Home from Chemo 6

On the afternoon of Thursday, December 30, friends from Hostmanila kept me company as I was admitted into hospital for my sixth and God-willing, last chemo cycle. Gul was his usual wacky self, and son Jace doubled the fun with his own antics. It was indeed a welcome break from the monotony of hospital procedures.

The doctor took extra precautions, ordering a slow drip or administration of the main chemo agent, which took almost 15 hours to empty into my veins. 

And so it was that in the morning of Friday, December 31, the nurse removed the intravenous drip and it was simply exhilarating! I could not believe it was finally over. And that I could have my life back. =)

New Year’s eve mass at 8:30 p.m. could’ve been better. I felt so weak, but at the same time, duty-bound to give thanks to God Almighty for stringing new miracles for me everyday. I didn’t eat at all, just drank a can of Ensure and took my take-home medicines.

We had a few fireworks for the kids. But mostly, it was the neighbors regaling us with theirs. It was exhausting and I slept until 11 a.m. the next day. 

My taste buds still aren’t working too well, food has no flavor. My fingertips and toes are numb. There’s a dull pain on my right abdomen. Still, I am confident all these are minor inconveniences that shall pass, and the normal workings of my body will come back in due time.

Dr. Joyce of Taytay has been dutifully checking in on me, making sure I get those shots to normalize my blood count. 

Expenses amounted to P71,475.25 for Chemo 6, P65,404.22 for Chemo 5, P71,379.42 for Chemo 4, P61,617.68 for Chemo 3, P55,485 for Chemo 2 and P59,187.25 for Chemo 1. Total expenses for my treatment have reached P384,548.82. 

My children and I give thanks daily for the prospect of complete healing, the promise of full recovery. Gino has even shared with his classmates the good news of the last chemo cycle. It is a milestone, filling us with hope and joy!

I am scheduled for treatment planning for Linear Accelerator radiotherapy on January 11 in The Medical City. Meanwhile, I pray all is well with you, my donors and friends. God’s hand continues to touch me gently through you. His love is forever, His caring whole. 

I am told by those who have been there that radiotherapy is a breeze compared to chemotherapy. I have no doubt that with your love and support, it shall be so.