Day 143 – Sunday (01/13/19)
Next blog update will TRY to be posted by Saturday, January 19th, at midnight.
Hello again everyone! 14 weeks down, 4 to go! This has been a really good week for me. I have felt like my normal self. My mind has not been foggy, my appetite is normal, and I have not had any stomach issues. My next (and LAST!!!) chemo is this Thursday, 01/17/19. I have been praying about when I should go back to work. Should I wait until the next PET scan is done, and they confirm no more chemo is needed (and that the spot in my stomach is gone)? Should I wait until I have done some radiation treatments and see how my body handles it? Right now, my plan/goal is to return to work on February 1st. I should be feeling well from my last chemo by that time. Also, the doctor has told me that usually the radiation for lymphoma does not impact people much. They only need a low dose to do what needs to be done. The most common side-effects are redness in the treatment area, and general fatigue.
At the last prayer meeting at church, I asked the church to pray that God would give me wisdom on when I should return to work. My biggest concern is that I go back too early, and I wind up needing more treatment, and have to miss more time. The reason to go ahead and go back is that I’m having to burn vacation time to keep a full paycheck at this point. Plus, a lot of what is to come is a waiting game (waiting on test results and such). Again, my plan/goal is to return 02/01/19. But is this God’s plan? I talked with my pastor afterward, and he gave me some good advice. He said (paraphrased), pray for God to reveal to you if returning on 02/01/19 is okay. Don’t tell God I’m returning on 02/01 and ask Him to bless my decision. After all, it is not our place to tell God what the best plan is. He knows the future, and He alone can tell us the best plan. With all this said, I would also like to ask my fellow blog readers to pray for me on this decision as well. Pray that God will let me know when to return.
Dear heavenly Father, thank You for a very good week. You have shown me this week that there is clear hope and light at the end of this battle. I see no reason why I won’t be “good as new again” once blobby is officially in remission. I pray that You would give me wisdom in the coming weeks to know when to return to work. I pray for this last chemo treatment, that everything will continue to go smoothly (no new side-effects or surprises). Thank You that You are omniscient, and that You have given us the Holy Spirit to help us discern Your will. Only You know what the future holds. Thank You for all You do, amen.