Good News

This past Friday with my chemo crew in tow I conquered my third session of chemo. I also received more good news...the tumor in my breast and cancer in my lymphoids have shrunken to the point where it is no longer physically noticeable (I/the doctor can’t feel it). Although this does not mean that I am cancer free it does mean that the chemo and other medicines that I am taking are doing their job.

Just A Thought

It may sound strange but I am grateful for this whole experience. It has utterly changed my life for the better. It has humbled me in ways I could have never imagined.

Chemo Session 2

My second session of chemo went very well. I received some great news, my tumor has decreased in size instead of 6 centimeters it is now 2x2.5 centimeters. Which means the chemo is working. A special thanks to all those who have been praying for me.

My New Hair Style

Night School

I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s not the cancer that makes you sick…it’s the chemo. Since starting chemo I’ve had all kinds of problems that I’ve never had before (frequent spells of nausea, constipation, heartburn, acne, uncontrollable gas, etc). As a matter of fact I didn’t even feel sick when I was diagnosed with cancer.  I “think” I finally have everything under control however, I go to chemo again this week and I’m afraid that everything will start all over again or I’ll develop new ailments.

The only thing I have left to conquer or get under control this week is my mental state. Like many women, I’ve always had trouble sleeping at night. However, I read an essay earlier this week titled Night School. In the essay Kathy, a breast cancer survivor, described how she’d wake up in the middle of the night with her heart pounding, trembling, sobbing, and worrying. She referred to these times as “God’s night classes.” She said that God often wakens us in the middle of the night during difficult times for the simple reason that it is quiet and there is nothing to distract us from communicating with him and with everything around us dark and silent, we can talk to him, and we can listen to what he has to tell us.

I’ve begun to use my nightly wake-up calls as God’s night classes also. I pray for many things but mostly the courage to get through all of this.

Port Problems

I’ve been having some problems with my port. For the past several nights I’ve found myself laying awake, trying to get comfortable enough to go to sleep. After tossing and turning for several nights, I’ve concluded that the only way to sleep somewhat comfortable is sitting up. I’ve tried sleeping in a chair and on three different couches. So, I’ve made a “pillow recliner chair” on the bed in the guest bedroom. Although it is not 100% comfortable it has allowed me to get three maybe four hours of sleep a day. I remember my mother during her battle with cancer, and can recall countless evenings when she set up in a recliner chair trying to get comfortable. I wonder if she too had the same issue…

Thought of the day

From J.W.
Don't ask God for an easier life, ask him to make you a stronger person...