Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Week of April 26th...

Worry looks around...sorry looks back...Faith looks up.

It's been a great two weeks. I've felt really good; I've worked every day and I've walked quite a bit. (many miles actually!!) Thank you, Lord, for allowing me the opportunity to have another day to experience life and to do your work!!

On Monday morning, 4/26, I had blood work and saw Dr. Partridge (oncology doctor). The lab results showed that my white blood count is a little low, so I was unable to have chemotherapy that day. (Although, I didn't realize I was supposed to have it until I got there...hmm!) Anyway, she is not overly concerned because the count is just slightly below what they want it to be. The low count is a direct side effect from the Carboplatin. She wants to see me next week for another blood work up. If my WBC is high enough I will have my chemo treatment on Monday, 5/3. If it's not, I will probably still have treatment, but then on Tuesday I would have to go in for a shot of Neupogen, which will stimulate white blood cell production. I'm not sure how often these shots are given, but I imagine I will find out soon enough. The Neupogen has a side effect of bone pain from slight to severe. We've all learned how I seem to react to medications....alright...well we're just not going there!!!

I will post a blog again next week after treatment.

"Do not fear, I am a wall of protection around you." GOD

Peace and many blessings and prayers,

Sandy

Monday, April 12, 2010

Events of the Last Two Weeks...

Today is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. I'm not worried about tomorrow, I'm trusting in what you say...Today is the day!
These last two weeks have been awesome. I have felt so good and so alive. The weather has turned the corner to warm days, cool nights and I am blessed everyday that I wake up and have another day to live life. Can it get any better than that....I think not!
Since I haven't blogged since March 29th, allow me to share what has been going on since then.

Monday, March 29th was a new chemotherapy day. It was a day that gave me the ultimate 'high' because of my MRI news. All week long, I've been feeling so good and even walked to and from work a few days (only a mile each way) when the weather cooperated.

Easter Sunday, April 4th was an awesome day. A little background...a week after my diagnosis (Nov. '09), we began attending a wonderful church called 'The Gathering". Our Easter service was at The Pageant in the University City loop. You could just feel God's presence all around you. The power and the spirit filled the venue and was so amazing. Our pastor, Matt Miofsky, is a gifted speaker and delivered a message that was very inspiring...."We are made for life, so we need to start living it." How much more profound can you get! It's a great message for us all to take in and believe.

A few months ago, Matt asked me to sit down with him and share my 'healing journey" story so that he could use it for a sermon about "Living with the End in Mind". A tough subject to talk about. After our conversation, he must have found something worthwhile, because he asked me if I would consider telling my story again, but this time with a video camera rolling so that it could be shared on Easter Sunday. How could I not say yes, when God has given me such a powerful gift in learning how to live my life for every day and to live in trust not in fear of him of what might happen. Matt's sermon was very powerful and I'm am so thankful to have been part of a message that shared how we are made for life!

Last week, I continued to feel really good. Again, I walked to and from work several days as my schedule and the weather permitted. I also saw my radiation oncologist on Thursday. My visit went well and Dr. Stroud is very pleased with the MRI results. We talked about some slight tingling I have been feeling in my tongue over the last few days. His thought at the time could be one of three things causing this sympton....resistant tumor, scar tissue or rejuvination of the nerves after all of the radiation I've been through. If it is by chance resistant tumor, it has remained unchanged since my January MRI. Dr. Stroud thinks that this is something that I shouldn't lose any sleep over...and I can tell you...I'm not!

I saw my medical oncologist today. Blood work is still good and all my neurological signs are good. Her and Dr. Stroud consulted and concluded that they think the tingling in my tongue is most likely a side effect of the Carboplatin. I'm going with that and still won't lose any sleep over it. I took my second round of infusion of Carboplatin this morning. Still all is going well....no hives, no adverse reaction right now. I did come home and went to bed. They pump me with Benadryl which just knocks me out. But I'm back to work tomorrow and looking forward to being productive for the rest of the week.

Well, these are the events of the last 2 weeks. Things are going so well and I am so pumped about everything. I for sure wouldn't be able to do any of this with out all of the prayers and support from everyone. Thank you all so much for the relentless prayers and all continues to go well. God is hearing our prayers and answering our faithfuness with positive results.....woohoo!!!

This is a life worth living and let's give it all we got!

Peace and love,
Sandy