April 28, 2008

Thanks for all of your prayers and support…they are working! My bone scan was totally clear, and my PET is only showing a slightly possible problem in my right under arm area. This is where I had my original surgery in 2004, and it has always been sore and very tender. Dr. Aggarwal believes the problem showing on the PET has always been there and is probably not more than scar tissue. But, she’s decided on taking caution and will test it one step further with an MRI of the specific area next week (May 6). We don’t expect any negative results from the test, but we still appreciate your prayers. If this test turns out good, then I won’t have to resume taking the Xeloda. I’ve been off of it since March, and I feel much better. My hands and feet are also starting to recover.

Even though we’ve been through a lot of tests this year already, I’m renewed and refreshed to have started the year and made it this far cancer-free!!! I am feeling great, and my energy level seems to be up.

Please keep my words in your prayers this Friday night. Debbie Roth has asked me to give my testimony of hope at her coffee house concert at the Anchor Room in Fort Wayne. This will be the first time I’ve spoken publicly about my journey, and I’m nervous. I am excited to share my story because of the mighty wonders it demonstrates, but the words I need to use haven’t come to me yet. The program starts at 7:00 p.m., and Debbie said I’d probably speak in the middle of the evening. She’s asked me to share for about 10 minutes. Keep both of us in your thoughts as we present this time of sharing. She is an incredible singer, and I’m also excited about hearing her perform her new album live.

Thanks.

Sandy

April 15, 2008

We made it through the PET and Bone scans without any troubles, so thanks for your thoughts and prayers. We’ll meet with Dr. Aggarwal next Wednesday to get the results.

I continue to feel great and have good energy. I’m very excited to be taking courses again starting in May to complete my master’s degree! I had to drop out of the program last summer when I had the brain tumor, and my class mates will graduate at the end of June. Go Cohort #3! I think I’ll be done in May of 2009, which isn’t that far away. This degree has always been a dream of mine, and I have renewed hope that I could complete it. Praise the Lord!

Sandy

April 9, 2008

I saw Dr. Aggarwal again this week, and she was very pleased with the progress of my toe. I’m still not taking my one chemo drug because she thought I needed a break. She’s also ordered two scans in the next week to see how things look. I’ll have a PET scan on Friday morning and a BONE scan on Monday morning. Please pray that these tests are clear. We’ll report results after we meet with her again.

Thank you.

Sandy

April 4, 2008

God cares about our fears and concerns! If you’ve been reading my posts, you know that I’ve had a big toe problem all week. To help calm myself down (because of possible needles in my toe) I took a very hot shower on Wednesday night. When I got out, my problem toe looked like it was seeping. I looked closer and tried squeezing my nail (where it hurt), and a whole bunch of fluids came out from under the nail! I was so excited that I called for Mark and showed him what had happened. The swelling drained on its own, and I knew it wouldn’t need drained at the doctor!

We saw the podiatrist the next day, and he agreed with my conclusion. He thinks the swelling was from a hematoma (blood bruise or blister), and there was no infection. Once the bruise popped, it relieved the pain and started to heal.

I know I probably sound like a wimp over this problem, but I really hate needles. I prayed that God would help me through the possible treatments, and some friends also prayed for me. I’m grateful and amazed that God would consider this request and grant me a simple and painless solution!

Today I feel great and my toe is doing very well. Don’t ever hesitate to pray about a scary situation, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem. I’ve never lost hope that God would take care of me, but this week I felt like he hugged me a little tighter.

Take care.

Sandy

April 1, 2008

Dr. Aggarwal is sending me to a foot doctor this afternoon to work on my toe infection. She’s also stopped one of my chemo drugs which may be causing the problem. I’m NOT excited about the appointment this afternoon. It sounds like they’ll have to numb my toe and “lance” it (drain). I’ll probably also be put on antibiotics. Please pray for my nerves and a supernatural pain tolerance today. I’m already panicking about the procedure.

Thanks.

Sandy