Two Down…..Seven To Go!

Today was chemo day two.

This past week was like riding a wave of good and bad moments. A learning curve on how to manage side effects well.

In the past I have only received large doses of chemotherapy with a 3 week break in between. We really did not know what to expect with me now receiving smaller weekly doses.

Thankful for very little nausea! Taking wins where we can. 😊 I felt fairly well right into Friday evening. Then the bone aches began, along with mild swelling, mainly in my hands and arms but also in my feet and legs, mildly. The wave of discomfort continued to climb into Saturday and throughout Sunday. My pain management plan was not enough to handle what was happening and not knowing when the peak would be reached was a bit unnerving. Add lack of sleep to that, I can certainly relate to Job. These are the days and the moments where Jesus steps in and carries me. The Holy Spirit whispers away the fear and lies and reminds me of the truth I cling too.

The night racks my bones, and the pain that gnaws me takes no rest.
Job 30:17 ESV

For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.
2 Corinthians 1:5 ESV

Beyond thankful for beautiful friends that love our kids as their own and made sure they had a wonderful weekend desipte what was happening with me!❤❤❤ There will never be words to express what a blessing this is!

The kids are, of course, all aware of what’s happening but a huge goal of ours is to keep life as normal as possible for them. To make sure they can still be kids and have fun despite the heaviness of life around them.

When I woke Monday morning I knew the peak had been Sunday night, thankful symptoms were no worse and I could now look forward to some improvement. Praise Jesus!

BUT it was not meant to be an uneventful day.🙃

Several times a day and especially before taking any pain meds, while receiving chemo, you must check your temperature. A temp. of 38°C or above gives you a ticket to the Emergency Department.

I was due for more meds at 11am so I took my temp and my heart sank when I saw 38.0. Hoping it was the tea I was drinking and couldn’t quite remember when the last sip was, had me waiting 10ish minutes to check again….. 38.0. Ugggg resigning to the fact that I needed to head to the ER, I got ready to go, checking one more time…38.2. Yup, time to go!

So instead of a quiet homeschool day, I headed to the hospital. Not knowing what my white blood count may be requires all signs of infections be treated seriously and promptly. Thankful for the yellow card all chemo patients receive, that allows us to be seen very quickly and isolated to protect against other’s germs.

Another shout out of praise for another department at our hospital, the ER. It was a packed, standing room only waiting room. SO many people needing care that day.😔 But the staff was wonderful!

I was quickly triaged and taken to a room to be isolated, my portacath accessed, bloodwork taken, chest xray and urine test.

Thankfully everything looked good, aside from a bladder infection, with no other symptoms other than the fever. My white count had not dropped dangerously low yet so oral antibiotics were all that was required. Very thankful this was caught early and we were able to head home by mid afternoon.

Tuesday continued to be a slow climbing upswing day. I still had a low grade fever into the evening but it was a lovely school day with a small excursion to pick up six new babies, to add to the family!😉 A precious distraction for everyone. Nothing quite says spring and hope like new life on the farm.🐣🐤🐥

Wednesday was a beautiful day. I had energy, minimal pain and swelling. It was finally a “normal” feeling day. Bloodwork, a visit with my mom, homeschool group and a wonderful visit and supper with precious friends!❤

This brings us to today, chemo day two. Because of my rough weekend and lingering side affects it was decided a dose reduction was required. I had received a very high dose of chemo on week one. Lowering it some will hopefully help with the pain and lessen the other side affects while still being potent enough to do it’s job. With this reduction, having a new pain management plan if needed and just the knowledge of what my weekly “wave” looks like makes this week a little less daunting.

When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.
Psalm 94:19 ESV

Another visit with my mom, supper with our oldest and her husband and a new shorter haircut, that’s easy to care for as we wait for loss or thinning, ended the day.

Was week one easy?….nope!

Was week one a blessing?….yup!

On to week two!

Through it ALL……our eyes are on Him!