Dear family and friends,
What an adventure!  I thought the first round of chemo I got in 2010 was challenging! The BiTe clinical trial is much more trying.  A "trying" trial!  Sounds like a poem is brewing....

A trying trial

A cancerous ordeal

filled with lessons and tests

and unpleasant sensations 
to feel

Some days I smile

and others,
 not

Today, for example,
 is a

 chocolate bar day

Fiendishly fraught

Oh how I wish I could get one 
and not get caught!

But can't go to the gift shop 
where they lie on the shelf

Without passing the nurses' station 
like a mischievous elf

nor can I go to my car

Or leave my room 

for the dark chocolate bar

So it's chocolate-less gloom

My one task, the one thing to do

Is allow this drug to work 

Not a candy bar bought  

But a pottential cure
 is prayerfully sought

Through the bag that drips

a medicine with

long letters indeed

Blinatumomab, are you what I need?

If I step into the hallway 

The nurses the nurses become taut

They are strict about

microbial creatures

being caught

So I stare out the window

with about 8 more days to go

and fill my mind with visions

of days not long ago

How I took them for granted

the gentle carefree past

when cells were just normal

and health seemed to last

I dream of my friends

and delicious sugary treats 

(a thing of  the past)

No concerns about cancer

But bodily health

that would last and last ....'

Cancer ain't no BLAST

I'm telling you like it is!

Even those baby white cells,

known as BLASTS

When I heard their name

I was aghast!  ....they multiply so FAST!

Shoving all other cells

out of the way (as if they have no say!)

Though a powerful healing light

seems to keep them at bay

I could go on and on

but for now, this is all I'll say 

My only task, the only thing to "do" is 

to meditate and pray!

So my dear friends,

please join me in prayer

that all those strong powerful

good cells

weed out the bad

sending them somewhere

so I can be glad

and resume my playful life

of  laughter and good cheer

May 2014 be the year!!!!!

AMEN