Chemo #3

Chemo #3 was this morning. I went to the treatment center, and my Oncologist insisted on seeing my blood labs before letting them start my chemo. Thankfully, my white blood cell count was just above the bare minimum. Just enough to go ahead with treatments today. (Tomorrow I have to go in for a shot of Neulasta, to rebuild my white blood cells, which seem to always take a beating from this chemo regiment.)

They were able to easily access the medi-port, and although it doesn't feel good, it's SO much better than getting an IV, and especially better than 3-4 sticks for an IV.

The drugs went in without any reactions. They doubled my steroid dosage today in hopes of preventing a repeat of last chemo's reaction. You might remember that I ran a high fever, turned dark red, and felt pretty miserable after chemo #2. They were unable to find any trace of infection and so it was either viral or random or a hypersensitive drug reaction.

I'm praying that I don't have a hypersensitive drug reaction this time as it means we have to re-evaluate what we're doing. I know this treatment will work. We just need to stick with it. I need the doctor to have enough faith to stick with it. Today when he came to see me, I thought, "Oh, no. He's changed his mind." But, he said he wanted to go ahead and hope that it doesn't happen. How about if pray instead of just hoping it will happen? I think the combination will be much more powerful.

True to the past experiences, almost exactly 6 hours after chemo, the headache hit and about an hour ago the nausea hit. I'm trying to make it through the night without taking any anti-nausea meds cause I just don't want to risk any kind of reaction. The simpler, the better, right? I don't know if I'll make it.

I'm so thankful for the opportunity to be refined. You know, I need a lot of refining! I'm thankful that He cares enough about me, and that He sees enough worth in me to teach and mold me. I can't imagine a better teacher than the Master, Himself.

Thanks for all your prayers! I truly feel the lifting power of the prayers. I really don't know how my family and I would have done this without so many amazing people in our lives. The prayers, the food, the words of encouragement, the food, the blessings, the help with kids, the help with the house. Sometimes, I think, "Oh, this cancer thing isn't so bad." Then I realize that it is only because I am not bearing the burden alone. I could not bear this burden alone, especially not with the others I carry. But, with all of you, and with the Savior's unyielding strength, I can do ALL things.

I can't wait till all this settles so that I can see the needs and be the one to step up to help. If I serve every day of my life, I'm not sure that I will ever be able to repay the incredible debt I have to all of you. And, I know that I will never be able to repay the debt I have to my Savior.