Weekly Treatment started Monday, February 22, 2010

I can do all things through him who strengthens me....Philippians 4:13

This has been a rough week for me. My weekly treatment began on Monday, 02/22. My hopes of not developing hives were dashed by immediately breaking out into hives. Grrrrr.... Why am I not surprised!! I would give anything to be textbook!!

Oh well...what's a cancer survivor to do???....I powered through ya'all! I made it through this week, a little worn for the the wear, but made it through nonetheless. I was in bed for a couple of days, had no energy to do anything but sleep. God kept telling me to stay strong and keep the faith, because he will bring me through this....and here I am...on the other side of treatment week. Thank God!!

My appointment with the medical oncologist was Monday, 2/22. All of my blood labs are looking good and my reflexes and neurological signs are good as well. I have no recurring symptoms so we continue down the chemo path of 5 days on/15 days off. I will see the doctor every two weeks for blood work and symptom monitoring. I will probably have a MRI and CT scans near the end of March or early April.

I have been off steroids since Tuesday, 2/23....ya gotta know I'm totally thankful for that!!! Just keep praying that I won't have to go back on them...at least anytime soon.

I will start my next round of chemo on March 22nd. I'm not sure yet if we will try an IV form of Temodar or go back to the capsule form. In the meantime though, we need to find out what is causing these hives, is it the drug itself or the capsule packaging?

The previous two weeks I had felt awesome. I know it was because of all the prayers of strength and love you are all sending my way....I am looking forward to feeling that way again...so please keep them coming.

But those that hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

Have a great week everyone. Every day brings us closer to Spring!!

Sandy

SRS Treatments - Complete!!

I will trust and I will not be afraid, for the Lord my God is my strength and my might. Isaiah 12:2

Phase 2 treatment is now complete...YAY! Let me again say...YAY!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you everyone for your prayers, your ramped up prayers, your silent and verbal support, your emails and the cards and just quite simply just for everything!!! I have the best support system I could ever ask for and I feel like I am the luckiest women in the world. As of today, it's been 3 months since my brain tumor surgery...Happy Anniversary to me!!...3 month survivor and I AM LIVING STRONG!!!

My hair is definitely thin on the left side and the back crown of my head. I am really having to use the 'comb over do' now. But hey, it's only hair and I am excited and planning on watching it grow back. And actually, it can take as long as it wants to grow back, because I plan on watching it everyday for a long, long time!!! ;-D.

My Healing Journey continues like this:

- Monday, 2/8: Bloodwork and appointment with my medical oncologist. Hopefully she will say that I can begin weaning off the steriods. I am most excited about this possibilty especially since I've been on them for 3 months. So far I have not had any neurological sympton recurrence, so as you can imagine, this will be my first question to her as she walks in the door!!! Off steriods..PLEASE????
- Monday, 2/22: Begin next round of chemotherapy. 1 week on chemo, 3 weeks off. This will continue for awhile...awhile being ??. I am a bit nervous about this because of the 'hives' reaction from the last round of treatment. I really don't want to have chemo by infusion, so I hopefully, since I will only be on the drugs for 5 days, I will 'power' through as I did before.
- Thursday, 4/8: Appointment with my radiation oncologist for 2 month followup after SRS treatments.

I am unsure right now when my next MRI or CT scans will be. The doctors caution on doing these too early after radiation treatments because the results could be misleading due to necrosis, brain swelling, etc. and that could just bring about unnecessary worry and discouragement. Not going to go down that road too soon.

I'm working everyday at keeping my spirits up and my faith strong. God has put me in this situation for a reason and I trust that he is in control as he continues to carry me down this road. Thank you again for everyone traveling with me, there is definitley fulfillment and safety in numbers.

God is with me and around me. I am safe where ever I go.

I will blog again soon...

Blessings and Peace to all,
Sandy