General Post

From Paul:

Cycle 8 Week One

This week begins Cycle 8, which includes the final infusion of Doris’ treatment regimen. Doris rang the bell. The plaque by the bell reads as follows:

 

It was really a wonderful experience to celebrate this milestone with all the healthcare professionals who have assisted Doris beginning on May 29, 2025. As I walked around both with and without Doris on Friday, January 2, 2026, I was feeling a little emotional because of the solid care and patient kindness of this care team. I remember the first infusion day when Doris had a significant reaction to the medication, and how quickly the team responded to her needs, including the chemo pharmacist. Both RN’s who were helping her that day were with us to celebrate. One of her providers was also on hand coincidentally during the bell ringing. We also had our son Andrew with us, our son Kyle and his family, and a very kind and devoted friend of Doris from our church. It was a great day, but this experience is not over yet. During our consultation, the doctor said, “Your labs look beautiful.” We’ll take that.

 

The rest of the treatment is taking the oral chemo pills every day and dealing with the side effects. At the beginning of every four-week cycle, Doris will have a blood draw, and at the beginning of alternating cycles she will have a consultation with a member of the oncology team. The halfway point looks like it will be May 21, 2026 – the end of Cycle 12. That is not too far ahead to look forward to it. I think we will have an informal celebration on that day.

 

From Doris:

Bell Ringing

 

Friday morning, we returned to St. Luke’s Cancer Clinic. I had my blood drawn and tested, met with my oncologist and reported to the CIC for my infusion. The infusion was temporarily delayed while we waited for my blood results. Had my blood results been concerning, the infusion would have been canceled. It was not canceled and became my last infusion.

 

The nurse assigned to me was Julie. Julie is the same nurse who attended me during my first infusion on May 29th. Both Stewart and Steve were also working in the CIC on Friday. (I also have siblings named Julie, Stuart and Stephen.) These nurses, along with a CNA named Brenda) were the core of my CIC family. Many other nurses and CNA’s have assisted me these past eight months. I am deeply indebted to all of them.

 

Paul and I often went on walks in the CIC during my monthly 3-4 hour infusion sessions. Since I have poor balance, he “drove” the IV pole and I hung on to him. Usually, we were holding hands. During our appointments in the CIC, many people commented that we were a cute couple or that they loved to see us holding hands. I wonder if they really saw our love for each other or just the fact that we were holding hands. 

When my infusion finished, I had to return to the waiting room until all of our bell ringing guests had arrived. The CIC had 90 appointments on Friday, and I needed to vacate my spot for the next patient.

 

Kyle was already in the waiting room and was waiting for his family to arrive. I got to see them get off the elevator. Lachlan was thrilled to see his father and ran to him and hugged him.

 

Our local family, my dear friend and our CIC family gathered around the bell. I asked Paul to read the plaque because I knew I wouldn’t be able to read it without crying. Then I rang it the required three times. As soon as I finished, I was enveloped in hug after hug. It felt wonderful to receive hugs and to be mask free for those few minutes. I have missed both.

 

It is hard to believe my infusions are over. I look forward to short monthly visits in the future and hope that in time my pain will decrease. According to my oncologist, I am now on autopilot.

 

Thanks be to God for giving me the strength to endure these past few months. I have felt His love for me.