Hello Everyone,
Sorry for such a long delay in updating the blog, this time of year we all get so busy with the holidays!
This time, it is me (Wally) who is writing to update you on how we're doing.
I want to thank each of you for your prayers and your words of encouragement to our family and to me. Your friendship and concern for me means more to me than I could ever express to you.
As you probably know, I have chemo every two weeks along with blood tests. Every eight weeks, I have new CT scans and chest X-rays. This last week, my oncologist had encouraging news for me. First, there is a blood test that is an indicator for pancreatic cancer, which is called "CA 19-9". Since the beginning of my chemo treatments, my CA 19-9 value has gone down approximately 50% (this is good). The second encouragement is that there has been no growth in the size of my tumor. My treatment plan is for one year and then is re-evaluated.
So how am I doing with the chemo and how am I feeling? Each chemo session lasts about five or six hours. They start with some blood tests to see how I'm doing and to set the dosage for the three different chemo drugs that I'm on. Along with the therapy drugs, they include some sedatives, so I spend most of each session sleeping. After each session, I feel fine for a day or two and then some mild flu like symptoms for a few days. Flu meds help and I'm not slowed down too much. I recently heard this called a "chemo flu". Sometimes my stomach is a little queasy feeling, but I've have had almost no nausea. I believe that our Lord has spared me much of the suffering that often goes along with cancer and its treatments. My most significant side effect has been a loss of taste; most things that I eat now taste very bland.
A comfort from having a strong Christian faith is the gift of a "peace that passes all understanding". I am completely comfortable and at peace with God's plan for my life, long or short. From an eternal perspective, I believe that He has already healed me. My number one goal in life is to be a useful and willing servant for His purposes.
I recently learned of a blog of a person who has gone through an experience very similar to mine and he always signed off with "God is good, all the time, God is good". I like that and I agree with it, so I will use it here today.
Thank you again!
God is good, all the time, God is good!
Wally
wallycarruthers@gmail.com
206-999-0271
