Nelson’s cancer is producing new difficulties, but the Mayo Clinic doctors are charging full speed ahead in their attempts to mitigate his troubles. Cousin Luke, too, factors in by bringing Nelson some breathing relief.

                                                     >>>>>>>>>>

November 9, 2022

So I resumed the chemo drugs again this morning, as planned. Due to the fact that I just had Covid and have been having trouble draining my lungs of fluid, the team opted to pause until this morning. l can’t tell a whole lot in the way of side effects yet, but here we go again…

In other news, I have a blood work-up scheduled for 8:40 am at the clinic tomorrow, a 9:25 am meeting with one of my Oncology docs, and a 2:55 pm Echocardiogram (heart) so they can get a clearer picture of what’s going on.

And what is going on?

Well, everything has been really great on most fronts other than low oxygen levels and shortness of breath. I can’t breathe so well, especially at night, and when I asked about it, they answered with these tests and this meeting.

Being out of breath at a resting position is disconcerting at a minimum. Waking up in the middle of the night feeling like you’re drowning is no fun at all.

I am thankful I have an oxygen machine at the house, thanks to my cousin Luke (left), who just happened to have one lying around.

So overall, I’m blessed. Chemo drugs are working. I can manage pain and side effects fairly well, and life with the family is going great. However, I want things to move faster than they are, but here I am, taking steps back into the land of breathing machines and tests like we did back in May.

But I guess that’s what people mean when they say they are fighting cancer for years. You wonder, “How long will this go on, Lord?” It gives new meaning to the Psalms that go on and on about that.

My friend told me it’s a mind game, which is true. Most battles are won and lost on the battlefield of the mind. Attitude is everything and even affects the outcome on lots of things. But as Ben Franklin said, “Well done is better than well said.”

Who can really pull it off? Who can stay positive and overcome when it’s lonely at night? None of the people who are around me are sick like I am, so it does feel lonely. I hope I can overcome. I want to stay positive.

I try to use the “tools” I have been given to get through it. “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” ~ Serenity Prayer

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The Lord says, “I am with you always…” (Matthew 28:20)