Just like Job! - wk 7

Have you ever felt like Job?  Well, I certainly have this week!  On Sunday, I woke up (not with boils), but with this terrible rash, starting on my lower abdomen and then my upper body and spreading down my legs, up my neck, head, and arms. . . And oh was it itchy!  I thought back to what I had done recently. Maybe I had some allergic reaction to something I ate. Then I wondered if this was some sign of an infection. The oncology staff had cautioned me to watch out for a fever as a sign of infection, but didn't say anything about a rash.  I called my on-call oncology doctor and he told me to take Benadryl and Claritin  for the itching.

Sunday afternoon, I had an appointment for a neupogen shot at the infusion center, so the nurses were able to take a look at my rash.  It was awful! --red and welt-like . . . and oh so itchy! After consulting with the doctor again, the nurses were able to call in a prescription for some kind of cream to help with the itching, but I still had unanswered questions! What caused this?  Will it keep spreading?  And will the itching ever end???

Well, as it turns out, I had an appointment scheduled with my GP on Monday as a follow up for my blood pressure meds.  When I mentioned that to the nurses, that was a clue!  It was probably the new blood pressure medicine.  They told me to stop taking the medicine and continue taking Benadryl and Claritin.

At my appointment Monday, my doctor agreed it was the blood pressure meds and I got some kind of shot for the itching.   I feel better now although I still have minor itching and scratching episodes. And thus, my Job reference - as I'm sure he had his share of itching and scratching.

I know, my troubles in life aren't nearly as bad as Jobs and maybe I shouldn't be comparing myself to him, but I did find that Job and I have something very much in common.  (Job 1:20) At this Job got up, tore his robe and SHAVED HIS HEAD!

But really, Job is a wonderful example of living through difficult times. He didn't, "Curse God and die," as his wife suggested.  He stayed true to God and the Bible says,  The LORD blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first (Job 42:12).

You know what?  That's my promise!  I'm claiming that!  No I didn't lose my sheep or my servants, my sons or my camels, but I have lost a few things!  And I'm gonna believe God will bless me! . . . as long as I stay faithful to him!

July 20, Sat
Still feel good.

July 21, Sun
Feel OK.

July 22, Mon
Not feeling so great.  Slept a lot.

July 23, Tues
Feeling better today.

July 24, Wed
Feeling good.

July 25, Thurs
Blood work.  If my neutrophils are low, I have to get shots again.

July 26, Friday
Neupogen shot.  Yes, I have to get them again, 3 times.

July 27, Saturday
Got my shot at 8 am, then went to Santa Cruz with my boys to celebrate my nephew's marriage. Congratulations to Jared and Ashley!

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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