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

Orange and Yellow

I'm eating bananas and drinking orange juice to try and raise my potassium level. It's too low, and if it stays low, they won't do the procedure tomorrow and I'd really like to have it done so we can carry on with further treatments. My onc. called this evening and said this (meaning the procedure) would really help to protect and strengthen my kidneys.
Pulled out two prayer rocks this afternoon - hope and gladness. My hope is in Christ alone and I have a saying on my fridge that says, "Every suffering can be blessed because it hollows out a place in us for God and His comfort, which is infinite joy." I think I put that on my blog before but this is a good time to see it again.

Hoping in Him,
Sandra

What Next?

Quite the day! I had an appointment with my GP and another one with a specialist soon after. I wasn't home again until 8:00 p.m. this evening. A lot to process and a lot to take in. Even more to pray about. I will be having an emergency procedure this weekend to keep my kidneys functioning well and to solve the kidney problem. I'm sure hoping that will help the high blood pressure and the headaches, too.

Please pray that I can have the procedure done on Friday. If it doesn't

happen then, it will happen on Saturday or even Sunday. Pray that I can stay calm and that my veins will co-operate.

A reminder to me: "Be still my child, I know your way;

And I will guide for My name's sake.

Plunge in the rivers of my grace;

Rest in the arms of My embrace."

In His love,

Sandra

The Gift of Music

Yesterday morning I had to go for blood work and after that my sister drove us to our parent's place. We had a wonderful day together and my mom and I played a game on my new iPad. How fun is that?! Today was a pretty good day although a bit headachey( is that even a word?) this afternoon. Now I'm just enjoying some beautiful music and resting in my chair. I was reminded again how soothing and calming music is to me. God gave us such a beautiful gift in the ability to create harmonious sounds and melodies.

My prayer rocks gave me reminders of God's strength, joy, and faithfulness. How comforting in the middle of uncertainty and unknowns.

Trusting in the Father,

Sandra

From My Chair

It's been a very quiet day after our emergency room trip last night. My blood pressure dropped and I became very faint. All is well again and I am fine but I had absolutely no energy today so I basically sat in my chair. I love my chair and my iPad. Headaches continue to stay away for which I am very thankful. I'm also thankful for my family who are there for me at every twist and turn. So we carry on and pray for another good week, minus the hospital trip. Sabbath blessings to you. I miss going to church but just am not able to do that right now.

In Christ's abiding love,

Sandra

God Is My Rock

Wow,this has been a much better week. The headaches are much improved. The new medication is working well and I enjoy the days without pain. Today I went for another kidney scan. I really hope this scan tells them what they need to know to solve the poor kidney function.

Both my sisters and my sister-in-law and I have spent time together this week. We have had a good time with crafting, talking, lots of giggling, of course, and just enjoying our time together. My sister from Alberta is here for another few days yet.

Yesterday I received a glass vase full of prayer rocks from the students at my school. What a treasure to read their encouraging words and know they are praying fervently, too.

I will proclaim the name of the Lord.

Oh, praise the greatness of our God!

HE IS THE ROCK, His works are perfect,

and all His ways are just.

A faithful God who does no wrong,

Upright and just is He.

Deut. 32:3,4

Abiding in God's faithfulness,

Sandra

To the Hills I Lift My Eyes

Today has been a good day, meaning the headache didn't make me sick today and the new medication is working. This afternoon my oncologist called to let me know that the CT head scan I had last week was fine. What a relief to hear that great news! I went for blood work and it only took one little poke!
The pictures are from atop Eagle Mountain this afternoon. I sat on the bench up there and just reveled in God's creation. The sunshine warmed me and Mt. Baker was spectacular.
To the hills I lift my eyes;
Whence shall help for me arise?
From the Lord comes all my aid,
who the heavens and earth has made. (Song based on Ps.121)

Warmed by His love,
Sandra

Big Surprise!!!!

This blog comes to you from my brand new IPad. This afternoon some of my staff came to my house and brought this wonderful gift! I can't believe it! The students at our fabulous elementary school collected money so we can stay connected. Thank you so very much, students. You have surprised me and I am amazed. I can't thank you enough. I'm still getting used to operating this new gadget but I love how light and compact this is! I will certainly get a lot of use out of this. I'll easily be able to take this along into waiting rooms as I go for yet another appointment. Thank you,thank you.

Time to get ready for bed. Today started out with a severe headache and later in the morning another doctor's visit. I got some new medication and I hope that will keep those headaches away. Have a wonderful day tomorrow and you can be sure I will enjoy my fantastic new toy!!

Love, Sandra

Wrapped in love

A quiet Sunday evening and though I've been struggling with a headache all day, it's not been so debilitating that I could not enjoy a visit with my parents and a friend. Yesterday was a wonderful day - totally headache free, (making up for Friday which was absolutely not good!). I was able to attend a Vancouver Symphony concert last night with friends. It was a fabulous and beautiful program with music by Russian composers. We got to enjoy the music and story of Peter and the Wolf by Prokofiev and the excitement and vibrancy of Marche Slav by Tchaikovsky, as well as other music. Great fun!
"The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love.
He will rejoice over you with singing." Zeph. 3:17

Quieted in love,
Sandra

My sister came this afternoon so while she's preparing supper I'll update you. I had an appointment with my GP today and he said the renal ultrasound showed that there is a blockage of some sort somewhere in my kidneys (I'm not sure about the details here). Now we have to do a more specific test to find out what to do about this problem. So I'm waiting for a phonecall from the hospital for another appointment. That's all I seem to be doing these days - going from one appointment to another. I just would really like this kidney problem to be solved. My GP gave me some more medication for the high blood pressure. The list of prescriptions just grows and grows... I see my GP again next week. Once I got my headache under control this morning the rest of today went quite well. Now I'm sitting cosily by the fire, enjoying my company, and looking forward to a restful evening.
Thank you for keeping me in your prayers, all of you out there. In God's time...

Love,
Sandra

P.S. Of course, now I've had supper, and it was delicious! Thanks for preparing it, Audrey.