July 7, 2008

I know you all are probably wondering what has happened to me. I am ok and hanging in there. I had a hard time after my treatment on May 20th and June 10th. I was sick for over a week with both of them. It seems they get harder with each treatment, but the good news is I am done with those hard treatments. June 10th was the last one. I go to the doctor tomorrow and meet about starting my light chemo treatments each week for the next 12 weeks.
I have taken some time off work and our friends from California, David & Cindy Lane called and had some free tickets for us to come out there. So, on May 30th we flew to California for a week. It was a great and relaxing time. They were amazed at how much I was eating, because they had heard how I wasn't eating, but that was my third week after treatment, so I had my hunger back.
I had my last hard treatment on June 10th and was sick again. We had Vacation Bible School June 16th-20th and I was not feeling well, but I made it to the church every night. My mom came and spent the week, helped me around the house and cleaned for me. She also helped us with VBS and had a good time. She was a big help. I was suppose to have another Ultrasound done that week before going to the doctor on June 24th, but I felt so bad, I didn't get it done. The next week when I felt better, but they couldn't get me in, so I made an appointment for July 2nd.
I was feeling better by my birthday on June 23. We went to Southlake, had dinner with our girls and went to a movie. It was a fun night. I did some things around the house that week while I was feeling better.
I had my ultrasound done last Wednesday and the news is very good. They said my lymph nodes are close to 1 centimeter which is the size they are suppose to be. Only one was just a little over a centimeter, but they didn't have the mass and volume she had seen before when I first found out I had cancer. She couldn't even see the places in my breast----so---WOW--PRAISE THE LORD. I am going tomorrow to meet with my oncologist and he will have those results and hopefully start the lighter chemo treatments tomorrow.
Again, I am so greatful for all the prayers and great friends. I have so many people praying for me. I met a couple last week from Colorado and they prayed for me right then and there. God is so good and amazing. Until next time (and I promise it won't be so long) keep your eyes looking up to Jesus. To Him all glory, honor, praise, and adoration. Love you all.

May 14, 2008

Great news!!!! I went to the doctor yesterday and the lump under my arm has gone down considerable. After my first chemo, it had gone down, but the doctor had to really push and search to feel anything this time. I am feeling great again--as it is the third week after chemo. I have my third treatment next Tuesday, May 20. The doctor said I am doing wonderful and he is very happy with my progress.
I am doing better emotionally also. As I said before it is just always hard for me to back up, since I am so high energy and hard headed. I know God is telling me to just trust Him and He will show me great and wonderful things through this process. I am an instrument in His hands, but sometimes I want to guide His hands, which is so not what He wants me to do. I have to relax and rest in Him and walk with Him---no, follow Him through this time in my life and learn that I need to always follow and not try to lead.
We had a great Mother's Day. Gary's Mom and Dad came down Friday and we went to dinner. Ashley and Allyson came in Friday night and spent the weekend. My mom came Saturday and spent the night with us. We had a great weekend. I received flowers and gifts and even some roses from some of our adopted kids.
Prayer requests:
I will allow God's light to shine through me and show His love.
Continued healing on my body and to be cancer free.
We can get our church building finished.
We can settle with insurance company on our water leak at our home.
My car is having major problems--it is going into mechanic today.
As always, thank you all so very much. I love you all and thank God for every remembrance of you. Keep looking up, He's coming soon.

May 8, 2008

We did have a good weekend with our girls home, but I was not feeling well at all. I'm learning the pattern of my chemo. It hits everyone different. I feel fine the first 3 days and then day 4 is very hard, day 5 a little better and so forth. Days 4,5, & 6 are my hardest. By day 7 I feel good and don't have to take nausea medicine. I see why it is every 3 weeks. The first week is the treatment, second week getting over it, and by the third week you feel like your old self again--just in time to start over. I am half way through these strong chemo treatments. I have to only go through four of these and then the ones I have every week are not as potent. The good thing is I am still going to work, just not as much energy on days 4,5, & 6.
This week has been hard emotionally--just a lot going on in our lives. Every time I turn around something else is happening. Ashley had a wreck last week and Allyson had car trouble yesterday. I have stepped back at work--which is good, but hard to do for me. I have so many events--10-12 a week, that I needed to step back and concentrate on getting well. Another girl is stepping up to help and asist me. I really appreciate it, but it is hard to slow down. Just pray for me, as I try to step back. Our work is so high energy and time consuming, that it does take a lot out of me. I have to be on my feet (literally) and have my game face on at all times. I'm asking God what He wants me to learn through this process. Until next time--as always keep your eyes up to Jesus.

April 30, 2008

The Race For The Cure went great Saturday morning. Ashley, Allyson, and 8 of Ashley's coworkers ran the race. I was so touched by their love and suport. It was an emotional morning and over 20,000 people entered the race. It is very humbling and gratifying all at the same time.
I had my second chemo treatment yesterday. I am feeling ok, just weak and nauseated. Thank goodness for the nauseating medication. It has helped. I worked today, but very tired and ready for rest. My blood count was very good yesterday, so I am so thankful to the Lord. Sitting in the chemo room watching others does make me thankful. I am not dealing with what a lot of others are dealing with today. One woman, I met yesterday was given 2-6 months to live last September, but is going strong and has such a great attitude. She is working hard to overcome and be healed from her cancer, and was such a joy to talk to and be around. She was ministering to others. She liked the way I tied my scarf on my head, so I showed her how to do it. She was a very sweet & classy lady.
Two different families in our church brought food yesterday that will last us a few days. The folks in our church continue to be wonderful to us and help us out so much.
Today is Gary's birthday. (Happy Birthday dear. I love you very much and am so proud to have you as my husband. You are a great, wonderful man and so supportive.) Last Sunday night, some men of our church gave him a rifle. They all signed the case and it was very touching. He went into Southlake today and Ashley took him to lunch. Allyson is coming out and taking him to play golf Friday and then both girls will be here for the weekend. We are looking forward to them being here for the weekend and enjoying some time together.
Prayer requests:
1. Energy, strength, and nausea.
2. Our house and insurance. We are still dealing with that situation. Not fun.
3. Our church building that we are still trying to get finished.
Thank you all for the prayers, cards, and words of encouragement. Until next time, keep your eyes looking up to Jesus. He isn't finished with me or you yet.

April 19,2008

I have to tell you about some great men in our church. We had a shave your head party Thursday night at church. Twelve men shaved their heads with me. Gary formed a club called Dana'a Hairclub. He had a certificate for me that each guy signed when he shaved his head and gave each man a card. One man had hair down the middle of his back. He donated his to Locks of Love and I shaved his head. He also wrote a very sweet poem for me. I was so honored and touched. I was the last one to shave my hair and it made it so much easier with all of the support. A sweet lady that works for our city came and helped shave heads. She did mine for me. Everyone was cheering me on. Gary shaved his head for me, (actually I shaved his head) so neither one of us have to worry about blowdryers, brushes, combs, hairspray, etc. anymore. (I have a wonderful and supportive husband). Ashley and Allyson were there, along with John, one of our adopted sons. He shaved his head. Ashley and Allyson snapped pictures throughout the night and I will get those posted on myspace soon. Ash and Ally also brought scarves and tied them on their heads and we had our picture made together. It was a wonderful night and made losing my hair so much easier. I have a wonderful family and church family.
I went to the doctor Friday and got some great news. He said I am doing great, my blood count is wonderful and right where it needs to be and the lump under my arm has already gotten smaller. He was very encouraging, as he always is, and such a great and Godly man. The surgeon said my port looked great, also. While I was at the doctors, a dear sweet lady in our church came over and changed the sheets on our bed, vacuumed, mopped, cleaned our bathroom and did so much. We still have a mess from the leak and she tried to make it look as nice as she possible could. The insurance came out Wednesday and are suppose to be getting us a check. Hopefully, we can get everything done and back in order soon. We have a big hole in our living room wall where the wet sheetrock was cut away. She tried to cover it up the very best she could. It was a great day.
I have felt very good this week and have a lot of my strength back. I continue to be touched by all of the wonderful people that are praying for me and us. I receive prayergrams or cards everyday and am so honored to have so many Godly people praying for me. Thank you all. God has truly blessed me and I am so humbled by everyone's love and prayers. God is great.
Until next time--keep yours eyes up on Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

April 12, 2008

I DID IT!!!! I made it to the Texas Rangers game Thursday night and lasted all the way through the game. It was a great night and a lot of fun. We even had a streaker at the game!!!! I was very glad to have Friday off and stayed at home all day. I have not had a day at home since we found out March 14 about the cancer. I have either been at work, church, or running to doctors everyday.

It was nice to be a home, except our hotwater heater leaked and we had to deal with that situation. I was on the phone while Gary pulled up the carpet in our living room and pulled off the baseboards. Just pray for us as we deal with the insurance company. I sure cannot have problems with mold or mildew while going through Chemo. We are suppose to have an insurance person coming next week to view the damage. Friends from our church came to help us with hot water heater and move furniture. It was just the circulater to the hotwater heater, so we haven't been without hotwater.

I am feeling much better and will go back to the oncologist and surgeon on Friday April 18th. The surgeon needs to check on my port and oncologist meet with me. Thank you so much for the comments, prayers, love, and friendships. To God be the glory. Until next time--keep looking up to Jesus.

April 10, 2008

Today is Thursday, 6 days since my first chemo treatment. Yesterday was the roughest day so far. Tuesday I was doing better and thinking ok, I can handle this, and then yesterday wham--I was sick from the time I got up. I have gotten some medicine from the doctor and that is helping. I am just very weak and nothing sounds good to eat. I did work all day yesterday and am at work today. Some of our adopted kids and grandkids were here last night from Georgia and I so wanted to enjoy them. I was able to sit in the chair and talk some, but not as active as I have always been with the boys. It was good to see them, get to hold them, and love on them.

Ashley, my older daughter, has tickets to the Texas Ranger game tonight. So, the four of us are going to the game and relax and enjoy it. Hopefully, I will be able to feel good enough to enjoy the evening. I have to tell you how proud I am of my family. My husband, Gary, has been wonderful going through this with me. He is giving up foods with me that I can no longer eat. Our daughters, Ashley & Allyson, have been awesome--from coming and cleaning house--to buying me fake eyelashes and scarves. My mom came and helped clean house and brought me some hats. She is ready to come anytime I need her to be with me. Gary's parents and family
have been there for us and ready to help in anyway. My family is awesome. I knew I loved my husband and daughters, but this has given me a whole new love and respect for them.
They are so strong in the Lord and prayer warriors. When you go through cancer, God does change your way of thinking. I will take each day and learn what God wants for me this day--
This is the day that the Lord has made and I will be glad in it.
Until next time--Look up and keep your eyes on Jesus.