Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Dancing Through the Valley

As I get more practiced at this blogging technology I'll be able to share the music I'm listening with you -- today in the chemo room it's a wonderful CD by Jorie Henderson: Songs of Deliverance (http://www.myspace.com/joriemusic). Her song, Valley Dancing ("Dance through the valley, dance through the rain, let your teardrops be refreshing rain, splash around in the puddles below, dance.)" is perfect for today -- a day of saying goodbye to Mom (back to South Dakota after a wonderful week of nesting, prepping and experiencing Day 1 of chemo) and my 2nd day of treatments.

After my treatments we spent a relaxing afternoon at home: me, setting up this blog and doing e-mail; mom, finishing the chemo cap she started knitting yesterday and going back to Lambspun to trade in the 2nd ball of coral yarn for some corn silk blue for a 2nd cap. Enjoyed a large lunch of Colorado Ostrich and salad left over from a nice "girls night out" dinner with Mom and Jay's Bistro.

About 3:00 I could tell that my body had lots of not normal stuff in it -- like being in a clamp all over, a hard fuzziness all over. Did feel well enough to go out to Old Chicago (since we don't have cable) to watch two family alma mater teams play each other in the NCAA Women's basketball tourney: Iowa State Cyclone's vs. Stanford Cardinal. I didn't go for the usual things I'd eat there but had a small plate of cobb salad -- eggs, turkey, peppers, lettuce. Cyclones must not have eaten very well either as they really couldn't match Stanford's game...but did mean we didn't have to feel bad about leaving early to get the kids to bed on time.

Had to wake up to an alarm every several hours during the night to take the recommended anti-nausea meds. That kept my stomach cool all evening but didn't make for a perfect sleep night. Nonetheless woke up feeling way better and quite energetic all morning as I kept plugging at e-mail/communications catch up.

Now wrapping up the in chemo center and will have Hannah and Hugh delivered here in a few moments, then off to our usual Tuesday Soccer/Guitar juggling. Sounds like I'm ok to drive so may be Dennis and I will divide and conquer on the sports/music/dinner logistics.

So for now, I'll relax a few more minutes and thank God for this unique time in my life.

Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baca ("Tears"),
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion.
Psalm 84:5-8

Monday, March 30, 2009

Chemo Day 1

How cool is this? I'm in the chemo room getting my first treatment...in a cozy chair with my laptop and good wireless connection. Munching on salted nuts and drinking loads of water. With my parents visiting the last few weeks I haven't spent much time on-line so it's nice to be able to read e-mail, catch up on Facebook and maybe even start a blog to keep others posted on the latest.
Dennis and my mom came along -- definitely look like a newbie with my four bags and support team entourage! The others in the room are clearly veterans at this process.
Mom is knitting a cute "chemo cap" that I'll be wearing in a week or two along with the cute wig I'll pick up next week. She also brought lots of beautiful scarves that we experimented with - will definitely take some practice.
The nurse thought my port - my Power of God Port - has healed well since it was implanted last Tuesday. I received two pre-meds through it to help with anti-nausea and then got two different chemo drugs. The first (Adriamycin) is bright Blood of Jesus Red and the second (Cytoxan) is Cleansing Clear. The second one gave me a pretty instant headache but Tylenol took the edge off. Light meals and other meds to take today, then back tomorrow for 2 hours of saline solution and a shot that boosts my white blood cell production. This will be the routine for the next 16 weeks (every other week for treatments, times 8)...to save you the calendar check -- that's until early July, with a month and a half of radiation after that. Will be a long journey that may fly by...or not, only time and going through it will tell.
God brought me again this morning to Isaiah 61, reminding me that He has prepared me for such a time as this and will use this in mighty ways:
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion-
to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
Blessings to you all and thank you for your on-going prayers.