Reverse physcology!

Just tell someone that they can't do something and it will make them want to do it! They told me when my platelets were so low that I might not be able to do my #2A treatment today. Works every time. I went from NOT WANTING to do my treatment , to instantly WANTING to do my treatment!!! I asked people to pray that my body would make platelets, and it did! 

Then the doctor told me that he was going to lower the dose! My first thought was, NO!. Then I'm not  doing everything I can to fight this cancer!!! I must have had a look on my face that revealed my thoughts. Dr. Carter then said that everyone gets that look ;0) Glad to know I'm normal. He explained that they use the blood count levels to tell if the patient is getting enough drugs to kill the cancer. Since my platelets went so low, I got more that enough. So the doctor lowered my dose in hopes that I won't need another platelet transfusion. It would be better if I didn't need one.

I had my treatment today of Carboplatin and Gemzar. I have to take my anti-nausea meds to keep from getting sick from the Carboplatin. Hopefully, I have learned the right combination to make it work better than last time. Fortunately, I never actually got sick last time, only felt like I might get sick. Don't want to go there this time. The second part of this treatment is scheduled for next Thursday. It will be the Genzar. Hopefully my platelets will tolerated this new dosage better.

When it really comes down to it. I can't do anything on my own. No matter how much I think I can. Just as "all things are possible with God", "without faith we can not please Him". So when I look to Him with faith, I can have the peace and hope that he will do what is best for me. That's what gives me the strength to do those things that I don't think I can do. How great is our God!

Thanks for the prayers! We really appreciate them!

Coincidences? I DON'T THINK SO!!!

I made a little unexpected trip to the hospital today. A New adventure! My platelet count was so low that they sent me to the hospital to get a transfusion (of platelets).

It wasn't so bad, just took a good part of my day. God made sure that My low counts were found. I went to get my blood tested for my annual checkup with my primary care doctor last Monday. I wasn't scheduled to see my chemo doctor until next Wednesday. By then, I would have been in big trouble, since my platelets were down to 5 and my blood was not clotting. I made this appointment with my primary care doctor a year ago! Our God is Great!!!

The chemo drug Gemzar is the culprit. It is hard on the bone marrow. I guess it was really hard on mine!!! I have to go back in on Monday to get my blood checked. The chemo doctor warned me that this may delay my next treatment, which is scheduled for next Thursday. We shall see.

In my new adventure today, I shared with a man who has had a bone marrow transplant that it's all in God's hands. Praised the Lord with the gal that admitted me at the hospital. (Her husband is going through cancer treatments and they are struggling financially) My nurse's wife has Triple Negative Breast Cancer, lives on the street in Mt. Shasta where my Uncle lived, and worked at the hospital where Ron installed the phone system. When I asked him if he went to church, he said he hadn't been to church since he was a boy. I told him that I am in a win-win situation because God is in control and when I die, I know I'll be in heaven with Him. And I did it all with a good attitude. Now that is a great God!!!

I wasn't feeling like myself...

...I felt like a clown!

Last Friday night I was feeling well enough to go to the Lifelight Auction as a clown! My chemo treatment on Thursday went well. After a few naps and anti-nausea pills I felt well enough to go to the auction. It was a lot of fun! I made balloon animals for the children and "clowned" around.

I am feeling better better today, not much nausea! Yea!!! And I am very glad that I have one cycle done, and only 5 to go!!! 

 

I am praying that God sends those drugs through my body like little "pac men" chomping away at all the cancer cells. 

Ron is holding up in spite of the fact that he had a colonoscopy yesterday. He did fine and the test came back good news. He is good for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Which ever comes first!

One Down, 5 TO GO!!! or OUR GOD IS GREAT!!!!!

The nurses really tried to make us feel special. Don't they look cute?

Solace Cancer Care Really does Care!

Here I am eating my Super Taco Ole` from the Taco Shop that Ron brought me.

Check out the Prayer Quilt the ladies from church made. It is so awesome! On Sundays they put the new ones  in the foyer with the person's name and prayer request. Then people of the church say a prayer when they tie a knot. There could be 100's of prayers on each quilt. I love it!!!

My heart sank.........when the nurse told me my blood cells were too low to do my treatment! I had been there for at least an hour and a half. And felt confident that since I had only had one treatment I would be ok to take the second part of this treatment. NOW I SEE WHY THE DOC SAID NOT TO PUT MY APPOINTMENTS IN INK! Fortunately, when the nurse consulted with the doctor, I was able to do my treatment. The reason being is that tomorrow, I go in for a very expensive shot to boost my blood counts. So I should be good by my next treatment on 10/29.

Why would ANYONE be disappointed that they were not going to get stuck with a huge needle, sit in a chair for 2-3 hours, and be given drugs that make you first feel wasted, and then feel crummy?

I'll tell you why! This Adventure is as much in the mind as it is physical.

When I got up this morning, I had thoughts like, "if I stay in bed will it all go away"? So I gave myself a "self-talk" (do you ever do that?). I told myself that when I get this one done, I will only have 5 to go. And, I've got to do this so these drugs can kill all those nasty little cancer cells floating around in my body. But the best thing I tell myself is that my God is Great. And He not only planned this for me, but also will be carrying me one step at a time!!!!! Can't get any better than that!!!

Keep up the prayers............. I think know they are working.

Smile-A-Day

 I am doing quite well. Thanks for all the prayers. Just a little tired. I am trying to not do too much so I can do the stuff that I need to do.

A dear friend gave me a "Smile-A-Day Book"! She filled it with three weeks of daily things for me to do that will make me smile. So far I have seen a story about a dog applying for a job, a recipe for chili, a picture of a girl raking leaves to color (with my very own crayons). Today there was a joke that made me laugh. I am loving it! There is one thing that I hate, though. I WANT TO PEEK!!!

Way to go God!!!

Here I am getting my 1st Chemo treatment. Today, I got two drugs. Carboplatin, and Gemcitibene (or Gemzar). These are ones I didn't have before, so I didn't know what to expect.

I was glad that I didn't have any reaction to the chemo drugs. If I can't take these drugs it's gonna be bad.

I was excited to see that they had wireless internet. I was able to use my computer........Until I got so tired that I fell asleep.

You wouldn't believe all the stuff that's in the "happy juice" !!! Sleeping pills, tranquilizers, anti-nausea, even benadryl. Lots of benadryl. Think we will cut back on the benadryl next time.

Tonight, I take an Ativan, before I go to bed. It helps with the nausea, with sleeping. It is a type of tranquilizer. In the morning I take a Zofran for nausea. If those don't work, I have another one, Compazine.

Enough about nausea! God knows us from the time we were formed in out Mother's wombs. He can certainly watch over me and give me the strength I need for whatever comes my way!

Casa de las Rocas

My parents bought a house built on and around huge boulders. Some of the walls were big rocks. 

 My Mom would use a broom to 

sweep down the sandy walls! 

From the  lower level the view was of a patio and more rocks. But, from the upstairs, you could see for what seemed like forever. They sat upon a rock at the West end of the San Fernando Valley and you could see the 30 miles to the East side.

I have to remember that I can only see the "downstairs" view of my life. But God, can see the "upstairs" view. He knows the very moment I will die and everything that will happen to me in-between. And He wouldn't put anything in my adventure that He won't carry me though. When I start to fear what will happen, I remind myself and God.

I had my port-insertion yesterday. Other than being a little groggy and in a little pain, it went well. I start chemo on the 8th. My treatments will be with two drugs, carboplatnim and gemcitabine. The first week I will receive both drugs, the second week only gemcitabine, and the third week nothing. I will do this for 6 cycles. The port is a "thingy" that they put under the skin, just below the collar bone. Then the tube is pulled up under your skin, over the collar bone. It is inserted in the inter-jugular vein, down that vein then to the heart (not in). They stick the needle through your skin and into the rubber part of the port-a-cath. That way they don't have to use the veins in your arm. It is hard on them.

I thank God that He CAN see forever!!! Nothing happens without Him!

Thanks again for all your prayers!!!