Tx 8 of 12.

Tomorrow is treatment 8 of 12, this round.  Treatments now are every Monday.  Chris and I argue that it is a two hour appointment, when it is sometimes 4 hours by the time we leave.  I say tomorrow will be 2 1/2 hours.  Regardless, my week feels very short lately. 

Treatment day is just more time consuming than anything.  I am much more affected by treatment on Thursdays and Fridays. The fatigue is really profound.  I slept from Thursday 8:30pm to Friday Noon, only to return to bed at 9:00 or so Friday night.  There is still no rhythm to each week.  I may sleep well or not.  These 2-3 days days are especially very difficult days.  The next 5 weeks could possibly the hardest as treatments compound.  Nausea not the issue this round, but shear fatigue on these days is debilitating, no sugar coating it.  I have some other side affects, such as a bloody nose most of the time (Sorry if TMI, its just the truth of it- bloody from dry) and my fingernails are strange making my fingertips very sore, amongst other things.  Overall, its compounding but ONLY 5 more chemotherapy treatments.  No problem!

Today was a really great day.  I spent a lot of time at church with a great message, great people, and knowing that it doesn't matter what happens- good or bad, God has all that is in store for me now and later.  It's such great news to have hope that is found in knowing Jesus.  That my hope, my life isn't placed in material things, the daily grind, the next big sale, not even in the people I love, but in God.

I attend Quest Community Church in Lexington & Frankfort, KY.  I love my Church.  I love being part of the Church.  I am thankful for those who went before me to saying yes to the risks with God, as Quest celebrates 13 years, this week.  I am especially thankful for when they said yes to the sacrifice to opening doors in Frankfort, KY, 10 minutes from my home, just 3 1/2 years ago.  I am thankful for the authenticity and an undying commitment to serving God, of the leaders at Quest.  I am thankful the way they have loved me during this time. 

God- thank you for all you have done, will continue to do and provide.  Thank you for each person reading this.  May you speak clearly to them.  May they receive clarity and seek you in all that is entrusted to them.  Thank you for all of the love and care where you have carefully placed each one of these people in my life (those I know and don't know) during this time with my cancer.  Amen!

Lots of love, Amanda










   

Tx 7 of 12 done.

This one is done.  :)

TX 6 done. 6 more to go!

Hi!  I breezed through treatment 6 yesterday.  My Aunt Shirley went with me along with Chris. 
Here is a great story.  I met 3 sisters at treatment.  One receiving chemo treatment for pancreatic cancer.  One had breast cancer 5 years ago and doing well now.  The other one loved my cake.  I actually met them last Monday when I took in a cake platter for the nurses and ended up walking around the waiting room, serving everyone waiting. :)  Many couldn't believe that I was a patient.  Yesterday's story is so wonderful to me, because, my aunt went to the bathroom where the one sister, breast cancer survivor for 5 years, was teared up in the bathroom.  She stops my aunt and says, "I have something for your daughter."  She handed her a bracelet with "all you need is LOVE" enscribed on it.  She wore this bracelet the last 5 years and asked my aunt to give it to ME.  These days, I really don't tear up often about what I am going through, but in this case, it is very touching for me. 

I am blessed to have the schedule that I have.  I work for amazing people who pray for me and support me incredibly.  I am so appreciative of the time I have to digest all that is going on, get through the process and focus on healing. 

If you ask me how I am doing, I will tell you I am doing well.  Friday was a hard day.  I stopped in Kroger parking lot and didn't even get out of the car.  Went home to sit on couch.  On another note, on Sunday night, I took my steriod and cleaned furiously for an hour!  I will also tell you that life is a box of chocolates, you never know which one you are going to get.  I have experienced the several types of chocolates lately.  I don't like them all, but it is my box.  This is my life, it is my choice on how I choose to respond.  I can pick distaste, distrust, disheartening, disinterest, distance.  Or I can pick love, respect, redemption, trust, a soft heart, peace, deliverance.  Today I choose the latter along with dark chocolate that has cancer fighting antioxidants. My next 5 years may bring life, but it doesn't mean that it will be an easy 5 years regardless.  I am thankful for a God who can take those moments for me.  It is my guess the sister feels the same way. 

Thank you.  Love you.  Amanda

4/9/12 Follow Up Reports and Chemo

Hi.
The report is that the surgeon says that all looks good. I have a sore muscle in my back for some reason but he says he isn't worried about it. I have to have mammogram in November (1 year follow up) since I still have the other side at this point until my next surgery in January possibly.

Oncologist is pleased with me. She says I look good and that I am doing well. Only 7 more treatments of chemotherapy!! :). There are some side effects I need to be careful of, but not huge deal.

Chemo went fine. I sat down around 2:30pm and was done at around 5:10pm. I slept so sound. I am starting to like these treatments! Best sleep in a while- even if it is just an hour. Haha!

I met a woman whose breast cancer returned in her lungs 6 years ago. She comes in every 3 weeks for a dose of chemo and goes on with her life. She looks great and says breast cancer was the best thing thats ever happened to her because it got her priorities straight.

Thank you for your care an concern for me! Your prayers are working!

Never underestimate the power of how God can work in your life. It's not my work, my performance, my cancer, my ups and downs that I rest in. It's God's strength through Jesus that I can rest and trust. It's through my experience, only in the recent few years, that I have learned this allowing me to lead a much richer and fuller life than I ever expected, even in these minutes.

"I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether is is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength." Phillipians 4:12-13

Tx 5 of 12

Today is treatment 5 of 12.  Only 7 more to go! I had a great week managing the fatigue well.  I was able to visit with family in town which was so fun!  Easter was a great day! 

I usually don't sleep much the night before chemo. I got about 4.5 hours of sleep, which is better than usual.  My side effects seem to be minimal at this point.  I am happy with the grace that has been given in this.  Its one of those things that hit me over the last week or so.  I have not had issues with weight loss, inability to eat, extreme lack of energy.  This is truly grace over the last 5 months.  It hit me that it could be so much worse.  So, with this realization, now I am encouraged to do more from my old normal in my new normal. 

Today is 2 month surgery follow up with surgeon, Dr. AJ from Central Baptist.  I am also seeing Oncologist, Dr. Harper today.  Her appts are every 2-3 weeks now, though I am going in for chemo every Monday now.  I pray that these appoitments continue to bring the message of healing and progress.  I have a couple of concerns with soreness and side effects that I will be discussing.  Nothing major. 

Thank you for checking in.  Girls, go get your Annuals and your Mammograms!  Boys, you pay attention too!  My friend's father was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Stay aware of your bodies, go to doctor to get your checks done!  Men- don't not do this, especially with prostate, colon and all that you really need to have checked.

Here is my pic for the day.

Love you all!

Tx 4 of 12

This one came and went. :)