CTCA

Cancer Treatment Centers of America is a fantastic place to receive treatment for cancer. It is truly patient focused. They actually use a holistic approach although this approach centers around toxic drugs. it's a relaxing place to recover.

I appreciate being able to go to CTCA. It’s an experience filled with mixed emotions. It’s like a healing resort – beautiful grounds, comforting facility  intentionally decorated to lift ones' spirit, soothing color scheme, carpeted hallways and offices, open spaces,  a player piano in the lobby, friendly, supportive staff,  fabulous cafeteria with many organic foods, body/hair salon, smoothie bar, Starbucks café, rooftop seating, chapel, library, exercise room, etc. etc.

I have met many people each with their unique stories.  There is a mix of happy and sad stories.

This cancer disease is such a mystery. Many stories contain the words – they got it all. Then it came back. This is a plague that the medical field still can’t quite completely understand or treat successfully.

I see familiar faces each time I return. Some have changed – the skin color is more yellow or gray, people losing weight, people in wheel chairs, more hunched over, frail, etc. I wonder if I will be like that in the future. Going through the fight of cancer, while the body is slowing failing. Ughhh.

I am so very grateful that I feel good. I am gaining weight (because of my overindulgences I am sure). My tumor marker has come done a little since my last visit. It was 294 and now it is 255. It’s slow, but the downward trend is positive. The doctor still wants me to do a few more chemo treatments, but we decided to do avastin only this time. We will see what my blood work looks like after this treatment and figure out is I should stay on avastin only or return to chemo. It’s nice to have break from chemo. I return to the center after Thanksgiving.

Please pray for the many people who I have met here. So many women who are single and going through this alone. It breaks my heart. I don’t think I could do this alone.

One single lady I met belongs to a large church in Oregon and they have only been to visit her once. No one has organized meals for her, help with yard work, or someone to look in on her each week. I just want to invite her to move in with us and let us love her through basic needs. I pray the body of Christ will see the needs of the hurting people right inside their church or neighborhood and begin serving them.