Consultations continued throughout July. We took the advice of friends and neighbors, and sought a second opinion from an oncologist at MD Anderson Cancer Center in the Medical Center of Houston. Though we knew the monster was Melanoma--the deadliest form of skin cancer--no one could locate its origin. We learned that Melanoma can originate anywhere in or on the body: nail beds, eyes, in the mouth, or anywhere else. So we traversed the maze of halls and elevators and signs and doors and waiting rooms at MDA to consult with dermatologists, opthamologists, dentists.
With no answers to the 'where is it?' Steve's oncologist assured us that a small percentage of cases were like this--Amelanotic, he said. Was it the suspicious mole that had been removed from his collarbone in 1973? Who knew. At this point, it was time for a treatment plan for Steve's Late Stage III Amelanotic Melanoma.
BTW--We learned that cancers are identified by stages. Link here to a site that's very informative and specific to Melanoma.
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| We met with Dr. Plager and he laid out the plan. |
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| Step One Biochemotherapy would include 5 drugs: biological agents interleukin and interferon would kick Steve's immune system into high fighting mode; chemicals dacarbazine, cisplatin, and vinblastine would destroy all fast-dividing cells. Cancer is a fast-dividing mutation of cells, but so is hair, normal skin, and the healthy linings of stomach and intestine, among others. |
Steve would be admitted to MD Anderson for 7 days of biochemotherapy. (I would realize later that this special floor of the hospital was like an intensive care unit for patients who were all receiving some form of this treatment. Seven days, 24 hours a day. Especially attentive nurses and technicians. Some of the chemicals that dripped through Steve's iv's were so caustic that the tubing was routinely replaced every several days.)
After his 7-day hospital stay, Steve would be released to 'rest' for 14 days. Rest included keeping close track of temperature for signs of infection, trying to eat, and making trips several times a week for blood draws to monitor precarious blood counts. Then, back to the hospital for another round.
Dr. Plager wanted Steve to stay in Houston for the duration of his biochemotherapy. He shouldn't be so far away from the hospital during this time. That would mean a minimum of 6 weeks away from home in Chappell Hill. While that would have been an added challenge for many cancer patients, God had already provided in two very different ways.
First--Remember my Type A+ driver husband who couldn't stand the thought of a daily 3 hour commute when we moved to the country? He had rented and stayed in an apartment in town in our old neighborhood close to work. His apartment was less than ten minutes straight shot west of parking garage #10 attached to MD Anderson. His familiar recliner, television, bed, a sufficient kitchen--all were in place before we knew we would need them to fight cancer.
Second--Young Son would be starting his junior year of high school, and, though he had a driver's license and access to wheels, we weren't ready to let him fly solo for 6 weeks or more 90 miles away in Washington County. We explained our situation to Young Son's best friend's parents. Before they even knew all the details, including how long it might be, they heartily volunteered to 'adopt' Young Son. They were willing to keep him under their wings for as long as it was needed--no questions asked.
Some may think that these details are nice coincidence. "Isn't it great the way things just fall together like that?" they might say. "How lucky for you that Steve had that apartment." "What nice friends." I don't believe things just 'fall together' like that. I see God's provision. His guiding hand. His fingerprints are all over the details of life. Luck had nothing to do with any of this. I believe God knows the end from the beginning. His mercy and grace protected us and provided just what we needed before we were even aware of the need.
In my next post, I'll finish with the rest of Dr. Plager's treatment plan and other pre-treatment preparations. But for now, I just want to remember how big God felt to me then, and how He demonstrated His care in such tangible ways.
