A Day Out

I had a good day today! This morning my sister and I went to school so we could put up a "welcome to music" bulletin board we had made. That just helps me to still feel like a music teacher. Then after lunch we went to my mom and dad's and spent the afternoon and evening with them. It was so good to visit with them. I hadn't been to their place for quite a while. They usually come out to see me instead. And the best news is that I kept in all my food. Though I eat very little and am rather limited in what I like right now, at least I was able to gain some nourishment.
I'll have to update the pictures on this blog soon, eh? Maybe tomorrow when I have a little more energy again.
Thank you for your continued prayers, your encouraging words, your hugs and love. I so appreciate when you send me comments, either on this blog, or to my personal email. I feel so enveloped in your care and feel God's love through all of you. This isn't an easy journey but you as friends and family certainly lighten the load. Thank you!

In God's abiding love,
Sandra

Another Speed Bump

Today I had two doctor appointments - one with my oncologist and one with my GP. We are changing my pain medication so hopefully the nausea and vomiting will decrease. It's a stronger drug but I need less of it. I hope and pray it works well and causes less distress in my body. One very disappointing item today was my tumour marker. It made another huge leap. My onc. is not so sure this chemo drug is working well by itself so we may tack on a new chemo drug. If we do that it will be a more aggressive drug with more side effects. Oh dear...not what I wanted to hear. For this next round we will stick to the chemo drug I'm on right now and not rock the boat - just yet.
God knew I needed this blessing for this week: "May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage (my) heart and strengthen (me) in every good deed and word." (2 Thess. 2:16-17). What a rich blessing! God alone can give us all the good hope we need to carry on day by day and step by step. May we all be encouraged and strengthened through His grace.

In His grace,
Sandra

New Dresser

What an exciting evening! My sister and brother-in-law and nephew arrived from Alberta and I got a beautiful new bedroom dresser. My brother-in-law built it to go into my bedroom. It's a deep espresso brown colour. It looks so nice and my sisters helped transfer my stuff into it. Sure looks luxurious! I love it!
I'm feeling better this evening, too. I couldn't keep any food down today. I threw up both my breakfast and my lunch. At the present my very small supper has stayed down. I wonder if the stomach problems come from the morphine. I see my oncologist again on Wednesday and I'll talk about it with her.
Time for a cup of tea...

Love, Sandra

A Good Saturday

Yesterday I went for my second chemo treatment of my second cycle. I also went for my bone drug, too, so I was at the hospital from 1:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. A long day but it all went smoothly. Today I was pretty tired but nevertheless, I ate well and felt fine. It was a good day.
This morning when I was reading my devotions I read the verse from Psalm 51: Restore to me the joy of Your salvation...to sustain me. And then later on my devotional said "take refreshment in God's presence." Ah...how God's word refreshes us and renews us. I was encouraged, refreshed, and sustained by God's Almighty hand once again today. Thank you, Lord!

Love, Sandra 🎶

Hurrah!

Hurrah! Today was a good day. No throwing up, more energy, able to get out, and able to visit. It's been a rough weekend and last couple of days. Rather discouraging at times but after a day like today I've got new hope that things will improve again. Please pray that my blood will also be high enough so that I can carry on with chemo again on Friday. I have yet to complete one round successfully, on time, and with no complications on this drug.
And now, I just pray for another good day tomorrow! One day at a time...

Day by day,
Sandra

From My Bed

I'm writing this post in bed. I'm feeling stronger again after being very sick to my stomach yesterday. Not fun at all but I was still able to have my chemo. All my blood levels and vitals were fine and there was no sign of infection so we could carry on. The doctor figured it was a virus that I caught so he said I could go ahead with the chemo if my vitals were fine. A great big thank you to my caregiver this past week and especially last night. She woke up every hour to check up on me and make sure I was doing alright. I just did a lot of sleeping and it's only in the last hour or so that I'm beginning to feel better again and eating a little. Thank you for your faithful, constant prayers. When I'm too sick to pray it's very comforting and reassuring to know that others are praying for me.

Trusting in God's promises,
Sandra

Chemo Track

Another gorgeous, sunny, warm day! I even went out with my friend this evening to pick up some groceries. And now I've used up all my energy, that's for sure. I'll sleep really well tonight. Tomorrow is chemo day, I hope. Please pray that my blood has gone high enough for chemo to be done again and that I won't have any awful side effects from the drug. I want to get back on track with the chemo drug. Sleep well, my friends, and have a relaxing Friday.

Blessings,
Sandra

💐

A wonderful day! Sunny, warm, and relaxing.☀ A friend from Alberta arrived this morning so in between a couple of naps we did a lot of talking and catching up. 😊 She also showed me how to decorate my emails and blog entries with pictures. 🌈 How fun is that! 📝 I hope you are enjoying your summer. 🍉 Tomorrow I see my oncologist and I hope to hear good things. Please pray with me that all will be well and I can resume chemo. again on Friday. 🙏

Love, Sandra🎵
(p.s. Sorry, somehow the pictures didn't work out. That's too bad. It was fun adding them in).

In His Strength

It was a good Sunday. I've been feeling good and enjoyed being able to go to church with my sister. I'm so hoping and praying that all things stay stable this week and my body gets stronger so I can carry on with chemo again this Friday. I've been trying to do small chores and move around more, too, and the pain is very minimal and sometimes even non-existent. That's such a relief!
"The Lord is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father's God, and I will exalt Him." (Ex. 15:2)

In His strength,
Sandra

No Chemo Today

This morning I went for bloodwork and then I was supposed to receive a chemo treatment. However, that did not happen. There were a few things that the chemo nurses were not happy about so they called my oncologist and she postponed my chemo for another week. First of all, I have had a very hoarse voice all week. My throat is not sore but my voice is just not good. My neutrophils were also a little on the low side and I'm on antibiotics because of my new nephrostomy tube. All those things just meant it wasn't wise to carry on with the chemo. I feel pretty good but I guess my body is having a hard time keeping up with all that's going on. Please pray fervently that my throat will heal and my body will be able to fight infections. I'm just hanging on to God's promises and feeling embraced in His love.

In Christ alone,
Sandra

Home Once Again

It's becoming a familiar refrain: "home again." I'm feeling quite well and the pain is not very bad at all with the pain medication I'm on. This procedure needed to be done and though I now live with two nephrostomy tubes, it's better than kidney problems. I'll sleep well now in my own bed again. (Thanks for being here, A. It's been so good to visit and catch up). And thanks for the "up blog," Ardie. That was delightful!

Good night, dear friends and family,
Sandra

You Know It's Bad When....

Sandra and I (Ardie) have been playing this game a few times as we sit around waiting at the cancer clinic and hospital. We start with the sentence, "You know it's bad when..." and have many endings. Here are some of the latest ones:

You know it's bad when...

...you recognize chemo nurses from 3 years ago.
...you start recognizing and having the same porters at the hospital.
...you start recognizing different ambulance personnel in the emergency room.
...you know the entire Interventional Radiology (IR) Department by name, and they know you too even when you meet them in the hall.
...you make a trip to the emergency room 3 out of 4 Monday nights in a row.

We had visit number 3 within the past month on Monday night. The only other Monday out of the past 4 was the day Sandra got discharged after spending 8 days inpatient. Sandra was so hoping for a week free of appointments and possibly some outdoor activities this week so it was a disappointing start to the week.

Today she had another procedure done. This time the right kidney had problems. She was back in IR for the 2nd time within the week for a 2nd surgery. She is hoping to come home tomorrow.

Please continue to pray for strength for Sandra and for freedom from pain. She is so brave in the face of constant procedures, poking and prodding.

--submitted by Ardie

It's a Warm One!

A quiet, try-to-stay-cool kind of day. My throat is so scratchy it sounds like I have a bad cold. Probably from the dry air and the fans going all the time. Some pain today and still working hard at eating but otherwise I'm feeling pretty good. I unexpectedly had my nephrostomy tube replaced on Friday. It was due to be changed but no appointment had been made so I didn't expect it to happen so soon. It went quite smoothly and I am feeling stronger again. I hope I feel well enough to do some activities and go places this week. I don't have a treatment until Friday afternoon, the 10th. Please pray for a good, pain-free week. Almost time for supper now. Have a good week and enjoy the warm summer weather!

Love,Sandra

Energy

I had a good day and feel more energetic than I have felt in a long time. The pain is under control for the most part and that is such a relief. I even drove a very short distance. I'm amazed at my sense of wanting to do more....and more.... I better be careful not to do too much. I was even at home for awhile this afternoon completely on my own. That has not happened for weeks now. Some good steps forward...Please pray for more good days and continued freedom from pain.

Love, Sandra