September 27, 2008

I had treatment yesterday and it went very well. Mark took part of the day off to go with me, so we had a nice time together. With his work schedule, these moments are harder to accomplish, so we were both grateful for the time. It is also great to have the day off from work on chemo days, even though I had to go in yesterday for a few hours.

Next week, my treatment will only be Herceptin because I get a break from the chemo drug. I also get to go to the Bluffton office, so that will be much easier. I’ve been feeling more pain in my abdomen this week and taking more pain medication, which has us a little worried. I won’t be seen by the doctor for another two weeks, and she’s going to repeat my abdominal scans at the beginning of November. The pain makes us think that my chemo isn’t working that well, but we’ll have to wait and find out in November.

I’m going to be speaking at a Ladies’ Banquet at my church on November 7, and I could use your prayers. I have a specific idea for my presentation, but it still needs to be thought through and developed more. I believe that God has given me this idea for my presentation, and I know he’ll also give me the words to say, but I’m still nervous and cannot do this unprepared.

Thanks for your faithfulness and continued reading of my thoughts.

Sandy

September 22, 2008

I’m just finishing a very long day at work, so I’ll make this quick and get going home.

I met with the pulmonogy doctor last week, and he thinks I had an allergic reaction to something while I was in the hospital or just before that caused the pneumonia. He ran a blood test to check, and he’ll repeat my CT in November. Otherwise, there doesn’t seem to be anything else causing my breathing trouble, and I feel like it is cleared up.

I had chemotherapy treatment on Friday, and it went as well as it could. My blood counts are getting a little lower, which are measured each week to see if I can tolerate chemo. This just means that we’ll have to monitor them closely, and treatment would be stopped if my system isn’t up to it. I don’t notice too many side effects from this treatment or having lower counts, but I am tired. I’m now taking a sick day when I have chemo so I can get more rest, and I think it will really help.

Chemo again this week on Friday, and then I have a week off of the main drug next week.

Thanks for your support, as always.

Sandy

September 12, 2008

I just finished reading a book that may change my life. It’s called The Shack, and it’s written by William P. Young. If God is all powerful and full of love, why doesn’t He do something about the pain and evil in our world?  This book answers that age old question with startling creativity and staggering clarity. This book is pretty intense and deep, but every page is worth reading over and over again.

The Shack

May you find your own answers like I did.

Sandy

September 9, 2008

I’m back to work and feeling much better. I’m not sure if I’ll continue working five full days per week, but I’m going to try. We got the results back from my lung biopsy yesterday, and there was no sign of cancer cells in my lungs! I’ll see the lung doctor next week for a follow-up, but I feel much better.

I’ll start back on chemotherapy this week (Thursday) on the same drugs I was on before vacation. I’ve missed two weeks of treatment, so I’m anxious to get started again.

Thanks for your support.

Sandy

September 4, 2008

I am finally going home!!! Mark is on his way to pick me up, and we’ll get discharge instructions from the nurse. I cannot tell you how good it feels to be leaving. Everyone has been wonderful to me, but I am ready to be home. We learned today that Shelby has a virus, so she cannot be around me until the fever breaks. This is disappointing for both of us, but we’ll make it through.

Pray for us as we get used to me being home again! Thank you.

Sandy

PS: Tomorrow is Mark’s birthday!

September 3, 2008

The bronchoscopy test wasn’t so bad…I was asleep the whole time. I have been pretty tired and groggy today, so I’ve slept a lot. We were told that there won’t be results on the lung test for 24-48 hours. The doctors agreed that all of my IVs should be shut down today, and I’ve started taking pill forms of some of my antibiotics. We’ve also been told that I will probably go home tomorrow. We are all very excited that I’ll be home, and I finally feel like I’ll be able to survive away from here.

I am honored by your comments and show of support. I love you all.

Sandy

September 2, 2008

Maybe it’s bad luck to think I might be going home…

I had a chest x-ray this morning, and my lungs are not responding to the antiobiotics. This isn’t what we hoped to hear, so the lung doctor is going to do a procedure tomorrow to get a biopsy of my lung tissue to test. My first question was “would there be needles or pain?” and he said they’d put me to sleep through my IV. Praise God. After this test, we’ll see what the doctors want to do, but it means I won’t be going home tomorrow like I thought earlier today. 

Sandy

September 1, 2008

We’re starting to see some improvements today. I have been able to stop using oxygen; I’m not running any more fevers, and my foot no longer hurts at all. The lung doctor visited us this morning and may reduce my IV fluids today. He reported that the infaltrates in my lung looked a little better in my x-ray, but he still doesn’t know what they are caused by. He thinks they look like fluid from infection, so we’re going to stay the course of the antibiotics. He told us that the steps we’re taking (above) are good signs in the direction of going home! Praise the Lord for a sign of hope.

Please keep Mark in your prayers and thoughts. He’s such a great caregiver for me that people seem to forget that he also needs encouragement and support. He’s not a person who would ever ask for support, but he could really use your words of concern for his feelings and fears. Thanks for your sensitivity when reaching out to him.

The picture here is from yesterday’s visit from the girls. They were excited to put on their yellow hospital gowns, so we decided to snap a photo!

We love you all.

Sandy