Progress at last...

Last Tuesday my labs were checked and my platelets were up to 75. It's improvement, but still low. Thankfully my oncologist decided to proceed with chemo #9. The trade off was to give a decreased dose of both chemo drugs. Hopefully this new dose won't cause too much havoc with my platelets. The rest of my labs are good and even up a few points.

Chemo went smoothly. I can tell the dose was decreased as some of the side effects are less. There is one new side effect - neuropathy in my fingers and feet. It's a tingly, numb feeling caused by nerve damage that is pretty much expected with this chemo routine. It is not a matter of if you will get it, just when. I've been fortunate to get this far without symptoms. It does seem to be decreasing, so that's a good thing.

Probably the biggest challenge these last few weeks has been an unusual amount of stress in my life. It seems one thing after another has popped up: the garage door broke, we had to replace a water heater, trying to get our house ready to list between chemo treatments, our kitchen sink became unattached to the granite countertop and fell into the cupboard below (I've never seen that happen). Could there be more? Yes there could! But you get the picture without more details. My stomach was constantly in knots and I couldn't sleep. I felt like it was affecting my very well being and knew I needed to find relief.

I poured my heart out to my Heavenly Father and expressed a desire to be relieved of these feelings. First came counsel reminding me about what is really important in life, then instruction about what I needed to do, and next reassurance that all would be well. Slowly the stress is dissipating. It's not totally gone, but I have more moments without it than I do with it. My family has been unbelievably loving and supportive, and I have an overall feeling that I'm on the right track. Sometimes things are just not easy. But enlisting heavenly help always produces more results than we can accomplish on our own.

I can't thank you enough. The knowledge of so many family and friends who take the time to pray in my behalf and express their love and support is powerful in my life. You truly light up my life!

Good news and another delay

I had a chest CT this week and found out that the "mass" found in my lung a couple of months ago has decreased in size - very good news. It confirms that it most likely is not cancer but rather scar tissue caused by the pulmonary blood clot after my first treatment. Also good news is that my hair is growing in. It's about 1/2 to 1 inch all over my head. Most of the time I don't even cover my head anymore. A few weeks ago a cute little girl in Costco told me I didn't have any hair, but that's changing.

But, once again my treatment was delayed another week due to low platelets. They are up to 61, but it's not enough to proceed with a regular dose of chemo. So the decision was made to wait another week. I'll be back on schedule next Tuesday...hopefully. The good part about no chemo is that I feel so good. I've been riding my bike and enjoying the beautiful weather.

I think not having chemo this week has been a blessing in disguise. We have decided to sell our house and move about 2 miles from here to a 55+ community. We really needed to get this house listed and finalize floor plans for the new house. If I had chemo I wouldn't have been able to do any of it this week. Once again, the Lord knew what we needed to get done and made it possible for us to do it. Making this move is full of mixed feelings. I love where we live, but I know it is time for us to make the change. Together we struggle through taking care of this half acre yard, but if it was just one of us there is no way he/she could handle it alone. Moving is the practical and right thing to do and Heavenly Father will help us accomplish it.

Another delay...

Treatment #9 has been delayed. My platelets dropped from 81 to 44 - my lowest level so far. Thankfully the rest of my labs are adequate. The plan is to wait a week, recheck my labs, and hopefully proceed with #9. It throws my schedule off but I can deal with that. I believe with everything there is a silver lining, so I'll enjoy the week by trying to rest and let my body heal. I am not feeling too bad. Fatigue and occasional nausea are the major issues, but hey who doesn't love a good nap!

We have enjoyed some quality family time and a little culture. We went to Logan to see "Man of La Mancha," and "The Little Mermaid" at the Hale Center Theater. Both were excellent and quite different. I think I like "The Little Mermaid" the best. We've been picking blackberries from our garden and I think we have enough to make a batch of jam (with Devon's help).

So life is good. I know this will pass, but have to admit it was discouraging to have the delay. So please keep your fingers crossed and prayers coming that next Wednesday I'll be well enough to proceed. Then I'll only have 3 more to go...YIPPEE!