Labs

Oh, if only this journey were as easy as that cartoon! But I’m not an observer or someone watching from the sidelines. And no one is simply drawing a picture of me to memorialize this season. I am living it out.

For those of you who have never walked this chemo road, there are probably some processes that you’re unaware of. Let me fill in a few details (And just to clarify, this is descriptive of the path I’m on. Others could be a bit different.) 

On the Tuesday before every treatment (I will have one this coming Friday, Feb. 6), Dick and I make our way to my Oncologist. After my name is called from the waiting room, vitals are checked – weight, temperature, blood pressure, etc. Generally, my blood pressure has always been pretty stellar – 118/75 or something along those lines. It’s curious to note that every single time I have had this checked at TN Oncology, it is ridiculously high! As much as I try to relax in the moment, it seems my body lets out the secret that I might not be as calm as I’m acting (haha!). I told the nurse, “I’m a high achiever, and I want a better ‘score’”! She laughed and said, “Why don’t we take your blood pressure again before you leave today and see if it’s more preferable?” And I did. And it was. (At least a little bit). 

There are really 2 reasons I have these Tuesday appointments.  First, I have a sit down with my main Oncologist, along with the Nurse Practitioner and the Patient Care Coordinator, where they ask questions of me on how my body is handling the treatments, etc. and then I have a list of questions for them. They are patient, caring, and generous with their time to make sure Dick and I understand what we need to grasp. 

This particular appointment brought some good news. 

1. My body is responding well to the chemo overall.
2. There is a specific number in my bloodwork that we need to see going down, and it is doing that. 
3. It looks as if the next step for me, surgery, will be scheduled for early March. This is as timely as we could have wanted it to be, and again, this is because I’m “making progress” with the treatments.

Coming out of this appointment with some specific direction was just what my heart needed. My Oncologist is thorough, engaged, and decisive. I’m grateful for all three of those qualities.  

After time with the doctor and team, I headed to the Lab room to give blood to be tested for various levels. This is the second reason I am asked to come for this Tuesday appointment. There are certain counts that, if they are off, could prohibit me from having chemo 4 days later. These have to be measured carefully and approved before I can move forward. Gratefully, all of the blood work results gave a thumbs up to having treatment Friday. 

After the appointment, I had suggested Dick and I go to Opry Mills (an outlet mall) for me to get in some indoor walking (which has been hard to do in the ice and snow). And oh yeah, maybe shop a little. After many days looking out of the windows of our beautiful home, it was nice to be able to get in some steps, browse, and pick up a few things. We enjoyed a nice lunch at Cheesecake Factory as well. 

It’s hard to believe I’m heading for chemo treatment #3, but here we go. If you think of me on Friday, here are several specifics I would ask you to pray over:

1. For continued peace in this process. Oh, how we’re feeling “peace that passes understanding”! And I know one reason for this comes from the “prayers of the saints” on my behalf. So very grateful. 
2. For the needle to go into the port easily. Again. (I think I’ll always be praying for that!)
3. And for these drugs that will be infused into my body to target what needs to be destroyed and skirt around the parts of me that are healthy. 

Sitting in the waiting area at the Gynecological Oncologist office, there is pretty much no doubt who these women are and what they are dealing with. You see lots of beanies, many faces with no eyebrows, and honestly, the majority of the ladies are feeble and weak. Chemo is a hard road to take, and the stories are told in the faces of those sitting in the chairs all around us. Sometimes I feel a little “out of place” in that room – and I’m grateful for how the Lord is allowing me to sustain the medicines being poured into me. (Let me also add: I don’t want you to read into this that I am breezing through this process. Not the case at all. But, I am doing fairly well managing the side effects . . . completely wrapped in God’s care).

I also had an eye doctor appointment this week, and on the initial information form one of the questions said, “How is your overall health?” Hmmm, aside from ovarian cancer, my health feels pretty great. Walking around Opry Mills, sitting in the waiting room of the eye doctor, ordering Asian Lettuce Wraps from Cheesecake Factory . . . I’m doubtful anyone could guess my diagnosis. I’m wearing my wig, I have a good amount of energy, and I’m doing my best to not wear the sign “cancer patient” on my head. With that said, I am a cancer patient. And my eyes are beginning to open to people I see who may not be wearing a sign on their head revealing something broken inside of them, but they also may be walking a hard road. Actually . . . we all have issues we are wrestling with, and we all need grace and love extended to us. Every day. I encourage you to keep your eyes open for those who might need an extra smile or a kind word. You have no idea that they may have received difficult news or may be carrying heavy loads. This is how Jesus said it, “Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.” (John 13:34-35, The Message) 

Thank you for supporting Dick and I through your love and prayers. God is working!