Well, here we are for the next update on Team Hammond. The second round of Chemo finished on Wednesday, October 14. Mike, at that point was also down to only 12 radiation treatments left. After the treatment on Thursday the 15th, we had a consultation with the Doctor and he was very positive. The tumor is definitely shrinking, Yeah, way to go Team, those prayers are working. In all the rest of this, I am still loosing a little weight, went under 180 for the first time since around third grade somewhere. One of the worst things about coming down off Chemo is that they give you steroids during it. I don't know if they are like the ones that some athletes take, but they can have them, you feel like you are on constant edge, cannot sit still or concentrate on anything. That seems to be wearing down fast today. Well,, this all amounted to too much of a good thing and Sunday, October 18th I went back into the hospital. Jill was finally able to spring me yesterday, Saturday and so here we are once again trying to figure out what train hit us. This one seems mostly caused by diarrhea and dehydration accompanied by an infection and assorted other complaints.
I have now found a new low. The last time it only seemed bad, this time it was close to being unfathomable. I could not seem to find a way out. Every time I got to the bottom and wanted to give up I thought about all of you who have sent cards, emails, phone calls and kept in touch and kept up the prayers. Once again that made all the difference in the world, and God bless you all for doing that. Jill will probably back this up, but I am a stubborn person at times. At first I was hesitant, somewhat to ask for help, well, let me tell you that is gone. I'm busy keeping the Lord going by turning over problems to Him. I will tell you that I am drawing on that well of thoughts and prayers often, there are times when this journey is measured one day at a time. Faith, and knowing there are a lot of people pulling for all of team Hammond, make it easier, to keep moving forward. I will let everyone know when my next, and last chemo session is going to happen as soon as I know, which should be this week. By the way, this Tuesday may well be my last radiation treatment, thanks, from Team Hammond, of which you are all a part.
