What a blessed first chemo day.

Let me share what a blessed day I have had. 

The first blessing of the day was that I learned that I and my brother-in-law Brad Stoker in Texas were having chemo at the exact same time. While I had my first treatment Brad was having his first of a new treatment to, slow the progression of Glioblastoma (brain tumors) that he had surgery for 2 years ago. The tumors are recurring and growing. He is such an amazing fighter through all of this. I LOVE YOU BRAD!  It was so good to see him and my sister Janet as they came for Thanksgiving. Prayers for them too please!

God has covered me so well with answered prayers that so many of you continue to lift for me. Chemo actually didn't get started until closer to 2:00pm so I didn't get finished until 5:30. That was ok because when I was seated in my treatment chair I was surrounded my many seasoned patients who have been at this much longer than I have. I ask that when you pray for me you pray for the comfort and healing of the patients I come in contact with and that God will use me to inspire and share Jesus with them as he would desire and the time is appropriate.

1st 30 minute IV bag was decadron (steroid, hence the reason I am awake this time of night) and Aloxi for anti-nausea, next 15 minute bag was another anti-nausea med then 1hr bag of chemo med Taxotere, then another 1hr chemo bag of Cytoxan. Praise Jesus that I had no reaction to any of the meds, especially the Taxotere as that is the med many have a reaction to which is shortness of breath. 

Also during the Taxotere they whipped out the cool gloves which are great big fur lined, thick gel filled, frozen mittens. The purpose of the cool gloves is that it helps reduce the nerve damage to fingertips and finger nails. The chemo can make fingernails turn dark and die. 

This was my home alone pose!  But I was not alone. Along with Jesus sitting right beside me I was accompanied by my girl Abi and sister Pat.  Thumbs up 👍

Then later in the day my friend Malinda came to visit and brought me this wise owl that I owl always cherish. Min case you didn't know damask is my fave pattern, especially black and white!

When chemo was over I was feeling pretty spry thanks to the decadron and no nausea thanks to those bags so we went to dinner with Malinda and her family. Needless to say I ate good and plenty!  While I had a good appetite I thought I would indulge it. 

When arriving home after my chemo/feast but "what to my wandering eyes did appear"

These pretty pink boxing gloves left on my porch by my dear friends Nancy and Sam. I love a good fight ha know!

But wait there's more...

Right there perched in my recliner was tucked a little Christmas bag from my thoughtful sister Frieda and husband Glenn. And folded neatly inside were 2 beautiful scarves for me to stylishly wrap my head in when my hair moves out in the next 7-14 days. I am encouraged about that by all of you and especially by comments from my friend Kelly that I mentioned in an earlier post as traveling this route ahead of me. Thanks Kell!  Yesterday at work Elizabeth showed me how to wrap a head scarf then Holly at the ABC wig bank showed me as well ....and here is my very first attempt at doing a head wrap on myself that I was so unsure of on Monday, I got this what was I thinking?

Well my eyes are getting heavy and the reflux from overeating and chemo is subsiding, the 2nd hot flash (oh my on top of the ones at night already) has passed so I think I will call it a night!

What's next:  PET scan that was scheduled for tomorrow 7am was cancelled because insurance wouldn't pay because my lymph nodes were clear (that's a good thing).  So now it is whole body CT scan at 11:50 tomorrow which means 6hrs NPO before and that I need to get up at 5:30am to eat to fight nausea and fatigue. Next chemo is January 8 (Elvis' birthday). I need to borrow or buy a cheap Elvis wig to wear so I can put some smiles on the faces of my new chemo friends who are there and are fighting a tougher battle. If you can hook me up you know how to find me!

Love to all!

I told you I am blessed and I hope you feel loved and blessed to!

Sherry