My chemotherapy treatment has been determined and is scheduled to begin on Wednesday September 17, 2008. Dr. A asked when I wanted to start chemo. I told him never. He smiled and I said, "How about as soon as possible. The sooner I start, the sooner it's over. Not to mention I want to be certain the cancer is gone for good."The regimen will consist of twelve treatments administered every two weeks for a total of 6-months. 6-months is not what I was hoping for, but it's what the doctor recommends so that's the plan. The treatment is a 3-day process consisting of a 2-hour infusion for day one and a 2-hour infusion on day two. At the end of each day's treatment, I will be sent home with a pump directly connected to my port infusing 5-FU. On the third day I will go in to have the port removed and I will be done for another 11 days. On the fourth day, I will receive an at home subcutaneous shot called Neulasta to stimulate the production of blood cells lost as a result of the chemotherapy.
The treatment will be a slightly different cocktail than the last two because the previous cocktail caused neuropathy in my hands and forearms - the sensation can be permanent and we want to avoid that as a potential outcome. Instead I should expect some nausea and serious lethargy. When it comes to the side effects, I continue to remind myself that as a result of following Gerson Therapy with chemotherapy & radiation, there is no trace of cancer in my body or the tissue that was surgically removed. And that kind of result - at least in the experience of my surgeon and oncologist - is unheard of. That combined with the beautiful faces of my wife and children is likely all the encouragement I will need.
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