A Doctor Who Dispenses HOPE

Ernie's cell samples didn't qualify for oral chemo-even if he took the very expensive daily pills he would not respond to it. No other recourse but to proceed with the conventional intravenous chemo treatment. Just the thought of the word already sends chills down my spine....because of all the dreaded side effects. But I don't question the LORD - I trust in GOD's perfect plan for us.

Our medical oncologist, director of the St Lukes Cancer Institute in QC, and dear friend - Dr Charity Gorospe (Ryan's onco) is God-sent to us. She is one doctor that dispenses not just drugs to heal you but more important HOPE. She is trained and experiences at par if not better than the best oncos in the world. She immediately drew up various treatment protocals with various drug combinations explaining in detail how they work (including side effects) and costs. Chemo drugs best work in combination to confuse cancer cells and leave them defenseless for the kill. If drugs are administered alone, cancer cells quickly recognize them and become ressistant.

Of course the best drug combination is also the most expensive. We chose the best.

Ernie would be given 3 cycles (drug intravenous infusion) every 21 days, then we go for a CT scan to check if the tumors are regressing, and then proceed another 3 cycles of 21 days each and then evaluate again. This should continue indefinitely until :
1. Cancer is eliminated - no sign of active disease
2. Cancer grows resistant in which case  drugs will be changed
3. Ernie's body can't take the side effects of therapy and so drugs will be changed (second line of
    treatment will be adminstered)

Treatment starts Wed next week on a out-patient basis. In the meantime he was injected with Vitamin B complex and is taking high doses of iron folic to prepare his body.

This Bible passage gives me great comfort and I wish you read on :

PSALMS 23 : 1-6
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD;
I HAVE EVERYTHING I NEED.
HE LETS ME REST IN FIELDS OF GREEN GRASS
AND LEADS ME TO QUIET POOLS OF FRESH WATER
HE GIVES ME NEW STRENGTH;
HE GUIDES ME IN THE RIGHT PATHS,
AS HE HAS PROMISED,
EVEN IF I GO THROUGH THE DEEPEST DARKNESS,
I WILL NOT BE AFRAID, LORD
FOR YOU ARE WITH ME.
YOUR SHEPHERDS ROD AND STAFF PROTECT ME
YOU PREPARE A BANQUET FOR ME,
WHERE ALL ME ENEMIES CAN SEE ME;
YOU WELCOME ME AS AN HONORED GUEST
AND FILL MY CUP TO THE BRIM,
I KNOW YOUR GOODNESS AND LOVE WILL BE WITH ME ALL MY LIFE,
AND YOUR HOUSE WILL BE MY HOME AS LONG AS I LIVE

Thank you for praying with me-Olive