Yesterday I accompanied my parents to Duke Raleigh to meet with Dr. Agrawal. As soon as you arrive they take the patient back for "labs". (At least they get the needle-work done first - so you don't have to dread it all day:) Then we go upstairs to Dr. Agrawal's office, where we sit in the waiting room for two hours. Any other doc would not be worth that amount of wait time... but this one is worth it. (Apparently the week after Christmas is always one of their busiest; and his "right hand" took the week off.) At one point dad said that we were going to leave in 10 minutes. Just as mom and I were wondering what other stall tactics we could use... they called his name. Relief.
He begins by asking if we are dealing with: memory problems, fatigue, lack of interest, aches and pains, etc.. - and tells us that is normal. Then he starts looking at the results of the last scan and his current blood work...
hemoglobin - good
liver enzymes - good
no clear signs of progression
...then he says the word... remission.
The six rounds of chemo did what they were supposed to do. The problems that he is currently experiencing are not cancer related, but chemo related. (The after effects of the chemo treatments.) Even though the chemo was necessary to kick the cancer back, it is poison to the body.
Going forward, the doc suggests a "time of rebuilding". He prescribed something to strengthen the bones, which he will take through IV. Hopefully this will help with the aching in his legs and back. He will get the IV, labs, and meet with the doc once every month. He suggested that this would be a good time to incorporate immune-system supplements, light exercise, increased social activity, healthy eating habits, etc... He actually suggested that he go to the gym! He said that the social interaction could help him regain some of the memory that the chemo has stolen from him.
At this point I must stop and remind myself that he still has an aggressive form of cancer. It is there - it is just not growing today. Therefore, we must take full advantage of this "time of rebuilding", so when the monster decides to start moving he will be strong and able to fight again.
Thank-you God for answered prayer.
Feel free to leave comments below. It is my hope that our transparency will benefit others.
