Well, my hands and feet are almost healed from the allergic reaction I had to my previous chemo treatment on Sept. 5. All the skin has peeled off the palms of my hands and my toes and heels. I am happy to report that the plagues of Job appear to have left the Patton household. Believe me, it was a tough couple of weeks but I am so much better.
Yesterday I had my first chemo treatment with the new drug called Taxol. It is an eight-week program, and I take this treatment every Friday afternoon for seven more weeks now. Since I take it weekly, the drug is obviously milder, and I have already discovered that the side effects are so much milder than what I have experienced with past drugs! They gave me Benadryl during my treatment, to prevent an allergic reaction to the drug, so I actually napped through the last half of my treatment. But I was fine by the time I got home and just spent a relaxing evening in my recliner.
I have to take steroids with this drug, so the worst was last night - I wasn't able to fall asleep until 2:00 am. But I slept in this morning and had a great day. I actually ran errands and did some chores and had one of the most normal Saturdays I've had in a couple of months. It was lovely.
So I have a good feeling about this new treatment plan, despite the fact that I have to go every week. The main concern is that my red and white blood cell counts remain within range so that I can take my treatments on schedule, so please pray specifically for this for me. I want to be FINISHED with chemo on November14 if at all possible, so we will pray toward this goal.
I want to thank so many of you, my sweet friends, who are serving the Lord by sharing His love with me. Your weekly cards with notes of concern and love, gifts, food, prayers, and many other kind acts humble me, and I pray that you, the giver, will also be blessed for your obedience to serving God by serving others.
It's funny...I fought so hard to avoid taking this weekly chemo drug because I just didn't think it would work well for my schedule, etc. But God's plan is so perfect and I am amazed at how good I feel - at least so far - and I am reminded, once again, to allow Him to be in control. He is good...all the time.
Sep 27, 2008
Sep 10, 2008
God's Timing
A lot has happened since my post over the weekend, so let me just fill you in. I had an allergic reaction to the new chemo drug I received this past Friday and the past few days have really been pretty unpleasant. The palms of my hands turned bright red as if burned and felt that way too. My feet, mostly along the sides of my heels, also appeared red and burned and slightly blistered. I also developed a rash on the tops of my hands and under my arms. Oh, yes, the plagues of Job are alive and well and living at the Patton home! Keith took me to see my oncologist on Tuesday and she confirmed this was one of the worst allergic reactions she has seen to this chemo drug, so needless to say I won't be taking it anymore. They treated me with steroids via an IV on Tuesday and again today, and fortunately that is beginning to work and I am slowly seeing some relief today.
So...all my excitement about "only 3 more treatments" has gone by the wayside. I have two more weeks off to recover from this reaction, but will resume chemo treatments with yet a new drug on Sept. 26 - and this is the one that I must take every week for 12 weeks. I had so hoped to avoid this, because EVERY WEEK seems so daunting. But as Keith reminded me while we were spending Tuesday afternoon in the doctor's office, this IS a part of God's plan, and we will trust His perfect timing because it is perfect and not daunting.
I've had a couple of really tough days this week - it's not fun when you can barely walk or hold a fork in your hand. But Keith takes such sweet care of me and I have a great doctor who is guiding us through this. And my coworkers have been so wonderful to help me in so many ways. Fortunately I can work from home on my laptop and I have been able to keep from falling too far behind.
Paige is coming home Friday night to spend the night and some quality time. She started a new job this week with Curves and I'm so proud of her for her new opportunity. She is so precious to bring me little presents when she comes home to see me, just to lift my spirits. Last time she brought me a beautiful designer lip gloss from Nordstrom, and I got all teary-eyed, because she is so good to me. I told her I didn't know anyone but me who cried over lip gloss! Check me out next time you see me; I have the shiniest bronze lips around!
I mentioned the plagues of Job earlier, so went to that book and found my favorite verse there: "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" (Job 2:10) God is good all the time, even when I'm having a tough day here. Enough said.
So...all my excitement about "only 3 more treatments" has gone by the wayside. I have two more weeks off to recover from this reaction, but will resume chemo treatments with yet a new drug on Sept. 26 - and this is the one that I must take every week for 12 weeks. I had so hoped to avoid this, because EVERY WEEK seems so daunting. But as Keith reminded me while we were spending Tuesday afternoon in the doctor's office, this IS a part of God's plan, and we will trust His perfect timing because it is perfect and not daunting.
I've had a couple of really tough days this week - it's not fun when you can barely walk or hold a fork in your hand. But Keith takes such sweet care of me and I have a great doctor who is guiding us through this. And my coworkers have been so wonderful to help me in so many ways. Fortunately I can work from home on my laptop and I have been able to keep from falling too far behind.
Paige is coming home Friday night to spend the night and some quality time. She started a new job this week with Curves and I'm so proud of her for her new opportunity. She is so precious to bring me little presents when she comes home to see me, just to lift my spirits. Last time she brought me a beautiful designer lip gloss from Nordstrom, and I got all teary-eyed, because she is so good to me. I told her I didn't know anyone but me who cried over lip gloss! Check me out next time you see me; I have the shiniest bronze lips around!
I mentioned the plagues of Job earlier, so went to that book and found my favorite verse there: "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" (Job 2:10) God is good all the time, even when I'm having a tough day here. Enough said.
Sep 6, 2008
"Come and Listen"
"Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what He has done for me." Psalm 66:16
The past week has been a memorable one and I have much good news to share. First, I spoke with my lead doctor/surgeon, Dr. Clifford, on Tuesday and learned the results of my genetic testing - the BRCA1 and BRCA2 test. NEGATIVE! I must tell you that even the doctor was surprised by this result; we were all assuming I would be positive due to my strong family history (all 3 of my mom's sisters have had breast cancer). This fabulous news means that I am not carrying a gene that makes me highly susceptible to breast and ovarian cancer, as well as several other cancers. It also means that my sweet daughter is not a potential carrier of this hereditary gene, making her a much higher risk for cancer in her lifetime. So we celebrate this unexpectedly joyous news and praise God for the blessing.
Now that I am halfway through my chemo treatments - YES, it's true! - I had a sonogram on Wednesday to determine how much my tumor has decreased in size. It was apparent to my oncologist that it was shrinking simply by physical examination, but we wanted a true report. Amazingly, my tumor has shrunk by 80%!!! It has gone from 4 centimeters to 1 centimeter in the 2 months of chemo treatments. Obviously the chemo is working and we are all so thrilled with this wonderful news.
Now that I have shared all the great news, I have to admit that the past month - my last two chemo treatments - were pretty tough. After breezing through the first two treatments with minimal side effects, the bottom pretty much fell out. The nausea increased quite a bit so my eating decreased quite a bit. I've lost the weight I had been trying to lose pre-diagnosis - but I wouldn't recommend the chemo diet to anyone! But the worst side effect I encountered was the drop in my red and white blood cell count. This is something that simply happens as a result of chemo, and there are shots they give me to bring the blood counts back up. However, when those red cell counts drop, I feel like I have a roaring case of the flu - zero energy - taking a shower to get ready for work wears me out, etc. Since it takes a few days for the shots to kick in, I spent a couple of weeks feeling pretty miserable between the nausea and the weakness.
But -- I am now finished with the first round of medication that was causing all these nasty side effects and yesterday I began the second half of chemo treatment with a new drug that may be a bit milder on my system. I actually feel pretty darn good today, all things considered! Other than taking a little nap this afternoon, I've been up and about all day. The side effect of this drug that is miserable is that it affects the skin on my hands and feet. It causes sensitivity, peeling, and some tingling/burning feelings at times. So I am keeping Vitamin E oil slathered on my hands and feet. With chemo, there's always something...but I only have 3 MORE TO GO!
I will most likely finish chemo treatments on November 7 if all goes well. My surgeon wants to wait about three weeks before surgery, which takes me through Thanksgiving. Do you think we might have a lot to be thankful for this year!? Then in early December I will have surgery. I'm not too sure what that will entail yet because we won't meet with Dr. Clifford until chemo is complete, and there will be another MRI to give us good information about the current status of everything, but I know I will have a mastectomy and reconstruction of the right side. I don't have enough information yet to determine whether I will also have the left side removed too. This is such an important decision, but my doctor tells me now is not the time to worry about this, so I will commit it to prayer and know God will lead me to the right decision at the right time.
During the past few weeks, there is only one thing that kept me going: YOU. My family and sweet friends who have done so much to lift my spirits, encourage me, and most of all, continually lift me to the Father, from whom I receive my strength. I continue to receive your cards and emails of encouragement and love, our YAMs Sunday School class brings us meals, friends have delivered thoughtful gifts, my friends at work have brought food, sent me flowers, allowed me to slip out early on those days when I felt so bad, so many of you find me on Sundays to make sure I receive a hug and words of encouragement, and the list goes on.
My family is my greatest source of daily strength and encouragement. On August 23, Keith led me, Paige and Chance in an anointing service , and it was such a special time of worship for our family. He used James 5:13-16 and 2 Corinthians 12 as his text and we focused on verse 10: "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." He anointed my forehead with oil in the sign of the cross. Then Keith, Paige and Chance each prayed over me. I can't find words to describe the peace and hope God gave me in those moments as my husband and sweet kids demonstrated their faith in God and in His healing power - and their incredible love for me. We made a memory that night and God is answering our prayer of faith and making me well (see James 5:15)!
Please keep me on your prayer list in the coming weeks as I don't know yet how this new chemo drug is going to affect me in the days to come. Please pray for my strength and healthy blood counts. Most of all, please pray that, even as the chemo temporarily weakens my body, I will be strong in my faith and hope and witness as the Father leads me to wholeness.
God is good...all the time!
The past week has been a memorable one and I have much good news to share. First, I spoke with my lead doctor/surgeon, Dr. Clifford, on Tuesday and learned the results of my genetic testing - the BRCA1 and BRCA2 test. NEGATIVE! I must tell you that even the doctor was surprised by this result; we were all assuming I would be positive due to my strong family history (all 3 of my mom's sisters have had breast cancer). This fabulous news means that I am not carrying a gene that makes me highly susceptible to breast and ovarian cancer, as well as several other cancers. It also means that my sweet daughter is not a potential carrier of this hereditary gene, making her a much higher risk for cancer in her lifetime. So we celebrate this unexpectedly joyous news and praise God for the blessing.
Now that I am halfway through my chemo treatments - YES, it's true! - I had a sonogram on Wednesday to determine how much my tumor has decreased in size. It was apparent to my oncologist that it was shrinking simply by physical examination, but we wanted a true report. Amazingly, my tumor has shrunk by 80%!!! It has gone from 4 centimeters to 1 centimeter in the 2 months of chemo treatments. Obviously the chemo is working and we are all so thrilled with this wonderful news.
Now that I have shared all the great news, I have to admit that the past month - my last two chemo treatments - were pretty tough. After breezing through the first two treatments with minimal side effects, the bottom pretty much fell out. The nausea increased quite a bit so my eating decreased quite a bit. I've lost the weight I had been trying to lose pre-diagnosis - but I wouldn't recommend the chemo diet to anyone! But the worst side effect I encountered was the drop in my red and white blood cell count. This is something that simply happens as a result of chemo, and there are shots they give me to bring the blood counts back up. However, when those red cell counts drop, I feel like I have a roaring case of the flu - zero energy - taking a shower to get ready for work wears me out, etc. Since it takes a few days for the shots to kick in, I spent a couple of weeks feeling pretty miserable between the nausea and the weakness.
But -- I am now finished with the first round of medication that was causing all these nasty side effects and yesterday I began the second half of chemo treatment with a new drug that may be a bit milder on my system. I actually feel pretty darn good today, all things considered! Other than taking a little nap this afternoon, I've been up and about all day. The side effect of this drug that is miserable is that it affects the skin on my hands and feet. It causes sensitivity, peeling, and some tingling/burning feelings at times. So I am keeping Vitamin E oil slathered on my hands and feet. With chemo, there's always something...but I only have 3 MORE TO GO!
I will most likely finish chemo treatments on November 7 if all goes well. My surgeon wants to wait about three weeks before surgery, which takes me through Thanksgiving. Do you think we might have a lot to be thankful for this year!? Then in early December I will have surgery. I'm not too sure what that will entail yet because we won't meet with Dr. Clifford until chemo is complete, and there will be another MRI to give us good information about the current status of everything, but I know I will have a mastectomy and reconstruction of the right side. I don't have enough information yet to determine whether I will also have the left side removed too. This is such an important decision, but my doctor tells me now is not the time to worry about this, so I will commit it to prayer and know God will lead me to the right decision at the right time.
During the past few weeks, there is only one thing that kept me going: YOU. My family and sweet friends who have done so much to lift my spirits, encourage me, and most of all, continually lift me to the Father, from whom I receive my strength. I continue to receive your cards and emails of encouragement and love, our YAMs Sunday School class brings us meals, friends have delivered thoughtful gifts, my friends at work have brought food, sent me flowers, allowed me to slip out early on those days when I felt so bad, so many of you find me on Sundays to make sure I receive a hug and words of encouragement, and the list goes on.
My family is my greatest source of daily strength and encouragement. On August 23, Keith led me, Paige and Chance in an anointing service , and it was such a special time of worship for our family. He used James 5:13-16 and 2 Corinthians 12 as his text and we focused on verse 10: "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." He anointed my forehead with oil in the sign of the cross. Then Keith, Paige and Chance each prayed over me. I can't find words to describe the peace and hope God gave me in those moments as my husband and sweet kids demonstrated their faith in God and in His healing power - and their incredible love for me. We made a memory that night and God is answering our prayer of faith and making me well (see James 5:15)!
Please keep me on your prayer list in the coming weeks as I don't know yet how this new chemo drug is going to affect me in the days to come. Please pray for my strength and healthy blood counts. Most of all, please pray that, even as the chemo temporarily weakens my body, I will be strong in my faith and hope and witness as the Father leads me to wholeness.
God is good...all the time!
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