"I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Happy day everyone!!!...I am feeling great, walking tall and ready to face my next challenge. I saw my oncologist this morning....blood counts are good. My next and last chemotherapy treatment is scheduled on February 14th. A MRI will follow about 2 weeks after treatment and then another 2 months after that. We are fighting the good fight ya'll....I am forever grateful for all your prayers.
I came across this passage, (from my sister I think), that I would like to share. I really strive to live this everyday, it doesn't always happen, but this is my goal! ~
"The presence and power of God are with me and within me always. In God, I have the qualities and resources, the strength and courage to take charge of my thoughts and my life. I claim and realize the good in every situation. Blessed with the power to choose how I show up in life, I am confident and courageous every day."
I am sooooo blessed!!
Warmth and safety on this winter day,
~Sandy
Monday, January 31, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Visit to Duke - January 10th
I am a witness to the healing arms of our awesome God!!!
That's right!!!....Maybe I should rephrase that....we are ALL witnessing the tremendous power of prayer to our awesome God.
On Monday, January 10th, (my 51st birthday by the way!), I had my 3-month followup visit at Duke where I received the best birthday present ever...(besides the Kindle that Rick gave me!). The PET Scan results told the news....no cancer cells! How about that for a fabulous birthday present! Miracles happen, my friends. We are living proof that God answers our prayers.
Dr. Desjardin prescribes 2 more chemotherapy treatments...January and February. After my last treatment, she wants to see an MRI. I don't have to return to Duke for 4 months, which will be in early May and then we will be in 'symptom monitor' mode. She is very happy that I am doing so well and am so strong. Needless to say....she is also very happy that PET Scan showed 'all clear'.
My January treatment will be on Monday, the 17th. I'm looking forward to getting that over with.
I would not be this far without all of you who keep me in your daily prayers. It feels fabulous to know that I have so many friends that care about me. "Thank you" just doesn't seem to do justice to how grateful I am for all of you. God will carry us as we continue this journey.
Miracles happen....HE is not done with me yet!!
Peace and warmth,
Sandy
That's right!!!....Maybe I should rephrase that....we are ALL witnessing the tremendous power of prayer to our awesome God.
On Monday, January 10th, (my 51st birthday by the way!), I had my 3-month followup visit at Duke where I received the best birthday present ever...(besides the Kindle that Rick gave me!). The PET Scan results told the news....no cancer cells! How about that for a fabulous birthday present! Miracles happen, my friends. We are living proof that God answers our prayers.
Dr. Desjardin prescribes 2 more chemotherapy treatments...January and February. After my last treatment, she wants to see an MRI. I don't have to return to Duke for 4 months, which will be in early May and then we will be in 'symptom monitor' mode. She is very happy that I am doing so well and am so strong. Needless to say....she is also very happy that PET Scan showed 'all clear'.
My January treatment will be on Monday, the 17th. I'm looking forward to getting that over with.
I would not be this far without all of you who keep me in your daily prayers. It feels fabulous to know that I have so many friends that care about me. "Thank you" just doesn't seem to do justice to how grateful I am for all of you. God will carry us as we continue this journey.
Miracles happen....HE is not done with me yet!!
Peace and warmth,
Sandy
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Latest MRI results
Good things come to those who wait.....patiently.
The official results of my MRI last week are in.....no tumor! Here is an excerpt from the radiologist narrative report....."There is no change in the appearance of the post-operative brain. There is no significant mass effect or new lesion and again no change in the enhancement pattern. Ventricles are normal in and size and configuration." How about that to begin a new year?!?! We are certainly blessed y'all.
I had blood work and oncologist visit yesterday. My red blood cell count is slightly low from the Carboplatin. I am scheduled to have chemo on 1/17, so we will see if that happens based on my counts in two weeks.
I have a PET Scan and appointment with my doctor team at Duke on Monday, 1/10. Anxious to hear their take on everything since my visit in October. I will blog when I get back next week.
I hope that everyone experienced many blessings during the Christmas season. I was incredibly honored to spend quality time with my family. Let's pray the new year will bring continued blessings of good health, happiness and safety.
Heal the Past. Live the Present. Dream the Future.
+Peace,
Sandy
The official results of my MRI last week are in.....no tumor! Here is an excerpt from the radiologist narrative report....."There is no change in the appearance of the post-operative brain. There is no significant mass effect or new lesion and again no change in the enhancement pattern. Ventricles are normal in and size and configuration." How about that to begin a new year?!?! We are certainly blessed y'all.
I had blood work and oncologist visit yesterday. My red blood cell count is slightly low from the Carboplatin. I am scheduled to have chemo on 1/17, so we will see if that happens based on my counts in two weeks.
I have a PET Scan and appointment with my doctor team at Duke on Monday, 1/10. Anxious to hear their take on everything since my visit in October. I will blog when I get back next week.
I hope that everyone experienced many blessings during the Christmas season. I was incredibly honored to spend quality time with my family. Let's pray the new year will bring continued blessings of good health, happiness and safety.
Heal the Past. Live the Present. Dream the Future.
+Peace,
Sandy
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Treatment Week - December 20th
Forever God is with us, Forever God is strong, Forever God is Faithful....Forever.
My hope is that you had a very blessed and meaningful Christmas and you were able to celebrate the gift of time with your loved ones. That is what matters most!
My hope is that you had a very blessed and meaningful Christmas and you were able to celebrate the gift of time with your loved ones. That is what matters most!
I had chemo this past Monday, December 20th. All went well. I didn't feel great on Thursday, but I wasn't nearly as sick as I had been with past treatments. What a great Christmas gift that was! I have a MRI scheduled this coming Wednesday, December 29th. It's a safe bet to say, I am very anxious to find out what's going on in this ol' head of mine. I'm fairly confident...nothing is!! ;-D
My life has been and continues to be blessed by your constant prayers. Keep the peace my friends and I will blog when I get the MRI results are in.
Much love and keeping you all in my prayers!
+Sandy
Monday, December 13, 2010
Update...
I live with open eyes and an open heart to fully experience the goodness of the Lord.
My last chemo treatment on November 22nd was uneventful. My blood counts were just okay. Didn't feel well on Thanksgiving Day, but there will be many more Thanksgiving Days to feel well. I bounced back as I always do and for that I am thankful.
For the last week or so I've been experiencing hives again. Not quite sure what that's all about, but I will discuss with my doctor on my next visit which is Monday, December 20th. I'm praying this is not a repeat from last March and the fiasco that was. Although this morning, they seem to be better. Who knows...I guess I'm just a medical mystery!
My next chemo treatment is Monday, December 20th. Let's pray my 'sick day' will be before Christmas! That would be a wonderful present! My next MRI should be during the first week of January and I am anxiously looking forward to good news.....you know me...always the optimist!
Take time to feel the hope and peace of this miraculous season.
Stay warm!
+Sandy
My last chemo treatment on November 22nd was uneventful. My blood counts were just okay. Didn't feel well on Thanksgiving Day, but there will be many more Thanksgiving Days to feel well. I bounced back as I always do and for that I am thankful.
For the last week or so I've been experiencing hives again. Not quite sure what that's all about, but I will discuss with my doctor on my next visit which is Monday, December 20th. I'm praying this is not a repeat from last March and the fiasco that was. Although this morning, they seem to be better. Who knows...I guess I'm just a medical mystery!
My next chemo treatment is Monday, December 20th. Let's pray my 'sick day' will be before Christmas! That would be a wonderful present! My next MRI should be during the first week of January and I am anxiously looking forward to good news.....you know me...always the optimist!
Take time to feel the hope and peace of this miraculous season.
Stay warm!
+Sandy
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
11/17/2010 Update
I find God's peace amid the chaos! HE is raising me up to face the challenge.
I apologize for not updating my blog in a while. There hasn't been much going on lately...'health-wise' that is. Most days I am feeling very well!
I saw my oncologist on Nov. 8th, everything is going okay. My blood counts were coming back up from treatment on 10/25. My next chemo treatment will be on Monday, Nov 22.... just in time for Thanksgiving! My history indicates unfortunately that I will probably be sick on Thanksgiving Day...bummer. However I am undeniably thankful that I will see another Thanksgiving Day!!!
As I blogged before, my veins are becoming difficult to access by IV, so I had a 'port' put in on Wednesday, 11/10 to make it easier in the long run for blood draws and chemotherapy. It's been a week and I am still pretty sore from the procedure. The port was put in just below the collar bone but above my chest on my right side, so I can't raise my arm above my head, nor can I lift anything for about a month. Anyone who knows me, knows that's a difficult order for me to follow....but I'm doing the best I can! Fortunately, I will have had 12 days to heal before it will be used for my next treatment.
I will blog after my treatment next week. Thank you for your continued prayers. Get out and enjoy this wonderful fall weather....I certainly am!
With God, all things are possible. Matthew 19:26
+Peace
Sandy
I apologize for not updating my blog in a while. There hasn't been much going on lately...'health-wise' that is. Most days I am feeling very well!
I saw my oncologist on Nov. 8th, everything is going okay. My blood counts were coming back up from treatment on 10/25. My next chemo treatment will be on Monday, Nov 22.... just in time for Thanksgiving! My history indicates unfortunately that I will probably be sick on Thanksgiving Day...bummer. However I am undeniably thankful that I will see another Thanksgiving Day!!!
As I blogged before, my veins are becoming difficult to access by IV, so I had a 'port' put in on Wednesday, 11/10 to make it easier in the long run for blood draws and chemotherapy. It's been a week and I am still pretty sore from the procedure. The port was put in just below the collar bone but above my chest on my right side, so I can't raise my arm above my head, nor can I lift anything for about a month. Anyone who knows me, knows that's a difficult order for me to follow....but I'm doing the best I can! Fortunately, I will have had 12 days to heal before it will be used for my next treatment.
I will blog after my treatment next week. Thank you for your continued prayers. Get out and enjoy this wonderful fall weather....I certainly am!
With God, all things are possible. Matthew 19:26
+Peace
Sandy
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Happy Anniversary to me!!
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
One year ago today, I was diagnosed with a 'worrisome' brain tumor. One year ago this Wednesday, I had a craniotomy to remove the 1.6cm tumor. It was then determined to be cancer. I remember this life-changing week like it was yesterday. But...this year has flown by and look how far we've come! I am healthy, I am strong and I am determined.
You all have inspired me to stand faithful, hopeful and to never give up....and I have no intention of giving up.
Together, everyone, our prayers are making a difference. Thank you for your faithfulness in traveling this journey with me. We have so much more life to live and to give.
"The will of God will never take you where the grace of God will not protect you".
+Peace,
Sandy
One year ago today, I was diagnosed with a 'worrisome' brain tumor. One year ago this Wednesday, I had a craniotomy to remove the 1.6cm tumor. It was then determined to be cancer. I remember this life-changing week like it was yesterday. But...this year has flown by and look how far we've come! I am healthy, I am strong and I am determined.
You all have inspired me to stand faithful, hopeful and to never give up....and I have no intention of giving up.
Together, everyone, our prayers are making a difference. Thank you for your faithfulness in traveling this journey with me. We have so much more life to live and to give.
"The will of God will never take you where the grace of God will not protect you".
+Peace,
Sandy
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