Chemo Continues - Part Five

Last Tuesday's treatment was mostly routine.  The chemo began and ended well.  This time, they started a stronger nausea medicine in the IV before they finished the chemo and put the pump in.  That medication really helped me to not be as nauseated as in the past!  Praise!  I am now struggling with the hand neuropathy.  I tried to make my own turkey sandwich a few minutes ago, but had to have help because it was cold.  I'm learning to use the gloves every time I get in the fridge, not just sometimes like I used to. (They're garden gloves that a sweet friend gave me who has been through this.) My legs cramped quite a bit this time.  I have now developed a metallic taste in my mouth.  I have been warned and expected all of these side effects, it's just one more thing to adjust to!  All this could be so much worse.  I truly praise the Father for sustaining me through this journey.  You know this was FIVE down, and SEVEN to go!  I'm almost halfway there! 

"God has a divine purpose for every challenge that comes into our lives. Trials test our character and help shape our faith."

"He only is my Rock and my Salvation; He is my Defense and my Fortress, I shall not be moved." - Psalm 62:6

Chemo - Part Four

This session was not as "nauseating" as the third one.  When I explained to the doctor how the third chemo treatment had gone, he gave me a very powerful nausea medication.  I really don't remember the day I was at the cancer center or the day after.  I was totally out!  That was good in a lot of ways - no pain, I just slept through everything!  It really was better to be sleeping than vomiting.  Each time my throat takes a little longer to feel "normal" again.  Swallowing is an experience!  The neuropathy in my hands has gotten worse - now when I accidentally touch anything cold, it's like a shock or a sting...very strange.  I have to put gloves on if I want to get in the fridge.  I want you to understand that I am not complaining about any of this.  I am writing this so you can understand and know how to pray.  I could be SO much worse!!  I am thankful to the Father for all He has done, and all I am learning on this journey!  I am one third of the way through!!

"I do not know your trials or your frustrations, beloved. I can't know what might be troubling you or making you anxious. But God knows those things. What you don't understand, what you feel unable to cope with can be overcome moment by moment if you will live by faith and walk in communion with Him. When you do so, you'll find yourself able to declare with Habbakkuk, "The Lord God is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds' feet, and makes me walk on my high places. Habakkuk 3:19. When you doubt, when iniquity abounds, when you want to question God, there are two things you need to do. First, run immediately into the ever-open arms of your omnipotent, sovereign Father. In faith, fling yourself into all that He is, into all that He has said. Do not attempt to handle life in your own strength. Instead, live by faith.
Second, rejoice in Him. In a sense, rejoicing activates your faith. When you fling yourself in faith into all that God is and into all His Word says, when you rejoice in Him in the face of every circumstance, then you'll know His strength. It's a strength that will enable you to walk with hinds' feet of faith on high places. Hinds' feet do not slip.
So exult in the Lord, beloved. Rejoice in the God of your salvation. Remember, He is able to deliver you from and through--any difficulty of life. He will be your strength and give you hinds' feet on high places.
Father, You are my strength, the One in whom I trust. Direct my footsteps today. Keep me from slipping or stumbling. Help me to live by faith as I walk in sweet fellowship with You. In Jesus Name, Amen."
Kay Arthur

Chemo - Part Three

I apologize that it's taken me a while to write something.  I've been a little busy being nauseated.  Well, I think they lied!! I'm sure they didn't mean to lie when they said the side effects are worse than the nausea.  I'm sure that's true with other people.  Just not me - just not after the third treatment.  You know that feeling when you're REALLY sick and you've already vomited all there is in your stomach, then your stomach can't get the message to your throat that there's nothing left....well, you get the picture. I don't want to make you have to run to the bathroom.  :)  That was my world for six days straight after chemo part three.  This week has been better, I have been able to eat.  I don't care for the fact I'm getting weaker.  I can't carry my granddaughter around.  That's a bummer.  Thankfully, I can still sit and hold her.  But I am truly blessed.  I have such caring, loving family and friends around me.  Most of all, I have their prayers lifting me up daily.  I absolutely could not do without that!!  Tomorrow will be the fourth chemo treatment, then I will be one third of the way through this journey!!  Yay!!  That will be four down and eight to go!!  I can do this!!

Chemo - Part Deux

SIDE EFFECTS!?!  I'll get to that in a minute.  This chemo/visit went very smooth.  I waited a short while before the blood test to make sure I could take the chemo.  Again, as I sat there, I was struck by the words swirling around me - terminal, inoperable, a dad on the phone with his son telling him the cancer had returned, all such sad words.  I just prayed for those people.  Then they called me back to talk with the doctor.  He said my blood work looked good, so we could proceed.  Then he made a statement, "The side effects of this regimen are considerably more and will probably bother you more than the nausea."  Okay, I was ready - all prayed up and had a ton of people praying for me!  I was then called back to the chemo area.  The nurses there are so precious and caring!  I got all settled into my "nest" with my books and phone, I even watched TV for awhile.  When I took out the Build-a-bear Braedyn and Baecca made for me, the nurse loved it and had to show all the other nurses.  When you squeeze his paw, it's Braedyn's voice recorded saying, "I love you, Nana!"  It goes with me to every treatment.  Everything went well, and it took about 3 hours.  Then they put the pump in for the second medication for me to wear home for 2 days.  I was fine for about 2 hours.  Then the side effects hit!  My legs began to feel like they were covered with bugs.  You know when your legs go to sleep and that tingling when they wake up?  It was like that magnified 10 times!  Then it spread to all my body below the waist and my hands!  This comes and goes, but after a rough night of pain in my legs, I still can't sit up in a chair without my legs tingling!  The worst part is when I swallow.  My esophagus is hurting and making it feel like I'm swallowing sand and grit!  He said these side effects would go away after about two days.  I'm so thankful it's only these kinds of side effects!  They could be so much worse!!  Thank you for thoughts and prayers! I'm blessed!!     

Chemotherapy - Part One

Well, I have come out of the "chemo coma" - that's what I'm calling the first chemo experience.  This is how it went.  On Monday morning at 6:00 am, Wilson and I arrived at Texoma Medical Center to start this adventure.  The surgery to place the port to administer the medication had to begin with an IV, of course.  The nurse had a difficult time finding my veins, as always, and found one on the inside of my right wrist.  She hit a nerve, and my hand kept going numb - uncomfortable to say the least.  The surgery went well, and then I was supposed to go up to a room to begin the chemo.  But, the person in charge told us we needed to go to the Cancer Center, so we did.  When we got to the Cancer Center, they sent us to the oncology clinic, and they sent us right back to the hospital!  The nurses on the oncology floor couldn't believe I walked in to the floor, they expected me to be wheeled in.  By now, it was about 9:30 am.  The nurse got me all comfy in the hospital bed to begin the chemo.  The pharmacist had to do some testing on my blood before the first regimen of chemo could be given.  Finally, at 2:30 pm, they started the chemo into the port.  This was a very long, drawn out process. The medicine was very nauseating and strong.  Wilson aptly called the process "wicked". They finally finished the procedure at 10:30 pm.  Because the process finished so late, I had to wait until the next day for the pump to be put in with the next medication.  We went in at 8:30 the next morning to get the pump placed.  That medication ran until Thursday morning.  I truly felt all the prayers and am confident I could not have made it without them. Now I know what to expect next time, and that helps so much!  With all the prayers, I know I will have the strength to fight this! 

Port placement

Today the nurse called from the doctor's office and told me they were going to put the port for the chemo in at 6:00 AM on Monday, April 18, followed by the first dose of chemo.  After that, I go to the cancer center and get the pump put in for the second dose of medicine over a course of three days while wearing the very cute and stylish "fanny pack".  Monday is Wilson's birthday.  Bless his heart.  He gets to spend it running me back and forth.

The Plan of Attack!

This day has never really left the back of my mind since I found out I had cancer and the appointment was made - the very first oncology visit.  I knew a lot of people had prayed over this day, and I truly felt a "peace that passes all understanding".  I also knew I wanted a visual promise that I could look at and feel His presence.  I put on my "Mamma Honey's" mother's ring. (My aunt had kept it since my grandmother had died, and had given it to me this past Christmas - such a precious gift!)  I don't wear it every day because I don't want to lose it.  Mamma Honey was my maternal grandmother.  One of her pastors named her the "resident saint of Dorchester Baptist Church".  That tells you a little about the Godly wisdom and pure love of the Lord that my grandmother lived every day of her life.  She truly was a person I dearly loved and respected.  Such a treasure!  The ring on my finger helped me feel her arms around me and also feel the love and prayers of my precious family and friends.

Wilson and I got to the doctor's office early.  And, of course, we had to  talk to the financial secretary about the cost of procedures, drugs, etc.  I have no insurance, and we had no idea of the cost of everything.  She told us the particular chemo I would be taking would be provided by the drug company at no cost to us!  What an answer to prayer.  She is also working on help for all the rest of the expenses.

As we sat in that waiting room, I was struck with the sadness around me.  People were talking about carcinomas and melanomas and being told they wouldn't live very long - their cancer was too far along.  I sat there and just thanked God that He was in control.

We weren't there long until we were talking to the oncologist about the "regimen" I would be on.  The surgeon will put a port in my chest, and on Monday I will have the first of the 24 chemo treatments.  It takes about 2 hours to put the drug in, then I get to wear a pump for two days, like a fanny pack. :)  Then the pump is taken out.  This procedure happens every two weeks.  This is the best course of action for me, and it has the best success rate of the cancer not returning.

He drew a diagram and showed us what they did in the surgery.  He said my cancer was very "low grade".  He then made a statement that kind of gave me chills.  He told us that it is VERY rare, but he believes from all the pathology reports, that my cancer caused the appendicitis.  He said that just rarely ever happened!  That was another confirmation from the Father - He is in control!!

Thank you for praying me through this first day.  I truly feel every one of your prayers and appreciate them so much!  Keep them coming!  :)