Third Chemo Session - wk 6

Romans 12:12

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

July 13- July 19  Not much to report.

July 13, Saturday
Nice weekend!

July 14, Sunday
Josh and I worked the cameras at church.  Matt took Scott to the airport this afternoon.

July 15, Monday
Coffee with my friend, Keely.

July 16, Tuesday
Lorri G. came for a visit.  Went to Breast Cancer support group at the hospital.

July 17, Wed
Josh had doc appointment and then we clothes shopped for him.

July 18, Thurs
Coffee with my lovely pastor's wife, Kathy.  Picked up Scott.  His flight was 4 hours late!

July 19, Fri
Went to chemo.  Everything went well!  Three- quarters done with my treatment!  Felt a little tired because of my late airport pickup last night.

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For your listening pleasure (and mine), I added some christian music videos that I like under the tab, Songs, above.  Sometimes music says it all!

If you would like to follow me on this journey, subscribe to My Breast Cancer Journey by Email .  You will be notified by e-mail when I make a new post. Thanks, Pam

Halfway Through!

I am officially halfway through my summer of chemo!  Yea!  Six weeks down, six weeks to go!  Tomorrow I have my third chemo session.

I was a little apprehensive when I first started chemotherapy. The unknown is a little unnerving at times, but now that I've gone through two sessions, I can say it hasn't been too bad.  Others going through chemo may have totally different experiences.

I take medicine at home prior to chemo for nausea, and then again through the IV at the infusion center immediately before the chemo drugs are given.  The actual IV treatment doesn't make me feel sick. Afterward I feel good for about 3 days and then I have about 2 days of feeling uncomfortable and a little tired.  From that point on, I continue to feel better until I'm pretty much back to normal for the next two weeks until my next chemo. -- I thank God for being merciful to me!  And I thank all of you who have prayed for me. Your prayers are being answered!

As I've gone through my "cancer saga" with various doctor and other medical appointments,  I've had to fill out info about my health many times. -- You know the forms, a list of 50 sickness or diseases that they want to know if you've had.  It always made me laugh a little when the doctor or nurse would say that I was in relatively good health.  I'm thinking, "Oh yeah, if it wasn't for this pesky cancer thing!"

Anyway, I think that is a contributing factor to why chemo hasn't caused many problems for me.  The more health issues an individual has, the harder chemo can be.  (At least that is what the leader of the breast cancer support group said.)

And laughter does a body good!

Proverbs 17:22  

A cheerful heart is good medicine,

but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

The other day, Josh wanted me to take him somewhere.  In days gone by I would have responded with something like, "Ok, let me put on my shoes and grab my purse and I'll be ready."   Last week when he asked, I said, "Let me grab my breast and put on my wig and I'll be ready."   And then I laughed at what I'd just said. Oh life is funny sometimes, isn't it?

If you would like to follow me on this journey, subscribe to My Breast Cancer Journey by Email You will be notified by e-mail when I make a new post. Thanks, Pam

Gone! - wk 5

"Do these earrings make my head look bald?"

July 7 - 13
I refer to this week and next week as "my good weeks!"  My bad week (and its really not all week, is the week right after my chemo.).

July 8, Monday
Had to get some errands/paperwork/bills done.

July 9, Tuesday
Went to check on a wig store, "Wigs R You."  Still very hot in Rocklin!

July 10, Wednesday
Yes today is the day.  My last few locks of hair will be taken off. Might as well get it over with.  Not much left!

July 11, Thursday
Had doctor's appointment with my GP to followup on blood pressure meds.  Afterward I went to Sutter lab to have my blood drawn so I could have the results when I see the oncologist tomorrow.  Matt picked up Scott tonight.  He was able to get a direct flight, so that shortened his trip a few hours.

July 12, Friday
Saw the oncologist today.  Things seem to be going well.  I'm feeling good. I felt better after this round of chemo than the first time.  I didn't have those tingly achy pains in my arms and legs this time. My "bad" days weren't as bad.  I was up and about much more. I think all those neupogen shots I got right after chemo may not have been totally necessary (in my opinion). The blood test after my week of shots showed my white blood cell count as too high.  So I suppose the shots did their job a little too well! By the next week's test (yesterday), things were back in the normal range.  I probably don't need those shots after my next chemo.

Overall, I feel KNOW without a doubt that God has been with me! He has helped me.  He has been my calm in a storm.  Sometimes you don't know how you would react in a situation.  I had never thought of how I would react or respond with a cancer diagnosis, with surgery to remove a breast or during chemo, but what I have found is a strength that I can only attribute to the grace of God.  He has given me something that, I didn't know was in me!  Where did it come from?  I'm not so holy or spiritual. (My friends and family could attest to that!)  I think it was my upbringing.  I think it was my foundation, the things I was taught as a child:  We trust God.  God is good.  God takes care of us -- even in the midst of storms.  Maybe especially in the storms!

If you would like to follow me on this journey, subscribe to My Breast Cancer Journey by Email. You will be notified by e-mail when I make a new post. Thanks, Pam