THE END (more or less)!!!

Hooray!  After 12 rounds of "mFOLFOX 6" chemotherapy treatments from May 17 to October 20, 2010, how happy and glad I am to report that DJ is finished!  El Fin!  Terminando!  The End!  (As far as we know now.)

Next up: PET scans and blood draws and lab work mid-November; meet with oncologist Dr. Spillane at the end of November to review the tests; and what I hope and pray and intend will happen is that there will be no need for additional treatment.  And then, if I understand correctly, various diagnostics will be performed regularly, perhaps 2-3 times annually for the first 2-3 years, 1-2 times annually for the next year or two, or whatever schedule will be according to the oncologist, gasterenterologist, MD, and others that make up DJ's health care professionals team.  I will be sure to "keep you posted" on the outcomes of any and all such diagnostics, here on this handy-dandy web log.

Thank you SSSOOOOOOOOOO much for praying for DJ and for our family, for loving and encouraging and supporting us throught this time of cancer, surgery, and chemotherapy.  You are certainly an integral part of our success story!  We love and appreciate you!  :-)

Less Is More!!

Not only was DJ's recent treatment the second-to-last of the 12-treatment prescription, I am happy to report that Dr. Spillane has eliminated the drug Oxaliplatin from his regimen.  Oxaliplatin is the cause of DJ's neuropathy, and his hands and feet have become increasingly numb throughout treatment.  You may recall that Dr. Spillane reduced the amount of Oxaliplatin administered to DJ at treatment #5; at treatment #10, DJ asked for it to be reduced again because of the possibility of long-term side effects, but Dr. Spillane declined.  Although I am in favor of chemotherapy because of its potential for healing, I am philosophically opposed to it (in that coursing poison through one's body seems immoral to me); so it has brought my heart great joy to know that not only is DJ at the end of the chemotherapy, he also is receiving less of it - and that's more better, as far as I see!  :-)  Not receiving the Oxalitplatin also shortens the amount of time that it takes for DJ's treatment to be administered, and it seems to have lessened his nausea so that he didn't take as much anti-nausea medicine throughout the week following the treatment.  As I have noted in the title of this post, certainly "Less Is More"!

The twelfth and final treatment of DJ's "mFOLFOX 6" chemotherapy is scheduled for tomorrow through Wednesday of this week, October 18-20.  And then - oh happy days!  The End!  Well, I suppose that PET scans and colonoscopies and various scans and/or diagnostics will be a part of DJ's reality for 3-5 years or so, and I will certainly contine to update this blog so that ya'll can be informed.  But I am just happy, happy, happy that 12 treatments of chemotherapy are near The End!  Hooray! 

(Treatment #11, October 4, 2010: DJ feeling sleepy)

DJ's primary side-effect this month is extreme fatigue.  Tim Soucheck, PA-C of Dr. Spillane's practice, predicts that it may take DJ's body 4-6 weeks to recover fully from the effects of the treatment.  Perhaps he will feel completely healthy and strong and groovy and good by December.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, again and some more, for your part in supporting and encouraging and granting God's grace to DJ and to our family through this exciting adventure of cancer, surgery, and chemotherapy.  God's grace is abundant and good; we are blessed beyond measure; you are a part of that.  Aaaaaa-men! 

Psalm One Hundred Sixteen

"I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.

Because he has turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.

The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me;

I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. 

Then I called on the name of the LORD: 'O LORD, save me!'

The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.

The LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me.

Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.

How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me? 

I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the LORD.

I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people."

(Caedmon and his best buddy Dylan,

and the leaves in our backyard.)

Ten down, two to go

Hello, my dear reader!  I feel loved and encouraged that you take the time to visit this spot and to read my ramblings.  :-)  Thank you!

How happy I am that DJ has completed 10 treatments of chemotherapy out of a 12-treatment prescription!  Just after my most recent post, entitled "Echoes of Heaven", I thought during the week of DJ's treatment that he was certainly NOT experiencing the echoes of heaven; the usual nausea and fatigue and feelings of ill health were upon and within him, making me all the more eager for the time when we will be in the presence of Jesus and every tear will be wiped away!  In the meantime, I've got to listen for those echoes of heaven - and there are many, including the lives of our cute kidlets.  Here are some snapshots:

 Brooke Bigelow is playing AYSO soccer for the second time;
her favorite position is goalie.



 Alexandra Bigelow is very happy to be part of the Flamson Middle School
7th grade volleyball team.

  Caedmon Van Bigelow is doing very well in kindergarten at
Georgia Brown Elementary School;

like his sisters, he is part of the dual-language immersion program,

receiving 90 per cent of his instruction in Spanish. 

Caedmon turned six years of age on September 19, 2010.

DJ's next scheduled treatment is this coming Monday (through Wednesday), October 4-6th.  I am grateful for your continued prayers for him; although I am confident that his body is completely rid of cancer, the chemotherapy is hard on him.  The extreme fatigue is settling in more extremely, his hands feel more weak, and I know that he is sick and tired of feeling sick and tired.  He rarely complains; to me he is the "strong, silent type" as he bears up under the ill affects of chemotherapy.  I know that he is sustained by God's grace, and your love and prayers are a hugely significant part of that.  Many, many thanks I offer to you!  May the LORD bless you indeed! 

The end, for now, and Happy October!  :-)  xoxoxo from HollyB