We got the news yesterday morning on my blood work from round five of chemo. On round five and round six we increased the dosage from 165mg to 195mg of Tax. It did kick my butt this last time, so we expected a decrease in the old PSA. No luck. It went up from 12.98 to 13.62. Makes you wonder if the beating is worth it all. It is! We are now talking seriously about
a clinical trial, coming off chemo and prednizone (yes!!!) and changing to a pill every three weeks. I don't have much info yet but I will pass it on when we talk with the oncologist again in three weeks. This trial has been done overseas and the results showed a drop in PSA in 50% of the test subjects. Don't you love being called a "test subject". It reminds me of the movie Elephant Man........"I am not an animal, I'm a man". Anyway, all my other blood work was great, blood pressure is still up some, but I feel this is caused by the anxiety of wanting to know what the PSA is.
I was real down yesterday when we got the news, but phone calls from TC and several friends nipped that right in the bud. The fight goes on. The War Eagle spirit still soars.
Last night our Celebrate Recovery Band played in Sylaguaga, Alabama at a music festival. Big crowd, great crowd. All it took was the first song, "Evermore" by Hillsong United to make all my problems go away. To see 2000 people standing together, outside, at a football stadium, worshiping can only do you good. We will play again this Friday night for a 4th of July gathering at my church, Clear Branch UMC. Pray for strength, we will do a full blown concert of about one hour. It is amazing how when I sing the pain is gone and my worries disapear. Better than any Lortab. We then will sing Sunday night at our prayer service. I will offer up to God all of you for healing and strength. Les this means you too brother, if you don't mind.
I love you all and WE will get through this.
It is time to go, Johnnie is calling. She must be adding to the Honey Do List.
Peace, Love, and a HUGE War Eagle to all,
Walt