Oh my goodness! I have felt a little like the last 6 weeks lasted an eternity. I think knowing there was a problem, knowing what the problem was, and just waiting to start the solution was a little tricky.
Last week I met with my medical oncologist and the radiologist. I felt good with both of them and I was grateful for that. They will be a really good team!
After meeting with them, I went to Rexburg for some work meetings. It felt really good to be there! I enjoyed staying at my house and seeing some friends as well as participating in some good meetings. I came back on Saturday and had a good trip.
After I got back I got to go on a "date" with Jayden to go mini-golfing. It was really fun to spend time with him!
On Monday this week I went to get a PET scan. I got an IV of contrast and drank a tall glass of lemonade and then they scanned me to see if they could get any more detail on the nodules in my lungs. After I finished, I was grateful I was able to work most of the rest of the day.
Inserting the Port
Mom and Dad got here Monday night. They took me on Tuesday morning to get a port put into my chest. I felt bad for the nurses. They were trying to get an IV put in so they could administer my sedation. My hands were pretty cold so my veins were not popping out very well. It took 4 tries before they could get the IV inserted.
Then they wheeled me in the room for the surgery. I was still awake while they did a lot of the cleaning and the prep work. They were also training a new nurse so they were talking through what they were doing. At one time I had a plastic sheet over me along with some sheets of tissue stuff. I started giggling because it was just pretty funny to me. The next thing I knew I was wheeled back to the waiting area and they gave me some snacks and covered me up with a nice warm blanket.
Then I was released to come home. I had some good gauze and bandages over the port and came home and rested the rest of the day.
Treatment #1
On Wednesday I could only take one person with me to the clinic. So Dad went to be with Lori and Mom came with me. Jenny was my nurse and she was really friendly and encouraging. They first tested my blood levels and everything was good. She accessed everything through my port so I know it is working correctly.
They started with a packet of nausea medications as well as some steroids to calm the immune system. It sounds like that will be standard practice. Then they started me on two different kinds of chemotherapy medications. It took about 2 hours to finish. Mom was good to sit there with me. Part way through Jenny came and gave me a shot of nausea medications into my stomach - it will be a slow release to last a few days. Then before we left, they hooked me up to a little pump with another packet of meds that would be with me for 46 hours.
I came home and took a little nap. Then Mom and Dad took me to look for a recliner. I thought that might be good for me to have as another seating option. I wandered from chair to chair until I found one I liked that I thought would go with my house and that was the right price. I noticed my reserves are not very strong, so I move a lot slower and have to take more breaks in between.
On Thursday morning I got up and my pump was dead. I looked online to see what I might need to do and it recommended changing batteries. Of course I didn't have any AA batteries here so Dad went up to the Holiday across the street and got a little package. We replaced them and it came right back on.
Mom and Dad were going to go back to Cove Fort so they dropped me off at Lori's. I worked most of the afternoon and I felt pretty good all day. I was so grateful for that!
This morning (Friday) I got up and started getting ready and I could tell my body was pretty weak. So I would do a little and stop and rest. I ate some breakfast and then we came back up to Salt Lake. Lori was an angel. We stopped at Ikea on the way up and she got me a little desk. Then we went to my appointment to get my pump removed. Luckily it didn't take too long. They basically detached the pump and flushed out the port with saline and put a bandage over it and I was good to go.
I came home and was in a couple of meetings but was dragging a lot! Finally when those were over, I checked out for the day. Lori put together my desk and was so helpful! Then after they left, I slept for at least a couple of hours. I got up and have been trying to eat and drink. I was also able to go out and walk to the end of the road and back. It actually felt good to move.
So here we are at the end of Treatment #1. I can absolutely understand why people choose not to do treatment or to finish their treatment. I feel like the only way I will really be able to go through this is with the help of heaven and supportive and loving family and friends. Everyone has been so helpful and encouraging and I am so grateful for that!
There was a scripture that I have loved from my study in Come Follow Me this week. It is from Joshua 1:6 "Be Strong and of a Good Courage." So that is a theme for the week. With the Lord, all things truly are possible. Thank you all for your faith and your prayers and may you find joy and beauty in the small and simple things today!
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