Saturday, October 23, 2010

Round 5 complete

Chemo #5
Sorry it has taken me two days to update. I have just emerged from bed today! Thanks to each of you for checking in on me following my last chemo treatment. Overall, chemo went smoothly, but truly it wiped me out for a day and a half.

My body took to the Taxol just fine. No reaction. Which I praise God for. That was my prayer going into it. "Lord, if you desire this drug to be used to fight my cancer, then please allow my body to receive it." All went well.

The hardest part honestly, was the Benadryl. Before the chemo gets infused, I have to have about 40 minutes of IV pre-meds. These include Emmend (anti-nausea), an infusion of steriods, and this time, a bag of Benadryl was added to ward off a reaction to the Taxol chemo drug. Now if you have ever taken liquid Benadryl then you know, it makes you a bit sleepy. Well, try getting it put directly into your veins. It is a whole different story. I had all these great intentions on using those 4 hours wisely and frankly, God had a different plan. I truly was to just sit still.

My sweet nurse said I may begin to feel a bit loopy and sleepy after the Benadryl. That was an understatement. Barclay came to sit with me for the first hour or so of the infusion, just in case my body had an adverse reaction. After the Benadryl, I could barely hold a conversation. I was so out of it. I had to force my mind to stay focused on each word. After awhile, I just succumbed to the medicine and had to close my eyes for a bit.

The Taxol went in just fine. Praise God. It was a long afternoon. I didn't get home until after 5:00 and went straight to bed. The evening of my infusions are always the worst. My body fights with all it has to combat the drugs. I was wiped out. Literally.

On Friday, it was much of the same. It was the first time since chemo that I wasn't really able to get out of bed all day. My body was just depleted of energy. Thankfully, a sweet friend again had offered to take Faith and Jed overnight from Thursday to Friday which was a huge blessing. On Friday, school was conducted from my bed, as the older boys would come in with questions. And dinner was so graciously brought in again both nights, helping to alleviate the load.

My oncologist had said that with Taxol, the nausea is lessened, but instead, on day 2 flu-like aches can descend. Well, I woke up this morning feeling pretty good. I have not had any nausea and so far the aches and flu-like symptoms were only yesterday, and were tolerable.

Today, I feel almost back to normal.....the new normal that is.

And I am so thankful for that day and a half of rest. I am thankful once again for the hands that have been outstretched...again and again to our family. I am thankful for God's grace and mercy. I am thankful that today, other than lingering fatigue and reduced stamina, I am out of bed and able to function again. Thank you all for your prayers. Thank you also, for sharing your prayer requests with me. It is my privilege to usher you and your families before God's throne.

This evening, two of our sons have football games back to back. I am thankful to be able to go. Seth's team is playing in the championship. They are undefeated and play for the league title tonight. It is a big night for them. The game is at a high school stadium, under the lights. If they win, they move onto Regionals. We are all really excited. I hope to have pictures to share tomorrow.

And so round 5 is behind us!

Faithy girl keeps asking me, "Mom, when is your hair going to grow back? Are you always going to be bald?"

I sweetly tell her that around Christmas time, my hair should begin to grow back.

Her innocent and child-like reply is, "Wow, mom, that is a long time away!"

Ahh, to be a child again and live in each moment. To her, Christmas is a lifetime away. To me, it is a mere 3 more treatments. Again the reminder that we are to press on in Christ, keeping our eyes on Him and not what lies ahead. To come to Him with a child-like faith....a faith of purity, simplicity, eagerness, trustworthiness, and sincerity. This is what God desires of us. To put aside what we know in our head and follow after Him and love Him with our heart, soul, mind and strength. To respond to Him with unwavering faith. To live in today knowing that He has tomorrow already figured out.

"Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it. And He took them (the children) up in His arms,
laid His hands on them, and blessed them." Mark 10:15,16

What a picture of our Father's love for us. He takes us in His arms, He lays His strong, mighty and gentle hands upon us and He pours out His spiritual blessings.

May you rest today in His abundant love.

Much love,
Stacy






15 comments:

Trisha said...

Stacy,
I'm so glad you came by so that I would have the privilege of meeting you. Your post made me weep....for you and all you're going through and for the goodness of God in the midst of it all. Your heart sings that He is working it all for good and has given you this trial in His unfailing wisdom. I'm praying for you and will continue to do so. My cousin has been battling cancer of a different kind, and I "know" (used very loosely) of her different struggles and sicknesses. Like you, she is a beautiful picture of clinging to Him and glorifying Him in all she says and does. Hugs across the miles, new friend!

Unknown said...

Speaking of Faith - you look just like her with your "long glorious hair"! WOW!

Glad to hear you are doing well!

Praying for you and lifting your family before the throne!

Love you lots!
Jill

Alison said...

So glad your body accepted the treatment well, Stacy. Faith's comments are really cute!

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

So glad parts went well...I have been praying daily. I am so glad you got to go to the football game...another thing I have been praying for also.

Have a blessed weekend...thanks for the updates and the praise of answered prayer.

I will remember the hair by Christmas!!

Continued healing in Jesus Name and strength for the journey,
Blessings

Debbie Petras said...

Stacy, you are truly amazing! As you go through your health challenges, you are eager to pray for others.

"Thank you all for your prayers. Thank you also, for sharing your prayer requests with me. It is my privilege to usher you and your families before God's throne."

What you said is so true and yet how easy to forget ...it is a privilege to come before our God in prayer.

As my heart has been opened lately through a number of things, I'm much more emotional. And as I read your words I began to cry. I see how you are trying to continue to live your life and be a mom and wife but also deal with chemo. You know I was a nurse for 25 years so I understand about the meds and IV Benadryl. No wonder you slept!

Stacy, you are glorifying God in the midst of all that's happening in your life. I hope you know that. I see the Lord at work in you as you place your hope and trust in Him.

I can't tell you how much this spoke to me:

" Again the reminder that we are to press on in Christ, keeping our eyes on Him and not what lies ahead. To come to Him with a child-like faith....a faith of purity, simplicity, eagerness, trustworthiness, and sincerity. This is what God desires of us. To put aside what we know in our head and follow after Him and love Him with our heart, soul, mind and strength.:Again the reminder that we are to press on in Christ, keeping our eyes on Him and not what lies ahead. To come to Him with a child-like faith....a faith of purity, simplicity, eagerness, trustworthiness, and sincerity. This is what God desires of us. To put aside what we know in our head and follow after Him and love Him with our heart, soul, mind and strength. To respond to Him with unwavering faith. To live in today knowing that He has tomorrow already figured out.
To respond to Him with unwavering faith. To live in today knowing that He has tomorrow already figured out."

Sorry this comment is so long but you definitely touched my heart this morning with your words. I will continue praying for you.

Blessings and love,
Debbie

Melissa said...

My prayers continue to be with you. Thank you for sharing your journey and leading us closer to him.

Denise said...

Saying prayers on your behalf sweetie.

Emily said...

Thanking God that every thing went well this week! Praying for a great week ahead!

Love,
Emily

A multi-dimensional life said...

Stacy, I'm so glad to hear that your body did well with the taxol and you are beyond chemo 5! Also glad to hear that you could make it to the game and hope you are enjoying your week-end with your beautiful family! I'm also so amazed that you conducted school from your bed! To juggle all that you do is another testimony to the power of God. He is not only carrying you through this, but also giving you the strength and power to minister to others in spite of it all! Have to say a big Amen to that! :)
Yes, He pours out His blessings!
You are in my continued prayers and I thank Him for you!

Sara said...

So glad the new meds. went ok... besides having to rest. That probably exactly what God wanted for you and what your body needed. Thankful that your are able to get out of bed and go to your boys games. That is awesome. I have to tell you that you look beautiful sitting in that chemo chair as crazy as that sounds. God's love is shining right out of you... Praying for you!
Sara

Debbie said...

I am soo glad the new meds are behind you and it went as well as it did. How I praise God that you continue to have those near who can step in so willingly to help. Thank you sooo much for the prayers. That you would take the time so blesses me, you will never know. I an also glad you were able to get to those football games too...how exciting to get to the championship game, how proud you must be. Your daughter's remarks are soo precious. Praying for your continued strength through this next week. HUGS AND BLESSINGS, Debbie

He & Me + 3 said...

I am so glad that you got some rest my friend and that so much is behind you. You look absolutely beautiful sitting there behind your laptop. So glad you got to go to your sons games. That is wonderful & happy that you are back to your new normal.
Hugs,
Mimi

LisaShaw said...

The LORD's hand is truly on you Stacy. Praising the LORD that you are done with round 5 and that you didn't have an adverse reaction.

Praying for you sweet one and your family. I always seem to come over here to encourage you and I leave feeling guilty because it is I that receives encouragement from you.

I pray that I am offering something to encourage you...my prayers and my love.

Lisa Smith said...

I had to take liquid benedryl when I was in labor because I had an allergic reaction to the epidural. I slept until time to push... no lie. It was great but I know what you mean...it took awhile to unloop!

So happy you're cruisin through treatments... i pray the hard times move quickly and the good times are savored!! You are one graceful warrior, lady!! Sending prayers xoxo

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Oh friend, sounds like we're on the same course of treatment. I'll go in for round 3 next week; sessions 5-8 will be with the Taxol as well. As far as the benedryl, nothing knocks me out. Nothing. I hear about others sleeping for long periods of time during chemo. Not me. I've yet to have a full night; only snippets of an hour here and there. And the prednisone? Good gracious. It has blown me up like a blimp. I'm the fattest cancer patient in the free world. When they told me to graze, I took them literally. Now, I'm having to cut back. My pants don't fit.

I am grateful for that, in a way. At least the meds have kept me from feeling sick.

I'll be watching closely in the next few weeks. In many ways, you're paving the way for me. It helps me to have someone have a similar course of treatment. So many others are only going in for 4 rounds or 6.

As I pray for myself, I pray for you as well; may God give you his strength for the journey ahead. You're almost there, sister. Keep to it, and take good rest in Him... with or without the benedryl!

peace~elaine