One Day at a Time

I've been putting off this post, but have decided that it's easier to share it with you all at once, than to keep fielding phone calls from my wonderful friends and family who want to know how things went with my new oncologist, etc.

First, I must say that I am SO HAPPY that I made the change to the Siteman Cancer Center here in St. Louis. Although they can't "make it all better" at least I feel like I've taken some control over my care.

I got the speech ... the one you don't ever want to hear ... "Well, Ms. Jones, I'm very sorry, but your cancer has become difficult to treat." This means "start saying goodbyes and getting your affairs in order." I asked my new doctor to be straightforward and honest with me, and she honored my wishes. Basically my cancer seems to have become chemo-resistant. I am now on a different chemotherapy regimen, Topotecan, which we are hoping might keep me stable ... and if it does, Praise God! Many people can live a very long time maintaining their bodies with weekly chemotherapy. I can handle that! Right now I get my treatments 5 days a week at the Siteman Center downtown, then I'm off for 2-3 weeks. My new doctor will then have bloodwork drawn to determine if my numbers are steady or, God Willing, going down. If it doesn't appear to be working, then we'll try something different. I'm also hoping to be accepted into clinical trials as they become available. Some of you may remember that Mom participated in a number of trials. I like to think that she paved the way for me. She was teaching me, and I didn't even know it. She prepared me for this journey. OH! A neat story ... one of my nurses was Mom's chemo nurse years ago! She recognized me and said, "Oh my. You are Peggy's daughter! Your mother was a gem. We just loved her!" Later that morning I cracked some joke about facial hair and she just laughed and said "Yep, you're just like your mom! Sweet and innocent with a crazy sense of humor!" I already adore my caregivers!

So anyway ... that's about it in a nutshell. According to paperwork and the doctors, I'm not doing so hot. But, my faith is first placed in God's Hands. He is working through these people and through this medicine. I still believe in miracles and I ask in prayer for one. I've got a lot of livin' to do!

I wanted to share a very special song with you. It's titled "I Will Rise" and sung by the artist Chris Tomlin. It brings me so much peace. I hope you enjoy it as much as I.



Until Tomorrow,
Kathy ... taking it one day at a time