Two down, three to go

It is Tuesday evening. I've taken a hot shower, and I'm in bed after another surprisingly full day at MDA. Along with two rounds of stereotactic radiation (one to my T2 and L2), I have fit in blood work, an appointment with Dr. Benjamin (which went very well), my first experience with acupuncture and started the application process for angel flight (in the hopes we can fly to Houston on our next visit in December).

So far the stereotactic radiation has gone well. I've managed to stay still despite different appendages falling asleep, and the physicists (who don't seem to think my jokes are as funny as I do) say everything looks good. I also have to let those of you who have asked know that I have been able to listen to music during these treatments. I get to pick my Pandora station. The first day, the first song was, "Deep Enough to Dream," by Chris Rice followed by the hymn  "Be Still My Soul," and then the praise song, "How Deep the Father's Love for Us." Quite apropos, if you ask me! As my mom said, the Lord never misses an opportunity to show Himself to us, no matter where we are.

My pain level, however, has been on an entirely different level than usual. I am praying, praying, praying the radiation will quiet the pain and muscle stiffness that has had me in tears several times the past two days. I am also praying it is the cancer they are killing that's the culprit and nothing new. I can't seem to find a position that is comfortable - be it standing, sitting or lying down. I feel so tight, and something as small as a cough can cause spasms. It's been a bit troublesome to say the least (which is why I'm going to bed so early thanks to analgesic cream & narcotics). I figure if I'm asleep, I don't notice the pain.

And that's what I've been doing in the downtime - sleeping. Seems like Alexa is catching the trend and sleeping too. Here we are napping together after my 1st round of radiation, courtesy of an Ativan pill (a form of Valium) which unfortunately took effect after the treatment. The Ativan was for me, of course, not Alexa. She was just conked out due to a full day of playing with her best buddy, Pop.



PRAYER REQUESTS
- Tomorrow marks the beginning of three rounds of treatment to my lower left hip/pelvis. Dr. Brown has never performed this type of radiation to this area of the body due to the potential risks and side effects. I guess you could say I'm a part of new research at MDA. Pray for God's hand to guide every calculation, every angle and every high-powered beam of radiation for optimal results.
- Pray for a successful procedure leading to cancer's death.
- Pray for minimal to no side effects. Radiating this part of the  body poses more serious threats - bowel obstruction, chronic diarrhea, bone damage leading to fracture, an immobilized joint, infertility, etc . . . The main side effect I've had thus far has been nausea, so these are obviously more disconcerting to me.
- For the continual pain in hip/pelvis and especially lower back to cease and for us to figure out how to control it until then.
- My bone-strengthening shot has been approved (hooray!). I will be scheduled to get it sometime this week and every four weeks from here on out. I have no idea of side effects yet. Pray this won't interact with the radiation.
- I tried acupuncture today. Not for sure I feel better or worse but I am scheduled for another round Friday. We'll see.
- Please lift up new friends, Amanda & Greg. We made an instant connection putting a puzzle together in the radiation waiting room. We shared our hearts and hopes which seemed to line right up with our big God. While I was being treated, Greg came over and prayed with Chris and vice-versa. We hope to see them again the rest  of the week during treatment time. Ty Lord for continued divine encounters!