HOORAY! It is Monday.

Praise be to God for all His provisions for me this last week. He walks with me daily. But don't get me wrong I am having a hard time surrendering all that is happening to me. Pray for me.

Friday when I went in to have the pump taken off I was experiencing severe nausea. As a treatment a new pump was ordered with anti-nausea drugs and Benadryl and Lorazapan. The nausea meds hyped me up high enough that I could not sleep at all Friday evening. Thus Saturday was a day of exhaustion, weakness and generally feeling bad. Yesterday was much better. Today I had the pump removed, went out to lunch with Linda and came home to rest,so far so good.

I am hoping that by tomorrow I will feel a little better and have more energy.

3 Down 15 to go

Arrived nausous so received meds immdeiately to help with that. After an hour Decadron was also given for nausea. It did help but made me very groggy. My neighbor and friend , Sylvia, brought me .I sent her home so I could rest. Patti and Rhoda stopped by fro a few minutes at lunch time. Another long nap, then Pastor Julia stopped and Sylvia came back. We had prayer and devotional time. I was finished a little after 3 but nausea was pretty intense so was given meds for the trip home.I slept almost all efening getting up to eat a small meal. MaryAnne came to say night time prayers with me since I was already in bed (8:30). I slept through all my shows and woke up at 2 , so have been catnapping since then. Thinking about laying down again now.

Sylvia will take me back in at 10 this morning to have pump removed and get my shot of Neulasta. Then I should be done for two weeks except for a checkup with dr, next Friday.

2 Down and 16 to go

I had a good day, but the ride home made me nauseous. The driver, my sister in Christ, MaryAnne was not the reason, just seemed to be the motion. I called the infusion center back at 4 and they told me what to take. I have been laying down and resting and am feeling a little better. Am very glad that tomorrow is the last one.

In the morning I will be taking one pill for nausea that cost me $23. I sure hope that works for what it costs. I think it could be a little rougher day. They do also run through an IV of meds to help with that.

I miss you all and I know some of you called this evening but I was not up to talking on the phone. May God grant us all a great night of rest in Him.

1 Down 17 to go!

First of all let me assure all of you that I feel like I did when I left the house this morning. GOOD! Barb and Julia came to the house and prayed with me at 7:30. Barb and I left for chemo at 8 for an 8:30 appointment. They ran a full IV of saline through before starting chemo. They already had run through a nausea drug and started the pump for medicine to protect my urinary tract. Patti stopped for a short visit and brought me some great tops with V neck line so they can get to the port easier. Karon stopped for a few minutes at noon and I sent Barb home. I slept for about 40 minutes and read a book. By 3:30 I was finished with treatment. The nurse attached the pump for me to wear for the next 72 hours. It contains more of the urinary tract med. We'll do this again the next two days. Friday I go back in the afternoon to have the pump removed.

Thank you for all your prayers, love and support. Pray that I can sleep with this pump that makes a sound like a Polaroid camera about every 45 seconds. Pray that the nausea stays away.

Trip

Sure wish the title of this blog was about me going somewhere, but no such luck. Yesterday morning while showering I became slightly dizzy and found myself on the bathroom floor. No smart comments from those of you who think I am always a little on the dizzy side. What an experience as the shower curtain had followed me and the floor soon became quite wet. Imagine trying to get yourself up while swimming in water on a slick floor. Worst part was I had to get back in and finish my hair. I am fine, no broken bones just damaged pride. Will try to shower in the evening now while Tony is still in the house. God is good and allows me to be brought low so I can glorify Him.

Thursday, my brother Tim, his wife Carla, son, Ryan & his wife Stephanie with new baby Heath in tow arrived in time for dinner. My brother, Pat, had arrived around 2pm just in time to mow my grass. Yesterday Stephanie and Heath hung out with me while others played golf at Eagle Knoll. Heath is five months so just started scooting and not getting very far. Fun to watch. They are all staying in Columbia.

Monday will be a busy day. I have an 11 AM appointment for a haircut; an appointment at noon with my counselor and a 1:45 appointment with the oncologist is prepartion for the rest of next week.

May God bless you. Thank you for all the prayers and warm wishes.

Chemo Education

God has His hands full as He deals with my pride and control issues. As you know I had chemo education yesterday. It lasted alsmost two hours. I had told people that I was going to do this myself. God in His goodness led my friend Karon to tell me , "I am going with you." I know I am supposed to allow others in so I agreed. God is so smart! As soon as they told me I would be spending a minimum of 6 hours a day, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at the clinic receiving treatments, I zoned out. I was again overwhelmed and felt like running away. Karon took notes asked questions and surrounded me with her love and support. Thank you Karon!

Good news, no nausea the last two mornings, what a relief!

Porta-cath

Everything went well this morning with the surgical implant of the port. I arrived at the office around 8:30 and left the office by 11. I am sore in the left shoulder and , oh darn, I can't vacuum again. I am to take it ease for the next three days so will see what my energy level is like in the morning as to what I get done.

I have a 2:30 appointment tomorrow for lab work and chemo education. My friend, Karon, will be going with me since I have a very hard time listening and concentrating.

May God grant to each of us His blessings as we faithfully follow where He leads.

CHANGE

My appointment for porta-cath is tomorrrow at 9AM. Sounds much better to me than fasting until noon. PRAY

HOME SAFELY

I arrived home about half an hour ago. I forgot my luggage and meds at Jenn's so had to go back which added abother 45 minutes to my morning. I will try and get some rest this afternoon. Lots happened while I was with the girls so will try to catch you up.

I arrived safely Thursday even though I drove over half was in torrential rain. Jenn, Nicole, Nate and I went to Holy THursday service together. It was beautiful. I stayed at Nicole's that night and Friday. About 10 PM they recieved a phone call telliong them that Scott's mother had died. She has been ill off and on for a while but this came as a surprise. I was glad that I was there for the kids.

Friday morning, Nicole, Charli and I were at Children's Mercy before 7. We left there at 9 WITHOUT her having the test done. They heard some wheezing so decided to put it off until the 24th. Nicole did get ther in to her regular dr. and Charli has a double ear infection and some congestion in her lungs. She is taking an antibiotic and two allergy meds. She was also given an nebulizer for flying on Saturday to Virginia. She did travel well. Nicole is sick now so pray for her.

The visitaion for Scott's mom in 6-9 PM today and funeral at 6 PM tomorrow evening. Please pray for them.

Tomorrow I am scheduled to receive the porta-cath sometime in the afternoon. NPO from midnight tonight. I have not been hungry so figure tomorrow hunger will kick in. Pray for the procedure.

Easter Blessings

If all goes well at y 1:45PM appointment with Dr. Crowder I will be leaving for KC for Easter with my girls and gran kids. Charli Ann has an appointment at 7:30 tomorrow for an MRI so I can go with them.

I am scheduled on next Tuesday to have a porta-cath put in by Dr. Coats in the afternoon. I will have a definite time on Monday.

May God's blessings be on each of you this Easter season. I love you all.

Oncologist Appt.

After the consultation with Dr. Hunter in KC, Dr. Honeycutt has changed the protocol for treatment.

Starting on the 20th of April, I will be seen by dr. for exam. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday I will be in office for treatment. The new treatment will take a couple hours everyday. The new chemo drug is fosfamide. This drug can cause severe bladder problems so will then be given Mesna to protect bladder. This needs to be continuously given for 72 hours so will wear a pump when I leave the office. On Friday, in the afternoon I will go back in to have the pump disconnected. I will then have two weeks off and start over again. There is the possiblity that I will need to have 8 treatments instead of 6. I will have a port put in sometime next week. I have education on chemo next Wednesday afternoon so have a lot going on.

I am a little overwhelmed this afternoon, so will try and get some rest.

Healing Service

Love bears all thing, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
1 Cor.13:7-8,13

Last evening this scripture was one of many that was shared as my church invited those who love me to join in prayer for my healing. I was overwhelmed by the presence of more than 45 friends. I felt enveloped in their love and prayers for me. The service included communion, laying on of hands, and anointing with oil. I assisted Pastor Julia in distributing communion to those that I also love. What a gift that was for me. We were all blessed when Mike Will shared a song he has written about the presence of God. It is beautiful and fills my heart with strength and peace. Mike sang this song to my immediate family as we gathered for prayer just before Chuck's memorial service. Praise be to God for His continual provision in all our lives.

As we closed the evening, I shared briefly what it meant to me to have all of them there. I also told of my struggle with depression, sadness and fear of what is to come. I then told them about asking God for a sign of His presence in my life. God who is faithful answered! My family had a dogwood tree planted in the city park (right out my back gate) in memory of Chuck. Monday morning as I sat at the dining room table I thought about going to the park to see the tree closely. As I gazed out the door I could see that it is the ONLY tree in the park that is in full blossom. I believe that is God's message to me that He is with me always. Glory be to God!

At 11AM this morning I have an appointment with my oncologist in Columbia. Tomorrow afternoon I have an appointment with my surgeon. Pray for God's wisdom for both times.

HOME

I was unable to pull up the blog sight while in KC since I am slow at all this computer stuff. Sorry!

A week ago today my son-in-law, Clint and a friend of his drove up to pick me up and drive my car back to KC so I would have transportation. I am so grateful because I was able to get out and about and gain some strength and independence.

Tuesday, Jenn, Nicole, and myself saw Dr. Verda Hunter-Hicks the top specialist in KC for my type of cancer. She basically agreed with the protocol established in Columbia, but was going to call the dr. in Columbia. I have an appointment at 11AM on Wednesday with her (Honeycut). Thursday I will be seeing the surgeon and hope she releases me, so we can get started with the treatments.

All of the birthday celebrations (Charli, Nicole, and Ben) went well. My brothers and one sister-in-law from northern Iowa came down. Ann flew in from Richmond, Va. I really missed my sister Denise who was unable to attend. A lot of emotions went into all the visits. God has blessed me with a wonderful family that loves me dearly.

I drove myself home today and am very tired. I listened to a CD made by special friends (Andy, Brooke and Kristen) as I drove home. It is a recording of Christian music that touches me deeply. Andy and Kristen are young adult children of very special friends from church. Both of them participated in Chuck's memorial. Brooke is Andy's wife. As I listened to the words of each song I was reminded of how God is always with us and He never leaves us alone. Praise be to God!