Treatment #5

 Treatment #5 was a better one! That sounds a little crazy, but it was. My friend Stephanie wanted to be my driver and I was grateful! It gave Lori a break this time. She was really patient, especially because it took a couple hours longer than we planned, but she was such a great support and I was so grateful. One of my ministering sisters also brought dinner and that was really sweet. I didn't have to think about it and the food tasted great. She brought over a grilled cheese sandwich and homemade tomato soup and it really did taste good to me. People are so kind. I am just so humbled and grateful for so many people!

Launch of QuickReg

While I was in my infusions on Wednesday, my team and the Welfare and Self Reliance Services (WSRS) team conducted a training on QuickReg, which is a simplified registration system that is designed to be used by local church leaders to offer church-sponsored programs (such as Personal Finances, Start and Grow your Business, Education for Better Work, Find a Better Job, and Finding Strength in the Lord: Emotional Resilience, as well as EnglishConnect 1 & 2) that participants can sign up for. The purpose of the trainings was to introduce the product and to do some basic training for all of the WSRS managers worldwide. Of course it happened while I was at my treatment appointment, but it all went well and everyone seemed pretty excited about it, so I was happy. I was able to join the afternoon session after I finished. We have been working on the product since before Covid started, so it has been a long time in coming. See if you have groups running near you!

Changes in Treatment #5

When I went in to visit with my oncologist, I though my hands looked great compared to what they had looked like. He said "they're ok" and that was all. They were still pretty red and warm and a little puffy, but the peeling had all healed up. So I was pretty happy with them. After we talked a little while, he decided he didn't want to lower my dosage, but he did want to try stretching the treatment out from 2 hours to 4 hours to see if that made a difference. 

I'm not sure how it works because the major side effects don't generally kick in until way after all the meds are done, but it really did make a difference! This was the first treatment that I didn't have to take a nausea pill so that was nice. I felt really good on Thursday and was able to work and do everything I needed to. Mom and Dad came on Thursday night and stayed with me til Friday after I got my pump off.  It always feels so good to detach from it! 

I did come home and rest after I got my pump off, but I felt good in the afternoon. About the time I went to bed, I started feeling some of the pain on my skin, but it wasn't nearly as bad as the time before. I slept good and was able to work at the temple on Saturday morning. It was great to be there! I was a little slow, but very functional. My hands were a little warm, but not hot like the time before. 

I was just so grateful that it was as good as it was! I had decent energy throughout the week. I did take a little nap during lunch, and a rest at the end of my work, but it was good. The launch has gone well so far. There have been a few little issues here and there that the team has been able to respond to, but overall things have gone really well. I am just so grateful!

Lessons from Job and Psalms

Last week we studied about Job in the Old Testament and all he went through. I loved that he kept the perspective of putting his trust in God and he would have what he needed. And after all of the trials, he was still faithful. He asked God a lot of questions about his circumstances, but he never turned away from Him.

This week we have started studying Psalms and there are so many good one-liners, I love a theme that I have started seeing as I have started studying them - they are also about putting your trust in Him. We are his children. He is our Shepherd. He leads us to the green pastures and by the still waters. I love Him and know He is there for me always, but especially in this time. He truly does bring joy and loves us through all of our difficulties.