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."
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
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.
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!
"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!
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!
"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!!
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.
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.
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