Halfway to Christmas!
Believe it or not we are halfway to Christmas!! What does that mean for our family? It means that our youngest, Makaiya, has turned 7! She loves that her birthday is at the halfway point because she gets gifts every 6 months. This birthday had a little more significance for me, as each day is a gift, more than before. Every day, event, or milestone takes up special residence in my memory in a way it hasn’t before. I feel caught in the place of wishing time would slow down, but simultaneously speed up so I can enjoy every minute, but also never miss a moment to come.
My 4th round of chemo began on June 21st, and completed on the 23rd. This was a more challenging round for me again. I came home with a couple of new side effects this time, including a numb tongue and throat. It was a strange sensation when I would swallow. I could breath fine, and swallow fine, but it was quite uncomfortable. I called my nurse line and was instructed by my oncologist to take a Benadryl and see if that helped. It did help, and the numbness in my throat stopped. My tongue has not fully recovered. The best way to describe it it like if you burn the top of your tongue, but it hasn’t healed yet. I can still taste foods (I think) but it just doesn’t feel right. If I eat something colder than room temperature it gets worse. In addition to that, I have the feeling of something stuck in my throat again when I eat or drink anything cold. Last time this subsided after a couple of days, but here we are on day 6 and it is still annoyingly there. I am also having continued neuropathy in my hands. At times it is painful and other times just irritating. The cold air, water, furniture, door handles, dishes, counter, etc. are especially challenging. My fingernails seem unusually sensitive as well. When I brush them against the cool of the bed sheets at night I especially notice it.
I have also been more nauseous this time around. It is subsiding a little bit each day, but lingering longer than previous times. I started using a natural product called, “Mo Better Belly” which is really helping. I had a great appetite yesterday, but today was a different story. I had to force myself to eat my meals and that is never pleasant.
Lastly, I am tired. Like all of the time. Well, not really all of the time, but I my stamina has left the building! I worked in the clinic today and had to take a nap when I got home. That felt great and I was glad to have more energy to go to Makaiya’s softball game tonight. It was a beautiful night to be outside. Kaiya was blessed to have her fan club at her game tonight. :-) She had friends from church, Auntie Emily, Griffin, and LuAnn (Bakka). She loves her cheering section and is adorable when she looks over and waves from the field or base.
Okay - so here’s the skinny on my upcoming schedule. I have one more round (Round 5) of chemo scheduled for July 6th. (This is a bit of a bummer because Toby has his state baseball tournament July 8th - 10th, and Makaiya has her softball Jamboree on July 8th as well! I am praying I will feel well enough to attend some / most of the games.)
Monday, July 11th - Liver MRI and Thyroid Biopsy (2nd edition)
Friday, July 15th - Consult with Dr. J. (the surgeon) to go over the results and create the next plan.
Oh, and if you wondered how the talk went at Cross of Glory last week, it was great! I was tired, but was able to stay for the entire event and share a little bit of my story. The ladies were incredibly welcoming and encouraging. I met a few people I have added to my prayer list as well. It was awesome witnessing how God worked through that event to place people I had connections to in the room. One special surprise was a friend that I went to high school with attends church there and was at the event. It became clear to me why I was there.
I realize that we all have something to overcome, and I pray that you each find the strength to do just that. We can continue to support one another through our challenges and cheer each other on during our victories.
Believing for a victory on July 11th!
