed me to the general oncology folks.
Overall, my condition has some good and some challenging parts. There is rarely a report that comes back “all good.” This time, the platelet levels had gone up from 32 to 50 in a 24 hour period—a very good thing. That was the exact number Annso had asked the Lord for. She was stoked!
I’m well enough to endure the next Chemo treatment. However……. this latest set of blood tests showed my Neutrophil (white blood cell) levels being extremely low.
On July 11, the reading was 1.15 and on July 13, down to 0.38. I have to be extra careful not to cut myself or get sick in any way. They somehow lifted the Covid rules to let me have a blood draw this morning and another one tomorrow, to continue checking.
If there’s one thing they are here, it’s thorough. Always wanting to make sure they don’t miss anything, and for that I’m thankful. Please pray:
– that swelling in feet goes down
– that I can stay out of the hospital if at all possible
– that nothing gets missed
– for resolution to the blood clot issue [a large clot under left clavicle bone], which causes swelling in the left arm
– that we can grab ahold of the spiritual side of things as we go through this.
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“[Lord], may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” (Psalm 143:10)