Yesterday as I was preparing to get number 4 treatment (after not being able to last week...explain later) I met Emily Braddock Jones. She too was waiting to get started!! What a pleasure. What a smile! What life...what JOY!!!! (Her fight is in to year 4!)
She Charles and I chatted all the hours we were there. We found out she has written several books, from West Point but now lives in Starkville and has a look on life that is contagious.
Waking up pretty early this morning...thanks Decadron...I started reading her second book that she graciously gave to Charles and me. Aging Fearlessly Such a quick read...good tips...witty text!!! If you would like one...let me know and I will connect you to her! So, thus my title...sorry Emily, hope this is not close to plagiarism! But Doing Cancer Fearlessly came to my mind.
One of the quotes from her book really grabbed me.
"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle.
The other is as though everything is a miracle." - Albert Einstein
Let me catch you up from my last post. I pray you all had a great Christmas and New Year as I did. My third treatment was December 28, 2016. I was then looking forward (liar, liar, pants on fire) to January 11 for number 4. But then disappointment. My white blood count went down to 900. They like it to be 1500 for treatment. So I was sent home with instructions to rest, and stay away from germs. (They did not give me a nupregin shot for some reason, so home I went.) Here is wear the miracles started...
I stayed put in my house for a week...took zinc after spending time searching remedies on Google. Rest, rest, rest. Did not clean my commodes...LOL.
When I got to Cancer Care yesterday, I knew it was going to be a full day. I was already scheduled for an AFTER 4 Treatments CAT Scan, appointment with Dr. Hill and now Chemo added to the agenda.
They started my blood work to see if I was a candidate...and guess what...Miracle 1. It had gone up to 1600!!! Chemo on the agenda sticks. But first I had to walk next door for CAT Scan. Got back and started the bags that flow through me for day one.
But remember, Emily is facing me in the chair across from me. We laughed, we talked, we prayed, we told our cancer stories, connected with old friends (she and Charles both went to Ole Miss). The hours went by.
Then they came to get me for my doctor appointment. I pushed my chemo laden pole around the corner to visit with Dr. Hill. Charles, as my bodyguard. He is so funny. Wants to be sure I ask the questions we have discussed. Wants to be sure Dr. Hill listens to me. Wants me well.
Miracle 2: the CEA Tumor marker went down from 242 - December 21st to 73 reported from January 11. WHOOO HOOO (It needs to be 0-4.0) We will get there!!!
Miracle 3: Dr. Hill shared the CAT Scan results. Two tumors in my liver have shrunk. Tumor in/on my left kidney has shrunk. Right kidney is unremarkable. (still love that term) Lymph node that was not HOT (remember last post?) has shrunk. There were a lot of "NO" statements. Awesome! I will see him again February 14th.
Back to my chemo lounge and Emily, plus the other clients that have arrived. I left with my fanny pack of 5-FU (I know what just went through your mind...come back! LOL) Charles and I went to eat and home. From the time I got home til I finally went to bed (with medicinal help) it was an awful night...tears and fears. (Even after good news cancer is a dirty handed fighter.) Charles spent time speaking life and love over me. My children each called with words of encouragement and love.
Pray for those who don't have a cheerleader in their court. You be a cheerleader for someone you know plagued with cancer. Visit a cancer care center in your area and ask to sit with someone who is alone.
Ok...my final miracle to report. In my last post I asked for three main requests. You prayed for me. Please let this help build your faith!
From Take Two: Here are my three main prayer request right now:
1. That the medicine won't have the same effect on my hands and feet. That this time I won't face neuropothy.
My hands have had no effect. After a week I can drink cold water!
2. Not as big a deal...but sometimes colon cancer chemo does not cause hair to fall out - that would be a plus.
My hair has not thinned at all up to now!!!
3. Third, that I would be able to bring joy and comfort to those around me as we watch the drip enter out bodies.
Keep this one front and center! To give joy...you must possess joy. This is often hard to muster. But, Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. Psalm 30:6
