Round 3 begins today at 8:15. I will get a one drug infusion that will only take about 15 minutes. No Benedryl naps, no multiple trips to the bathroom, no wrapping up all nice and cozy in my warm blankets. Worst of all there will be no long visits with my girlfriends while my meds drip in. Boo. I still talked Kate into taking me this morning and we’ll just go out to breakfast after I finish.
From all accounts, the Alimta will be much easier on me than the last drugs I got. I shouldn’t have any hair loss, my appetite will probably not stay gone as long, and best of all there is no huge steroid mountain to fall off of each time. Just a tiny little steroid hill that won’t hurt nearly as much or make me nearly as mean.
We hope.
Alimta is known to work very well on adenocarcinoma. The node in my abdomen is now about the size of half a walnut according to the surgeon.
Funny note: When he was telling my family about the surgery after I went to the recovery room, my mom thought he said the node was the size of half a wallet. It wasn’t at all funny then, but after everything was straightened out we had a good laugh wondering how we were supposed to know how big that was. Was it a man’s trifold? A woman’s wristlet? Perhaps a small round coin purse?
This troublemaker has been joined by a couple of other very small nodes. All under 1 cm and something that in normal circumstances would not cause any alarm. But these aren’t normal circumstances, now are they?
I would be lying if I said I wasn’t anxious. It feels a little bit like when we were starting the last time. Not knowing if it will work and waiting for the next scan to let us know. We will do three cycles (3 weeks apart) and then scan again. That will put us close to the end of August. We will also be deciding in the next couple of weeks whether to add the Avastin (hello high blood pressure and morning nose bleeds) back in. I’m getting mixed advice about that and trying to discern the wisest path. The risk of bad side effects is low but they are very bad when they happen and my risk has gone up a bit with the radiation I got.
So.
Here’s what you can pray for. I’m hoping you are not weary of this yet, my friends. This is a marathon for sure and I’m in for the long haul. I hope you will be, too.
- Healing. Whether by medicine or miracle, we aren’t picky.
- That my immune system will stay strong. This medicine is a bit worse to make a person’s white count go way down and we’d really like to avoid that. No infections please.
- Wisdom as we try to decide whether to add the Avastin.
- Comfort for my family as they deal with another round of chemo with me.
- Finally, that my faith will not be shaken. That my eyes will stay firmly fixed upon the hills from which cometh my help. My help comes from the Lord. Maker of Heaven and Earth.
I’ll have more to say about that last one later this week. I can feel one of my mini sermons threatening to burst forth:)
Meanwhile, life goes on. Katie and I went to Target last night and bought supplies for her locker. In Jr. High they have a night right before school starts when they go and locate their locker and decorate it.
It’s a very big deal.
Made even bigger by the fact that last October, I wasn’t sure I’d be around to see it.
God is so good to me. So merciful. He has heard our prayers. Without a doubt. My girl is going to seventh grade and I get to watch.
I am so thankful.
To Him and to you.
(Sara) Jane – know you are being thought of and lifted up this morning as you begin this next phase. I wanted to leave you with you verse – “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” — 2 Corinthians 4:18 I cannot imagine all of the “things” that race through your mind, but know that it is all temporary. His perfect plan for you is unfolding. His plan. In His time. And you are ALWAYS in His loving hands. Praying for you and yours — Penny
Enjoy that locker-decorating night! I’m dedicating my long run this morning to prayer…your ears will be burnin’! Sending much love to you, JD, Katie and Elena
holly
We’re all here for you, praying for you and the family. Thanks for the prayer list, it is very helpful. Remember this: once you give yourself to Him, nobody can take you out of His hand, not even yourself. You have surrounded yourself with loving, wonderful Family and friends! You will never be alone. Love to you all…
Hi you,
Now whatever would make you think we aren’t running this marathon together?? Of course you’re alittle scared; who wouldn’t be? However, everytime that twinge of fear creeps up on you, simply say to God, “I can’t do this alone; please help me Now.”
Even super women like us can’t walk it alone. He kows this, but He does like us to ask.
Be cranky and that’s ok, too! You should have asked my husband about a cranky woman!!
We all love you soooo much and we all will run this race with you for however long it is!!
Right now as I cry reading your post…all I can say is ILOVE YOU AND IM PRAYING….GOD is GOOD……im Sooooooooo thankful you are having this special locker decorating with your daughter……when u face cancer…..boy the little things matter, don’t they…..you cherish EVERY second…….we love you……
i will NOT grow weary of praying for you! I will pray for those white blood cells. no infections and wisdom on the avastin! I’ll even through in a bonus prayer that those nodes disappear. you are so heavy on my heart through out the day. that is the holy spirit, my friend. he is busy and active on your behalf… of that i am sure!
We are with you, praying dailey, much LOVE from Connie and Ken!
Prayers Prayers Prayers……I hope she has a very perky locker….feathers….swirls…bright…cheerful…borderline shocking!!! Enjoy the girlie stage…go back when you were there…seems like yesterday!!!
Yes, indeed, we are glad it is a marathon…as you said, and the fact that you are still living is enough to keep us all going. Medicine or miracle…we keep getting enough reprieves in the journey.
Praying for you and your family as you begin this new phase of your journey. What a blessing to know that you are never alone, even in your darkest moment. God is always there and always will be. And HE is in control<3
The Robbins family continues to hold you in our prayers! Hope the locker turns out fan-tabulous!!
Sara , We will keep praying daily until you are well medicine or miracle doesn’t matter because God controls both. We hope you are rested and ready for the next part of your journey. We are with you all the way Palsms 121:1 Big hug to you. hope the locker is awesome for Katie.
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