We’re either at the midway point or right near the end. Originally, the doctors told my mom she’d need six 5-day chemo treatments. Well, three of those have been completed and, fortunately, the side effects have been minimal – considering what they could have been.
Great news is that her body’s responses so far have exceeded their expectations. Greater news is that the next round of chemo – her fourth – might be the last she’ll need.
We, of course, are hoping for that. That round will begin the Monday before New Year’s Day and will end the day after New Years. Daughter and I will be here again that month for the week-after care, but Hubby will join us as well. We’ll have much to celebrate this year. Possibly the end of successful Leukemia treatments, and treatments whose side-effects were manageable.
The horrors of chemo still exist but not to the level they were before. The very thought that, in controlled amounts, poison can be introduced into the human body and actually help the human body fight disease is an amazing thing. If this chemo has done what it’s supposed to do, my mom’s CLL will go into remission.
Remission can last 4 or more years. With all science has learned about this disease – and others – in recent years, and with all science has done to defeat or stave off recurrences, a four-year remission might bring new and wonderfully successful ways of destroying – dare I say, “curing” – this disease.
We have a long way to go and nothing is set in stone – we may have to endure the full six 5-day treatments – but we are hopeful and optimistic. Hope alone is a wonderful gift our family has been given for this holiday season.
Go Ms. Pacman! I’m so glad to hear your mom is responding to the treatment and has tolerated the chemo so well. You do have much to be thankful for. I’ll keep you in my thoughts.
I’m glad your mother is responding as well as she is to the chemo. And I hope she gets to cut the treatment short and has a long remission. 🙂
It’s so good to hear how well things are going. Hugs and prayers for all of you.
Linda
Debbie, my prayers are with your mother in her battle with leukemia as she faces a fourth round of chemo. I pray for her remission and also for your family’s strength as well as your father’s. A serious illness is hard on close family members, and I admire your attitude of thankfulness. God bless.
Beth,
Ms. Pacman sure has been busy! Thank you for that visual. It’s wonderful.
Laura,
It’s that long remission we’re hoping for! It’s amazing to think we’re fortunate considering the disease she’s fighting, but wow. So far, so good.
Linda,
Thank you, Linda. I think the best thing my family could have done was move from NY to Colorado. The level of care my mom has received has risen unbelievably. It’s like it was all meant to be. We’re extremely lucky.
Kathleen,
Serious illness sobers a person real quick. We’ve learned so much about this disease – much more than we knew there would be to learn. I think that’s the most valuable lesson in all of this – be your own advocate. Learn as much as you can about whatever it is you’re dealing with – good or bad – then form a plan and maintain an open mind. Who knew we’d deal with chemo and it’s side-effects? Who knew a little education of the subject would ease some fears. And who knew the results could be this positive, this quickly. Now we hope for more of the same.
Thanks to all of you for your sweet words and caring. It’s means so much to all of us.
~Debbie