Chemo #3

The third chemo treatment is done now. I slept all day yesterday, but have felt pretty well. One more treatment to go, then we'll be waiting for the OB and oncologist to decide between them when is the best time to deliver our little boy. The OBs have said the delivery should not be any earlier than 32 weeks. (I'm 20 weeks now.) I'll be having a c-section which will require about a month of recovery time before the chemo treatments can resume. The oncologist is extremely uncomfortable about going at least 3 months without any treatment for the cancer, and I have a feeling she will be pushing for an earlier delivery. I don't know what's best. I'm not in a position to be calling any shots. This appears to be a competition between my health and our son's. God has shown that he can and will guide circumstances that are entirely beyond our ability to handle. I don't know why he has let things happen the way they have, but I'm thankful for years of experience that back up what the Bible says about trusting him.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and lean not to your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will direct your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Please pray for Linda Rold's husband, Trent, and children. She was diagnosed with melanoma just days before I was diagnosed with breast cancer. She passed away January 19.

a few days later -a little more information:
Linda was in her mid-thirties and leaves three elementary aged children behind. She had a melanoma spot removed about five years ago, and it reoccured as tumors in her brain. I did not know Linda well although we have lived in the same area and have common friends. We attended the same ladies' retreat in late September, after which both of us were diagnosed with cancer. She was a Christian and my friends tell me she was very ready to go to heaven.

Blood Work

Monday I had in-between-chemo blood work done. It turned out very well. White blood cells were almost in the normal range, and a couple of other counts that I can't remember were in the normal range. The oncololgist was pleased, and I think somewhat surprised since this is significantly better than the reports after my first round of chemo (which were considered very good). I'm not sure why the counts were so good, and it might mean I'll get a heavier dose of chemo next time. I know lots of people are praying for us, and we would be foolish to assume the lettuce juice alone is what's helping things to go so well.

My mouth is much better this time than last. I have a couple of tender spots, but nothing like before. After chemo-day passed, I haven't had any nausea at all. I have been a lot more tired than last time. We've sure appreciated all the help with things here at home.

Thank you, Dear Friends

But we had the sentence of death in ourselves,

that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver:

in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;
Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
2 Corinthians 1:9-11

The appointment today at the OB's was routine, and everything still appears to be fine with the little guy. Our OB is helping to schedule gene testing, so we'll know if I have a mutation of a gene that can cause breast cancer. If I do, we will be considering what to do about a significant increase in my risk for ovarian cancer as well. That testing will happen sometime before the baby is born.

Several people have asked about how my mouth is doing with this second round of chemo. I'm not yet to the point when I broke out during the last round, so I don't really know.

Thanks to all of you who keep in touch with me through this blog, facebook and notes. You are an encouragement. Jon and I feel like we've entered the drudgery stage of all this. The treatment appears to stretch out for such a long time ahead of us. I counted weeks on the calendar yesterday, and it looks like I won't be done with everything (chemo and radiation) until sometime in September.

Chemo #2

I've felt pretty well over all since my treatment last Thursday. Thursday evening was a little rough, and I've been very tired since then, but no big side effects. The kids have had little colds, but nothing too bad. I'm schooling the kids this week because Diana's family all have strep throat. None of us wanted to spread that around. Diana organized everything nicely, so it went very smoothly today.

Someone with experience losing hair suggested that I use a lint roller on my head to pick up all the loose little hairs that keep coming out. What a good tip. I'm well on my way to being really bald, not just shaved. I wonder what it will be like to have it all grow back? Dealing with real hair again might be a challenge.

The baby is still active and growing. Another appointment with the OB is scheduled on Wednesday. If all goes according to schedule, my last round of this type of chemo will end during my 21st week. The delivery will be somewhere between 30 and 34 weeks. Then another type of chemo will be given.

Big News

I just got back from the high risk OB's office. The ultrasound was clear - it's a boy! He's growing very well - several days ahead on his growth compared to the last ultrasound. So chemo didn't slow him down so far.

I began losing my hair in handfuls last Friday, so Jon shaved me that night. Now that it's all said and done, we're all fine, but looking forward to loosing all my hair was hard. I have two nice looking wigs and several good hats, so I'm all set. Maybe we'll get pictures up later. But not yet. I haven't even looked at myself bald yet. Jon shaved his head too. He said he'll grow his back once I'm up to taking a picture of us together with no hair.

My mouth is healing up just in time for my next chemo round (Thursday). I've felt really well except for my mouth. Hopefully next time I can get on top of that before it gets so bad.

Our new year started off well - growing healthy kids and a whole lot shorter morning bathroom routine. (Being bald has its advantages.) Hope you all have a good new year too.