Time for an Update - 2nd week of the 2nd Chemo Cycle

I guess it's time for an update - and a wig picture.

Congratulations Demi - my 15 year old granddaughter got her drivers permit today - YIKES!!!!

Congratulations Francis and Ingrid - they are expecting a 2nd baby on Christmas - grandchild #14. YIKES!!!!

I had the best lunch on Sunday, 3 of my sister-in-laws (Roseann, Robin & Renee) came by and we went to lunch, what a blessed visit we had, I hope we can do it again soon, and have others join us.

Emily brought me Cream of Broccoli soup for dinner, she made it all by herself and it was wonderful - even with my altered taste buds it tasted great - Thank you Emily!!

Well, I'm on the second week of the second "big" chemo (1/3 of the way done - only 4 more "big"ones to go).  So much for knowing what to expect and having a pattern to follow.  This time I feel better in some ways, but, boy when they say you may be fatigued, I had no clue.  It's the kind of fatigue that you have when you've been up for three days, but it comes and goes at will and you can't work through it, doing that only makes it worse.  It brought some things to the forefront for me - I have to let my body tell me what it needs (rest), and I have to let things go - being a control freak makes this a little challenging. 

Yesterday I hit a wall, which made me start thinking that maybe my priorities needed to be rearranged.  Here goes - I have cancer, that means that my body is trying to get rid of a dread invader; I'm getting Chemo, that means that they are dumping drugs that kill cancer in to my body at a volume that "will kill the cancer", but not only does it kill the cancer, it kills your healthy cells too; then your body is trying to recover, let the cancer cells die, and restore the healthy cells before it all starts over again three weeks later.  Wow, what a roller coaster ride, no wonder I'm tired. 

Here's the to-do list of what I need to do to get well, and maintain a healthy (both physically and mentally) life - let me know if you see me getting off track.

• I'm not in charge - God is!  Give my life to Him daily - He'll take care of me.
• Pray for healing, patience, understanding and just plain help. 
• Thank God for the wonderful and supportive family, friends and co-workers that I have, I couldn't do this without them.
• Take time for my family, to enjoy and love them (it's not easy for them either, they have to put up with me).
•  Relax and rest - as my surgeon said,  "Tissues at rest heal best".  This isn't just true for tissues, it's true for my mind as well, meditate on the important things in life, find time just to clear my mind and let calm and peace enter it. 
• Walk and enjoy the summer, it releases endorphins, oxygenates the blood, tones the body and gives peace to the mind - and walking with someone is an added bonus. 
• Plan and enjoy healthy,  life-giving meals - lots of variety (the more colors, the more variety) - fish, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, grass fed beef - whole, organic foods.  Eat regularly and small meals (settles better). 
• Don't eat chicken - carboplatin makes it taste disgusting.
• Drink lots of fluids (adding lemon to your water makes it taste better) - keeps the pipes working, cleans the toxins out of your system, so that you recover faster from the treatments and are in a better place when it's time for the next one - Yippeee!!
• Enjoy meal times with your family, spend the time to just sit and chat about the day, eat slowly and relax. 
• The housework will always be there, don't stress about it.
• If I'm tired, just say no and take a break.
• Thank God that I work for a company, and with people, that allows me to set my schedule according to how I'm feeling, has rearranged most of my duties, allows me to work from home, has disability insurance, and good medical insurance - so that I can take the time and energy that I need to get well.

Jesus I Trust in You!

Thank you all for your prayers and support.  Cancer cells begone.

God Bless you,

Linda