Hair

This morning as I brushed my hair it just kept falling out ... more and more ... and more. The picture doesn't even do justice for just how much came out. This is just the stuff that I put in the sink. There's still a bunch on the floor too. Then I got in Dwight's truck and more fell out. (I tried to gather all the hairs out of your truck. Sorry, sweetheart, if I left some behind. I suspect we may find them every where for a while.)

It is continuing to fall out today. I still have a lot of hair, but it is obviously thinner today than it was last week. Good thing it's just hair. Can you imagine if they were fingers or toes or arms? Oh, my!

Medi-Port is in place ... whew!

I went to the hospital this morning and after 2 sticks and a blown vein they were able to at least get blood to send to the lab. The wait to get the results seemed to take an eternity. Eventually, the numbers came back and they were good! (Actually, my white blood cell count skyrocketed above where it needed to be.)

So, Richard the nurse came over to do get my IV in place. I have to admit I was dreading being stuck more. So, when he started I said a prayer for him. Then I felt the stick of the needle, and then it felt like he took the needle out. I looked down fully anticipating seeing him holding gauze over my hand and looking for another vein. Instead he had the IV already in place, threaded and everything! I was so thankful! It was the least painful IV I have ever had!
Once they got the IV in place, it was about another 30-45 minutes before they took me back to the procedure room. They gave me "conscience sedation" or "moderate sedation." I remember talking to them for a while after they gave me the first dose, and then they gave me a second dose. I then remember asking him if he just cut my skin, he said yes and then asked them to give me a 3rd dose. Needless-to-say, I don't remember anything until a couple of hours later.

The port is in place. I had been told that the scar would be low enough on my chest that no one would be able to see it. What do you think?
I suspect, everyone is going to be able to see it ... unless I wear a turtleneck all the time.

PS I can't take the bandages off till Monday.

Neupogen is not my friend!

The shots they have given me over the last 2 days to rebuild my blood are a drug called Neupogen. I'm hopeful they did their job and my blood count will be back to (or at least close to) normal so that they can do the Medi-Port. When I asked what side effects they had, the reply was flu-like symptoms, but not everyone gets them. They failed to mention that one of their major side effects that people sometimes get is severe bone pain. Oh, my goodness! The only other time I've ever experienced such pain was when I had back labor with Jacob's delivery. It was excruciating! I felt like such a whimp! So, I'm off to the hospital soon and very, very hopeful that we'll get this port placed today.

Oh, and I had another large handful of hair on my pillow today. It's a good thing I have so much!

I'll keep you posted.

Today's Medi-Port Procedure Delayed

I went to the hospital this morning at 7 to get the medi-port placed. Nurse Amy was able to get the IV placed after only 1 failed attempt ... so 2 pokes. They took some blood and while we waited to hear back from the lab, the nice nurse, Stephanie, showed me a medi-port and explained the procedure.

I heard some hushed tones at the nurses desks and phone calls being made. I thought I heard my name and my oncologist's name. So I waited anxiously. Sure enough a few minutes later the nurse came over to explain that my white blood cells have taken a nose dive. Apparently, I have "neutropena" which is not uncommon with the type of chemotherapy drugs I am taking. The dr came in to talk with me and explained the change in plans.

So, I went back to the dr's office to get a shot. Matt gave it to me in my stomach, and it really didn't hurt. It can cause flu like symptoms, but not everyone gets them. Hopefully, I'll be one of the lucky ones. Matt will repeat the shot again tomorrow as it should help my bone marrow to build some extra white blood cells.

Then on Friday I'll go back to the hospital. They will retake blood and look at my count. If it's all good, then we'll do the medi-port that day. If not, then I'll have 3 more consecutive days of shots and then we'll do the port on Monday followed by chemo on Tuesday.

So, pray that my bone marrow cooperates and starts creating sufficient white blood cells. I'd like to have at least a few days to heal before they start pumping drugs into the port.

Oh, and one more thing ... I woke up to a bunch of hair on my pillow ... hair that was no longer attached to my head. (Did I tell you that I lost 2 large handfuls on Saturday night.)
Anyway ... it's a good thick I have a lot of hair. I noticed that I'm a little thinner in front and on my left side, but I don't think anyone else would even notice it. I think it's odd that I lost hair last night cause my head had finally stopped hurting. So, who knows. Maybe the next time you see me I'll be sporting the newest fashion ... bald. hahaha.

A Great Quote

One of my friends from my childhood, Sara, shared this quote with me. Read it a couple of times. It's really great!

And in the sweetness of friendship
let there be laughter,
and sharing of pleasure,
For in the dew of little things
the heart finds it's morning
and is refreshed.
~Kahlil Gibran

How Firm a Foundation

Last night, Jessica and I attended the General Young Women's Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It was a very nice evening. The President and her 2 Counselors spoke to the Young Women of values that will help them to successfully navigate their youth, and their future. Additionally, the 1st Counselor in the Church's General Presidency who is also an Apostle, Elder Dieter Uchtdorf, also spoke to the Young Women about the way to a "Happily Ever After."

The last song that the choir and congregation sang was "How Firm a Foundation." If your not familiar with this beautiful hymn, you can click on the link above and hear the Mormon Tabernacle, an amazing choir, sing it.

This is one of my favorite hymns. I find the words to be very inspiring and often feel as if the Savior is talking to me directly during the last verse. I also feel like this should be the hymn for every brave man and woman who fight to defend freedom. I always think of this hymn when I see pictures from the war fronts.

In case, you don't know the words, I wanted to share them with you.

How firm a foundation, ye Saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in his excellent word!
What more can he say than to you he hath said,
Who unto the Savior for refuge have fled?

In ev-'ry condition in sickness, in health,
In poverty's vale or abounding in wealth,
At home or abroad, on the land or the sea
As thy days may demand so thy succor shall be.

Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.
I'll strngthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not thee o'erflow,
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify thee thy deepest distress.

When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply.
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.

The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose
I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes;
That soul, through all hell should endeavor to shake,
I'll never, no never, no never forsake!

Beautiful, right?

These words were, of course, inspired by scriptures.

The Lord's words to Isaiah, which apply to each of us:

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. " ~Isaiah 41:10

"When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
"For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.
"Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.
"Fear not: for I am with thee...." ~Isaiah 43:2-5