Yesterday I had my first infusion of chemotherapy. In some ways it was not as bad as I thought it would be. Tami and I were up bright and early and at the lab at 6:00 am for a baseline CBC. The doctor will be keeping close track of my white count, red count and platelets through this whole process, so I will have blood draws every week.
Chemo appointment was at 9:30. Since I don't have the "portacath" yet, the nurse started an IV on me. They gave me two high powered anti-nausea medications and then started the Chemo. I received two different chemo drugs--Adriamycin and Cytoxan. The nurse told me that the Adriamycin is the one that will definitely make me lose my hair :(:(:(. So much for my hope of being in the 30% of chemo patients that don't lose their hair! Thanks to "Michelle's Place" in Temecula, I now have a wig and two hats. Michelle's Place is a nonprofit in Temecula which is a resource center for the women with breast cancer. You can check it out at http://www.michellesplace.org/
Well, the infusion was easy! I sat in a recliner with my feet up and read my book. I still felt great when we left and went out to lunch. By the time I got home, I was pretty sleepy so I went upstairs to take a nap. When I woke up from my nap was when I got hit with the nausea. It was a pretty tough afternoon and evening. The nausea was hard to deal with, but it never got out of control. Praise God--I went to sleep last night, slept all night and woke up feeling much better.
I thank God for answered prayer of minimal sickness with the chemo. Today I am just a little tired and have occasional waves of queasiness. I'm learning that living with chemo has lots of warnings, guidelines, and helpful tips. I'm in a whole new learning curve. I have nicknamed my daughter "Sarge"...she is keeping me in line.
While I was concerned about how my body would react to the chemo, I am excited about taking this step in the battle against this nasty disease. The battle began as we all started praying together for healing and strength. I am so thankful for my family and friends--friends that are close and friends that are far away (there are people praying for me that I don't even know, in states where I never have been). I can't even imagine having more support than I have.
I saw that Pastor John posted on Facebook a verse that I hold close in my heart, Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, Plans to prosper you not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future". It looks like that will be a key verse for the new teaching series starting tomorrow at Sandals Church "Getting Past your Past". This is going to be a great series! I'm bummed I won't be there for it, but I look forward to catching the video this week. I know that God is going to use this season in my life, and I can't wait to see the plan He has for my future.
Praying with you Jane!
ReplyDeleteThank you Alex! Congratulations on the birth of your beautiful baby girl! You are one blessed man! Thank you for praying and for sharing my blog on your facebook. I pray that God will use this journey in a big way.
DeleteLove, Jane
Jane,
ReplyDeleteI miss you! I'm praying for the strength you and Ed will need as you go through this trial. I want to try to keep you up on the little things that happen. Last week two young men came into the church (separate times) and wanted to look around. I gave them the tour and wound up in the sanctuary. I had opportunity to talk to them about who we are and what we are about. One of them came back on Sunday. I've had opportunity to pray with someone during the week at the church and Christine Poore came to church Sunday. We prayed and talked. I'm praying that she'll keep coming back. She needs a family who accepts her. I had opportunity to talk to Griffin on Sunday about missions. I'm very excited about what God is doing right now. Men's group is starting and the whole signup sheet is full of names who want to come. It's so exciting to see what God is going to do because you are willing to go through this publicly. Also because there are so many willing to step up and fill the really big hole you left. I'm one of many who pray for you and Ed. I know God is working all of this together for good. By the way, Michelle is doing a great job (but I know you already knew she would). I love you Jane.
Tamie, you are such an amazing blessing in my life. Thank you for not only holding down the fort but for really stepping out in God's calling on your life. He is using you in a big way at Sandals Church. You are doing a job that He has gifted and equipped only you to do. I love your passion for bringing people to the loving grace of Jesus Christ. I'm happy that you are working with Griffin in missions. That is a passion of yours that you are now getting to see come to fruition. God bless you Tamie, and thank you for the work you are doing with Next Steps.
DeleteLove, Jane
I am glad that the nausea didn't seem too bad... will still be praying about that and that you find so much strength in every day and peace of mind in your writing. God Bless!
ReplyDeleteHi Em! Thanks for your continued prayer. God truly answered prayer--He used the chemo to do its job and not make the rest of my body sick. I miss your beautiful smiling face:) We need to have coffee together soon. Love, Jane
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