Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Side Effects -by Joe

Heidi's new chemotherapy, Taxotere, was confirmed effective against her new liver tumors two weeks ago.  Wonderful news!

The downside is the worsening side effects, because it is such a toxic therapy.  Heidi and I worry a lot about the neuropathy and dizziness.

When you cross your legs and the one leg goes 'to sleep', when you stand your foot is numb, eventually starting to tingle as sensation returns.  That's also how neuropathy feels.  Anywhere from tingling to numbness.  Scary for an athletic, outdoorswoman like Heidi.

The dizziness is new, not experienced with any of Heidi's previous side effects.  Last month on a hike, I had to catch Heidi as she started to collapse on the trail from dizziness.

The pain, fatigue, GI upset and mouth sores were there with previous chemotherapies to varying degrees.  But the neuropathy and dizziness scare us.  We are praying hard that neither worsens and that we'll find supplements that mitigate them both.

But on Heidi's better days, we continue to live life as fully as possible:  hiking, participating at church, deepening friendships, gardening, working.

God willing, the side effects will lessen instead of increasing over time. 

After all, Heidi's active life four years past Stage 4 diagnosis is a miracle in itself.  They expected only one year. I am profoundly grateful for the miracle!

Thank you for your prayers and positive thoughts!

Blessings,
Joe

9 comments:

  1. and your continuous sharing is an act of great service, love and connection.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I was introduced to this incredible blog by A.J. Wood's guest post on Scott Kelby's blog http://scottkelby.com/2012/its-guest-blog-wednesday-featuring-a-j-wood/. I've only met with your story this morning but I've already shared tears, smiles and prayers with both of you. I just wanted you to know that this Texas based husband, father and follower of Christ has been deeply touched and inspired by your courageous and vulnerable love for each other and for God. Add one more prayer warrior to your team roster! Be blessed!

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  3. Again, came from AJ's post. You guys are a true pillar of endurance.

    Perhaps this is the reason I came across your story... I have been researching cancer medicines for a while (having lost members of my family to it, and my auntie just recently been rediagnosed with breast cancer, in that research I have come upon an amazing treatment for cancer Call antineoplastons that is having miraculous results for years. It's done by the a doctor Burzynski in Texas.

    There is even a documentary on him on Netflix at the moment, This really does seem an amazing medicine, with no reactions like traditional treatments.

    I hope you guys check his clinic out, it's worth a phone call at least. Good luck on your journey, you are both an inspiration.

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  4. Great blog. We are working to develop a community and feature people on our new blog here liveforlifehopeforall.com/cancer-support/

    Would you be interested in being featured and share any tips for to help people just going being diagnosted with cancer?

    Please let me know.
    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Eric,
      Not at the present time - too much going on with the battle..

      Delete
  5. What they fail to disclose is that Chemo in general would leave you with compromised immune system, and a faster spreading cancer. Only the immune system can prevent the spread of cancer. Tumor existence is NOT what you should measure your success in fighting cancer by... (It might turn necrotic or calcified, and still show up).Watch for too much CT... it causes cancer!!!

    Hello, my name is Ari, I am a survivor (so far...) of two cancers, a widower of a cancer victim (now re-married..) and is dedicated to fighting cancer, and helping others do so.
    I lived in Toronto, Canada (my family is in southern California), and last year, after marriage, I moved to the Philippines. I am majority owner of a Dialysis clinic, and built a unique cancer clinic, the one I dreamt of having when my first wife was struggling. I took her to Mexico clinics twice, for treatments (which were very successful!), talked to dozens of physicians, and always found lack of properly equipped clinics, which could do a lot better if they were.
    Along the way, I have gained insight of how proper Hyperthermia should be applied. This is a method which doubles the success rate of conventional therapies, and alternative ones as well, provided it is done properly. I have purchased the most powerful device for this, and added two other types of devices, which when applied in the right order, prevent a process of DE-sensitizing of cancer cells to the effects of specific frequency hyperthermia. We also do mild whole body hyperthermia in order to strengthen the immune system (with no side effects),and help reach the right thermo-therapeutic levels within the tumour.(the right temperature simply destroys the tumour...). There are also other aspects to this, biological ones, which for lack of commercial incentive (UN-patentable..) is not pursued by multinational pharmaceutical corporations which control all medical research in the field.
    I also introduced other forms of immunotherapy, and alternative cytotoxic elements, such as Helixor, a mistletoe extract, which has three times better success rate then most chemo agents, without the side effects.
    I can give information about many clinics I learned about, (mainly in Mexico and Germany)
    If you are interested in getting free advice, please feel free to contact me, @ advancedcancertherapies@yahoo.com
    Thanks,
    Ari Idan

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi, Nice post thanks for sharing. Would you please consider adding a link to my website on your page. Please email me back.

    Thanks!

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    randydavis387@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
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