August 31, 2004 – Chemo Update

First of all, I have to thank you for your prayers for my pain level. I seemed to hit a turning point on Friday and was suddenly feeling so much better. I knew I was getting better when I thought, "I have GOT to get out of this house!" So, the next day, I actually got to go watch Colby play soccer and then we went wig shopping. I kept saying to Kurt, "It feels so weird to be acting 'normal'!" I am still dealing with pain and having to be very careful not to overdo it, but it's manageable at this point. I even drove for the first time since surgery on Sunday.

I have decided where to go for my chemotherapy. I went to Swedish Cancer Institute today and it was clearly the best choice of the three places I visited. The oncologist, nurses, and rest of the staff were very personable and helpful. The facility is very comfy and warm and they seem to have a good handle on how to manage side effects. Obviously, it is a longer drive than Valley or Covington (did you know they do chemo in Covington??), but I think it will be well worth the extra driving time.

My first treatment will be September 13, unless something changes. Then, treatment will last 16 weeks (once every 2 weeks). The oncologist was pleased with the way I am healing, so the next step will be to get a port 'installed'. Basically, this is a port that is implanted in my chest that goes directly into an artery and prevents having to get an IV each time I go for treatment. This will be yet another day surgery, but it's very quick and should be no big deal.

I want to share something with you that has helped me so much. A friend of mine gave me an awesome book called "Coping with Cancer" by a man named John Packo. He is a pastor who was diagnosed with lymphoma and given one month to live. He obviously lived, is doing great and wrote a book to help others. One of the chapters is about the difference between positive thinking and positional thinking. Positive thinking is based on personal willpower and pulling yourself out of a situation. Positional thinking is based on our position in Christ and on His power that He extends to us because of His resurrection. The goal is to know Christ more. I LOVE this!! As Christians, we can truly claim the following verse:

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

He gave His life for all of us, if we will accept it by faith. That is the best news anyone will ever hear! In closing…… just kidding! I'm done with my sermon now! 🙂

Thanks again for your prayers. Now you can add the chemo to your prayer list. Pray that I can still function as normally as possible and I will be wise with the way I use my time (not try to do too much). Also, pray that the hair loss won't freak the kids out too much (okay, you can pray that for me, too!). I'm going to try to be very positive about it, but I know it's going to be really hard! Kurt has been so reassuring and comforting about all of those physical issues. He's been awesome.