LAST Chemo! Yay!

Friday was my last chemo. I hardly had good days last round and the oncologist was wondering if I could handle it, but I told her now or never - I didn't want to drag it out. So we went ahead and had treatment on Friday and it has had it's ups and downs. New side effect: stomach pain - so much so that I was in the ER on Sunday, but after that trip have not had pain since (maybe some discomfort, but no pain requiring meds). While I am thankful, I have no explanation because they only gave me pain meds and did not really treat any cause. 

Psalm 34 says, "The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing." He delivers me. I know He is good. I lack nothing. 

I am happy to not be in pain. I have continued to be extremely weak and my intake has been very sparse. Slowly but surely I drink water. Slowly but surely I take small bites. And sometimes those things stay down and my body can survive another day. I have gone for IV hydration three times and that is carrying me through. I am so thankful that it's almost over.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. - I Thessalonians 5. I am joyful even in this. I am holding onto what is good. He is faithful.

Next up, surgery on Dec 30. Then I will be in recovery for 2-6 weeks. 1 in 3 patients have complications from this surgery, so it is likely, though not inevitable, that I will experience some setback(s) and be on the 6-week timeline. During that time, I will need more help as I will have very restricted use of both arms.

But before all that, I get to see all my kids as everyone will be home the week of Christmas to celebrate the birth of our Savior! Hooray for the time to reflect and celebrate and have the whole family together for the occasion.