Hi All,
I am so sorry that it has taken me so long to get back with you. I believe that the last thing I sent was just after my last treatment. The next several weeks were less than wonderful and very trying, but are over now. The Lord has been so very gracious and you all have been such tireless intercessors for me. I will never be able to express my gratitude and love for you all. My echo cardiogram was good and I began my Herceptin on Sept. 7th. It went fine and I didn't have any side effects, so next time it should go quicker. I will go once every three weeks. This drug is new and targets only cancer cells should they be anywhere in my body. It surrounds the cells and does not allow them to grow or spread. It supposedly reduces my chances of recurrence by 52% and I like those numbers.
My hair is beginning to sprout a little and so far looks pretty white. It's not long enough to tell if it is curly or not, but we will see. Bob says that I should go and have the two hairs put into a ponytail. My numbers are coming up now and should continue to do so. I was on house arrest again for several weeks after the last treatment, but I'm on the move now and plan to stay that way. I really feel like I'm on the mend now and just have to be careful not to overdo or get sick.
I want to update you on my friends also. Celestia Tarver is still on the new drug, Navelbene, and it seems to be shrinking her tumors. She has had lots of really rough days and some very unpleasant side effects, but her spirits are good and her husband Ed is a wonderful support for her. They have put her on a schedule that gives her treatments once a week for two weeks and then one week off for her to recuperate. Please pray that this drug will continue to work and that she will go into remission soon. Wes Hargraves seems to be doing somewhat better as well. He has been able to talk on the phone with Bob the last few times he has called. He is still not sure about the transplant status though, from what I can tell, they are still waiting to hear from Emory. Please pray that he will remain infection free and that if possible, he will be able to get a new lung. His wife, Carm, is always there for him and is a great support. Suzie Bauch has stopped the clinical trial in Seattle and is now getting the Herceptin every three weeks in Atlanta also. Her husband,Jim, is there for her as well. Please pray that Suzie remains cancer free. Our spouses are the rocks on which we rely and call on when we need anything. You all are also our support. Your prayers and love and concern have been a "warm blanket" around our shoulders through this time and we appreciate all that you do.
These last few months have caused me to reprioritize my life and my faith. The Lord has been active in my life for many years, but I have not been as active as I should have been for Him. I am trying to change that and realign my life to be more pleasing to Him. I have begun a new Bible study at church called Believing God by Beth Moore. It is wonderful and has lots of "book work" and study involved with it. The time I spend preparing for each class is showing me areas that I need to work on and also how to be more involved with my Savior. I plan to be more open to the Lord's promptings in my life and respond as He would have me to. We have learned a short five point response that I would like to share with you. 1. God is who He says He is. 2. God can do what He says He can do. 3. I am who God says I am. 4. I can do all things through Christ. 5. God's word is alive and active in me. As you can see, I am fired up about this new phase of my life and I covet your prayers to help me remain so and grow into the person that God wants me to be.
I hope that this finds you all well. I will try to keep in closer touch with you and please know that you will be in my prayers as well. The God that we serve is gracious, loving and ever faithful and will be our constant companion if we but allow Him the opportunity to do so. May you all have a blessed evening.
Yours in Christ, Sandy