March 20, 2008 Update

3/20/08 Update

Happy Resurrection Day family, friends, and prayer warriors.

I am doing well this weekend. This was my 4th chemo treatment out of the 9 every other week so I am almost to the halfway point. Then my doctor is really leaning heavily toward doing the radiation option everyday for 6 weeks after that as opposed to chemo monthly for another 8 months but we shall see. My MRI came back clean so I am technically already in remission, for every blessing HE pours out I will turn back to praise.

A week ago Friday I rebelled in a meeting at work. My headband was itching my scar so I ripped it off and told my co-workers that since they all know what's under the headband it is silly for me to hide a scar at discomfort. I'm just not that vain. I haven't wore one since except to pull may hair back when I wash my face at home.

I didn't feel as weak or tired this go around, still weak and tired but a lesser degree. I actually drove home from the hospital myself Friday night even though Toni was with me and after sleeping most of Saturday, we drove around a couple hours Saturday afternoon. So that's progress. I did sleep most of today and am still having difficulty eating much and I am still supersensitive to all smells. My blood counts remain good as well, another great blessing from God.

It's a bit ironic, you go through a life-awakening event and have this great new appreciation for everything you experience but you can't go experience much and have to stay in as much isolation as possible for fear of germs in groups and places.

Allergy season is coming on so we're a bit nervous as I usually get a sinus infection or 2 during the spring and this year that is just not an option. I still swear that my daily use of Guaifenesin (Mucinex) in the fall to not get a sinus infection kept me well and when I finally stopped taking it daily is what made me sick. There are studies out there that Guaifenesin removes toxins from cells and it is being studied and used in trials for patients with fibromyalgia. I think when I stopped taking it in December the toxins built up. Kelly/ Matt - y'all are my genius doctor research friends....do a study on Guaifenesin and you might find the cure to loads of things. Just cut me a % for inspiring you.

I think I'm going to try to do my next chemo by myself since the past couple have gone so well. I may just have a friend on deck in case I feel too weak to drive home some Friday night.

I did start reading through Sacred Sorrow by Michael Card, it is a powerful book.

I got a copy of my medical records thus far to take to my family doc so he'd have on file. It's odd to read through all the sterile doctors' notes of what has transpired the past 2 months. The most amusing note to me was one that stated "mood appropriate." I have no idea what an appropriate mood for finding out you have cancer is. Much less a cancer so rare they will not quote me a stage or even survival stats but evidently some resident felt I acted appropriately that day. I dunno, just amused me to read that in the notes. It also irritated me that my age is on a label at the top of every blasted page but one day one Dr added 3 yrs to me in his notes.....I want to call and have him correct those notes! Lack of attention to detail is not what you want from a neurosurgeon. Of course hopefully he'll never get the chance to scrape on my brain again. But he did save my life so I can't be too mad.

Thank you all for the continued prayers, calls, emails, and cards. I know I'm not great at returning all of the phone calls but I truly do cherish the messages. I continue to be overwhelmed each week as I receive emails back from strangers who are in bible studies with some of you or Sunday School classes or just friends who love you so they are praying for me. How amazing is that? In a time when we look out into a scary fallen world, God continues to show that his people are still working and fighting for his kingdom through their genuine love of people.

Please take some time to remember what today is all about and give thanks for all of the blessings in your life, most importantly the one who gave his life so you could live. Make it a life of purpose and integrity. It's funny, I have been blessed with a co-worker/ mentor who just came through a cancer fight and has become a close friend. She was telling me how she had become a stale Christian but it is amazing when she started to think, "you know, I really might meet God pretty soon so I better make sure he remembers who I am."

Blessings to you all.