Last time I wrote I mentioned that we were considering a new drug. Well on November 11, I began taking Sutent. Like Gleevec it's a one-a-day targeted chemo pill. This targeting means that it only goes after the bad guys - no collateral damage. And like Gleevec it came with a very long list of potential side effects. Some of those that my nurse said were very common are extreme dryness of the hands and feet (leading to cracking of the skin), a rash, and bad mouth sores.
Praise God (and all of you for your prayers), I've had none of that. Zip. The only real side effect is the lack of energy. It's kinda like having the flu without all the messy flu symptoms - just the blahs. Some days are better than others, but I certainly can't complain. I'm still able to maintain my work schedule, and I have a very handy excuse if I don't want to clean toilets!
One of my hero's, Mike Shane, who has totally embraced and is living the endurance lifestyle told me I had to get back in the pool. No excuses. It's the least impactful exercise I can pursue. So I will. You can hold me accountable. When I get back home I'll get in the pool, swim as far as I feel comfortable, take pictures, and I'll post them here. Thanks for that little kick Mike.
So I've finished one cycle of the Sutent. After the second cycle, sometime in late January, I'll go back in for a follow up PET scan, and we'll evaluate the effectiveness of the drug.
Of course the whole cancer thing is a major drag/bummer/add your disappointing adjective here, but I continue to learn from it. I was lifted this morning by the Jesus Calling devotional:
"Because the world is in an abnormal, fallen condition, people tend to think that chance governs the universe. Events (like cancer!) may seem to occur randomly, with little or no meaning. People who view the world this way have overlooked one basic fact: human understanding.
What you know of the world is the tip of the iceburg. Submerged beneath the surface of the visible world are mysteries too vast for you to comprehend. If you could only see how close I am to you and how constantly I work on your behalf, you would never again doubt that I am wonderfully caring for you. This is why you must live by faith, not by sight; trusting in my mysterious, majestic Presence."
Lord, continue teaching me to see with my faith.
Abundance!
