The Power of Prayers

It has been a while since I shared an update here but it's worth it because I have the best update this time.  My reactions to the first round of A.I chemo were very minimal which apparently surprised all of the nurses and doctors here who knew how nauseated I got with the carbotoxal chemo that I had one round of first.  Apparently the expectation is that you'll have worse reactions to the A.I chemo so that is miracle number 1.

Miracle number 2 is that my back pain is much more manageable these days after having had a physical therapist come to our house 5 times.  He assigned me some exercises and stretches that target my back and core muscles.  He worked on my back a bit - massaging and such- as well.  Then he also gave me tips so if I do get that sick in the hospital again in the future I hopefully won't lose almost all of my leg muscles due to lack of being up and moving around.  So, that has been wonderful to notice significant changes for the better because of all of that.

Now for the best miracles - all the prayers being said for me are working lots of miracles so keep 'em coming everyone.  I had my first CT scans yesterday afternoon on my way into the Huntsmans for appointments and getting admitted for chemo week #2.  I met with my oncologist - Dr F - and the first thing she said when she walked in was that she was excited to tell me about what she was seeing in the scans.  I don't remember how much detail I went into back in August with how much my cancer had spread so I'll do a quick recap. 

I had a couple of lesions on my liver, one on a kidney, several smaller growths along the back of my abdomen, many swollen. Lymph nodes, and one larger tumor.  The biggest tumor at the time measured just under 15 cm.  Currently the lesions on my liver are completely gone, the one on my kidney is way close to be completey gone, and a lot of the smaller growths and lesions along the back of my abdomen as well.  Most of my lymph nodes have gone back to normal leaving just a handful that are still a bit swollen. Best of all the large tumor has gone from being 15cm down to measuring between 3-4 cm.  That's a huge change and was such a great one to hear.

I started chemo week #2 yesterday and so far the only reactions I'm having once again are being more tired due to some of the medications they have me on and my hiccups came back in full force last night and into today.  They think my hiccups are more of a reaction to a steroid they give with this chemo so they switched the steroid up for my chemo tonight in the hopes that they will lesson.  Fingers are crossed for that because I had a lot of hiccups this afternoon.  Thankfully it was my husband who was here hanging out for the day so he is used to the hiccups by now.  We enjoyed passing time by going for a couple of walks - inside due to the rain - and playing monopoly and watching a movie.   It was a great day.

After I was cleared to venture out more when my white blood cell count went back to normal last week we were able to enjoy a fall drive and spend the weekend at my parents.  I had my port placed bright and early Friday morning and then took a 3½ hour nap later that day - thank you local anesthesia and the relaxation drug they gave me.  Saturday we played some games and ordered take out from a local Mexican restaurant.  Then Sunday my brother and his family came up as well so it was a good weekend spent with family.

So, as of now things are going splendidly well with chemo and how my body is responding to it.  Dr F used the word "miraculous" multiple times and one of her nurses said I must have a lot of people praying for me and angels watching over me.  I know they are both correct in their thoughts.  I don't know why I've had such an abundance of miracles thus far but I'm very grateful for them and fully expect miracles to keep happening regardless of their size. 

I'll be hanging out here with my favorite I.V. pole friend until Saturday or Sunday depending on when one of my medications gets started for the last time this round.  Tomorrow will probably be spent wandering around the hospital a lot with some reading and puzzle figuring thrown in.  I've already had 2 nurses I'm familiar with and I had my favorite nurse practitioner today as well so its been nice seeing people I recognize again. 

I hope you are all having a wonderful fall and that you know how much we appreciate all the prayers and everything else.  We truly can't thank you enough ❤️