Tuesday, January 29, 2008

New treatment regimen

Thank you all for praying so much for us and for responding on our blog to assure us of your doing so. It is always an anxious time as we wait to see what the doc is going to do next. So many unanswered questions, so much wondering how the next regimen will alter our lives and how I will be feeling in the months to come. But now all of the waiting and unanswered questions are over and we now know what we face.
The doc has put together a regimen similar to what I went through last spring but with different ingredients. The chemotherapy is called Irenotecan (eye-rye-no-TEE-can-). The cancer "Targeted" medicine is called Vectibix (vek-te-biks-). It is not chemotherapy it is a medicine that specifically targets cancer cells and KILLS THEM! HA, HA, TAKE THAT YE DOGS OF DISEASE! Sorry, I get excited about killing cancer. It's a strange passion of mine.
There is another agent involved called 5-fu and it is a chemotherapy that blasts cancer cells when combined with another agent (I forget the name ... sorry, I have failed you) and helps the 5-fu to bind itself to the cancer cells. It is not cancer specific in that it kills other normal cells that resemble cancer cells.
Normal body cells such as hair, skin, mouth and stomach cells are like cancer cells in that they are all rapidly dividing cells. The difference is that normal body cells know when to stop dividing and die off and are replaced by other cells waiting to go through the same process.
Cancer cells, however, divide quickly and do not know when to stop and will continue to divide until they have formed a cancer tumor. From there the cells continue to divide and grow the tumor until it is stopped, removed or has taken over a bodily organ completely. Am I boring you yet? You can read and research what these agents will do to the cancer and my body at Chemocare.com.
Here is how it will be administered. I will go in on Tuesdays for about a 4 hour treatment and go home with a chemo pump that will shoot shots of chemo into by body in certain time intervals until I get back to the clinic on Wednesday. They will unhook the pump, give me another treatment, hook me up to the pump again for the evening and unhook me on Thursday which will complete the treatment. I will repeat this treatment every 2 weeks.
Doc said "we're really going to get after this cancer and try to put the hurt on it". I said "does this mean that these treatments are pretty aggressive?" and he said "yes, we have to stay on top of this while the tumors are stable and the marker is rising". I said "well, alright, let's get started". So, as usual we left the examination room with a laugh and "I'm praying for ya, Doc. We're both in God's hands. You are His instrument and I'm His project". He just chuckles and shakes his head ... AND SENDS ME TO THE TREATMENT ROOM!!! So not fair!
Well, that's all for now. Thank you so much for your love, responses (which brighten our days so much) and most of all your prayers that strengthen us for the many battles in the days to come. We are so blessed to have God and His people going before us every day and leveling the battle ground in our favor.
God bless you all,

Warren, Tana, and precious children.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

We are constantly checking your blog to check in with you all. thanks for the newsie update. It helps us to know how to pray better. You continue to constantly be in our thoughts and prayers.We will specifically be praying for you on those treatment days. May God continue to provide you with His strength,healing and grace.
Kris and Gretch

Ruthy said...

I will pass this on to my prayer partners. Thanks SO much for the encouragement and the update. =0) You are being used!

Ruthy Horner

Anonymous said...

Pastor Warren and Tana: thank you so much for the update. You are continually in my prayers and thoughts. this is a verse I have been claiming in my prayers for you Psalm 37: 4. I do hope you will have more energy in the days to come with this new treatment. I know this cold weather does not help any of us. As Always in prayer Randi

Anonymous said...

Warren and Tana, thanks for letting us know what will be happening. We will coninue to pray for wisdom for the Dr. and strength for you both as you go thorough this next chapter in "Killing Those Cancer Cells."
Take care and lots of hugs,
Dave & Sharon Rist (WBC)
1 Peter 1:3-9

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the great explanation - it helps on how to pray and helps our wondering hearts - often throughout most every day we wonder what is "up" with each one of you. We pray whenever you "pop" into our minds. The kids add you in at most every mealtime and at "family bible" in the evenings. We love you "vicariously" and it is good to get news. Thanks for your strong faith which constantly strengthens us.

Ryan and crew

Anonymous said...

Pastor Warren and Tana-and 3 precious ones; We were just checking today to see how to more specifically pray. We will pray the medication is on its targeted course to those cells and makes them stop their replication. We are also praying for good health for all 5 of you, especially during the recent changes of the weather. We love you!

Anonymous said...

We checked your blog today and we are thankful that your doctor has a new treatment plan for you. We will be praying that it will be effective and that you will be able to tolerate the chemo.Audrey saw her doctor today and she got a good report ; her tumor markers stayed the same as the last time they were taken which is good news because they stopped her treatments 3 weeks ago . Tomorrow she starts chemo again ; she is on CPT11 but this time they are going to lower the dosage by 40% to see if she can tolerate it better .God bless you and your precious family ; we pray for you daily...Audrey & Manley

Schoonover Family said...

I know I have said it before, but we pray for you every day, and we make sure that the boys pray for you every night. Brian also has the teens at church praying for you each week. God is in control, and He is going to have a great victory in this!

Anonymous said...

Sounds rough. Makes me realize that I have absolutely nothing to complain about. I will definitely pray for you. Glad to have specific direction too and thanks for the explanation of how your chemo will work. You and Tanna are most assuredly running the race with patience that has been set before you. What a great testimony the two of you have been. Thank you. If you do lose all your hair during this regimen, then maybe, just maybe you will end up being as good looking as I am!

Anonymous said...

Wow - Maybe you should write a book! Your journey would be so encouraging for others. Thank you for your work, words, and updates. We think of you all often and will continue to pray! All is well at the Knopp household. Today was cleaning day and sledding, and just a little bit of the Superbowl - which was actually exciting there at the end!

Betty 'Rie said...

Thanks for the update! I love your passion for killing those cancer cells. You just keep at it! We'll be praying!

Anonymous said...

Hey, sweetcheeks!!! We are prayin' for ya! Kick that cancer's rear and I mean now!!!

Anonymous said...

Good evening Pastor Warren and Tana Have just helped Amelia to bed a while ago and prayed specifically for God to direct the different medication regimens and aid them in reaching their targets and thus reaching their goals. We are also praying for your and Tana's strength and humor, a return of vigor after the administration of chemotherapy, as well as good health for the entire family. We will be in touch soon. I would like to borrow the girls again soon!

Anonymous said...

Hi our dear kids,
What a blessing to read all the wonderful assurances of prayers that so many send. It brings tears to our eyes and a great encouragement to our hearts. I can't tell you how many people assured me of their prayers last night at church, One dear lady told me she prays every day for the two of you. You know that Dad and I pray several times each day, as well, for the grace and strength and healing power of God. This is an unbelievable journey we all our on, and my, how God has provided! Thanks Warren for the great explanation of everything. We love you all dearly. Hope to see you soon. Love, Mother Psalm 91
Thanks to all those who encourage us all with their notes, especially that Minnesota coach.

Anonymous said...

Warren and Tana:
Thank you for your visit to Hope's Point. I know that many people were touched by your testimony and encouragement. Anita and I will be praying for you and your family as you press on.
Warren, I just wanted to thank you for putting up with us "kids" back in the day. What a great mentor and testimony.
Nathan & Anita Sipes

Anonymous said...

Happy Valentines Day. I wanted to tell you I think the kid's pictures are adorable on this site. I hope you are not suffering to the extent you were on this new treatment. Your Dr. is receiving lots of prayers through you.

Anonymous said...

Just thinking of you and your family today. We are praying specifically for the medication to reach its target and do its work for you. We are also praying for strength and good health for all 5 of you!

Kelly said...

Every time that I get check your blog I am humbled. You are facing the fight of your life and you are doing it with such grace. What a challenge you have been to me.
You are in our prayers as well as Tana and the kids.
We are headed to a new church so we will enlist the prayers of them as well. We love you all!

Anonymous said...

Hey Pastor Warren and family. I heard about your blog through a friend & was just checking. I know of you through the Bible Baptist church & your time there. Just want you to know that you and your family are in our thoughts & prayers. We know your fight is not easy but hang in there. We will be thinking & praying for you. Take care.

John & Alissa McKinney & kids.