Last Chemo Treatment!!

I truly can't believe this time has come!  When I began this journey in March, September 20 seemed SO far away! This treatment was, of course, worse than the last.  I had trouble with nausea, my hands, my feet and my throat.  Everything is a little better, but my feet and hands are still numb.  I thought typing this would help exercise my hands and make them feel better.  It really hasn't helped.  :(  
I really feel better each day and thank the Father for his grace and love.  I thought it was wonderful when my doctor told me that I had tolerated this chemo better than any other patient he had. That was such a blessing!   I knew it was because of all of you loving prayer warriors!
‎"Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments." - Deuteronomy 7:9

Chemo - Next to last treatment!!

This treatment went better than the last!  They gave me a nausea pill before the treatment even began, then I took two in the next two days.  It helped the nausea, but it was still pretty bad.  It took until today for the nausea to die down.  The biggest thing now is the numbness of my hands and feet. My hands are a little better, but my feet are still numb up to the middle of my calf. It's still very difficult to swallow, too. I was warned these side effects could happen, and I know so well it could be SO much worse!   I am so very thankful for how the Father is continually bringing me through this and growing me in Him!
  
Thank you for all the prayers, calls, cards, food, etc.!!  Each one has been such a blessing.


Ephesians 2:10 God has made us what we are, and in our union with Christ Jesus he has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do. (GNT)

Chemo - Number 10

All right, let's hear a cheer!  Only TWO more to go!  I went in last Tuesday, some blood counts were up, and no problems with starting the chemo.  The session seemed the same as always, and then right after they finished the chemo and put the pump in the vomiting began.  Nausea was very bad this time.  My throat is still giving me problems, it was a lot worse this time, hands still bothering me.  They told me from now on, it would get worse, and it did!  But, I always look around at that Cancer Center and realize I am blessed and I could have it so much worse!  So thankful for all your prayers!!  

Psalm 62:1-2 says "My soul waits in silence for God only; from Him is my salvation.  He only is my ROCK and my salvation, my STRONGHOLD ; I shall not be greatly shaken."

Chemo - Number 9 (August 9)

Sorry this is so late, I haven't been able to get internet lately.  This session wasn't too bad.  Counts were still low, but they went ahead and gave me the chemo.  I had barely any nausea or throat problems, the Father knew I needed a break.  

Thank you so much for all the prayers!!

Chemo - Number 8

This session was a bit tough (nausea, weakness, etc.).  I can't understand it, because they had to lessen the dosage a little because my red and white blood cell count was low. The doctor said everything else looked okay.  I finally felt like a person again around last Friday, but very weak.  I am just now writing this because my hands are truly bothering me.  It's tough to do normal things. My throat is still a pain - it's really getting hard to swallow and eat certain things.  So, lately the food choice has been - is it too tough to swallow, not is it what I want.

Thank you so much for the prayers! I really feel everyone of them!!  I would ask if you would specifically pray for my throat (swallowing), and my hands - that I would be able to use them. Also, please pray hard that my blood counts have gone up and I can have the chemo on next Tuesday, Aug. 9.  If they are too low, I can't have chemo and will have to wait another week for them to go up.  I want to get this over with, not wait.  I am so very blessed, this whole thing could be so much worse, I have witnessed how bad it can get.  You all are so wonderful to keep praying me on in this journey, and I am so grateful to each one of you!!

"If you have surrendered yourself to Christ, your present circumstances that seem to be pressing so hard against you are the perfect tool in the Father's hand to chisel you into shape for eternity.  So trust Him and never push away the instrument He is using, or you will miss the result of His work in your life."~Streams in the Desert

Strange and difficult indeed

We may find it,

But the blessing that we need

Is behind it.

The school of suffering graduates exceptional scholars.~L.B. Cowman

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Chemo - Part 7

Number seven is a bit monumental.  I am now over halfway done!  Over the hump!  On the downhill side! Only five more to go!  You get the idea. 
This treatment was a little tougher.  Each one gets a little tougher than the last one, just like I was told.  They did say it got rid of "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly".  The nurses are so awesome, and they try new things each time to ward off the nausea. I was still nauseated, just not as much. I got to go to the church softball game that night, so that was a praise! 
I have a request.  I could not be making it through all of this without your prayers!  Please keep praying for my mouth and throat.  It is very difficult to swallow.  My hands still have the neuropathy and keep cramping up. These side effects don't get better until I get the pump out, so usually on Friday they start to lessen. 
I realized this week just how blessed I am!  So many of my friends and acquaintances are having horrible problems with chemo.  I have problems, but nothing compared to theirs!  I know the Father is bringing me through this for a greater blessing! Again, I would really appreciate prayer specifically for my throat, because I want to continue to sing in our church praise team and choir and glorify Him.  That is the one thing I keep praying for, that I will continue to be able to stand up and praise the Father through song!
Psalm 73:23-26 "Yet I still belong to You; You hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire You more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever." What great comfort we have in knowing God is holding our hand through it all. All else can fail us, but God is our strength forever.

Chemo #6 - Halfway Point!

Last Tuesday, June 28, was the halfway point!  I was not able to jump up and down, so I was doing it on the inside!  :)  I saw the doctor, and everything looked good, except I'm still losing all my iron, even after taking more.  He told me chemo takes all the iron your body has, and then some.  I thought it was funny, because when he walked in to the room, he commented, "I thought you looked a little anemic standing up there singing last Sunday morning."  I'm so thankful to know people are looking out for me!  So, I'm working on iron supplementing.  The chemo went well.  The nurse began the nausea medication even earlier than last time, and I didn't get nauseated until late that night.  I was even able to go watch the church softball team play that evening!  Praise! Of course, the pump came out on Thursday, and that always helps the nausea a bit. 
My throat is getting worse, just as they said.  It's hard to swallow, and my mouth keeps alternating between being too dry, and having too much mucus. (Sorry if that's too much information.)  My hands are becoming more and more sensitive to cold.  They cramp, sting and ache.  My feet sometimes react to cold, also. The nausea continues, as always.  Once again, I would never want any of you to think I am complaining. I could be so much worse. It's just that I had no idea what chemo patients went through, and I feel it would help you to know what is involved, and also how to pray.  I know this journey has been such a learning time for me as I have seen others go through chemo.  I praise the Father for each new day.  Thank you for praying for me!

"Don't wait for God to answer your prayers. The purpose of prayer is not to get answers, but to get to know God! Every answer to prayer will be followed by other requests. We think: “If this or that would just happen, then I’d be fulfilled.” Yet, even miracles will leave you dissatisfied if you don’t turn your attention back to God. It’s a great seduction! I fell into it for years. Only one out of the ten lepers Jesus healed came back to thank Him. (Luke 17:17–18) Nine out of ten never looked back. Don't obsess over what you don’t have; rejoice in every morsel God provides, and more will come. He’s a loving Father who promises to give us everything we need."
Francis Anfuso