Update

I just wanted to post and let you know that I am doing well.  I have been working this week and going about "normal"  life.  I am looking forward to the cooler temperatures coming this weekend.  I will have lab work again on Sunday.  Thanks for checking in.

Lab Results

I just heard from my doctor's office that my labs are good.  I wasted some much time worrying about them for nothing.  Good reminder.  Good lesson.  I also got to thinking, that something may be going on in the life on the nurse who failed to call as she promised.  We never know what all is going on in someone's life by looking at them.  So I pray that God will bless her today and meet her every need.  Thanks for checking in.

Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Philippians 2:3

³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,

Patience

pa·tience

1 .the quality of being patient,  as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint,   loss of temper, irritation, or the like.

2 .an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay: to have patience with a slow learner.

3. quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered care; diligence: to work with patience.

I am feeling frustrated today.  There is no other reason, but my lack of patience.  I am feeling pretty well today.  I had a few times of feeling rough over the weekend, but it has passed.  Yet, I still feel annoyed.  I had my weekly labs done yesterday and they told me they would call me last night.  I still haven't heard from them.  I tried to call them and they said that they will have someone call me.  I am frustrated because I need to know the results, so that I can plan my week.  Will I be able to work this week or not?  I have other people who need to now if they need to work this week.  As I read the definition of patience, I realize how self centered I am being.  Things are not going the way I want and I don't like it.  I am focused too much on "ME".  Patience is something that the Lord is teaching me through this journey and today I realize how far I have to go.  Patience is a fruit of the Spirit that I want God to develop in my life.  However, I know that desire will bring about trying circumstances.  James 1:2-4 says:  

 ²My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
 ³Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
 ⁴But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

If I let patience have her perfect work I will be complete, lacking nothing.  This sounds like something I want to attain to.  I want to be able to do all things without complaining.  When I take time to refocus on what really matters and who God is,  the little things that frustrate me no longer matter so much.  I want to spend my  time being thankful instead of complaining.   Lord please help me to do this today and everyday.  Help me to focus on you and wait patiently.

This Seems to be a Pattern

I am now on day five post my second treatment.  Yesterday, I felt a little more fatigued and started experiencing pain again.  I have pain medicine from the last time this happened and I am trying to stay ahead of it.  The pattern seems to be that I feel pretty well for the first few days and then start having trouble on days four and five.  This is good to know for future planning.  I am thankful that my side effects for the most part,  have been minimal.

Every Day is a Gift

One thing I have learned on this journey is a greater appreciation of the beauty of life.  Every day is truly a gift from God and I want to make the most of every day.  I am thankful for all the blessings in my life.  I heard someone say the other day that their cancer was a gift.  I have been pondering that statement and I believe that it is a gift.  It is a difficult thing to go through, but God has allowed this to happen for a reason and He will use this for His glory. Furthermore, if we allow it to, it brings us closer to God.  We have a choice.  We can rejoice in the midst of difficult circumstances or we can allow it to make us bitter.  It's all about having the right perspective.  I am feeling well today.  We all know that it easier to rejoice and be thankful when are having a good day.  My desire is to be that way all the time.  How is that possible?  By fixing our eyes on Jesus and who He is instead of focusing on our circumstances.  I realize that this is a learning process.  It requires practice and I will fail sometimes, but I am thankful that God is is with me and will help me try again.

I hope you enjoy your day and make the most of it. Thanks for checking in.

Hebrews 12:1-3
 ¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Colossians 3:15-17
¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

James 1:2-4
² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,^] whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:17
¹⁷Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Philippians 4:4-9
 ⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
 ⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Two Down and Four to Go

I had my second round of Chemo today and things went well.  They had to stick me twice to access the port, but that is a great improvement from the trouble they have had in the past. I was also finished five hours sooner than my first treatment.  I am feeling good tonight. I only have four more treatments to go.  Please continue to pray that my counts would stay good,  that I will not get sick, and that there would be no delays. Thanks for reading.

Good News

I had blood work done today and my white blood cell count and my potassium level went up.  Therefore I will have my second round of chemo tomorrow morning.  My CA 125 test, which is a test that measures cancer antigens in the blood went from 57 before my surgery to 11.  Anything less than 35 is considered normal.  This is definitely an answer to prayer. 

My husband and I went to support groups for the first time tonight.  They have one for cancer patients and survivors and another group for caregivers.  We both enjoyed it and were encouraged.

A dear friend came over Friday and cut my hair for me.  It is very short and continues to come out, but it is much more manageable now.  It will probably be completely gone in a few more days. 

Please pray that they will be able to access my port tomorrow with no trouble.  Thank you so much for taking the time to follow my journey and for praying for me.  I am so blessed to have so many friends to support me during this time.