Hi All,
Well, the last week brought or should I say lost, my hair ( that is). I had been running a low grade fever after I found out that my counts were low, so they put me on a broad spectrum antibiotic to cover anything I might have had brewing. Am doing much better now and have even felt like eating a little the last 2 days. On Thursday, as I was washing my hair, I began to notice lots in my hand. As the day progressed, all I had to do was run my fingers through it and it came out. My scalp felt like it was crawling. The next day, Friday the thirteenth (how appropriate), I had it buzzed to about 1/4 inch at the oncology shop and they showed Bob and I how to massage my scalp and "tape" off the hair as it came out. Our nightly routine now is to wash, massage, tape and then moisturize my scalp. We stick duct tape to my head and then slowly pull it off. It sounds painful, but it's not at all. The hair roots have dissolved from the chemo, so it doesn't hurt. Actually my scalp feels much better with it gone. There's still some left, but not much. It's definitely cooler without hair. I've been getting my friend Judy to show me how to tie and create head coverings. Judy has let me browse through her collection of hats, scarves etc. and borrow them. She gave me the sleep cap that I had given her just 9 months before. She and I smiled when she said, "Little did you know that when you gave me this, I would be giving it back to you to wear." The Lord has been so gracious to us. He has woven Judy's, Celestia's and my lives together over the last several decades and now we are all here to love and support each other through this time.
Celestia will be having a full body scan on Wednesday morning. Please pray that it goes well and that the oncologist will know exactly what to do in the way of new chemo drugs. Her last scan showed no progression of her lesions, but also no shrinkage either, so they want to reassess her chemo regimen. Judy is doing well and Suzi and her husband are on their Alaskan cruise. The doctors still feel that she has a mild lung infection and not a recurrence. Praise God for all of our good news and for our continued progress. Our prayer is that our circumstances will bring glory to our Lord, who provides for all of our needs. My second chemo treatment will be this Friday, so I will touch base with you sometime after that. All of us so appreciate your thoughts and prayers. Please continue to lift us up as we do you daily.
The Lord has placed this hymn on my heart today so I would like to share it with you.
Fight the good fight with all thy might! Christ is thy strength, and Christ thy right; Lay hold on life, and it shall be Thy joy and crown eternally. Run thou the race thro' God's good grace, Lift up thine eyes, and seek His face; Life with its way before us lies, Christ is the path, and Christ the prize. Cast care aside, lean on thy guide, thy every need He will provide; Trusting in Him will ever prove Christ is thy life, thy hope, thy love. Faint not fear, His arms are near, He changeth not and thou art dear; Only believe, and thou shalt see that Christ is all in all to thee.
Until next time be safe and well.
Yours in Christ,
Sandy