Naproxen

One pill?  12 hours of relief?   

We'll see!!

Seven Down, ONE to Go!!

Light at the End of the Tunnel

Today was long, but I did well.  I just feel a little tired tonight.  Thank you so much for the prayers.  I have only one more chemo treatment to go!  YAY!!!

All my blood work looks great!!  My red blood counts are better, but still quite a bit lower than normal.  The doctor says this is normal after getting off the Adriamycin, and it will continue to improve each week.    :-)

I was told to wait until after radiation to do my juice fast/detox.  My liver and kidney numbers look great, so he doesn't think I should be concerned about detoxing so quickly after chemo.  I still may do it, but moderately.  I want to see my nails, feel, hands, and hair restored.

Good Week

I am having a pretty good week.  I still have pain, but it's not bad enough to warrant pain medicine during the day.  I realize it will be a while before I feel like my old self - probably even a year after all treatment is complete.  I've heard conflicting opinions about the effects of radiation therapy.  Some say it's a "breeze" while others say it will leave you feeling exhausted.  I'm optimistic.  I think it will be better than chemo.  Come to think of it, the people who said it was exhausting didn't have to have chemo; while those who had chemo said it was a "breeze".  Hmmm...  Round 7 is Thursday.  Bring it on!

"On Christ, the solid rock, I stand

all other ground is sinking sand.

All other ground is sinking sand."

Recent Photos

Okay, so I felt a little brave this evening.  Here is some rare footage of me without my head coverings.

Terry and Me...Trading Places - He's so silly!

Glass Half Full

People usually dwell on the many negatives of chemotherapy, but I’d like to list my TOP 5 BENEFITS of undergoing chemotherapy.

#5 – Family members are more likely to help with housework, often without even asking.

#4 – Saying “I don’t feel like cooking tonight” is not frowned upon.

#3 – Frequent visitors!!

#2 – Sense of helplessness equals greater dependence on God. It’s comforting to rest in His arms, knowing that He’s in complete control.

#1 – Nothing beats the summer heat like a bald head under the A/C!!

Have a wonderful week! I certainly intend to. :-)

I'm So Happy

I had my 6th round of chemotherapy today.  I only have 2 more left!!  Isn't that wonderful???  The day was very long, but I see the light at the end of the tunnel.

• My blood work looked good (iron is still low, but I'm working on that).
• My heart and lungs sounds clear.
• My liver and kidney numbers look good.
• Blood pressure and temperature are great.

All in all, Dr. T. thinks I'm coasting toward the end of chemo treatments with no problems at all.  The pain is the only problem, but it's only a temporary side effect - like all the others.  Dr. T. prescribed a steroid to take the edge off the pain tomorrow and following.  I haven't decided yet if I'll take it.  I don't like feeling bloated and I certainly don't want to LOOK boated either.  He encouraged me to not be afraid of taking pain meds.  He said I 'don't have to be in pain all day'.  Still, I'd rather endure the pain in order to preserve my organs.  I know... that 's just me.  :-)

"I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High." - Psalm 9:2

My Anthem

This song has always been a favorite of mine, but now, it takes on a whole new meaning.  I call this my anthem.

In Christ Alone
By Stuart Townsend

 

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt of life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

Doing Better Today

Today was the first day that I did not have extreme pain.  The pain was only dull today, so I'm a thankful girl!!  Despite the body aches, I had a pretty busy week.  I registered the girls for school this week and got everything in order for next week - our first week of school.  I even did some light shopping this week.  :-(  Anyone who knows me well knows that I do NOT like shopping.  Pain or no pain, life goes on, right?  However, there were a couple of meetings I didn't attend because I was just too tired.  By evening, the pain worsens and all my good intentions fly right out the window.

Treatment #6 (can you believe it?) will be next week.  I'm starting to see the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel.  I know radiation therapy and reconstruction still awaits but I hear they're SOOOO much easier than chemo.  Either way, God has brought me this far, so I know I can make it through.  Hey, thanks for sharing this journey with me by the way.  ((hug))

New Treatment Schedule

Now that I'm on the Taxol for four rounds, I am also receiving Herceptin for almost a year.  I received my first dose of Herceptin last Thursday with my chemo treatment and will have an infusion every week until I finish chemo.  After that, I will receive Herceptin every 3 weeks for a year.  So, tomorrow, I go back to the clinic for blood work and another dose of Herceptin.

After I complete chemo (September 9th is my LAST treatment...YAY!!), I will rest for three weeks, then visit with Dr. T to schedule my radiation treatments.  Hopefully, I will be able to have radiation treatments at Baptist Collierville.  That would be so much more convenient since I'll be going every day.  After six weeks of radiation, I can schedule my reconstruction surgery if my skin isn't too damaged from the radiation.

Still a long road ahead, but I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.  Today, I ran a few errands here in C'ville.  It was so very hot, but I got them done.  I came home, shed the turban, and took a nap!  I'm aching too badly to be at church right now, but I certainly plan to attend Sunday morning.  I knew this summer would be like none other, but I've made it.  School starts next week.  More changes... 

Pain and Praise

Yes, indeed, the chemo drugs are very different.  This one doesn't make me feel as "yucky", but boy do I hurt!!  It's like I've been in a car accident and I hurt whenever I'm not medicated.  This is not good for me since I don't like taking medicine - especially on top of the chemo drugs!  Yet, this is my plight, at least for now.  The pain seems to be mainly in my bones.  Even when I'm still, I can sometimes feel the pain moving through my bone marrow.  Please continue to pray for me.

My spirits, however, are still good.  I'm getting so close to finishing this chemo.  That encourages me so much!  My mother is still here with me week in and week out.  What a doll!  My church family and my homeschool family are so generous and kind.  The meals may seem like small acts of kindness, but they really do help financially as well.  I am so thankful for each of you.  I'm especially grateful for those of you who are praying for me.  I can still feel the prayers.  I know that they are sustaining me through this.  God is so good!