Snow Day & PR Update

It was a fun extended (and snowy) weekend as Daddy got to spend Friday with us since OU’s campus was closed. Alexa was delighted to see snow on the ground and enjoyed trudging around in the frigid temperatures. (Mommy wasn’t as big of a fan, but I goose bump at 80 degrees.)


We also enjoyed taking in the spectacular Christmas lights at Chesapeake Energy in OKC. Again, I much preferred viewing them from my heated seat in the car but Alexa’s enthusiasm warmed my thoughts while we walked around outside.

I also had the privilege of hanging out with some very salty ladies and learning the art of sugar cookie icing. My cookies definitely aren’t perfect, but they don’t look awful, especially for having a one finger, one thumb handicap. I look forward to trying my skills out again next year. To see what real sugar cookie art looks like, check-out Shannon’s Christmas tree and snowman below! Unbelievable!!

I LOVE this time of year. The house is all decorated and smells of hollyberry candles. We are in full swing with Advent, and we listen to Christmas music all day long. It truly can’t get any better than that . . . unless it includes snuggling with your lil’ girl while gazing at the Christmas tree and sipping a cup of Williams Sonoma hot chocolate with melty marshmallows. Now, it truly can’t get any better than that!

Now that I’ve pondered the best of this season, let me get to the nitty gritty of my life (sigh). I had an appointment with my oncologist this morning to check my bloodwork and liver enzymes. Here’s the latest on my journey to healing and how you can be lifting me up. Sorry I’m so needy these days.

PRAYER REQUESTS

- My blood work and blood pressure looked good minus a modest increase in one of the four liver enzymes they check, so the doc has increased my Votrient dosage (the chemo pill) from 2 pills/day to 3 pills/day. The end goal is 4 pills/day (which would be most effective). I will go back in two weeks to see how everything looks and hopefully I’ll be released for the full dose.

- Please pray the Votrient would be effective in eliminating the spread of this nasty cancer. We are praying it stops dead in its tracks – forever.

- Please continue praying for minimal side effects from the Votrient, the ones they’ve emphasized are – high blood pressure, liver damage, fatigue, decreased platelets & white blood cells and loss of hair pigment. At the moment, it seems my liver and my hair are the greatest concern. I have noticed the roots of my hair lightening. I am not ready to be white-headed but Chris reminded me I had hair, so that’s a bonus. Regardless, I’m still sad about it. It makes me look more sick and is just another reminder of loss. Other side effects I’ve been experiencing are headaches and decreased appetite. I weighed 122 lbs today with clothing, boots and a coat, so I need to put weight on, not lose anymore.

- My lower back and hip/pelvis pain has decreased but it is definitely still a concern and something I deal with on a daily basis. I control it mainly with heat, narcotics, Celebrex and prayer. I would love to experience the disappearance of this pain because it would convince me the radiation is working and would allow me to work-out again (which means I would gain more stamina). Just walking is a chore. Bending over is unheard of, and coughing or sneezing brings me to tears.

- I have been experiencing tightness in my lungs and pain in my right femur. Of course, my mind goes directly to cancer. They x-rayed both areas of concern today and did not see anything. However, we are going to keep a close eye on it and may have to do more imaging if the pain continues. Would you please ask the Lord to remove this pain and that it is only referred pain, not more bad stuff. I get very discouraged just thinking about it. Worry is a constant battle.

- Continue praying the stereotactic radiation is killing the heck out of the cancer in my T2 & L2 vertebrae and hip/pelvis.

- I have enjoyed my hand therapy and have seen progress in the functionality of my right hand (I can use scissors. I can turn a doorknob & car keys. I can put A’s hair in a ponytail, etc.). Please pray this would continue and I would stay disciplined in doing my daily exercises.

- I return to MDA at the end of January for follow-up scans and appts. I have been thankful for the escape from “Cancer Central” but I am always waiting for another ball to drop when I go back. Please pray I could rest in Him during this time away and put my confidence in Him and His healing hand. That I would anticipate good news not bad.

- You can pray for my heart. I’ve been more discouraged than usual. The reality of my condition can be so weighty, so frightening, so uncontrollable. The pain never helps with my attitude. There have been many days in the past month I’ve desperately wanted my old life back – to feel good again, to not have to wake-up early every morning to take a chemo pill, to just be a Mommy & wife. It’s still hard to accept “my reality.” Tears come more often than I would like.

In light of this, here’s is a passage I’ve been trying to live out. It was given to me by a cancer survivor and hangs on my fighting wall. I love this translation. (Ty Miss Margaret!)

“Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! . . . Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” Philippians 4:4-7 (The Message)