Praises + Prayers (7/22)

So much to be thankful for this week! Thank you everyone for your prayers- they continue to be answered one-by-one!

Praises

+ This has been an absolutely joyous time with the birth of Baby David last week! We’ve had a wonderful time of celebrating and praising God. David was born safely and easily without a C-section. We actually had an extra day of recovery before chemo so my WBCs and other measures were up really high before receiving chemo yesterday. I’m recovering from delivery very well so far. It has been a much easier and quicker recovery than I had with Noah. [A baby David post and more pictures are in process…will try to get that knocked out this week!]

+ David has been a breeze to take care of so far. He is sleeping well at night and eating well. We have been getting plenty of sleep. We went for our first check-up yesterday and he is “perfect” in the words of the pediatrician.

+ Round 2 of chemo was only a week delayed and went fine yesterday. It was a little more painful than the first round but nothing too bad. I’m so thankful to have the chemo back in my bloodstream fighting the cancer!

+ Hair fell out and I’m feeling good! I have a nice wig, comfy caps to wear around the house, hats for walking outside, and pretty scarves for doctors’ visits. And it only takes seconds to dry off and get ready in the mornings. Guys have had it so good for so long- who knew??

Prayers

+ That this round of chemo would have a profound effect on the cancer. The cancer definitely has been growing over the last week or so. I’m praying that it wouldn’t gain any ground before the chemo starts taking effect this week or before Round 3 is given in two weeks. I’m also praying that we would see even greater strides made this round than even Round 1 had.

+ I will have my port placed Friday morning at 7AM and will go under general anesthesia for it. A port is something they put in my neck that connects to a big vein and makes giving chemo easier and safer. It is a relatively simple procedure and I’ll be out of the hospital same day. Pray that the procedure goes well and there is a speedy recovery.

+ Still not sure of when my scans will take place but please continue praying that the cancer has not and will not progress into metastatic cancer (moved to other organs – bone, liver, lung, etc.). I’m still very hopeful that it is Stage 3B or 3C and will still have a chance at a “curable” disease. I would love nothing more than to put this all behind us in two years and get completely focused back on loving and taking care of Noah, David, and Brad!

+ Pray that my spirits would continue staying high despite the hormone drop after delivery. I’ve been weepy the past couple days for no apparent reason. Brad is quick to remind me that I cried every day at 6PM for two weeks after Noah was born- just weird post-pregnancy craziness.

+ Prayers for endurance and strength for grandparents - my parents and Brad’s parents have provided much needed support since this all broke loose. My mom has taken me to a bunch of doctors’ appointments, including chemo yesterday. My dad will drop whatever he is doing to help with whatever we need from giving Noah a bath to bringing me a McFlurry at 11PM at night. Alan and Jane cancelled their big retirement trip to be here with us for two weeks. Jane arrived the day I went into labor (nice timing!) and has done all the dishes and laundry, taken care of Noah (wake-ups, baths, diapers, daycare pick-ups/drop-offs), and has a smile on her face the whole time.  AND is even here for her birthday today – Happy Birthday Jane! We love you!! Can’t wait until Alan is here on Thursday and starts grilling our dinners- yum!! We are so thankful for the support from our parents. Please pray that God will give them the strength and endurance it will take to support us during this long journey.