We have been in New York for two weeks now - boy how time flies when you look back at it. We have had our moments where we are counting down the seconds, but most of the time we find ourselves at the end of the day hoping we accomplished all that we needed to.
So, the protocol that I am on for the summer is a three week cycle, repeated indefinitely. The first day of the cycle I take two chemo drugs: the new drug they are testing and an existing drug used in my type of cancer treatment. Days 2 - 5 of the cycle, I get just the existing drug (which I was taking in Utah). Days 6 - 21, you recover from days 1-5. Patients sometimes need a platelet transfusion. Their white blood cell count will drop for a day or two then bounce back up.
I started a cycle two Mondays ago. I didn't need any transfusions, but my white blood cell count was basically 0 for a couple of days. I am feeling better now. The major side effect so far was a stomach cramp on Day 1. We will pay attention on the next cycle and see if it happens again. It wiped me out for the day.
We are exploring New York between medical appointments and work. There are so many people in Manhattan. There is something new around every corner.
We have been able to attend church in the chapel that is in the same building as the Manhattan Temple. The members are very kind and friendly. We look forward to getting to know them better. Some of the members are letting us borrow some office and kitchen items for the hotel room, so Angela can teach piano, I can work more easily, and so we can prepare more meals here at the hotel. Everything is very expensive around here.
We are so thankful to you all. We feel the power of your prayers and your constant love and support. We know that Heavenly Father's miracles abound at this time. We hope to spread his love while we are here. It is sometimes hard to know how to meet a need you see, but we know Heavenly Father will guide us as we act on our desires to help others.
May Heavenly Father bless you all.
-Doug-
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