Tuesday, August 25, 2009

"Red and Yellow, Black and White"

Journal Entry-August 25, 2009

It never ceases to amaze me the assortment of people I see at my cancer treatments. I've seen the young, the old, and the in-between; white, black, Asian, and Hispanic; boy, girl, woman, and man. Cancer is no respecter of persons. But I know someone else who isn't either! "Red and yellow, black and white, all are precious in His sight; Jesus loves the little children of the world."

I am back in the chemo room for my 3rd Herceptin treatment. The smell is especially strong today, but I am using my Vick's Vapor Rub and keeping busy playing "catch up" on school and home stuff. I have 11 more radiation treatments. Yesterday I spoke with Dr. Wilcox about a sore spot under my arm. She thinks it might be an inflamed lymph node, so she put me on an antibiotic. Dr. Go agreed with her and will see me back for a re-check in three weeks. My red and white counts were a little low, probably due to radiation. I feel so washed out and sleepy, but that is to be expected as I enter the "home stretch" of my radiation. Thanks so much for your prayers as I take a deep breath and press on!!

Sunday, August 23, 2009

"All Things New"

Journal Entry-August 23, 2009

"Behold, I make all things new." Revelation 21:5

Well, the "new" year is off and running, and so am I! I guess I'm just like a child at the start of a new year. I love helping Anna and Joey pack up all their new school supplies and get everything organized for a new year. I love getting everything set up in my classroom for my new class, even though it is hard and exhausting work. My life is full of new beginnings! Twenty new four-year-old's learning a new routine. Joey's first year of high school. Anna loosing her last baby tooth! I have a wonderful new assistant that is replacing my previous friend and co-worker of 5 years! I will miss you Sandy, but wish you the best in Detroit! Mrs. Barrineau, my new assistant is an old pro with young children, so she'll be a great asset in our classroom this year. I have had to stop my oncology rehab. class due to work, but am trying to continue with my exercise program on my own. I have added weight and strength training to my daily physical therapy routine. The radiation is beginning to damage the deeper tissues in my arm and chest, so I have to continue to stretch and strengthen them to prevent scar tissue. I have 13 more radiation treatments and will finish on Sept. 9, if nothing happens to the machine again! I am beginning to have some skin irritation, but mostly fatigue. I will have my 3rd Herceptin infusion on Tuesday of this week and hope to get some lab results and dates for scans set up with Dr. Go. I am thankful for all of those who have provided meals for my family during my radiation. They have been so helpful to me as I struggle with the daily rush of a new school year. Thanks to all who have kept me lifted up in daily prayer! I know I would not be strong enough for work and treatments without them. Finally, thanks to the Lord who makes "all things new".

"It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Comments

Journal Entry-Aug. 6, 2009

Many of you have mentioned that you were unable to post comments on my blog without creating a Google account. I think I have fixed the problem!! So feel free to try again! All you need to do is select the "Comment" button under my blog entries. Then choose "Name" in the "Comment As" drop down menu. Then type your comment and post!
The comments I have received have been very encouraging to me! I hope this helps!

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

A Week of "Firsts"!

Journal Entry-August 4, 2009

It has been a week of "firsts" for me, starting with my first entry of August!
I was able to walk up the hill at church without getting out of breath.
I wore mascara on my new short eyelashes for the first time this week!
Today is the first time I’ve gone by myself to the Cancer Center. I am receiving my infusion of Herceptin.
I actually used shampoo to wash my hair for the first time since February! I thought it would encourage my hair to grow if it knew that I now recognized it as being enough to shampoo!!!
And yesterday I was able to get groceries by myself and load them into the car.
It was been quite a busy but exciting week! I can really tell a difference in my strength and energy level since I've started the oncology rehab. program. It has given me a boost, just in time for a new school year!

"God does not give us overcoming life: He gives us life as we overcome. The strain is the strength. If there is no strain, there is no strength...If you spend yourself out physically, you become exhausted; but spend yourself spiritually, and you get more strength. God never gives strength for tomorrow, or for the next hour, but only for the strain of the minute."
Taken from My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers