Welcome to March!

Before I fall asleep here I'd like to connect with you. I 'm so tired this evening. The last few days have been a little easier, although I still struggle with waves of nausea. I'm finished my first 7 days of chemo pills; now just one more week before I get a week off. I hope and pray daily that this chemo is working effectively and arresting the cancer.

I received a Puritan prayer from a friend (thanks, Karen) and just have to share a part of it that was so comforting to me. "Let me not be at my own disposal, but rejoice that I am under the care of one who is too wise to err, too kind to injure, too tender to crush.". What a great, loving Father we have!

Rejoicing to be in His kind and tender care,

Sandra

Waiting for Spring

When I got up this morning to beautiful sunshine, there were two deer walking by my door. (Probably the same two we saw, Joanna). I think they're getting hungry and can't wait for spring - just like me.

The chemo pills hit today. Felt rather blah all day and pretty nauseous. Hope it settles down again but I do have a good stock of Gravol in the medicine cupboard. Not sure I'm ready for all this chemo stuff again but one day at a time. Just one day at a time.

Love, Sandra

All Is Well!

A good day today and a good day yesterday, too. I'm not having any severe, adverse reactions to the chemo drug and that's a very good thing. I don't have a lot in my body yet because I only started it yesterday but I'm just happy to be feeling fine. I'm slathering on the lotions on my hands and feet because one of the side effects of this drug is that the skin of your hands and feet can get very red, and dry, and sore, and swollen. Hopefully, that can be prevented by keeping the skin moist.

I have to tell you that I went to school on Thursday. It was so wonderful to see the students and visit with teachers and just be there. What a treat!

Blessings,

Sandra

Chemo - take three!

Saw my oncologist yesterday and we put a new plan in place. The breast cancer has spread to the mesentery (the connective tissue below the skin in the abdomen), the lung lining (pleura), and the bones. Since it is progressing we need to change the course of action. I was on a drug since the end of November but it is not working. So as of this coming Friday I will begin a new chemo drug that I can take by pills. Of course, there are side effects but at least I won't lose my hair this time around. I will need to stay away from crowds again, and it could bother my stomach, too. I am not going to think too much about it now - we'll just see how it goes come this weekend.

For now I am feeling much better. The surgery on Saturday really made a difference for me. My appetite is better, my blood pressure is down, and I've had NO headaches .

Please pray that this new chemo drug will work and the tumor marker will go down (it has continued to rise) and the cancer cells will be stopped in their tracks. God is all- powerful! He can do anything and in Him I place my hope.

Feeling Better Already

I had a quiet, relaxing day and I'm feeling pretty good, too. I have to take it easy so I haven't been moving around a lot, but the pain is minimal and I'm so glad I got the procedure done. My blood pressure has already come down and I've had two headache-free mornings. Tomorrow I see my oncologist and I'm wondering what the next course of action will be.

Thanks for writing up Saturday's update, Erin. That was a long day. I didn't get home from the hospital until just after 11 p.m.

Thanks for all your prayers. God is good. He is faithful and I am so thankful for His peace and strength.

In His strength,

Sandra

Saturday Update

Hello All!

This is Erin, Sandra's niece, writing on behalf of the recovering patient.

We wanted to let you know that Sandra did end up having the procedure tonight, but she is still in recovery right now and will be home late, late tonight. So, the outlook is good.

My Aunt will be lying low the next couple days, so don't be alarmed if this blog isn't as active as she normally keeps it!

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers.

Love, Erin

Postponed

Well, the procedure didn't happen today. So I have been rescheduled for tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m. At least now I can eat and drink something. I'm fine with having it done first thing in the morning. Hopefully everything goes as planned tomorrow. As a result it was a very quiet day - just waiting for the phone to ring.

Love, Sandra