Treatment Changed

Yesterday morning while reflecting on my devotion about the endless love of God (Psa. 42:8), I began to think about Harry’s radiation treatment. He was scheduled to begin receiving radiation to his prostate this Wednesday, May 10, for 27 days. "Was" because all that has changed. Around noon Harry received a call from his radiation doctor, suggesting a change to the radiation schedule.

Choosing the best path

As I mentioned, that morning I had reflected on Harry's treatment. My thoughts were not pleasant because I saw Harry at the end of the 27 days of treatment still with cancer. I shook those thoughts off because I did not want to begin to think in that direction.

The doctor evidently had those same thoughts. During his phone call, he expressed his concern that the radiation treatment may not destroy all the cancer. He said because of Harry's previous radiation several years ago on his hip, because of the aggressive nature of the cancer, because of the high probability that the radiation will damage surrounding tissue, because of the positioning of the tumor, he wanted to take his time and get all the cancer. Therefore, he recommended that instead of 27 treatments, 44 treatments would be a better option for Harry. He felt that rushing and using such a strong dose of radiation each time would not have the best results. 

Harry and I agreed to the 44 treatments. That means instead of five and a half weeks, he will receive nine weeks of radiation. Each dose will be a smaller dose of radiation and will allow the radiologist to focus more on the diseased areas.

When Harry was first diagnosed with cancer, his oncologist told us she would be working to extend Harry's life. We praise God that over the years each doctor seem to have that same goal. Thank you, Dr. Shinde for your reevaluation of Harry's radiation treatment. Thank you God for sending the doctors we need. And thank you for your prayers.