Round 2 and Done!

Friends,

I have survived Round 2 of chemo which means we are 1/3 of the way there till surgery!

I realized I haven’t given many health updates but rather life updates on here, so I wanted to give a few health updates since I’ve started chemo.

My tumor has responded well to chemo thus far. It has shrunk quite a bit (even though it’s still there). My foot swelling from my very first post is gone. I am no longer wearing a boot but now normal shoes (yay!!). The numbness in my right foot is getting better. My foot is still trying to regain feeling on top, which means it tingles and that can hurt quite a bit sometimes, but it means my feeling is coming back which is encouraging. My doctor did a “temperature test” (this is my terminology) on my feet last week to see if I could feel anything cold on it and I can. It’s not as strong as the feeling on my left foot but it’s progress. I have lost some weight from chemo but it’s not drastic. Probably a total of 6-7 pounds. I am still able to eat about 2 meals a day which is quite good for me. I do get out of breath easily (mainly doing the stairs but who doesn’t) so I have to sit down a bit more than I am used to. I also have gone bald. The night posted my last blog I started to lose my hair. Before thanksgiving we clipped shorter and now it is aggressively falling out. My uncle currently has more hair than I do – I look like a patchy bald man but it’s fun.

Second round chemo was more intense. My mouth sores did go away. Magic mouthwash is a very big blessing for that, as well as all the prayers. Apparently it’s from my previous chemo treatment, drug D (aka the red devil). This chemo for the 5-day (drugs, IE, specifically E) made me nauseous and vomit which is why I had to be in the hospital an extra day to recover and receive more fluids. I handled the first two days well, but once my body got that 3rd day, I was nauseous a lot and had a tough time. Good news is we know that now and can make sure to receive medicine to prevent that!

Lots of you have asked and I was able to make the Ben Rector concert a few weeks ago! Cole had these tickets for awhile and pulled a few strings (Dr. Rapert I forever owe you) and got us to meet Ben! Literally a dream come true. He gave us the VIP upgrade and a seat upgrade to the 8th row. I mean what a guy (both Ben and Cole). It was one of the best nights of my life and needed before that 5-day chemo. Thank you so much to everyone who prayed and to Dr. Rapert for reaching out to Ben for us to make that the best night for me.

I am currently en route to Fayetteville for my semi’s!!! Since I had an extra day in the hospital the doctors and nurses wanted to hydrate me a little extra so I could feel good this weekend. Yesterday leaving the hospital I was quite tired and sore, but today I feel great and cannot wait to see all my friends and church family.

Things have been going well for us. We are still learning what cancer and chemo looks like for me and my family but it’s good. The Lord has truly provided and kept me safe during this time and I pray he continues.

Prayers –

I do not get sick in Arkansas. Since my doctors are all back in Dallas we have one contact for a doctor in Fayetteville and would prefer to not use it.

My counts are high enough December 7th when I am going back into the hospital for my 2-3 treatment (ends on my birthday lol, happy 22nd to me!).

That my mouth sores do not return, and if they do, we catch them quickly.