Chemo. Round 2. Week 2.

Side effects have been minimal this time around, and I was able to spend this week ministering out of state.

I'm so thankful.

Chemo. Round 2. Day 4. Appointment with Dr. Robinson.

Backstory. I recently asked Dr. Robinson for a CT scan because I have a lump in my lower abdomen that’s sizeable and has not gone away.

Labs and the CT. I had labs on Monday that indicated impaired liver function. I had the CT on Tuesday, and it indicated multiple sites of disease.

Today’s visit. I want to start out by saying I am so glad I am back in Wilmington for care. Dr. Robinson is pretty awesome, and it is so easy to pop over to Zimmer for appointments like this instead of driving all the way to Durham.

Monday’s lab indicated impaired liver function. Combined with the CT results, I thought Dr. Robinson would point to the cancerous nodules as the cause of that impaired function. Instead, he believes that the liver function impairment might be because of Taxol (one of my chemotherapy drugs), not the cancer. He has been leaning toward changing my chemo drugs anyway because Taxol is so harsh on the body and I have had platelet and ANC issues. If the decision is made to change my chemo regiment, we will likely choose Abraxane instead of Taxol.

He wants me to continue chemo, and he wants me to complete 6 rounds, if possible. The reason he had agreed to the CT at my request was because I have had a lump in my lower abdomen. The CT scan showed that is an enlarged lymph node, not a cancerous nodule, so he was confident that we're not in any great rush with making any changes to treatment at this point.

He wants me to have blood work and see him again May 11 with the goal being to have Round 3 of chemo on May 18.

I am going to Duke the afternoon of May 11 to check in with Dr. Rossi, and Dr. Robinson is aware of that. He also knows I have spoken with Dr. Hillman in San Diego. Dr. Hillman's opinion was to do at least 3 rounds of chemo before making any decisions, so this all tracks.

Dr. Robinson also said he had no problem with me traveling as planned the next two weeks. So, all in all this was a good and reassuring visit, and today he shared that he has other patients with recurrent GCT and has tried a variety of treatments with them. In 2023, that was not the case.

I came home to this amazing surprise from some dear friends. The card read in part: “My husband collects shark teeth, and he wanted you to have these. When he looks at them, he sees a creation of God’s that weathered harsh conditions and even though battered, survived. We hope these will be a symbol of God’s goodness, sovereignty, and love for you.”

How thankful I am for all of you, my kind friends, who continue to encourage me day-by-day.

Chemo. Round 2. Day 3.

Words to describe today:

Groggy. I woke up feeling incredibly groggy, and I am sure this medication I need to take for three nights to keep nausea at bay is the reason. I had a hard time with it last time around, as well. My practitioner prescribed a half dose, but even that seems to be a lot for me. But, on the positive side, I have had absolutely no nausea.

Exercise. Although I am moving more slowly, I was still able to get a run-walk in this morning and enjoy the beautiful colors right before sunrise.

Nutrition. I am eating what my body is asking for, and my body has been asking for eggs. It’s a good thing our neighbors have chickens and give us fresh eggs regularly. I’m thankful for Dave and Shelby!

Bone pain. A common side effect of this form of chemotherapy, I’m thankful that it’s been manageable without the need for additional medication thus far.

Low-key productivity. I have a really hard time doing “nothing,” so I was thankful for tasks that I could do while resting today, like editing the newsletter for Hudson or having a Google Meet with Scheska, Steeve, Vorb.

Best part of my day? A visit from Jared and flowers from Hannah.

Prayer request. I will see Dr. Robinson at 2:40 tomorrow to talk about my CT results. Prayers appreciated as we discuss next steps. This will be an important conversation.

“But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.”

— Job 23:10

Chemo. Round 2. Day 2.

Today was largely uneventful, though it started earlier than I would have liked, probably due to the steroids I received yesterday.

After a walk at the beach and a long delay getting off the island (the bridge wouldn't close properly and we weren't allowed to cross for nearly an hour), I went to Novant on Wrightsville Ave. for a scheduled CT scan. I have received the results but haven't talked to Dr. Robinson yet, so I'll wait to share these results until I have his input.

This afternoon I got a rash on my face, a common side effect from the steroids I received yesterday. It looks and feels like a sunburn.

I also took a nap because my energy level crashed about 2 p.m.

Thankfully I have not had any nausea as of yet! 🙌

This has been my view most of the day.

But the best part of my day was getting to see this guy in our backyard.

I'm hopeful for more energy and no nausea tomorrow.

“For the Lord is good; His mercy endures forever,and His faithfulness to generations.” Psalm 100:5

April 27. Chemo Round 2. At last.

Today I had Round 2 of chemo on the day we were expecting to do Round 3. I’m so glad to finally be back on track!

I had time to do my usual morning routine before arriving at Zimmer at 8 am, first for the port lab, then the visit with Dr. Robinson, and then the infusion at 9:30. Cold capping started 50 minutes before the 1st infusion.

I started to experience nausea during the pre-infusion meds, so I was encouraged to eat a little snack provided by Zimmer. I felt like I was back in elementary school, but it was so, so good!

The prescribed amount of both Taxol and Carbo was reduced for this infusion. We’ll see if this helps my body with recovery. The worst part of the three-hour Taxol infusion was keeping my hands and feet ice cold, but this is a necessary part of preventing neuropathy, and I am thankful for these new ice packs that are far superior to what we used the first round.

The Carbo infusion lasted one hour, and we were finished just before 3 p.m.

Crystal and I were out the door by 3 pm and headed home to continue cold capping for 5 more hours.

Best part of the day? Clara and her mom and dad came to visit!

Cold capping will be over about 7:45 pm. And I can hardly wait. It’s been a long day.

Tomorrow morning at 7:45 I have a CT scan that will give better insight into why my inhibins continue to rise.

The following is an excerpt from part of my morning reading, Joyful Anyway, by Kate Bowler.

Not the update I was planning to share

I got up at 4:45 this morning and did my normal morning routine, including working out and walking around the neighborhood. I thought going down to the beach might be a little stressful instead of relaxing since I needed to be at Zimmer Cancer Center by 8 am for my pre-infusion appointment with Dr. Robinson who had been on vacation last week.

I had even mentioned to Rick before leaving, “You know, Dr. Robinson is the one who will prescribe my chemo today. If he’s not comfortable with my platelets being at 91, there’s a possibility he will want to defer treatment again.” So I wasn’t surprised when Dr. Robinson suggested we do blood work again before starting the infusion, just to make sure my platelets had not gone down any further.

That was a wise choice because they had, and now my result was well below the acceptable range for treatment. Low platelets can put a person at risk for uncontrolled bleeding, both after an injury or spontaneous internal bleeding that might come without obvious external signs.

So even though Crystal had driven down from Durham and we were ready to go with cold capping and even though my port had been accessed, Round 2 of chemo has been delayed again . . . this time for two weeks. We are going to try again on April 27.

But before that scheduled infusion, Dr. Robinson has asked me to come back on Thursday for more labs and an office visit because we really don’t want these platelet numbers to get critically low. There’s a good possibility I will need an injection called Nplate,a platelet booster that works with your body to create more platelets.

In good news, I still have my hair, though it has thinned some. Dr. Robinson said most people have lost all their hair by this point, so Penguin Cold Capping does seem to be working for me!

A friend just asked me what I thought was going on. I told her I like to believe I’ve maintained my body well, like a fine motor vehicle that’s been running on top-tier fuel, and it doesn’t like the fact that someone put old-school leaded gasoline in the tank. 😂

Again I am reminded of Proverbs 16:9, “We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.”

I’ve been praying for you

It happened again this morning as I was walking Wrightsville Beach. I saw someone from The Bridge whom I had never met, so I stopped and introduced myself to him.  His response? “You’re Becky Graves? I’ve been praying for you, and I’ve been praying for Haiti Awake, too.”

How humbling that is. How encouraging that is. Over and over I meet people who tell me, “I have been praying for you.” Friends I have known for years remind me daily, “I’m praying for you.”

Friday as I was waiting for my lab appointment and feeling my stress rise, I got a text from a friend, “Praying for good lab results today 🙏.” I cannot tell you how many times I’ve gotten a text like that at just the right moment because someone was listening to the Holy Spirit’s leading.

Friends, have you ever wondered if your prayers matter? I am here to tell you that I am living proof that they do. I feel them every day.

Here’s my challenge to you. Let the Holy Spirit lead your prayers today and reach out to the person you pray for. Let them know you care. Let them know you are praying. I promise you it will mean more than you’ll know.

“Pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”

— James 5:16

Chemo. Round 2. Rescheduled.

Since I didn't have chemo as planned and my week was clear, I took the opportunity to meet some animals and check out shark tooth hunting at North Myrtle Beach. Shark tooth hunting yielded some nice shells, not shark’s teeth, but the animals at Myrtle Beach Safari did not disappoint.

Labs were done again today, and many things had shifted. But what really mattered was this:

I'm now scheduled to see Dr. Robinson at 8 am, with chemo starting at 8:30 am on Monday, April 13.

Thank you to all who checked in on me this week. I appreciate you.