Beginnings and Blessings

First, the beginning - today was the start of Dad's chemotherapy treatment.  Driving up to Philadelphia for an 8:00 a.m. appointment prompted Mom to say, "Wilmington traffic isn't looking so bad now..."  With our new-found appreciation for Wilmington, we got set for the first treatment.

It was interesting!  As we've found throughout the Penn system, the nurses and staff were nothing but kind and professional.  We went through the first round of what will most likely be the routine - blood counts, a kidney function test that takes about an hour, then the all-clear and the infusions.  Today, it was a bag of anti-nausea followed by the chemo.  Add in a shot to strengthen Dad's bones and a shot of B12 and he'd been thoroughly poked.  But as a positive, these nurses practice their needlework all day, every day, and made it look (and feel!) easy.  The treatments were made even more comfortable by the power-reclining, heated massage chair with attached television and complimentary drinks and snacks.  Only Dad got the souped up chair...but we all had a chance to visit the "Nutrition" room.

Suzie, one of the nurse practitioners, stopped by to check in.  She shared that the remaining biopsy sample wasn't large enough to perform genomic testing.  However, there's a relatively new blood test that can identify many of the most common gene mutations and avoids the pain and risk of another biopsy.  In fact, it is so new that Dad is their first patient at this location to get it!  Praise the Lord that there's an alternative to another biopsy.

Now, for the blessings....
Suzie also mentioned that she'd call for the results of Dad's brain MRI from Friday.  We stopped by after the treatment to see if she'd received them.  She had - and his brain is clear!  Woo-hoo!  Hallelujah!  While the gamma knife sounds amazing, I'm glad we get to be amazed from a distance.

All in all, a day of thankfulness as we start the next part of this journey.  As you join us in thanksgiving, please also pray that Dad has minimal side effects from today's treatments.

Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! - Psalm 106:1

 Starting the first treatment!