Tuesday, October 27, 2009

"The Paths of the Lord"

Journal Entry-October 27, 2009

Psalm 25:10
"All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies."

Dr. Go did not see anything in my blood work that would make him suspect kidney problems and he is sure that the Tamoxifen is not the cause of my back pain. He feels like it is just post-chemo skeletal and muscle pain and that some therapy might help. He wants me to go to a physical therapist that specializes in back pain. I am not so sure right now that I will go. I hardly have time now to do the physical therapy for the lymphodema, much less more exercises for my back! I am relieved that there is no obvious reason for the pain. I am going to try to find the time to start walking again and maybe that will help.
Even when our paths don't seem to be just what we expected, all of the Lord's paths are steadfast love and faithfulness.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

"In the Land of the Living"

Journal Entry-October 24, 2009

"I love the Lord because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on Him as long as I live...For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling; I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living...What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits to me?...I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord." Psalm 116:1,6,12,17

What a beautiful fall day! Joe has taken Anna to her Voice Class and is doing some grocery shopping for me. Joey is on Lake Murray with Papa having some boating practice since he received his S.C. Boating License. And I am home resting from a virus and possible kidney infection. I started running a fever Thursday and reached an all time high on my back pain. They did flu tests, strep test, and blood work. No flu or strep, but my white blood cells were up and their were signs of possible kidney infection. The final labs will be in on Monday. I go to see Dr. Go on Tuesday for more labs, Herceptin, and to discuss the back pain. I have Polycystic Kidney Disease, but have never had any infections or problems from it. I'm assuming he'll probably order an ultrasound to see if there are any changes since my last one over 5 years ago.
Joey is set to get his pins out next Tuesday, Nov. 3, if x-rays taken that day show the bone has healed. If he gets the pins out, the doctor said he can "buddy tape" the finger and go straight to basketball try-outs. Hopefully he can show his "stuff" in 2 or 3 days and make the team! This has been a faith-walk for him. He has prayed over that finger daily. Last week the doctor and physical therapist were surprised at the healing his finger had done in such a short time, so Joey is seeing first hand the results of his diligent prayers! Thanks for all who are praying for me and him and our family! We are truly blessed!

Monday, October 19, 2009

PET Results

Journal Entry-October 19, 2009

I was glad to get good news today from my doctor! My PET results do not show any sign of malignancy! Now that the worst case senario is ruled out, I will see Dr. Gococo next week to discuss other possible causes of the pain in my back. Hopefully it is just a reaction to one of the medicines and we can adjust them to ease the pain. Joey gets his stitches out tomorrow! Thanks for all the prayers!

Monday, October 12, 2009

Getting Into God's Stride

Journal Entry-October 12, 2009

"It is difficult to get into stride with God, because when we start walking with Him we find he has outstripped us before we have taken three steps. He has different ways of doing things, and we have to be trained and disciplined into His ways...Getting into the stride of God means nothing less than union with Himself. It takes a long time to get there, but keep at it. Don't give in because the pain is bad just now, get on with it, and before long you will find you have a new vision and a new purpose." (Oswald Chambers from My Utmost for His Highest)

Even in the midst of everyday life, there is comfort when we get into God's stride!
We are home from the surgery center and Joey is doing well. Dr. Rudisill did have to make a small incision to insert the pins, but did not have to insert a plate. He should be ready to go back to school tomorrow as long as he doesn't need pain medicine. Joey just needs to be careful with it as it heals! He goes Thursday for a check-up and to begin physical therapy. We are very thankful that things went as expected and appreciate your prayers!

After eight months of wearing my cranial prosthesis (my wig), I am now going out with my own hair! It is a little scary, but it feels nice! I'm enjoying the curls, even though they have a mind of their own!

I went Friday for my radiation follow-up with Dr. Wilcox. After talking with me about the back pain, she felt it would be a good idea to move my PET scan up to this week instead of waiting until November. So I go on Wednesday. I would appreciate your prayers specifically for my veins, that they would hold up for the IVs. It took 3 tries to find a good one for my last Herceptin and I almost passed out while they were trying! I also have to drink this sweet, thick liquid that makes me very sick. Last time I couldn't even drink half of it! They say the scan works best if I can drink it all, so I'm already praying that I can! I may have the results by Friday.
Thanks for your prayers!

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Back to CSS

Journal Entry-October 8, 2009

It's back to the Center for Special Surgery on Monday for Joey! He needs pins and possibly a plate to repair the damage to his finger. It was officially diagnosed as an "angulated fracture of the 5th finger". We have to be there by 8:00 and surgery will begin around 9:30. We appreciate your prayers for him and for Dr. Rudisill as he operates. There is a chance that the tendon at the first finger joint may freeze up while the finger is immobile, so we are praying that it will be minimal and no function will be lost. Joey is also praying that he will still be able to try out for basketball at school. He has been really focusing on improving his basketball skills for over 6 months in anticipation of trying out. Thanks for praying with us!
Dr. Go said that the Tamoxifen may be causing my aches and back pain, so I'm going off of it for 3 weeks and we'll see if that helps.
Countdown to Hair Day...4 days!!

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Birthday and Anniversary

Journal Entry-October 4, 2009

We've had a birthday and anniversary in our family this week! We celebrated Joe's birthday on Thursday! It is also Joey's one year anniversary of his hand surgery for a torn flexor tendon. He celebrated on Thursday by breaking his finger playing basketball at church! If he'd asked me I would've come up with a better way to celebrate! It was extremely dislocated at first until a friend of ours stepped Joe through the process of trying to pop it back into place. It did help and give some pain relief, but x-rays revealed Friday that there is a definite break. When the pediatrician began to do a referral to a hand doctor we requested Dr. Rudisell, Joey's surgeon from last year. The doctor said that it would be impossible to get in with him! But we know nothing is impossible with God!! They got Dr. Rudisell on the phone and even let Joe talk to him about Joey's finger. He gave us an appointment for Tuesday afternoon. After he reviews the x-rays and looks at the finger, he'll know if surgery is needed. I have a Herceptin treatment Tuesday afternoon, so I won't be able to be there with Joe and Joey. I'll give an update when we've heard something! I'd appreciate your prayers for Joey and for me as I have had severe "flu-like" aches in my back. I'm not sure if it is just a viral infection or side-effects from medications. I plan to talk to Dr. Gococo on Tuesday.