Praise the Lord! Treatment is working!

I had my first treatment on July 7th. I had a severe reaction in the form of allergies for 4-weeks. So when I went in for my second treatment on July 29th I was not able to get it because Dr. Thompson was afraid I would go into Anaphylactic shock. At that time the tumors were getting smaller so we knew the treatment was doing what it was supposed to do. Then after the allergies started clearing up my arthritis flared up. I had my CMC joints repaired many years ago and it was very successful, without any pain in both my thumbs. Well, that is where the arthritis flare-up hit most. My shoulders and elbows are giving me some problems put not as bad as my thumbs. I have increased my Fish Oil, Celebrex and Glucosamine Sulfate. I have braces on my hands to also relieve some pain. This is helping a lot. The doctor felt it was okay to skip this treatment because the tumors were getting smaller and I have had no new ones since that first treatment. We don’t repeat any treatments once they have been skipped. The doctor also said that some people only need one treatment to get results. This treatment boosts the immune system so that my own body fights off the tumors. It is not like chemo where it kills the good and bad cells.

I went to have my third treatment this last Tuesday, August 19th and again was not able to get it. This time it was because of having shortness of breath and total exhaustion when exerting myself. Again, the tumors are disappearing and I have no new ones. I have an appointment for a Pulmonary Function Test scheduled for August 28th and if that is okay I will be scheduled for a stress test. My next treatment is scheduled for September 9th. All I can say is Praise the Lord! He is so good. What a blessing this treatment has been. It is sure easier to put up with the side affects knowing that the treatment is doing what it is supposed to do. To see the tumors disappearing is an awesome sight.

I have done a lot of reading during these last six weeks. I have been reading Joel Rosenberg’s fiction series. The fifth book isn’t out in paperback yet so I will wait to finish that series. I just started ready a fiction by William Young called “The Shack”. It came highly recommended. It is an easy read put very thought provoking. I usually don’t like fiction but I these have been very enjoyable reads.

I had a nice surprise in the mail today. There was a nice “Big” bag of M&M’s. Thank you, Karina, for keeping my diet colorful. I had a good laugh while opening the package. Ken kept the secret. You guys like to keep secrets from me but they have all been good secrets.

Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement. What a blessing you all are to me. I will keep you posted as to what happens next.

Love you all,
Karen