Day 151 – Monday (01/21/19)

Next blog update will TRY to be posted by Saturday, January 26th, at midnight.

 

Hello again everyone!  15 weeks down, 3 to go!  I received my final chemo treatment this past Thursday!   To commemorate the moment, the doctors and nurses from the cancer center gathered and had a “gong” celebration for me.  There was a large gong that they put outside and let me beat it with a hearty victory *thwap*!  It was much louder than I thought it would be, but it felt good to “ring” in the next stage of my battle.  While it was a victorious moment, the day I’m really looking forward too is still several days away… The day I’m feeling better again AFTER that last chemo!  I’m predicting it will be the normal 8 to 10 days of feeling rough, stomach issues, metal tasting mouth, etc.  But, this should be the last time dealing with this!  Yea!!!  So, what is next?  Well, for starters, I’m going to keep this blog going with weekly updates until I am officially in remission.  Here is a timeline / important dates that I know of so far:

  • February 1st – Return to work.  I have continued to pray over this, and God has not given me any reason I should not be able to return to work.
  • February 3rd – PET Scan.  This scan will let us know (1) if the lymphoma is gone as expected, and (2) if the spot in my stomach is still there.
  • February 7th – Meet with Doctor to go over scan results (in the afternoon).  This will be a huge day, and I would appreciate everyone’s prayers on this day.
    • Best case: Lymphoma gone, spot in stomach gone, all that is left is radiation (currently estimated to last 4 weeks).
    • Medium case: Lymphoma gone, spot in stomach still there.  This would require a biopsy of the spot in my stomach.  I’m not sure if this is in tandem with radiation or how the timeline would work.  I’m not going to worry about it now.  I think the spot will be gone :)
    • Worst case: Lymphoma still there, possible extra cycle of chemo needed.  The doctor and I are very optimistic that this is extremely unlikely.

After February 7th, I’ll be able to post the results and provide more of a finalized timeline to official remission.  We are close, and the hard part should be behind me.  I’m very optimistic that God is going to help me finish this battle with the same strength he has given me during it.

Dear heavenly Father, thank You so much for helping me get through the last chemo infusion!  Today was the last day I had to take the prednisone also!  As each day passes, I see that I am one step closer to remission and having this battle behind me!  You have given me such awesome strength, encouragement, support from others, etc during this battle.  I cannot thank You enough.  You have shown me and given me a true testimony of Your love, mercy, and grace.  Help me to continue to share this testimony with others, and put people in my path that I can help encourage with my story.  Whether they are a lost person, and I can help point them to You, or whether they are saved, and just need reassurance that You are with them, I’m happy to help be Your hands and feet in whatever way You need me.  Please continue to be with me as I prepare to head back to work in 10 days, and please oversee the PET scan on February 3rd.  I have complete confidence You are in control of the results.  Thank You for everything, amen.