Nearly 5 weeks after surgery and I am doing well. Thanks
again for your prayers and love!! Mom and my 12-year old niece have been here
since the end of June and will stay until July 24th. We are so very blessed to
have them here. I can't bear the thought of them leaving so soon! I must remind
myself that God is in control and He will provide for our needs.
Most of the steri-strips (bandages) covering my stitches are
gone – just the two end points remain tightly glued to my skin. The scar is
very sensitive to clothing or anything touching it so I am looking for ideas
regarding WHAT to put on my healing incision. I am looking for remedies that
will help it heal quicker and leave less of a scar. Let me know if you have any
remediesJ
I am still restricted on lifting, pushing and pulling for
about 10 more days. I don't know how the surgeon finally decides to lift the
ban but I look forward to being able to do a little more around the house!! I
meet with her Monday July 23rd.
David has been very mindful of my tummy and the fact that I
cannot carry or lift him. So we compromise and I sit when he wants me to hold
him and we just snuggle. He still asks to see the stitches and bandages on my
tummy on occasion. Most peculiar is his fascination with the port in my chest. Even
though we have explained what its job is, he still wants to "press the buttons"
and feel it. Because it protrudes out from my thin skin, you can see the 3
little "bumps" on the unit and he wants to press each oneJ
Tim and I were able to head north to some "cooler" temperatures
for the 4th of July. We decided to visit dear friends who recently moved north to
Logan , UT and
then head to Twin Falls , ID. Shoshone Falls
were only 2 miles from us so we were able to be near "home" in case
we needed to get me to a resting place. We walked a lot. Although I walk a
pretty slow pace we covered a good amount of ground. It feels good to walk but
after awhile my lower abdomen will remind me that it's time to rest. My back
spasms are just about gone as my stomach muscles grow stronger. I am grateful
for that!
I met with the oncologist a couple weeks ago and she said we
will begin chemotherapy after the surgeon gives the ok that I have healed (well
enough) from surgery. So we have scheduled chemo to start July 27th .
Mom and Holly will leave the 24thL.
We are leaning on God to provide the helpers we need when we need them. I am
ready for all this to be over!!! One would think that 5 treatments and major
surgery would be the end of this battle but it's not. Unfortunately the
oncologist reminded me that I will have to live with this cancer the rest of my
life and our goal is to get it in remission. I am having a hard time getting
that into my thick head!!
The oncologist is aiming for "3 chemo treatments – IF –
my body responds positively," she says. I have been experiencing
neuropathy (numbness in my feet) since treatment 4 and there is a chance it could increase with more chemo. So
treatment options could change. Currently I am taking Vitamin B6 to help with
the numbness. I don't feel much difference yet.
The surgery has left me with numbness on the top of my right
thigh from my hip down to my knee. It's not totally numb but it feels like it
is just waking up from being asleep. It's a strange feeling.
Below are pictures of our Fourth of July adventure - to Logan for time with friends and their participation in a rodeo! And our trip to Idaho...
Below are pictures of our Fourth of July adventure - to Logan for time with friends and their participation in a rodeo! And our trip to Idaho...
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| There goes Sydney at the rodeo! |
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| Prepping for the rodeo with mom, April. |
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| Great way to spend the 4th of July -- at the rodeo with good freinds!! |
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| Passing over Snake River in Idaho - God's glorious scenery |
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| The scenery was much greener than the picture shows. We had 2 lovely days in ID. |
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| The Shoshone Falls - Magnificent!! |
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| Nice picnic spot overlooking the Shoshone Falls. |
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| Table set for breakfast at The Fillmore Inn B&B |
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| A wonderful gluten-free breakfast of home-made muffins, fresh fruit, juice, waffles, and gorgeous weather! What a treat! |
My brother and his family arrive on July 17. We are so excited to have so much family under one roof for 4 whole days!! I am grateful that we have a Michael W. Smith concert to go to on July 24th – it will help me cope with the overwhelming feeling of everyone being gone. We have had someone at our home nearly everyday since we first got the news of cancer in January. We are so blessed to have family and friends willing to spend their time here with us. It will be lonely once mom and Holly leave. David will be stuck with mommy all day longJ
