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!