Today was a triple whammy and it started early as we had a 20-minute walk to Rush from our apartment this morning.

Suzanne had her first Radiation treatment this morning. Relatively quick, the treatment lasts only about 30 minutes. They then presented our schedule for the remaining treatments and except for the next couple of days, they are all at 7:20 am. Who told them we were farmers?

Next, we were off for her 1st Chemotherapy treatment. A 4+ hour process that first involves IV fluids & Nausea meds; then the Chemo treatment itself, and then more IV fluids. More nausea meds were prescribed as we caught the hint of this major symptom. When she was finally done around 4:30 pm, we walked back to our luxury apartment.

The third leg of the whammy actually occurred earlier in the day when we met with one of her doctors where he explained the final piece of the cancer pathology we had been waiting for. Her particular cancer is not the preferred HPV related Squamous cell cancer. This doesn’t mean that the treatment changes, it’s just that the outcome statistics are a little less optimistic. A shock and disappointment to us both as we were more than upbeat and positive going into today.

Now the fight begins to cure this cancer and to keep both our spirits positive. There is nothing more important in my mind than the mental attitude that this is beatable and to keep the forward drive for healing positive.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9