Is this what it feels like to be a real cancer patient?

My first radiation therapy was Friday on a tumor in my spinal column that is pinching nerves and one in my pelvis also causing pain. Afterward the nurse suggested I take an anti-nausea pill "just in case". I did. She left and the doctor came in. After a few minutes I asked her if the nausea side effect was just that or could it turn into vomiting? She said just nausea. A minute or so later I asked if I did have to throw up where would she like me to do it?  She looked at me, as if to say "Really, I just said that wouldn't happen", but she could see I was serious so she handed me a plastic trash can which I promptly filled!

The doctors involved indicated that the pain might get worse before it got better and they were right! I was amazed. Thanks to Oxycodone for pain relief and an anti-nausea medicine along with ginger bread, ginger ale, ginger chicken, etc., we have made it through. I think this must be more like what real cancer patients go through. The past few years I have been blessed with cancer side effects light.

We have one more radiation session this coming Wednesday and start infusions of Keytruda and GR-MD-02, a Galectin Inhibitor - it sounds like a new Star Wars weapon to restrict the inhabitants of the Galectin Star System. Early on we were told that Keytruda was seeing 40% success rates. Which is true: 40% get positive responses to the infusions but only 15% have complete response and something less than that are durable. But, some are durable! We hope to be in that group!!

Thank you for your faith, prayers and good thoughts. We are sending them back to you as well.

With Love, Faith, Hope and Gratitude,
Mark and Ane