After our trip to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota this summer, it took a few weeks to get everything coordinated to start the new agreed upon regimen of chemotherapy drugs - darzalex + polidimide + dexamethasone (DPD), but the first infusion got underway on 9/10, coincidentally the 11th anniversary of my multiple myeloma diagnosis. I had a severe reaction to the drugs during the first infusion, but we stopped, got me stabilized, persevered, and got the infusion completed without further incident in two days' time.
The second infusion the following week went well, but on Friday afternoon of that week, I had to leave our elders' retreat in Granbury, TX, to go to the local ER with an atrial fibrillation incident of the heart. They got me stabilized and released me that evening and we came home the following day.
I slept the weekend, and then Carol took me to our ER here in Bedford on Monday with shakes, fever and a variety of other symptoms. Turns out the chemo drugs had lowered my immune system and I had a serious infection. I spent the next full week in the hospital, mostly sleeping and getting treated, then another 10 days of mostly sleeping at home before returning to work part-time on Oct. 10. During this time, the chemotherapy was suspended. Oh yeah, that first night in the hospital included an ultra-late night surgery to remove a life-threatening blockage in the UT.
That said, we resumed round 3 of the DPD treatments on Wednesday of last week, 10/17. It went okay, but following the infusion, I developed severe pain in the lower legs which has left me virtually unable to walk, and I only get around with great difficulty.
Suffice it to say that these are powerful, powerful chemotherapy drugs. This is serious chemo, and I am not waltzing through it unscathed. Thus far, I do get to work a few hours each day, thanks to catching rides with friends, coworkers, and family. Some work can also be done at home.
At this point, there has been no drop in the cancer due to the new chemo, but it is too soon to make a judgment at this time.
God gives the grace each day to persevere and do what needs to be done. As always, your love, prayers, encouragements, and other expressions of concern are always appreciated.
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Such grace through the trials may I learn to persevere thru the trials of this life. To Him be the glory
ReplyDeleteWe are continuing to pray for God to give you strength in the midst of this difficult trial. We know you’re trusting Him but it doesn’t mean some days / weeks aren’t more difficult than others to endure. We love you, brother. Keith and Trina
ReplyDeleteHello Bro. Txbennett. I am a Pastor from Mumbai, India. I am glad to stop by your profile on the blogger and the blog post. I am also blessed and feel privileged and honoured to get connected with you as well as know you and about your sickness. Please be assured of my prayers for you as you have rounds of Chemotherapy. May the Lord bring complete healing to you. My nephew who is a Physician went through these rounds of Chemotherapy reluctantly because he knew the side effects of it but for survival it was most needed thing to go through. He is a fine Christian. He survived all those rounds and now it is almost 15 yrs past and by God's grace there is no recurrence and he is doing fine. He has also written a book on it with a christian perspective. Wish it was translated in English so that I woul have been able to send a copy to you. This book received state literature award. I love getting connected with the people of God around the globe to be encouraged, strengthened and praying for one another. I have been in the Pastoral ministry for last 39 yrs in this great city of Mumbai a city with a great contrast where richest of rich and the poorest of poor live. We reach out to the poorest of poor with the love of Christ to bring healing to the brokenhearted. We also encourage young and the adults from the west to come to Mumbai to work with us during their vacation time. we would love to have young people from your family circle to come to Mumbai to work with us during their vacation time. I am sure they will have a life changing experience. Looking forward to hear from you very soon. God's richest blessings on you, your family and friends. My email id is: dhwankhede(at)gmail(dot)com and my name is Diwakar Wankhede.
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