Buying Time

This week has been an emotional rollercoaster. Well, the whole month’s been an emotional rollercoaster, but this week we seem to have reached and descended from the highest peak. And nobody threw up. So, phew!

On Tuesday, which incidentally feels like it happened about three years ago rather than three days ago, the husband had a bone marrow biopsy. We spent Wednesday with bated breath, jumping every time the phone rang, waiting for the results, which were honestly neither hear nor there, neither fish nor fowl, neither… well, I could go on like this for a while, but I’ll spare you. Basically, the blast cells (i.e. crappy cancer cells) had increased, but by a relatively small percentage. The husband, who is undergoing an alternative treatment that I’m not going to get into now, but I will explain in detail in the near future (not trying to be cryptic, but we do have our reasons, so bear with us!) was hoping that the blasts had decreased. At the same time, we were having some strong doubts as to whether this alternative treatment had had enough time to actually be effective. After long discussions with his doctors, who obviously strongly advised him to start the treatment as planned on Thursday (24th), we decided to take a two-week hiatus and have another BM biopsy before starting the conventional treatment.

This decision was taken neither lightly nor recklessly. We are perfectly conscious of the fact that we have two small children and our first and foremost responsibility is towards them. That said, the rate at which these cells are multiplying suggest that in two weeks time they should/could have increased by about 10 – 15%, after much thought we decided that this calculated risk was acceptable.

When talking about cancer, alternative therapies can be considered a load of hooey, or not. I’m not going to get into this now, but I will say that both the husband and I strongly believe that when fighting an illness of this magnitude medicine will only get you so far. The patient’s attitude, his outlook, his optimism, his strength and desire to get better are just as, if not more, important than all the chemo in the world. So, for the naysayers, whom I wish to exhort now to please keep their opinions to themselves for the time being, let’s just say he’s taking these two weeks to spend some quality time with his wife and kids before being shut up in a sterile room for several months, and leave it at that. He is taking supplements, and he has changed his diet, he is resting, so that his body will be better prepared for the onslaught of chemicals that may come. He’s recharging his batteries, creating memories to cling to, and enjoying the start of spring, so that, if he does have to go through the conventional treatment, he will at least be more prepared physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Our belief is, of course, that he won’t have to go through the conventional treatment because, as I said, the mind is a powerful thing, and stranger things have happened. Prayers and positive thoughts and energy help too, so will be expecting loads of good vibes from our readers! ;-)