A Long Day…

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” 

1 Peter 5:7

Thank you all again for all the prayers!  We can truly feel them, and they are truly helping us to have joy and focus on the ways God is working in this diagnosis and giving us strength.

As I posted earlier, this was the week of testing and appointments.  The good news is the hard tests are done, and now we wait for the results.  Next week will be a chemo class, blood work, and putting in a port (such fun!) so I can begin chemo on March 17^th.  

For Valentine’s Day Chris bought me a pair of pink Rothy sneakers (after I texted him a picture and a link as a subtle hint!) They are so comfortable and were the perfect accessory to make me feel good and comfortable this week.  

This past week began with an MRI on Thursday.  I was stressed about this one, as all people who have MRIs seem to be.  They were so quick with getting me prepped and in the machine that I had little time to process, which was good.   They told me it will be easy, because your head is outside the machine, and you are not enclosed.  “Great,” I thought even though I had no real idea what they meant.  The bad news that no one told me was I was on my stomach, facing backwards, in an odd contraption so they could get good pictures.  The technician gave me pillows and made me as comfortable as possible.  She gave me headphones, a panic button, and I closed my eyes thinking “okay this is fine” – not fully realizing I was not actually in the machine yet.  Then with what felt like the force of a rollercoaster taking off I was moving backwards.  To me it was as if I was strapped into the Rockin’ Rollercoaster at Disney going backwards. Reality was it moved at about the speed of a turtle.   I had a brief moment of panic then I just starting singing, “Lord I need you- oh I need you, every hour I need you.” Well guess what?  He was there and I was calmed, relaxed, and let the machine do what it needed to do.  

Test #1 down.

On Friday I had a bone scan.  I arrived at 8:30 am to get dye injected.  I have very weak veins, as the nurse said it is as if they hide to protect themselves when a needle goes into them.  Unfortunately, the MRI got my one good vein and it took her 3 pokes and some fishing around to inject the dye.  They got the dye in and then we waited for 3 hours.  Lucky there was a Starbucks and a mall close by, so I was good! Chris brought his laptop, found a chair, and I walked around the mall with my Starbucks.  We returned and they laid me down on another machine.  This one was really comfortable, compared to the MRI.  I almost fell asleep.  

Test #2 down.

After the bone scan, I had a contrasting CT scan, which meant drinking a lot of Barium.  It was Mocha favor, which I assume helped.   It was definitely not like any mocha I had ever had!   I got the first bottle down 2 hours before – feeling good.  Half of the second bottle down ½ hour before the scan – still feeling good.  They had me leave ½ bottle, which I assumed was because I am so short and did not need to drink it all.  Well, apparently I was wrong because the technician told me I had to still drink it right before the scan, because even though I am short, my intestines are still the same size as everyone else.  So, I drank it – he did let me leave a little in the bottle because I am so short – he said. 

As I mentioned earlier, my veins are not great, so I showed him my arms and explained each vein.  He said, “Well, you just sound like a whole lot of fun!”  He did his best, but after two sticks he could not find a vein.  He said if he can’t get a vein after two pricks, he gets someone else to do it.  So, he brought in reinforcements and they were able to get a vein.  Again, the CT scan was a piece of cake after the MRI.  

Test #3 down.

Last procedure of the day!  They needed to put markers in the biopsy sites, so they can know how chemo is working and, when they do surgery what to remove.  This is the procedure I was dreading all week, since the first biopsy was so painful, and I am still sore from it.  I went to a different facility for this procedure than the original biopsy.  It was beautiful!   The room where you change into a gown looked a dressing room at a high-end department store.  The waiting room in the changing area looked like there should be a harp – there were chandeliers and white modern chairs.  It was almost comical that this gorgeous place was filled with ladies wearing nothing but hospital gowns!   

The nurse and doctor were great, and they worked to make me as comfortable as possible.   It was done – so I thought – so we all thought…  

I had a mammogram to make sure the clips were in place, got dressed and was ready to go when the nurse told me to change again – the doctor needed to see me.  I knew what had happened – they did not get the clip in the right place.  They apologized and said they would need to go back in.  I told them that was how my day was going so let’s get it over with.  It was hard to reach the correct lymph node, but she was able to get to it.   Three *very* uncomfortable and painful mammograms later and we were on our way home…  

Fourth and final procedure for the day down.

We get home 11 hours after we left, where we were greeted by nine 12-year-olds having a sleep over for our son’s birthday!  Good news for me: Chris was on late night duty because I was ready to go to bed!  

So.. now we wait for the results and enjoy our weekend.  Since we did have a sleep over last night the kids are exhausted so it will be a relaxing day.  

Specific prayer requests: That the scans/test come back clear and cancer is contained in breast and lymph nodes. That my veins will strengthen. That the bloodwork and echocardiogram on Tuesday show my body and heart are healthy, for all that is to come… That the surgery on Friday to put the port in will go well.