Journal Entry-November 17, 2009
"For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many."
2 Corinthians 1:8-11
I must admit that there have been several times in the past few weeks that I have "despaired of life itself". The strain of life is sometimes overwhelming. Then I am put to shame when I consider what Paul must have endured to get to that point in these verses! Certainly much more than I have to endure! Yet, the conclusion of the matter is the same: "He will deliver us again"!
All of the "big" tests that I have had done in the past weeks have come back with positive results. This is such an answer to prayer! It is certainly a blessing granted to me through the "prayers of many". I am still having back pain, but have come to the point where I believe it is the Herceptin. It is a side effect of Herceptin 22% of the time. Dr. Go said that the Herceptin should not have a cumulative effect like the chemo, so he doesn't believe it will worsen over time. I spoke with him about the problems of not being able to find good veins in my right arm for the Herceptin treatments. I have 10 more to go after today, so he feels that a port may be a good thing. I want to still have some good veins left after this is all over with! I am also getting a bit anxious every time I have to have a stick. I will try to schedule it before the end of the year since it will cost less than waiting until January. It should be a short outpatient procedure with a quick recovery time.
I have gone back to physical therapy to learn manual lymph drainage techniques. I have not been wearing my compression sleeve lately because the swelling was so much better. But over the past few weeks, the fluid has been building up and now my arm is pretty swollen. I will probably be getting a new type of sleeve and glove for day and one I can wear at night. This, along with learning the manual lymph drainage techniques, should help with the swelling. The down side is PT twice a week for at least two weeks!
I was able to get my H1N1 shot at the Cancer Center today while I got my Herceptin treatment! I was going to get in line for a long wait at the Greenville Co. Schools Clinic when I left here today. Praise the Lord I didn't have to!
Joey's finger is recovering well. The infection is finally clearing up after two rounds of antibiotics. It is still swollen and a little painful when he bends it for therapy. He did not make the HPCS JV team, but is playing basketball for Edwards Road Baptist Church. He is on the middle school team and should have a lot of chances to be a "leader". This will build his confidence and skills. The Lord has also given him a chance to be a godly influence and intercessor for boys he would normally not come into contact with. This has been a great spiritual growth experience for him and we are confident the Lord has him where he needs to be! Thank you for praying with us. My little "Songbird" Anna placed first in the Vocal Solo Run-offs for 4th-6th grade last week! She sang "Stand Up for Jesus" and "Brethren We Have Met to Worship". She will represent HPCS in the Fine Arts Festival in March.
I am counting the days until the Thanksgiving and Christmas Breaks. Just to have some days to catch up on sleep will be so nice! I've had 3 new students in less than a month! It's nice to know that some time off is just around the bend!
"On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again."
