Treatments #6 and #7

The summer is passing so quickly! Each treatment comes and goes and then it's done and time for the next one.

Treatment #6

For Treatment #6, the treatment part went just fine. It was pretty status quo. On Saturday Amy and Analeah came. Analeah was coming for Education Week at BYU, so they visited a little. Amy flew back to Oregon on Sunday morning and then flew back on Thursday night so they could drive back. Even though it was a short trip, it was really fun to have them here! We stopped by Lori's on Friday morning and visited with her before they left. It was so fun to be together! We need each other!

Meeting with the Surgeon

I went back to do a check in with my surgeon right before #7. He likes to check in to make sure the chemo is making a difference. He asked about my side effects and if my bowel habits have improved. And they have, so that is what we wanted to hear. He talked like there will be a month between chemo and radiation which should be a good time for my body to get stronger. Then after radiation, I'll have about 2 months for the healthy tissues to heal up before we go into surgery. So there is still quite a bit of a road ahead, but I'm actually grateful that we are able to take it slowly. I had to laugh. In the lobby of the surgeon's office, they had Bob Ross playing. The reason I laugh is that for all of my treatments, Clint has been sending me a "happy little shirt" that has "happy little trees" on them, as a reference to Bob Ross. So that made me smile when I went in for my appointment and he was playing. 

Treatment #7

Treatment #7 was actually more eventful than others. My brother Steven came to be with me for it. He flew in on Tuesday afternoon. We went to eat at a Venezuelan restaurant in Salt Lake - if anyone needs some good Venezuelan food, I'd highly recommend Arempas. Steven said it was legit and the food was awesome! We were both so full when we finished. 

That afternoon we went down to Lori's and hung out with her and her family. We did some good catching up and that was a lot of fun to share pictures and adventures everyone has been on.

Wednesday was my treatment and Steven was a trooper. I wasn't able to get my "normal" seat where I like to sit on the end, so we were a little bit in the middle. Poor Steven ended up being right in front of one of the nurse's stations where they have all their supplies and the other side was in front of one of the other patient's IV pole. But he was a trooper. We visited. He even introduced me to a 2-player game on the phone. we played a couple of word games and Battleship. Unfortunately my chemo brain kicked in and I wasn't very fast at any of the games. Haha. But it was nice to have him there.

That night I wasn't feeling awesome and Steven thought I looked about the same color as my walls, so we laid pretty low. He made us a really delicious dinner of pork tenderloin, Irish smashed potatoes, wilted lettuce salad. It was fabulous.  

Cove Fort

On Thursday I was feeling pretty good, so we drove down to Cove Fort to see Mom and Dad. It was fun to visit. Steven has lots of great wisdom. I enjoyed the time to visit and to catch up. It was fun to be with Mom and Dad. We visited and they took Steven around the Fort. I hung out inside a little more and walked around a little, but was pretty restful. We even played "Guess how fast that car is going" on the freeway. Steven has a lot of practice with it. Haha!

Friday and Saturday

Friday was good too. We were able to run a couple of errands in the morning. Then I was able to get my pump removed and that always feels good, every time. I did a lot of resting on Friday afternoon. In the evening, Mom and Dad came up for their P-Day and Clint was here for work meetings, so we got together with Lori and ate dinner in Lehi. Taqueria 27 is also a great place if you want fun tacos. My favorites are the pear and beet tacos. They've got some great balsamic vinegar drizzled over them and oh they are so good.

On Saturday I rested and didn't go work at the temple. I was able to be here with Steven. Then I took him back to the airport so he could go home. I'm afraid it wasn't a very entertaining trip for Steven, but he was a great support and it meant a lot to have him here. It is really fun for me to have adult relationships with my siblings. I am continually amazed at their strength and their characters. They are all fun to be with and faithful and strong. They make me want to be a better person. 

Proverbs

During these treatments we were studying the Psalms and Proverbs in the Old Testament. I have always loved Proverbs 3:5-6 and I think I love it even more now. Trusting in the Lord is something that is a lifetime of learning to do. I know when I do trust in Him, He makes ALL the difference. He DOES direct my path. He makes everything right,  no matter what I'm going through. I love Him. I've been grateful to learn each week from the scriptures and have loved seeing so many tender mercies and little miracles each and every day. He is very involved in my life and I wouldn't have it any other way!

Gratitude

I feel so grateful for so many family members, friends, coworkers, and people I don'e even know very well praying for me. I feel so strengthened and blessed by their prayers. I know they make a difference. It makes the burden of what could be really stressful seem manageable. It helps me improve my own prayers and I pray for others. I know Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers, not always in the way that we think we want him to answer, but in ways that He can bless us eternally. I am grateful to know that He is just a prayer away. And for all that are praying for me, I have made a more concerted effort to pray for you as well. May the Lord bless and keep you and may you find gozo y belleza in little moments in your days.