Hello Dear Readers,Just thought I'd pop in for a little update on my cancer recovery journey. I think I am doing well with the chemo. It's no walk in a rose garden, believe me, but I am making it through. I take treatment every third Tuesday. The last four or five days before treatment are usually pretty good. By the day before treatment, I feel like myself and feel good. Then they zap me again. ~ gentle smile~
Today I took the fifth treatment. I'll take the sixth, and as far as I know, final chemotherapy treatment on September 6th. I expect I'll be feeling much better by the time Fall comes around on September 22nd! Praise God!
I can no longer feel the lumps! I believe God is healing me completely. Yesterday, the nurse practitioner couldn't feel them either!
Surgery will be sometime in October I think. Six weeks later, probably late November or December, I'll start radiation. I think that will be daily for six weeks. Merry Christmas. I'll be my own Christmas lights! I get to take IV medicine every three weeks throughout the process, but it won't be chemo, so the nurse said I'll feel better. This will be followed by pills for five years. All this will be finalized by the doctors, of course, as they continue to evaluate my progress.
Current prayer requests:
Surgery will be sometime in October I think. Six weeks later, probably late November or December, I'll start radiation. I think that will be daily for six weeks. Merry Christmas. I'll be my own Christmas lights! I get to take IV medicine every three weeks throughout the process, but it won't be chemo, so the nurse said I'll feel better. This will be followed by pills for five years. All this will be finalized by the doctors, of course, as they continue to evaluate my progress.
Current prayer requests:
- Cancer will die the death and be eliminated from my body.
- I will have enough appetite to eat during the first half of the cycle. I lost too much weight during the last cycle, and they're concerned. I'm having issues with taste, texture and not being hungry.
- Thrush in my mouth will be controlled.
- Diarrhea will be controlled.
- My blood counts will come up. I'm currently anemic, but not dangerously so.
- I will find a better balance between rest and getting things done. The chemo, feeling sick, and the anemia are making me very tired.
- I'm feeling emotional due to the hormone blocker medicine, my fatigue, and the underlying difficulties of medical treatment of a long-term illness.
So that's my recovery life in a rather large nutshell. I truly appreciate the cards, letters, gifts, encouragement, and most of all the prayers that so many of you have prayed on my behalf. I can never thank you all enough. May God return blessings to you. Your kindness and love has undergirded me in the journey.
Thank you all!
Laura
Still praying! I so admire your courage and positive attitude during this trial. Hugs
ReplyDeleteWhy thank you so much Angela. I'm fully relying on God for this.
DeleteHugs back!
Laura
"Thrush in my mouth will be controlled.
ReplyDeleteDiarrhea will be controlled."
Keifer! It's a yogurt-like drink.
Hugs.
I'll be praying that verse over you, Psalm 118.
Adding my experience to Sandi's suggestion of Keifer. Keifer is a stronger probiotic than yogurt even. We add it to frozen strawberries and other ingredients in the blender to make smoothies.
DeleteThank you so much. I hadn't thought of Keifer. I was told I cannot have Kombucha, so I'll need to check and see if I can drink Keifer.
DeleteDearest Laura,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the update.
I continue to keep you in my prayers.
You are an inspiration.
You are a darling Billie Jo, thank you.
DeleteIm standing in daith with you believing for life
ReplyDeleteThank you dear friend! You'll have to give me your email so that I can reply directly. I'll send you a fb message.
DeleteHug,
Laura
I'm wishing you the best of luck and hoping you get better real soon. I've had lots of time where I've had to sit it out alone, but that isn't an issue with you. You have the strength to go on and show us you can do it!. I'm thinking of you at this time. God bless you.
DeleteThanks so very much. It can get lonely here, too. Most of my interaction is online. I do try to spread sunshine all over the place when I go out and about.
DeleteYour comments truly mean a lot to me. Keep on keepin' on!
Laura
I'm praising with you that the lumps are shrinking! It isn't an easy journey. I am happy to see you meeting it all with such a great attitude. I continue to lift you in prayer.
ReplyDeleteThank you Wendi. I truly appreciate your friendship and your prayers.
DeleteHugs,
Laura
Oh yes laura my prayers are with you my friend. Between you and all your prayer warriors and our heavenly Father, you got this!
ReplyDeleteLove you!
Hi Joann, Love you, too! Thank you for praying. Could you send me your email via Facebook so that I can reply directly to you when you comment on the blog? Thanks!
DeleteLaura
Praying for you in SE Georgia!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Just popped in at your place for a visit. Prayed for your husband, you, and all the expenses.
DeleteMay God fill your Go Fund Me account to the full and heal your husband in full!
Laura
Many prayers my friend. You inspire me!
ReplyDeleteYou are just too sweet!
DeleteThank you for praying.
L
Laura, dear heart. Try making a paste of powder sugar and coat your mouth with it. Let it dissolve. Do this morning and night. It can help with thrush. Don't ask me how it works. It worked for me when I had terrible mouth soars from low dose chemo. prayers and hugs. I wish I was close so I could help you.
ReplyDeleteOh thank you! I'll try it. It would taste a lot better than what I've been doing! Do you make the paste of powdered sugar and water? How much do I need to use at a time?
DeleteYou are so very sweet to want to help. Thank you! Your prayers, hugs and advice mean so much.
Be blessed,
Laura
Laura, I remember well how the taste of everything changed during chemo. I remember my husband serving me canned tomato soup and it tasted like it had mint in it. Crazy! Then there were the weird food cravings. I went through a stage where I was eating Greek yoghurt with everything. I also had terrible problems with skin candida under my arms. It drove me round the twist at times. The chemo certainly knocks your immune system around. You are nearly through the chemo now and you have done so well - the lumps are gone. You are healing.
ReplyDeletePraise God Sherri you're right. I am healing and nearly done with chemo.
DeleteI find the things I ate most at the beginning, I don't want at all now.
I never know just how things will taste. I explained it to my husband like this.
You make a homemade delicious pan of brownies. You take a bite and it tastes like a Little Debbie's Snack brownie... all fake and disappointing.
I've had a few skin problems, too...and some new wrinkles on my face. Battle scars I suppose.
Thank you for encouraging me! It means so much from someone who's been through it. Hug!
Laura
Praying
ReplyDeleteThanks so much. Don't be shy. I'm friendly. ~smile~
DeleteHi Laura,
DeleteI will continue to keep you in my prayers, and pray that this time will pass quickly for you.
There is a probiotic lozange for oral health that would probably help you a lot. Its made by Flora. Here is a link &sr=8-1&keywords=flora+probiotic . Well that link didnt seem to appear right, but Im sure you could find it in the refridgerated section of a health food store. It wont just help your mouth, but it will help your gut also. And Jarrows makes a nice methyl b-12 lozange that will help with appitite and energy, because the medication they are giving you has killed the bacteria in your gut that makes b-12. But ask your doctor.
Kimberly (An At Home Daughter)
Thank you Kimberly for your advice! I appreciate it. God bless you and keep you.
DeleteLaura
You are so brave! Wish you only good days!
ReplyDeleteI`m following your blog with a great pleasure with GFC
Please follow me back - Sunny Eri: beauty experience
Thank you so much Eri!
DeleteOh Laura! You are so close to being finished with chemo!! And praise God you can no longer feel the lumps! Things are heading in the right direction, for sure. My mom took the hormone blocker for several years too, and it did do a number on her emotions. They have meds for that, too, so don't be afraid to ask. I'm continuing to pray for you!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the encouragement and for the prayers.
DeleteHugs,
Laura
Laura, I think of you every time I go to the Chiropractor (3 times a week) to get my back and right arm to work properly. Though I dread going, knowing you are going through so much more always with a smile on your face, helps me grin and bear it. That which doesn't kill us makes us stronger. I've read a pinch of baking soda in a glass of water several times a day helps turn your system alkali. I've been doing that and my indigestion has gone away. Google it. They say disease can't live in an alkali environment.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the idea. Oh girl, I've had to go to the chiropractor for my back. I don't think that's a small thing at all! I'm thankful that at this point, there's not much actual pain involved other than my other pre-cancer back trouble. I've been praying over my bones, because bone pain can be one of the side effects. God's protecting me.
DeleteBe blessed and healed in your back and arm in Jesus' Name! Thank you God for doctors to help us. Amen.
Laura
Thinking of you and praying for you always, my friend! <3
ReplyDeleteYou are faithful. Thank you.
DeleteI prayed for you all day yesterday. Our sweet Father was so good to remind me all day. I prayed specifically for your body to be protected from the chemo and to only work where it is needed. I will be praying for you as you go through the valley this week. I am overjoyed to hear that the lumps are gone!
ReplyDeleteI have had huge success with bringing my iron count back up with yellow dock tincture. Vitacost is likely the cheapest source. A friend told me about it and it has been such a help to me. I have those taste and texture issues too as I have been healing from decades of chemical sensitivity. It is so disappointing to think something will be so good and then it tastes like mud or makes me feel like gagging. My issues will remind me to pray for yours. Hugs!
Thank you so much for praying all day yesterday. It went pretty well. The only drug I have trouble with isn't a chemo drug but a hormone blocker Herceptin. I seem to get a little loopy according to my friend after they start it, then about half an hour after they switch to the next drug I do better. I just know that my thoughts and speech slow down a bit as I'm trying to put it all together. I seem to be able to think it, but not get the words out the way I mean to. It's not bad, but it's curious. I look forward to seeing how I will react to it after the other drugs are done. I'll keep taking it for about a year.
DeleteBe blessed, and thank you again!
Laura
prayers from Pleasant Hill MO, the way you are holding up through this is amazing! I salute you!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for praying! Don't be shy, I don't bite. ~smile~ Well maybe the third week after chemo when I'm REALLY hungry. ~grin~
DeleteLaura, Praying for you.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
DeleteHoping for better days for you, and continued healing!
ReplyDeleteMany blessings!
Continuing to pray for you daily!
Hugs!
Annie, thank you for your faithfulness.
DeleteHugs,
Laura
Wonderful news that lumps are shrinking away! Prayers continue as you go through the rest of your treatment and surgery! You seem to have a wonderful attitude and that is half the battle! Thanks for the update. ♥
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Debby. I appreciate your prayers so much. Every prayer is like a treatment in itself... chipping away at the works of the enemy. I'll be over for a visit in just a bit. It's been awhile. I don't seem to get to as many blogs right now as I used to. Be blessed of the Lord!
DeleteLaura
Continued prayers for you and a quick recovery. My best friend had thyroid cancer and went through the same process as you have. She has been cancer-free for the last 8 years now, but still has to do checked annually. It was biannually the first 6 years.
ReplyDeleteDebi
Thank you for sharing your good news with me Debi! Thank you for praying. I love hearing the Cancer destroying success stories.
DeleteIf you'd like me to reply by email, share your address with me.
Blessings,
Laura
praying for you...my husband had terrible thrush in his mouth too from chemo and radiation....he was prescribed what they call "magic mouthwash" - it worked very well for him....
ReplyDeleteYes, I've got the Magic Mouthwash. The nurse practitioner wants me to use it more before it gets bad. Thank you for the help.
DeleteL
Thank you for the update. Appreciate your positive and kind spirit. May God bless you. Praying for all 7 requests you made. Blessings and hugs!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I have a couple bills totaling over $12,000 that insurance is refusing to pay. I could use prayer for that, too!
DeleteI think of you all the time and keep you in my prayers. Take care. Hugs,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Sandi!
DeleteOh I am so glad that you are almost done with chemo! Great news that you can't feel the lumps. After the chemo, I didn't think radiation was bad at all, although I didn't have to have any iv treatment with mine. The chemo did put me in menopause, so those hot flashes were hard to deal with along with the side effects from the chemo. I didn't have any trouble with the tamoxifen though, so that was a blessing.
ReplyDeletePrayers for healing, and I am so glad that you are almost done with chemo!
Thank you so very much for encouraging me Kathy! Thankfully, no hot flashes, though I went through menopause years earlier with my hysterectomy. It's all a mixed bag, it seems, what symptoms each patient gets. I'm glad I haven't had the worst ones like bone pain. Thank you Jesus!
DeleteBlessings,
Laura
Prayers continuing for you.
ReplyDeleteMarion
Thank you Marion.
DeleteLaura, THANK YOU for ALWAYS being an encouragement to me as you continue to be a faithful soldier for Jesus, no matter what battle field you are on. I read your posts and your bravery and devotion puts a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes when I think how minor my "battles" are compared to what you are facing..Prayers for you dear lady and a gentle hug from IL.
ReplyDeleteKarla, the things we go through right now are never minor at the time. We still have to depend on God whether they are big or small in someone else's eyes. Last evening, we found charge on our bank statement that resulted from a mistake. A year ago it would have seemed major. It was over a hundred dollars. Fortunately, our electric payment hadn't gone through yet, so it didn't cause an overdraft. It's still a big thing, (that is being corrected), but perspective is everything, isn't it?
DeleteDon't let what I'm going through make you feel down. Please.
Be blessed,
Laura
Laura, I stand with you in faith believing God hears every one of these prayer requests listed. I am praying and thanking Him for wrapping you in His healing love!
ReplyDeleteHey there Mary,
DeleteThank you so much! God is so good. May he bless you and bring complete healing to anything your body needs in Jesus' Name. Amen.
Hugs to you my new friend! Just followed you on G+, but I don't really use it much to be honest.
Take care,
Laura
Praying for you sweet Laura, as you climb the high mountain.. I pray God be with you each step of the way. May He give you courage, and help you with all the side effects and the different treatments you have to go through.. May He heal your body. hugs
ReplyDeleteSo Judy, now I understand why I'm so tired. I'm climbing a mountain! Giggle.
DeleteSeriously, thank you so much for your blessing and your prayers. Virtual hugs are great right now, since I'm a hugger, and I'm supposed to be untouchable.
God bless you my friend! I wish we could have a big party and get all my prayer warriors together when this is through. Oh, I guess we will one day in Heaven, but I hope that's a very long time from now!
Hugging you with my heart,
Laura
I pray often for you sister Laura. When I can not sleep, your name is the first I mention to the Lord. I shall keep praying!
ReplyDeleteThank you dear friend. Can't wait to meet you and hug you!
DeleteWe have spoken about this, I am just seemingly in a constant state of prayer. The same thoughts are on auto pilot, replaying. I know God understands what I'm getting at! I do sit quietly & have true "prayers", but as I go thru the day, the same ones repeat!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad your trusting your doctors with the what,when & where. I strongly feel that God gave you the right people at the right time so that you beat this!
As always, I am with you in spirit, your in my prayers, keep the peace in your soul, always, Laurie
Dear Laurie,
DeleteYou are so encouraging to me. I thank you so much for going through this battle with me. I am not sure how much I trust doctors, they are just men. But I do believe God put the right people for me at the right time together. I trust God to direct them to do the right things. I'm trying to keep peace in my soul. The meds make it a little harder. Having three teens can make it harder, but God.
Be blessed,
Laura
Praying much for you, sweet friend, and so very thankful for ALL God has already done. Looking for Him to finish the work of healing in your body, in Jesus' name. SO thankful the lumps are no longer able to be felt...that is such a huge victory! Praise God!!!
ReplyDeleteHello Cheryl,
DeleteThank you for being my friend, my prayer partner, and my sister-in-Christ through all of this. Praying for you and yours just as soon as I hit send!
Hug,
Laura
What a tough row to hoe, Laura! God's blessing on you as you continue down this road until you are cancer free! (and more blessing beyond that too.) :-)
ReplyDeleteHello Mrs. Cranberry,
DeleteI've not heard anyone else use that phrase in awhile, but it's the one I've used about all this. Thank you for the blessings! I will be cancer free.
Blessings to you from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
Laura
Laura, you have such a sweet spirit. I am now following along too and you will be in my thoughts and prayers. Still love the birds. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you. I am honored. I've found your blog to be a peaceful place to visit. I look forward to getting to know you better.
DeleteBe blessed!
Laura
Laura, I am so grateful for your prayers for us! Thank you, sweet friend. We are holding you and your family in prayer as well. It seems there are so many our family knows right now fighting cancer, from FB friends, to Sunday School class members. It's awful.
ReplyDeleteHugs and prayers for a good week/end, and full healing.
Shetangles72@gmail.com
It is truly an honor to pray for you and Tony, Tammy.
DeletePress in close to God and trust Him. When you're fearful,
you may find strength in worshiping God. I know that sometimes
my daughter will just begin singing a hymn or worship song, and
I will join in. Soon I feel better.
Don't give up!
God bless you both,
Laura
Oh Laura! I'm sorry to have not visited in a while, its been a busy summer, but oh how thankful I was to hear that the lumps have gone away! Thank you LORD! And I will continue to pray for you, for those side effects that are troublesome like the thrush and back pain, and I will also continue to believe with you that you will be cancer-free after the radiation! You have such a wonderful outlook and trust in the Lord, and always an inspiration to come here and hear how the Lord is helping you through this very rough time to go through. You continue to be in my thoughts and prayers dear friend! Many hugs and lots of love :)
ReplyDeleteNo troubles, Marilyn. It's been a busy summer for me as well. Not busy the way I expected but busy.
DeleteThank you so very much. You've been a wonderful encouragement to me and such a faithful prayer partner. Doesn't matter if it's not regular. You just come back and see me whenever you can, and I'll do the same. Friends don't have to be in constant touch to be friends.
Hoping all is well with you,
Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage
I pray for your often and I know that healing will come your way. I was just reading all the beautiful comments and the prayer warriors are with you!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for praying Vickie. I believe for complete healing! I'm going to just keep telling folks how good JESUS is!
DeleteSomeone else mentioned kefir. When my mother's sense of taste went haywire during her chemo treatments kefir was about the only thing that didn't taste like metal. It's also liquid so it was easier for her to swallow.
ReplyDeleteI'll keep praying for you and your family.
Baggysmom
Thanks so much Baggysmom.
DeleteI need to check on Kefir. Thankfully, things don't taste like metal...just off.
Be blessed!
Hi Laura,
ReplyDeleteI just stumbld on to your blog. When I went through chemo, I had every bad reaction that you could get: mouth sours, yeast infections, etc. I never felt like eating, but survived on French Onion Pringles. They have absolutely no nutritional value, but I would put one in my mouth and let it disolve so there would be something in my stomach. Try not to eat favored foods as for some reason you'll never want them again after chemo.
Stay positive; you'll get through this and find strength within that you never imagined that you had.
- A Ten Year Survivor
Janice, thank you so much! I hope you stumble upon my reply, too. I truly appreciate the advice and the encouragement. Ten Years! Truly wonderful!
DeleteAs someone who went through radiation and above larger breasts, if you find you are getting a rash and burning under your breasts ask your doctor about Aquaphor. It was a lifesaver for me. I was lucky to not get thrush but needed two transfusions due to very low counts and found the smell of cooked meats made me sick. Hopefully the bad parts of this is gone and you start to feel better. Cheryl
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the advice, Cheryl. I'll try to remember. Be blessed!
DeleteLaura
Praying for you and love you lots! Can't wait to get our families together again soon!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sarah. I want to pray for you now.
DeleteFather God, I thank you for my friend Sarah. I am so excited about her returning to her home. I ask you to help her to savor these last moments with her mama no matter how things have gone between them over these months. Help her remember everything she needs to do, and help her to do it. I ask it all in Jesus' name. Help her to feel your love. Amen.
I hope we get together soon.
Laura
Hi Laura Lane, Thank you so much for visiting and commenting on my blog! I admire your positive attitude about your cancer. What do people do when times like these occur and they don't know the Lord! May you have a quick recovery. Nancy
ReplyDeletePraise God that you cannot feel the lumps anymore. God is at work healing you!
ReplyDeleteGod is on the throne! He rules and he heals!
DeleteBe blessed!
Laura
May the strength of the Lord be with you Laura! God bless you.
ReplyDeleteSherry
Laura, I have two friends going through this now. Here is an interesting article I just read about the food-related issues. http://www.npr.org/2014/04/07/295800503/chemo-can-make-food-taste-like-metal-heres-help I hope there will be something there to help you. Stay strong!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I will take a look like the article, Jean. I really appreciate it.
DeleteGod bless you,
Laura
Laura,
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting on my blog this week. I hadn't been here for too long either. I'm so sorry to see you are dealing with the cancer monster. May the peace of God that passeth all understanding keep you heart and mind thourhg Christ Jesus.
My mom told me something natural people could take or a food that is supposed to help reduce the effects of chemo. I will try to ask her about that and get back to you.
Thank you so much, Mary!
DeleteThank you for the blessing as well. I'm glad to find you again. Let's keep in touch.
Be blessed,
Laura