Post Treatment #1 and Trip to Oregon

Post-Treatment #1

I have to say i am amazed at the body's ability to heal and to regenerate itself! The first few days after treatment were tiring and I didn't really feel like eating or doing very much, but I made myself eat something and tried to not sleep all the time. I also tried to go on walks. The first ones were just to the end of the street and back, but now I'm walking quite a bit more. I've been able to work and I am also very grateful for that. 

On Wednesday last week I went in to do a blood panel to check my levels after the first treatment, The doctor said my levels looked really good and he felt that we are good to proceed. That made me feel good that my body is bouncing back after the treatment.

Oregon

Since my diagnosis, the thing I really wanted was to be able to go to Oregon for my niece's graduation from high school. I wanted so much to be able to go to spend time with family and to be there at this milestone in her life. Mom and Dad were going to drive, so I was able to go with them and my oldest nephew. I felt good during the trip so that was good too. I get tired easily, but I was able to rest and sit down to help prepare dinner and the things we did. 

On the way, we listened to a new book - One Last Joyride by Dean Hughes. We laughed so hard throughout the book. It was a really well written and a fun story. It made the drive go really quickly and it had a nice message.  

This week I was reading an article in the BYU Alumni Magazine from Camille Johnson from a devotional she gave at BYU (Bound Securely to the Savior). In the talk, she quoted Elder Marvin J. Ashton. This quote has really changed my perspective on my treatments. I want to not just get to #8, but I really do want to find the good throughout each one.  Here is the quote. 

"A notion commonly shared by many [is] that the best of life is just ahead, over the next hill, a few years away, . . . [at graduation, when I marry], tomorrow, next month, when I turn [whatever age], or next summer. We become actively engaged in the pastime of conditioning ourselves to believe that happiness and achievement are always somewhere in the future. There is an attitude of tolerating today, even looking past today in anticipation of a better tomorrow.

". . . Those inclined to count their daily blessings have more to count because they help make more possible as they learn gratitude. A constant waiting for a brighter future may cause us to lose the beautiful today."

I have so many things to be thankful for - for kind emails and cards in the mail, for visits from family and friends, for good food, for a body that is resilient, for being able to laugh, for beautiful weather, for long sunny days, for flowers that are blooming, for being able to go for a walk - even if it is short, and for heaven's blessings. I love life and I'm grateful to live and to have meaningful things to do in my life. Life truly is beautiful and there is joy in every day!