Chemotherapy

Dr. Oja our oncologist has Mike on an aggressive treatment plan.  He is receiving three drugs 
(the nurse in me will tell you the names for those of you who might be interested).  Bleomycin, Cysplatin and Etoposide are strong medications that target cells which divide quickly. Since Mike's cancer cells are the type that divide and grow quickly chemo is usually really effective at killing the cancer. However chemo also kills off healthy cells in his body that grow and divide quickly like cells in the mouth, stomach, hair and immune cells.  That's where the side effects come from.  So we have been prepared to expect hair loss, nausea, fatigue and a weak immune system.  We are not looking forward to it but we are motivated by the high success of this treatment with non-seminoma cancer.  We never would choose suffering for ourselves but we find hope in the fact that God uses suffering for good. A verse that I've been holding on to is in James 1:2  "Consider it pure joy my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be complete, not lacking anything."  One of the fears I've struggled with is how our kids are going to handle seeing their strong energetic daddy go through sickness. This promise is the only thing that gives me comfort it assures me that Toby,Tyler and Keegan will be complete not lacking anything. So chemotherapy here we go....