Chemo 2

Chemo #2 is over and all went well. It is such a blessing to be able to drive only 20 minutes to the Shaw Regional Cancer Center in Edwards to a "spa-like" facility staffed by compassionate, professional people. The results of the blood test done just a few days ago revealed that the CA125 number had come down significantly, which means that the first chemo regimen of carbo platin and taxol is working well, so yesterday we decided to continue on with that same combination of drugs. Toward the end of the day when the last drug, carbo platin, was administered, I had an allergic reaction so the oncologist made the decision to discontinue this drug. We will most likely switch to a different drug the next time and hope that it is as effective. The medical team who was with me yesterday reacted promptly and efficiently, and I was only in "panic" for a few minutes because the whole thing happened very suddenly. I was told that this allergic reaction can look quite different in different people, and that with this particular drug, it happens more often with patients who have received chemo before, have been off chemo for a year or more, and then get back on. If there is an allergic reaction, it usually occurs after the first chemo treatment, which happened in my case. The medical team was aware that this might happen, and had told me that there was a possibility it could, but I was confident that it wouldn't happen to me since this combination of drugs was working so well and I had tolerated it well the first time I underwent chemo. I still feel that we are making steady progress; this incident is only a blip in the road compared to what could happen, so I am very thankful. My energy level is good, so I have been able to teach full time. I have experienced none of bad side effects of chemo, and the level of pain and discomfort in my abdomem is improving over time. Everyone at school complimented me on my "haircut", so my new wig looks a lot like my real hair does, just a different style. Please continue to pray for me, as there is do doubt in my mind that God answers prayer! Love to all of you!