Day 71-76 – June 14 – 19, 2017

• UPDATED PRAYER REQUESTS
• That this UGLY tumor is shrinking away and will be gone by surgery and there is no other cancer in my body
  
• That I stay healthy, that my counts stay where they need to be so that my chemo stays on schedule
• That this new chemo works and continues killing the cancer cells
• Some of the possible side effects from this new chemo include neuropathy.  Please pray that I do not experience any neuropathy.
• Another one of the side effects is body pain.  Please pray that the body pain is at a minimal. 
• I have developed a rash on my arms – pray this rash goes away.
• Pray for no mouth sores – another chemo side effect

The new chemo I am on is so different than the last one!  I can’t believe how much better I feel.  I have even mentioned to a few friends that compared to how I felt after each round of AC that this feels like I am not even taking chemo.  Now, do not get me wrong, I have still had some side effects but I do not feel anything like I did on the AC.  I am hoping that it continues going as well as the first week.  1 Taxol treatment down 11 to go.  I am typing this on chemo morning.  So I will be headed to the cancer center in just a bit to get round 2 of Taxol.  Please pray that I do not have any allergic reactions to the chemo.  They told me last week that the allergic reactions normally happen while you are still there and normally during the first two treatments.

Last Wednesday, the day after chemo, I even felt well enough to drive my daughter to VBS.  That is kind of  a big deal considering on the AC I was usually in my pajamas from the Tuesday night after the chemo treatment until Friday when I had to get up and go to the oncology office for fluids.

Day 72 – June 15, 2017.  I met with the nutritionist at the cancer center.  It was a great appointment and I have added a few things to my diet that I was scared to even take a bite of.  Things that maybe I will not be eating everyday but things that I can have every once in a while at least.  She talked with me about how to eat to avoid recurrence.  One of the things is a lot more vegetables than I eat.  I would love to hear from some of you about the kinds of veggies you really like and maybe how you prepare them.

After I had my appointment with the nutritionist, I saw my nurse.  I noticed a rash on my arms on Wednesday so I stopped in to let her see.  Even as I am typing this almost a week later, I still have the rash.  Please pray this rash will go away!

Day 73 – June 16, 2017.  This was a very busy week.  This was the day I met with the plastic surgeon.  Wow, I learned alot at that appointment.  This appointment stressed me out a little.  I have to remember though, the Great Physician will take care of me.  Some of the stuff with the surgeries are scary or it is for me anyway.  I will have another appointment with him in about 6 weeks or so and we will know more about when the surgery will be because I will be closer to finishing my treatments.

Day 74 & Day 75 – June 17 – 18, 2017.  We had a nice relaxing weekend.  We enjoyed Father’s Day by going to church that morning and then having some friends over in the evening and cooking out.

Speaking of friends, I feel so blessed to have so many friends walking this journey with us.  This is very random, but you may remember in one of the beginning post when I was getting my wig and my daughter wanted me to make sure I wore the wig if I was up at the school or around her friends that didn’t know about me not having hair.  I still wear my wig to church and sometimes if we go to dinner…but a lot of times I just wear a scarf because y’all, it is summer!  It’s HOT!  Anyway, if you were to come to my house there is a 99% chance I will answer the door with no head covering on.  Now, where am I going with this…back to friends walking the journey with us.  Our friends do not even look twice, it’s just like it is the norm…their kiddos, E’s little friends just come on in and start playing.  I am sure in the beginning they may have ask their parents about it or their parents gave them a heads up.  The other night, I even jokingly said to my friends husband, I have more hair than you right now:).  I am grateful that God helped me through the whole hair loss thing from day one.  I can see where hair loss could really be hard but thankfully God let it be an easier thing for me.  Now, I am still curious what color my hair will be when it all comes back in.

Day 76 – June 19, 2017.  This day was pretty much a normal summer day at our house. I worked some and then  I started a new Bible study  that I can’t wait to work through over the summer with a sweet group of ladies.

As I mentioned above – the day I am typing this – June 20th  is chemo day.  I have to go get my chemo bag ready so I will be ready to go when Amy P. gets here.

I will update soon about round 2 of Taxol!

Thank you all for walking this journey with us,
Amanda

Psalm 118

¹ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.

² Let Israel say:
    “His love endures forever.”
³ Let the house of Aaron say:
    “His love endures forever.”
⁴ Let those who fear the Lord say:
    “His love endures forever.”

⁵ When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord;
    he brought me into a spacious place.
⁶ The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.
    What can mere mortals do to me?
⁷ The Lord is with me; he is my helper.
    I look in triumph on my enemies.

⁸ It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in humans.
⁹ It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in princes.
¹⁰ All the nations surrounded me,
    but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
¹¹ They surrounded me on every side,
    but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
¹² They swarmed around me like bees,
    but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns;
    in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
¹³ I was pushed back and about to fall,
    but the Lord helped me.
¹⁴ The Lord is my strength and my defense;
    he has become my salvation.

¹⁵ Shouts of joy and victory
    resound in the tents of the righteous:
“The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!
¹⁶     The Lord’s right hand is lifted high;
    the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”
¹⁷ I will not die but live,
    and will proclaim what the Lord has done.
¹⁸ The Lord has chastened me severely,
    but he has not given me over to death.
¹⁹ Open for me the gates of the righteous;
    I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.
²⁰ This is the gate of the Lord
    through which the righteous may enter.
²¹ I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
    you have become my salvation.

²² The stone the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone;
²³ the Lord has done this,
    and it is marvelous in our eyes.
²⁴ The Lord has done it this very day;
    let us rejoice today and be glad.

²⁵ Lord, save us!
    Lord, grant us success!

²⁶ Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
    From the house of the Lord we bless you.
²⁷ The Lord is God,
    and he has made his light shine on us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
    up to the horns of the altar.

²⁸ You are my God, and I will praise you;
    you are my God, and I will exalt you.

²⁹ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.

 

Day 63 – Day 70 / June 5, 1017 – June 13, 2017

UPDATED PRAYER REQUESTS

• That this UGLY tumor is shrinking away and will be gone by surgery and there is no other cancer in my body
  
• That I stay healthy, that my counts stay where they need to be so that my chemo stays on schedule
• That this new chemo works and continues killing the cancer cells
• Some of the possible side effects from this new chemo include neuropathy.  Please pray that I do not experience any neuropathy.
• Another one of the side effects is body pain.  Please pray that the body pain is at a minimal. 

UPCOMING APPOINTMENTS

• Meeting with the nutritionist that is at the cancer center this week. She is going to be talking to me about how to eat to help prevent recurrence.  My eating has changed drastically since I was diagnosed.  I am really excited to sit down with her and talk all this out.
• Meeting with the plastic surgeon this week.

 

Day 70, June 13, 2017,  I started a new phase of chemo. I will now be going in weekly for chemo.  Today’s treatement was number 1 of 12.   The new chemo medicine is Taxol, the chemical name is Paclitaxel.  I am suppose to not feel as yucky on this one.  I am actually typing this the night I had my chemo, so I would say, so far, so good!

I did find out before they administered the chemo that there were possible allergic reactions that I could have.  They would most likely have happened during today’s treatment or my treatment next week.  I did get a little nervous when they told me that but they also had a basket sitting near me, on the same bench Amy P was sitting on, just in case I did have the reaction, they had the meds there to help with it.  I am happy to report, PRAISE THE LORD, I had no reaction!!

Before they started the chemo, I did a quick a quick Facebook post asking for my Facebook friends to pray.  Thanks to everyone that saw that and said a prayer for me.  PRAYER WORKS!!

My friend, Amy P took me to chemo again today.  She has been such a great friend to get me to chemo treatments.  Keith took me to the first one, but Amy P has taken me to all of them since then.  I told her I did not expect her to take me weekly this summer….but she has already signed up for some of the treatments.  Thank You Amy P, we appreciate you!!  This treatment day was a long day…she picked me up at 9:30 and we did not get back to my house until after 5 and then she hung out until Keith got home which was way after 6:00.

Amy P and I on chemo day!

My hands are in a bucket of ice and my feet are covered with ice. This is to try and help prevent neuropathy and loss of nails.

I am also thankful for my friend Mary Margaret that let me drop E off at 9:00 on this first chemo day during summer, she made sure she had a super fun day, when I dropped E off, she was making the kids pancakes and eggs, and even fed her dinner tonight and had her ready for bed before Keith got there to pick her up.  Love how these little friends enjoy playing together!

So thankful for all of my village!  I know I say that all the time but we truly are.  Everyone has different gifts and I love how people use the gifts they have been given to make up a huge village to walk with us.  Because not everyone has the same gifts, that is what makes each person unique  but when all those different gifts come together, it is amazing.  Thank you to those that PRAY, PRAY, PRAY for me and for my family, those that cook for us, those that drop cards in the mail, those that send text, Facebook messages, and emails, I know I am missing things because this chemo brain is a real thing…if you are not around me much but know someone who is just ask them:).

The days since my last post (Days 63 -69) have been good days for the most part!  I worked some, took E to activities she had, went to church and even made it to our Life Group (aka Sunday School),  had a girls night out with a friend (this is the first time I have done that since I was diagnosed (that I can remember anyway, don’t forget I have chemo brain).  It was fun and much needed!  I also went to a board meeting at church.  Keith’s parents were in town over the weekend to celebrate Keith’s birthday.  So you can see with all I did, I was feeling pretty good.  I was tired by night usually, but thankful to be able to do some things I was doing before the chemo.

Thank you so much for walking this journey with us,
Amanda

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Psalm 46:1

 

 

2 Months! (Day 62) June 5, 2017

UPDATED PRAYER REQUESTS

• That this UGLY tumor is shrinking away and will be gone by surgery and there is no other cancer in my body
  
• That I stay healthy, that my counts stay where they need to be so that my chemo stays on schedule
• That this next chemo works and continues killing the cancer cells

I know it has been a while since I have updated the blog.  A lot has happened in the past 2+ weeks since my last update.

First, June 5th, marked the two month mark since I received the news no one wants to receive.  A lot has happened in those 2 months.

My last post ended with prayers for the sonogram that I would be having on “Day 48”.  I am very excited to share that the tumor is SHRINKING!!!  It was less than half the size it was from the first sonogram.  GOD IS WORKING, y’all!  I was in tears when they were telling me!  My medical oncologist reminded me that this was only after  2 1/2 treatments!  I had treatment number three the Tuesday before the sonogram on Monday, so it was still working when I had the sonogram.   Thank you everyone that is lifting me up in your prayers.  I am so thankful for my army of prayer warriors.

Last Tuesday, “Day 55”, I received my last AC, aka “Red Devil” treatment.  I am glad we have that part behind us, but as yucky as that treatment made me feel some of the time, the doctors also saw great results.  I know God can use those treatments!  The last treatment was rough…it was also the last week of school for my daughter.  Thursday is always the worse day of chemo week and Thursday was the last day of school so I missed all the last day of school fun!  Thankfully, Keith took the morning off and was at the school for all the activities and went and picked up and delivered the last day of school gifts for me!

“Day 58” was a busy appointment day.  I went in for labs, saw my medical oncologist, received fluids, went to lunch, then back to the hospital to see my surgical oncologist.  Yes, I saw both of my oncologist in one day!  I have not seen my surgical oncologist since the day I was diagnosed.  I went and she examined the tumor/mass and told me I made her day because of the shrinkage of the tumor!  We want that tumor totally gone before surgery, so PLEASE pray with me that God takes it totally away and when I go into surgery there is NO CANCER.

My next chemo will start my weekly chemo.  They say that it will not knock me off my feet like the last chemo meds did.  I am glad I got the hard one behind me while E was still in school.

A few pics from chemo week….

Amy took me to my chemo treatment on Tuesday.

Excited to be done with “Red Devil”

Gretchen came over and stayed with me all day Wednesday and Thursday morning.

Sherry took me to all my appointments on Friday…and it was a full day!

At E’s little friends dance recital.

 

Stephanie was my “mama sitter” Thursday once school was out.  I did not get a picture of us…I was feeling pretty bad Thursday.  E was happy she was here though, because her daughter is one of E’s best friends so they had a great time playing together and she also watched her for me all day on Friday while I was at all my appointments.

I know I say this all the time, but this cancer journey takes a village…those that take me to appointments so Keith can go to the office, those that help me with E, those that are so gracious and bring meals, those that are constantly praying for us and for this tumor to shrink away, the phone calls, text, messages, cards….THANK  YOU MY VILLAGE!

Thank you for walking this journey with us,
Amanda

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10

 

 

Day 41-Day 45 / May 15, 2017-May 19, 2017

UPDATED PRAYER REQUESTS

• That this UGLY tumor is shrinking away
  
• That the sonogram scheduled for Monday, May 22, shows that the tumor is MUCH, MUCH smaller, or even gone
• That I stay healthy, that my counts stay where they need to be so that my chemo stays on schedule

Wow!  It has been a week and probably the roughest week of chemo so far!  THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR PRAYERS!!!!

Keith had to travel on a short trip (or so I considered it a short trip, comparing it to before my diagnosis) from Saturday (Day 39) until Tuesday morning. The Saturday he left was the Saturday before my next treatment, so it is when I am feeling somewhat normal again and feel like I have a good bit of energy back.  Remember, I am trying to keep as much normalcy for E as possible, so I was playing all the roles for those 4 days.  What we learned, is even though I feel like I have more energy those days before the next chemo treatment, I don’t have nearly the energy I thought.  Mom life comes with lots of responsibility, and right now I think I have to try even harder to make up for the 4-5 days that I do very little.   Mainly I am either sleeping or just laying around during chemo week. During those days, Keith and my friends pick up all the slack for me to try and help my one goal for E right now, for everything to be as normal for her as possible, along with trying to make sure I am drinking water and eating something.

Keith gets E ready for school each morning, making sure lunch is packed and folders are signed.  In the evening, he makes sure she gets ready for bed, has books read and does whatever else may come up.  My “mama sitter” friends help with her after school, give her a snacks after school, and this week Delores even sewed with her. 🙂 I am sure I am leaving many things out…but I know you get what I am trying to say…I have so many people having to help me be a mommy right now on those days that I am not 100%….or even 50%.

Thank you for your prayers.  I know Amy Jane updated and mentioned I was having rough chemo week. I started feeling better on Friday….and hoping my energy level starts increasing more and more.

Day 41 – May 15, 2017

The day before chemo. I actually got E to school EARLY!  That was huge!! Even before chemo, Keith took E to school a lot, as long as it worked with his schedule.  So, on the days that I take her, sometimes we are pulling in one to two minutes before the bell rings, so for us to be early was great!

After dropping E off, my friend Stephanie walked with me.  I may have mentioned before, my doctors want me to walk and I feel better after walking.  The only thing is, we have to walk before it gets too hot or I can’t go as far.  The heat does tire me out from what we experienced a few weeks ago.  I need to get a picture of us together so I can post a picture of her.  She has filled in as a “mama sitter” for me when someone had to cancel last minute with a sick kiddo, but she helps me with E during chemo week and even off chemo week.  Her little girl and E would play together all the time if we let them…she takes E with them if they go for an after school snack and just helps make E’s school weeks like they would be if I was not going through this…even as much as hanging out at the school with her after school when she is working on a PTA event.

When Mary Margaret found out Keith was traveling, she invited us over for a swim play date and dinner.  I said YES!  I knew E would love to play with L and A and I knew I would just like hanging out with MM.  We went over after school, the kids got to swim and eat dinner, and then the kids played more.  Because it was a school night, MM even told me to bring E’s pajamas and let her get ready for bed there so that when we got home she could go to bed…so that is what we did…she was all clean and in pajamas so when we got home, that was one less thing we had to do. I forgot to take a picture of us that night too…or the kids…and one of us is normally snapping pictures of the kids playing and sending the pictures to each other.  When I texted MM later that night we didn’t take a picture she found this on her phone.  🙂  I have hair! This is a picture from earlier this year.

Mary Margaret and I earlier in the year when I had hair 🙂

Day 42 – May 16, 2017

CHEMO DAY…it is kind of strange because when I think of chemo day I feel nauseous. I don’t know why…but I just have to block it out of my mind…I know chemo is what I need….we are 3 down with 13 total chemo treatments to go.  Don’t forget though, I have 4 treatments of AC, so we are 3 down with 1 treatment of AC to go!!  In June, I will be changing over to Taxol which the nurse even told me when I went in for fluids this week that it would be much easier.

My Mama Sitter on chemo day this week was Amy P.  She took me to chemo last time too.  This week I had to also get E to my friend Stephanie to take to school since we had to leave early to make it to my appointments.  I was running a little late but we still made it on time…remember me saying earlier that Keith was traveling, so when I realized I was running late, I walked E to Stephanie’s and then got back home and quickly ate my breakfast and we were off for Round 3.

Round 3 Chemo with my Mama Sitter, Amy P

Dr. A came to see me during chemo too!  It always makes chemo day  better when she comes over to chat for a bit.  I know she is really busy and fits me in between surgeries and deliveries when she would probably be eating lunch!

Dr. A came to visit me after she finished her surgeries and I think it was her lunch break too….

Amy P got me home and I started feeling tired.  By that evening I was feeling more like I feel on Wednesday evening after chemo.

Day 43 – May 17, 2017

Wednesday after chemo – my Mama Sitter was Delores.  I did not get a picture with her either.  My picture taking this week has not been that great.  I was awake some on Wednesday but slept some too.  Delores did laundry for me and wiped my kitchen down..and she may have done other things too while I was sleeping. My friends ask what they can do, and I am not good at asking for help…so I am glad they just find something that needs to be done and do it.  When E came home from school, Delores sewed a “pocket” on a blanket E has been making for me and then she played with E.  E had fun with Delores and that makes me happy. 🙂

Day 44 – May 18, 2017

If you read the blog earlier this week, you know my Mama Sitter was Amy Jane as she did a quick blog update.  I was just on the couch again on Thursday sleeping or as Amy Jane told me I was dozing.  I did not get a picture of me with Amy Jane on Thursday.

Our other friend Heidi picked up H (Amy Jane’s son) from school and brought him over here and her two kiddos, C & L and H & E had a little playdate that afternoon.  I know E really enjoyed having friends over to play.  Heidi also makes me homemade Greek yogurt because store bought yogurt has so much sugar in it…so she dropped off my yogurt that day too.  This picture is from last chemo…I actually have more hair in this picture than I do now…

Day 45 – May 19, 2017

Fluids!!  Friday I went in for my fluids which always help.  I saw my doctor and she still feels like this tumor is shrinking!  She also told me if Keith has to travel again, I have to ask for help and even see if someone can stay with us. I definitely overdid it…but it was mainly things that had to be done. So like she asked me, if I had a friend that needed my help, wouldn’t I help?  Of course I would…and she reminded me that I have friends to help too….it is just me asking…I feel like I have asked so much as it is…but that is because I do not like having to ask for help.

My Mama Sitter Friday was Sherry.  We did a lot on Friday considering how bad I felt all week. My appointments started at 8AM!  That calls for an even earlier morning that normal.  We had to leave around 6:45AM.  We were early because traffic was not bad…but you never know what traffic is going to be like.  A little shout out to my friend Stephanie too, because she let Keith drop E off to her somewhere between 6:45 and 7:00 Friday morning.

Sherry and I  stopped and had lunch after I got fluids.   Normally, I want a salad afterwards but instead I wanted a sweet potato and grilled shrimp…so we headed to a place we both like that has that on the menu.  The prayers, the fluids, and me eating that much at one time helped me feel better the rest of Friday.

When I was at chemo on Tuesday, another girl that was there was eating cherries.  Amy P and I started talking and I said I might eat more cherries if it was not for the pit.  She was telling me they make a cherry pitter.  There is a smoothie that I had saved the recipe for that uses cherries but had not yet made it.  So, after lunch, Sherry and I stopped and I bought a cherry pitter before we headed to Whole Foods for me to pick up some things including cherries!

Mama Sitter, Sherry

When we got back to my house, we washed the cherry pitter, washed the fruit, and then made that smoothie.  It was so good!  I am excited because now I have another smoothie I can make that I like.

Do any of you have any favorite smoothie recipes you would like to share?  Mine normally include berries, spinach, almond milk or coconut/almond milk, and a little peanut butter.  I would love to hear other ideas!

I can not say thank you enough for all those that are walking this journey with us…the prayers, the meals, the cards, the messages, the gifts, the scriptures that you send in a text or messages, the sweet words that are said, thank you, thank you, thank you!  It is so encouraging to know we have such an army fighting this with us!

The scripture I am sharing today, I know I have shared before…but it is so true!  NOTHING is impossible for God.  Please remember to pray Monday for the sonogram where they will be measuring the size of the tumor now against the original sonogram. How AWESOME it would be if they said they no longer see it?!!

Thank you so much for walking this journey with us,
Amanda

For nothing is impossible with God.  Luke 1:37

 

 

 

 

Chemo Week Update by Amy

UPDATED PRAYER REQUESTS

• That the chemo side effects subside
• That the sonogram scheduled for Monday, May 22, shows that the tumor is MUCH, MUCH smaller, or even gone

Amanda is not feeling up to blogging yet, as this third round of chemo has been much more difficult on her than the first two rounds.  I just wanted to let you all know how she is doing and ask you to start praying for Monday.

With the other rounds of chemo, Amanda hasn’t started feeling really yucky until Wednesday night, with Thursday being the worst day.  This time, she actually started feeling bad on Tuesday, the day of chemo, and that feeling has continued throughout Wednesday and Thursday.  Please pray that she starts to feel better soon.  Thankfully there is only 1 round of this type of chemo left before the “easier” weekly chemo starts.

The biggest prayer request she has is for the sonogram scheduled on Monday, May 22nd. Please pray that the sonogram indicates that the tumor has been responding well to all of this chemo, and that there is obvious shrinkage…even pray so boldly that it has shrunk all the way to NOTHING!!!

Amanda continues to appreciate all of your calls, texts, comments, meals, and prayers!

~ Amy Jane

 

Day 30-Day 40 / May 4, 2017-May 14, 2017

UPDATED PRAYER REQUESTS

• That this ugly cancer is SHRINKING and going away
  
• That my counts are up when I go to chemo on Tuesday
  
• That I stay well so my chemo stays on schedule

I am so behind on posting, I am going to try and catch up in a really long blog post.

Day 30 – May 4, 2017 

I woke up that morning somewhere in the 7 o’clock hour, took my medicine, fell back to sleep, and then woke up around noon.  My friend Gretchen was my mama sitter that day. The Thursday after chemo I sleep A LOT!  I think I ate some potatoes and fell back to sleep.  I know she and I chatted a little, but I think I mostly slept.  Before she left that evening, I was starting to move around a little more.  I did get this picture of us before she left.

My mama sitter, Gretchen

Thursday evening, Keith went to see a new movie that just came out with his friend.  I will add here, we have lots of couple friends. A lot of our friends, we are friends with both the husband and wife. Just like Gretchen, that was my mama sitter during the day on Thursday.  She and her husband have walked the journey of when we lost Kate, to the birth of E, and now my unexpected cancer journey with us.  The friend that Keith was going to the movie with, again we are all friends, and they too walked the same journeys that Gretchen and her husband have walked with us.

We are so grateful for all the friends God has placed in our lives over the years.  I have said this before on here, they say it takes a village to raise a child…well, I think it also takes a village to walk through a cancer journey…and I am so thankful for our village…the prayer warriors that are praying for me, the mama sitters that each take a day out of the week to come sit with me, the friends that help with E and those that are on call to help out at a moment’s notice, the friend that has helped out another friend with her son so she can help me…the people sending cards in the mail….and the list goes on and on and on….

Anyway, I digress…Alesha sent Keith a text and told him she would come over and stay with me and get E to bed if he wanted to go to the movies.  So, Alesha and her family stopped by, Keith came in from work, Gretchen left, the guys left and Alesha’s boys went with them, and that just left us girls at the house.  E had so much fun playing with C.  I think I dozed on and off but Alesha and I chatted some during the evening too. Again, Wednesday evening through Thursday evening I sleep ALOT.

My Mama Sitter, Alesha

Day 31 – May 5, 2017

May 5, 2017 marked ONE MONTH since I had been diagnosed.  It was a busy Friday.

My mama sitter for this day was my friend, Susan.  She and I have known each other for a number of years!  We actually even worked together at my church for a while too….we had a lot of fun working together.

They had decided that we would try my fluids on Friday this time rather than Monday to see if it helped me feel better over the weekend.  This was only my second round of chemo, so my second round of fluids, but both times that I have gone in for fluids I have also seen my oncologist.  I was excited when she told me that she feels like this UGLY tumor is SHRINKING.  I thought I was going to have my sonogram after the second round of the chemo I am currently taking but I think it is going to be more toward the end of this month.  PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE continue praying that this just continues shrinking more and more. After my appointment with my doctor, I went back to the waiting area Susan was in and we headed to the infusion lab (chemo room) to get my fluids.  I believe this took a couple of hours.  I actually fell asleep while I was getting the fluids. They usually give me some nausea meds while I am in for fluids too.  Susan told me after they gave me one of them, I fell asleep.  Thank goodness that she had her phone with her so she had something to do since I was sleeping and not talking.

After we left there, we stopped by Chick Fil A, so I could have a salad and then headed home.  I fell asleep again at some point after we got back to my house.  I woke up I believe when Keith got home.

My Mama Sitter, Susan

I had ask the PA when she walked through the infusion lab if I could possibly go to the school carnival that night since they had said my counts were up that day.  She said that would be ok…so Friday evening we headed to the carnival.  This was one of my first times to wear my wig out in public where there were quite a few people that knew me.  E was excited that I got to go.  If you have kiddos in school, you know how it seems that there is something going on every week in May until school is out!

Day 32 – May 6, 2017

E had asked if she could go watch her friend play soccer.  If you recall, I have mentioned before that I want to try and keep as much normalcy as possible for her.  Keith was going to take her, and I decided to try and go with them.  I knew it was warm outside so I decided I would just wear a scarf rather than my wig (with E’s permission because she has told me she wanted me to wear my wig when we were at school activities. Even though this was not a school activity, some of her school friends play on this team.)  Keith took a big umbrella for me to sit under, and I took water!  It was HOT.  I quickly realized how fast the heat can drain me.  We had fun though watching her little friend and then ran an errand afterwards.  Once we were home I took a nap!  That evening I started not feeling well.

Day 33 – May 7, 2017

Sunday morning I woke up and realized I was still not feeling well.  Keith volunteers on the tech team and runs lights at our church. It was his Sunday to run lights.  I told E that we would try and go even though it was the Sunday after chemo, and it would probably be best for me to stay away from large crowds I thought maybe we would go.  We ended up staying home though and watched part of the service online.  I felt bad all day Sunday. The feeling bad brought on fear.  I cried…I cried I think because I felt bad but also it was a reminder that I am sick and then fear tries to start taking over.

Day 34 – May 8, 2017

It was the Monday after chemo.  I called my doctor’s office and left the nurse a message.  They ended up calling in meds to see if that would help me feel better.  So far it has helped.  I worked on Monday for a while too.  Keith and I also went for a short walk that morning before he left for work.  The doctor and/or PA have told me that walking is good…and the more I move, the more energy I will build back up.

Day 35 – May 9, 2017

I got up and walked with my neighbor and friend, Stephanie.  I worked some and then my friend Lexie stopped by.  We got to visit for a little while.

Day 36 – May 10, 2017

Wednesday was a lot like Tuesday.  I got up and walked with Stephanie again.  This time I was able to walk even more.   I worked some on Wednesday too. I am glad that both my oncologists said to continue working because I do think it keeps my mind busy.

Day 37 – May 11, 2017

I worked again on Thursday.  I was hoping my “halo” wig would be in on this day because I really needed it to attempt to go on E’s field trip on the 12th.  I called and we set up an appointment for me to go in and hopefully it would be there…the only thing, the appointment time they had was way too close to school dismissal time.  My friend, Stephanie told me she would help me with pick up, so I took the appointment.  When Amy Jane found out I was going and planning on just going by myself, she asked our friend Heidi to help out with school pick up for her and she went with me.  Thankfully, the “halo” wig was in!!

If you are wondering what in the world is a “halo” wig, it is kinda like a wig except there is no hair on top.  You wear with a cap or hat.  I am really excited about this because I think it will be a lot cooler than my wig for the hot summer days! Here is a picture of it the day I picked it up.

Day 38 – May 12, 2017

Friday was E’s field trip!  We have known about this field trip since before I was diagnosed.  I had already filled out the form to be a chaperone when she first brought it home.  Once I was diagnosed and had to send it back in, I had taken my name off as a chaperone. I decided if I felt like going when May 12th rolled around, I would just tag along with the group that E was in.

My friend Stephanie had already told me I could ride in the van with her and several other moms.  As much fun as that would have been, I was a little nervous that I might not be able to keep up with everyone if it was really hot that day.  I ended up talking Keith into going.  So he and I drove down and knew if I needed to leave we could.  It ended up be an absolutely beautiful day!  One friend texted me on Saturday and said the Lord knew the kind of day I needed to make it. 🙂  We had a great time, and I was able to stay the whole time too.  I did take a nap Friday afternoon but told Keith I just wanted to have a normal day.  We went to dinner that night and ran an errand afterwards.  It really was a good day!

Day 40 – May 14, 2017

Happy Mother’s Day to everyone!  We had a very relaxing day.   We went to church, had lunch, and spent time at home  My friend Delores came over Sunday evening for a while and we had a great visit!  I am now beginning to gear up for chemo week.  Chemo is Tuesday.

I know this has been a very long “recap” of the past 10 days.  I am sure I have missed details that I had planned on blogging about.  I have got to figure out a better way to keep the posts current so I do not miss some of the details I want to share. My friend, Amy Jane and I have briefly talked about a way to keep me from getting so behind on chemo week….so we may try it this week…I may let her post for me those few days that I sleep a lot and am really tired.

Thank you for walking this journey with us,
Amanda

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.  Isaiah 40:29-31

 

 

Day 29 – May 3, 2017

During the last round of chemo, I started feeling sick and taking medicine for nausea mid-day Wednesday.  Thursday was by far the worst day of chemo week.  One thing I mentioned that I wish I had done differently last time was to drink more water and eat a little more (or at least more often.) It is true that Keith and many of my mama sitters last time tried to get me to, but I was too scared to eat!  This time, I decided to try it their way, and so far, I have to admit they might have been right.

This Wednesday was a good day. I was awake all day hanging out with my mama sitter of the day, Amy Jane (formerly known as Amy L.) Editor’s note – Growing up, I was Amy H and another girl was Amy L.  Whenever I hear Amy L, it doesn’t feel like me, so henceforth in Amanda’s retellings, I will be known as Amy Jane. 🙂 

Me with Amy Jane before chemo started

…and during chemo week

Thank you for all of the sweet Facebook posts, blog comments, and texts about my new hair.  Several times, I have reached back to adjust my ponytail only to realize it’s not there!  E has taken to calling me Fuzzy Duck and has gotten a kick out of rubbing my head.

Wednesday, I thought I felt like I could do some things for myself, but my dear mama sitter made me sit and rest while she made me a smoothie, washed dishes, did some laundry, edited my blog posts, and served me food and waters all day long. We did spend some time on Pinterest looking through ideas of how we will celebrate the end of the chemo journey!

Please pray that this Thursday is better than Thursday of the last round of chemo.  And continue to pray that this ugly tumor is SHRINKING!

Thank you for walking this journey with us,
Amanda

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him and he helps me.  My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. Psalm 28:7