August 25, 2005

HAIR

WOW … it’s a MIRACLE! Today in the shower, I washed my hair as I do every day (longing for there to be some) and it LATHERED! Plus, I had to TOWEL DRY it! Yes, I have a 80% filled in crew cut look going – of course it came back all gray so Lon has already “dyed” my hair for me! I’m just so grateful to have it back – I’m not wearing any hats or scarves!

Now, for the downside, but I am NOT complaining, I have to shave my legs again!

My eyebrows are coming back too – one bushy and the other a little more scattered. It will be just days until I’m plucking again.

Now, the REAL FUNNY STORY! Yesterday I met with two different people and while talking I felt like I had something in my nose. You know that feeling – when you are sure people are staring but not wanting to say anything. I finally excused myself and went to a mirror to see what was “hanging”. Are you ready for this…. It’s NOSE HAIR! Yes, I have lived so long without nose hair that it’s tickling me as it grows back in. How funny is that! I had to chuckle!

Hair... you can’t live without it and you can’t live with it! I just much rather live with it!

Have a blessed day!

Posted by donnab at 10:39 AM | Comments (0)

August 22, 2005

LAST PHASE

I lived through my first day of radiation. It was painless! I figured you’d see big lights etc. but basically I’m on the table for 4 minutes – the machine rotates – makes sounds and I’m done. They don’t think my skin will begin to be “burned” until the beginning of week 3. So, this first 2 weeks it’s just an issue of the time inconvenience – I leave the house at 6:30 (and I’m NOT a morning person) and I get home at 7:30 just in time to make sure the kids got themselves ready for school. For the first day of radiation and first day of school I think we all did pretty good.

Later today I have to go back and get my port flushed and see the Chemo Doctor for my monthly check up. It’s a good thing I love my cancer center since I’ve been “living” there since December.

So, just wanted to check in with you all but really not much to say. I have started the last phase of this journey and I’m looking forward to watching God work through this phase and help me move to completion.

Thanks again for your love and support!!

Posted by donnab at 08:45 AM | Comments (0)

August 09, 2005

FINAL PHASE

Well, today I started the journey of “Phase 4”. Lon broke my cancer journey into “phases” so I could keep focused and celebrate getting closer to the end of this long road. Phase One was the surgeries – check done... Phase Two was the first 4 treatments of Chemo with 2 drugs – check done … Phase Three was the last 4 treatments of Chemo with a different drug – check done… and today I started the first step of the final phase of RADIATION!

I just went in for a CT scan so they can determine (the doctor and the physicist) where they need to focus the radiation – what degree etc. Guess they are going to do part of my lower neck as well as all the way across and included the outer lining of my only breast left. First, they taped that range off with “wire” and then had me go under the CT scan. When they were done, they taped “beebees” (however you spell it – you know, the little round bullets for the guns we had as kids) in certain places that have to stay there until Friday when I go in for a “dry run”. At that time, the doctor and physicist will determine if everything is in place – the right location – etc. Then, after that, we schedule the appointment – daily – for the next 6.5 weeks.

The side effects are supposed to be much easier than chemo. I’ll have some fatigue closer to week 4 – and the skin in that area will be “fried” and fall off – the doctor’s words. Ok, doesn’t sound pretty – but doable.

I have a goal of living... I’m persevering by taking day-by-day and phase-by-phase … and I’m focused on the end result of many more years with my family! God is showing me reasons He needs me still on this earth – for Lon – for the kids – for the rest of my extended family – for the ministry at Jesus Shack etc. I don’t think His plans are done for me yet – so I’ll win this race – with HIS HELP! I just have to continue to remember that He never said the race would be easy – the mountains are sure to come just as well as the deep low valleys! I just know that His love is my strength and in 7 weeks, I’ll be chalking this Phase as “done”!

Prayers are always welcomed!! I appreciate all of the love and support you have given me during this journey!

Posted by donnab at 03:19 PM | Comments (0)