Happy New Year - December 31, 2010

Happy New Year to Each and Everyone of You!!!

I am so glad to see 2010 end and am looking forward to having a better year in 2011. As many of you know last year at this time I was looking forward to having surgery on January 3rd, 2010 for ovarian cancer. It has been a very difficult year, with still some big decision to be made, I guess they will just follow us into the New Year.

I must say I am looking forward to seeing what God is going to do in our lives. I am really looking forward in the scripture memory. Joining with ladies all over will be such an encouragement . The more scripture we hide in our hearts the stronger we become to fight off the devil. It will enable us to go through the hard times when they come. I know when I was told I had cancer the 1st time the first thing I did was get into my Bible and look up verses to strenghen me. Now I can go back and start memorizing some of them.

Again, remember to share prayer requests. I posted yesterday Joanne Nelson who was starting her first chemo treatment for ovarian cancer. She had a reaction and was sent home. So please pray for her as she will try again on Monday.

Have a safe evening and may you and yours have a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Come Join Us - December 29, 2010

My neice, Pam Wheeler, and I have started a blog to join women together to memorize scripture for 2011. Let's build our own army of women dedicated to memorizing scripture. "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Ps. 119:11

Also, I will add the blog site at the bottom of this blog. You can it on Facebook also. Come on ladies, invite your family and friends to join us.

One Year Ago - December 20, 2010

Well, one year ago on December 22nd, I found out that I had cancer again. Can't believe it has been a year already. So again, I am asking you to pray for me on December 22nd of this year, because I go back to MD Anderson to have my yearly mammogram. Anytime you go to the doctor after having cancer, it is an anxious time. I am also going to post some names of people I am praying for who have cancer or other serious health issues.

Julie Marie Desorcy - kidney cancer - surgery on Jan. 3

Hailey - child with cancer

Betty Clowers - cancer

Bonnie Bryan - cancer

Joanne Neilson - ovarian cancer - just starting chemo

Sherilyn Karamitros - breast cancer - going through chemo

Thomas - cancer

Mary Gray - cancer

George Doering - cancer

Blossom Joy - 4 months old - cancer

Diane Arender - cancer

Mr. Black

Pastor Joe

Barbara Conner

Seth

I am sure we could go on and on. These are just ones that have been given to me to pray for. Don't forget to pray for their families also.

God bless,

Debbie

Important Messeage - December 4, 2010

As Thanksgiving has come and gone, I just can't help but be so thankful to my Lord and Saviour. While I sit here thinking of family and friends, I must ask you a very important question. What would you do if you were sitting in the doctor's office and the doctor tells you, you have cancer or your child has cancer? It will change your whole life. I know, I have been there twice. I also have very good friends, the Littles, who lost their son last year to cancer. I am sure you remember me asking you to pray for him and their family. If you ask Allen and Alicia today they will tell you how it changed their whole life.

How would you handle the news? Would you blame God or would you ask for the grace to get you through it? First of all, I don't know how anyone could go through the whole ordeal of cancer without the Lord. If you would go to MD Anderson with me and follow me around, you would see so many hurting people. Yet, even outside the walss of MD Anderson there are a lot of hurting people.

So, I ask you another question, do you know Jesus Christ as your Saviour? Do you have the assurance of a home in heaven? Be assured, the Littles are glad to know they will see Kendrick again in heaven.

It is devastating to go through cancer. As Scott and I walked through the cancer journey twice, it was very hard. We made it through because of Jesus. He is the great physician and healer of our soul. So again, what would you do? This is why I want to share my Jesus with you. There are many family and friends reading my blog that need to know Jesus and have the assurance of a home in heaven one day. We don't know when our time is going to come. Will you go to heaven or hell?

Now with the Christmas season upon us, what is Christmas all about. It is about gifts, no! Is it about eating, no! Is it about family getting together, no! JESUS, IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!!! So let's share Jesus with family and friends!

My first round of cancer, the Lord gave me this verse, "...I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thry tears: behold, I will heal thee:..." II Kings 20:5 And he did!!! This time I got another verse, "...This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby." John 11:4 So I started my blog to reach out to help others with cancer, or going through it with a family member, but most of all to glorify my God and His Son!

Please don't let the things of this world keep you from accepting Jesus as your Saviour. If you are a Christian already, don't let the world keep you from doing the things Jesus would have us do. Faithful church attendance (every time the doors are open) don't stay away doing other things, and not sharing Jesus with the lost and dying world (soulwinning). Please read the following verses and take it very seriously for time is short. Our Lord is soon to return.

Think on these questions, Have you considered your need of eternal life? If you died today, do you know for sure you would go to heaven?

1. Realize and Admit you are a sinner. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 God tells us that no sin can enter heaven. Something must be done to get rid of your sin.

2. Realize there is a penalty for your sin. Believe that Jesus died on the cross for You. Realize you are lost without Jesus in your heart. "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23

3. Realize you must confess your sinfulness to God, and turn from it. "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:13

During this Christmas season, the greatest gift you could receive is the GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE. Don't waste any more time, stop right now, bow your head, pray and ask the Lord to save you. Just pray and tell Jesus you are sorry for your sins, and you want Him to take you to Heaven when you die. Tell Him you are completely trusting Him to take you to heaven and then thank Him. If you pray and mean it with all your heart, then you will have a home in heaven.

Tell someone you have accepted Jesus into your heart. Please let me know if you received Jesus. Then share this GREATEST GIFT with someone else. Remember this is the most important decision in your life. Please pass this gift on to others.

God bless and have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

November 22, 2010 - Pray For My Day

I got call from MD Anderson about 30 minutes ago. I thought they were calling to remind me of my appointments for tomorrow. To my surprise it was Mary Brolley writer for the Network. A couple of months ago I read an article of a women working through cancer and she asks for more articles on the same subject. I sent her an email and now she wants to interview me for the Network. Wow, was I surprised! So if everything works out tomorrow morning while waiting for my doctor appointment, she will interview me. The Network is a paper put out by MD Anderson.

Well, it is time for another check up! My day begins at 7:00 am at MD Anderson for blood work, then 8:00 am my doctor appointment. At 11:oo am I have a doctor's appointment for my recent blood work for meds. Then at 2:00 pm a dentist appointment for a deep filling (or root canal) now you all know how to pray for this one. NO ROOT CANAL!! Plus it is too expensive. Also, need some deep cleaning done. Then we are having church service and fellowship at 6:30 pm. I wonder if I will be able to eat.

Also, continue to pray for Barbara Conner, I haven't got the full details but she said she is still in alot of pain. Plus she didn't get any good news from John Hopkins.

Saturday, November 13

I know I haven't posted in awhile but this cancer stuff just gets overwhelming sometimes. Today I received an email from Sherilyn asking me to pray and be an encouragment to Joanne Nelson who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and will be having surgery November 16th. I just sent her a message on her Care Bridge page. So I am asking all my family and friends to be praying for her.

Sherilyn said she is doing good. Not having any bad side effects from the chemo. Praise the Lord! So just keep praying for her.

My next check up is November 23rd, so please be praying for another good report.

Well, tomorrow is my birthday and I just thank the Lord for another year. My Lord has been so good to me.

God bless y'all for being faithful to pray.

Prayer Requests - October 23, 2010

Just wanted to share some more pictures of how curly my hair is coming back. These were taken tonight after getting home from a Mission's Conference. Met one couple (Justin & Angie Arender) and his mother has cancer, her name is Diane Arender (missionary). Also, pray for Elmer Black having tests, his daughter is Angie.

Also, pray for the following people:

Thomas - pancreatic cancer (Scott's cousin Pam's husband)

Betty Clowers - cancer (friend of a lady we work with)

Mary Gray-missionary in Papua New Gunea - cancer starting a new chemo or her husband John for his health and their financial burden

Sherilyn Karamitros - missionary - cancer - her latest report was that every Wednesday she has chemo for 12 weeks (T chemo & Herceptin) after this then continue with Herceptin until August 2011. "Cancer markers" indicating no cancer.

Bonnie Bryan - Pastor's wife in Michigan - diagnosed with multiple myeloma - November 2009 (cancer of the bone marrow). September 19 she had a stem cell transplant, has been very weak, and in alot of pain. Then had a bowel obstruction, then graft versus host disease (common complication). October 13 had another stem cell transplant, she no longer has the graft versus host disease.

Barbara Conner - this lady was in our church, she is in constant pain 24/7 - Tuesday, Oct. 26 she leaves to go to John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD. Her appointment is Oct. 28, please pray they can do something for. I also want to thank those who sent her cards. She could use some more. 1011 Camden Rd., Pasadena, TX 77502 or bbfaith01@yahoo.com

My next doctors appointment at MD Anderson is November 23.

I want to share a verse that spoke to my heart recently "...This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby." John 11:4 After going through cancer twice, I just want to thank the Lord for healing me and using me during and now after. He is a great and mighty God. Please remember these prayer requests.

September Ovarian Cancer Awareness

This is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Just want to remind my family and friends out there to get checked often. When you have blood work done have them do a CA125, that is for ovarian cancer. A lady at work had it done and found it early and she didn't have to have chemo, just surgery. Please for you and your family!

Thank you to my sweet husband, family and friends who were there for me. Once is bad enough, but twice was awful. Continue to pray for the cure for ALL CANCERS! I HATE CANCER! Continue to pray for those fighting it right now, their families, and those who have lost loved ones to this awful disease.

To our friends, Allen & Alicia Little who lost Kendrick last year. Pray for them, this is a hard time for them.

Hats Off - September 11, 2010

Well, the 1st picture is me throwing away the hat! The middle picture was me as I went to work Friday, the last picture was me the beginning of the week. But all three are without wigs. Labor Day I got up and went to the store with just my hat, no wig, so I decided Tuesday I would go to work with just my hat. Everyone kept saying take your hat off. One lady told me to wear my other hair on Friday. So she came to work with her wig on and I came to work without my wig. She doesn't have cancer or anything, she was just wearing a wig. It sure feels good to be free of wigs and hats, now that the cooler will be coming. But not too soon, as we are in Texas.

Urgent Prayer Request - Sept. 8, 2010

Pray for Connie Engleman and her family. She was rushed to the ER over the weekend. She has pneumonia and the next 48 hrs. are critical.

Hair Update - August 22, 2010

Well, just wanted to share the progress of hair growth. My last chemo treatment was May 27th and this is August 22nd so this is 3 months. Last time it came back dark and curly and this time it is about my normal color with some gray. I think I can live with that. Of course, I will let you know more when I have more hair. It is amazing how fast your hair grows when you have some. When you get a hair cut it seems like it doesn't last very long. But when you don't have any hair at all, it grows sloooooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwww.

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST - August 20, 2010

I just received a phone call from a lady that is in our church, her name is Barbara Conner. She was just weeping because of sooooooooooooooooo much pain. She has had back surgery and had a spine stimulator put in and is still in GREAT PAIN!!!! She went to another doctor on Wednesday to see if he could do something for her and he told her he would look at all her records and call her back. She is asking us to pray that he will call her with good news! She desperately needs help. Unless you have been in constant pain for 24/7 we don't know what she is going through, but she knows that PRAYER is the only thing that can help her right now. Please pass this prayer request on.

Updates - August 17, 2010

Just received an email from Sherilyn Karamitros and here is what she said was going to be happening. "I will be starting AC chemo tomorrow. 4 cycles of AC dose dense chemo (every other week for 4 times), then I will have T chemo and Herceptin treatments weekly for 12 weeks. Then I will continue with the weekly Herceptin treatments until August of 2011. The chemo has significant side effects, but the Herceptin is a cancer blocker and not the same as chemo. It has fewer side effects. Pray that the side effects would be minimal as possible and that the chemo would be effect in killing any cancer cells that are out and about in my system."

As for my co-worker Kathy Doehring, I saw her today and she doesn't know when she will have the biopsy.

Also, please be in prayer for Connie Engleman, some of you have received an email asking for prayer. She has been given little time.

I also went today for my 3 month check up and everything was OK. Praise the Lord! My CA125 was below 7. That is a great number, for those of you who don't know what that means. Also, I haven't said anything but I have had hives off and on for a couple of months, just thought it was stress related. Today while talking to my doctor, she asked me about anything different. I told her I was taking Fish Oil and she told me to stop it. I should be able to tell within a couple of weeks, she said. So I am good for another 3 months. For those out there who are going through cancer or have in the past know, everytime you go for a check up there is that anxious feeling. Last week I heard on the news of someone who died with ovarian cancer and it just overwhelmed me. I was telling my doctor about it today and said we can't be strong all the time. It is OK to cry, feel overwhemed, sad, hurt, just don't stay there. Just let the Lord give us the strength we need, the Holy Spirit to comfort us, and thank the Father for everything.

Again, thank you all for your prayers and please pass these prayers requests.

Answered Prayer - August 13, 2010

Today was Scott's doctor's appointment. The nodules under his arm was from an infection in his glands. So he is taking antibiotic for it. Praise the Lord!

Many of you have gotten the email concerning Connie Engleman, please continue to pray for her.

Also, my co-worker Kathy Doehring sent me a message saying they found something in both of her breasts and is going to need biopsy.

If you or someone close to you is going through cancer or has had cancer, you know how it touchs everyone around you. Sometimes it can just be overwhelming. There are times I just can't read or hear about more bad news. Yet, I want to be a help or blessing to others out there going through this awful journey of CANCER!

There are so many ways you can help others going through it. When my co-worker was going through the first cancer surgery with her husband, I made her a care bag to take with her for the long wait of surgery. You can send snacks, mints, gum, crosswords puzzles, word search books, good book, tissues, magazines, etc. You get the idea. Call them, even if all you will do is cry. It is amazing how many told me if I call all I will do is cry, that is OK I will cry with you. We need the release. We need to HEAR the encouraging words from family and friends (even strangers). Send cards, I can't believe how many cards I have received from people I don't even know. When I was getting ready to go into the hospital this time, I asked several of our men friends to call my honey to encourage him. Go to the hospital with them and sit with the family while their loved one is in surgery. Pray and have others pray for them.

Received an email from Sherilyn and she mentioned how much of a ministry there is for folks going through cancer. You don't realize how many people have cancer until you are there. So if you are going through it or have gone through it, be a help to others. The Caregivers need alot of encouragment too. They are trying to stay strong for the sick person and need time to release their feelings and get away.

I have found that keeping a journal is helpful. Something to look back too and also to be a help to others. Of course, there were times I just couldn't write anything. In the long run it is good therapy.

So think about you can do, be a blessing to someone, and most of all don't forget to PRAY!

Updates & Prayer Requests - August 9, 2010

Update on Sherilyn Karamitros - pathology report came back with only 2 lymph nodes involved, so that means no radiation - Praise the Lord! Keep praying, she goes to the doctor Wednesday to find out the next course of action.
Update on George Doehring - surgery went well, kidney is functioning, goes to MD Anderson on Wednesday for blood work, x-ray, and to see doctor.
Update on me - go for my 6th month check up on Tuesday, Aug. 17
New prayer request - Kathy Doehring, George's wife had to go to doctor this past week, get results to test on Wednesday, they found a lump on one of her breast
Pray for Scott - lump under his arm - goes to doctor this Friday
Thank you for all your prayers.

Check Out My New Link - August 7, 2010

Check out Maison de Amour, Inc. It is in Bourbonnais, IL and it is run by my brother, Scott Billadeau. Everything from flowers, tuxes, dresses, cakes, pictures, things for weddings, graduations, etc. If you stop by his place, please tell him I sent you. I wish I could stop by myself. So go to www.maisondeamourinc.com and tell your friends about it.

More Helpful Hints - August 7, 2010

Here are somemore helps that I used during my bouts with cancer. After I lost my hair, I read in a book somewhere, I don't even remember where I read it, though it was good information.

To keep my scalp from drying out I would spray Sea Breeze mixed with water on my head. I bought a small spray bottle and mixed the Sea Breeze and water. My head never did dry out and that is pretty good since I live in Texas and it is very hot. One Saturday while out knocking doors we met a lady who was going through ovarian cancer. We had many things in common and we were able to help her. She had asked me about dry scalp and I shared with her what to do. I was having a hard time getting her to church. She was Catholic and was mad at God for her cancer. So she asked if I still had any Sea Breeze and I told her yes. If she would come to church tomorrow I would bring it. She came to church and got it. I think she came a couple of more times, but never accepted Christ, she was so mad at God. She eventually moved and we don't know if she was healed or not.

Another area of help for me was alittle catalog I picked up while at MD Anderson. It had wigs, hats, scrafs, bras, breast forms and other things that could be helpful. You can go to www.tlccatalog.org and get a free catalog or you can shop online. I bought a couple of wigs from them and at a reasonable price. The one wig I got was called a halo wig. It is a half wig that you wear with hats, which is alot cooler. Many people thought it was my hair or that the hair was attached to my hat. Anyway, check it out.

Prayer Request - August 5, 2010

Would like to ask all you prayer warriors to be in prayer for Scott. He has a small lump under his left armpit and has a doctor's appointment on August 13th. We are praying it goes away or of course, is nothing serious. Will let you know more when we find out.

Update On Two Of My Friends - Please Continue To Pray - July 25, 2010

Update on Sherilyn Karamitros from her daughter Ivry. The surgery went well. They removed both breasts and removed an entire lymphnode pad located in the left armpit region. The surgeon said he could tell by just looking at the lymphnode pad that at least 5 of the lymphnodes were cancerous. They will have the biopsy results next week. She will have to go through several rounds of chemo to make sure that the lymphnodes are all treated thoroughly. She will go through 4 different types of treatments. The treatments should be completed by next August.

So you can see that Sherilyn has a long road ahead of her. Please be in prayer for her and her family.

The other prayer request and update is for George Doehring. We work with his wife Kathy. She asked that we pray for him tomorrow, July 26th, he is having surgery at MD Anderson to have 5 tumors removed from his left kidney. That is his only kidney.

My great family and friends please be in prayer for both of these families.

Check This Out - Picture Frames

Go to the webpage below http://www.dandpcreations.weebly.com/ to check it out. It is my niece's webpage. She makes all kinds of picture frames for different occasions. She has lots of pictures you can check out. I had her make me one for my doctor and one for a nurse. They loved them. So just check out her webpage or email her at dandpcreations@hotmail.com .

Prayer Request - July 20, 2010

Just wanted to ask my family and friends to be praying for a friend of mine. This Thursday, July 22nd she will be having surgery for breast cancer. Her name is Sherilyn Karomitros. Also, pray for her family for we know how it affects the whole family. It is going to be a long process with chemo and everything. I will keep you posted and she sends me updates. Don't forget to pray for her doctor and nurses. Thanks!

Before & After - July 3, 2010

Sorry it has been so long since I posted anything. I have had good intentions but have been really busy. School got out the first week of June and the very next week we started summer school. For those of you who don't know, my husband and I work for the school district. He drives a Special Needs bus and I am his monitor.

One of the reasons I started this blog was to help folks with cancer or folks who know someone with cancer. I just want to be a help. I know the first time I went through cancer I had no idea what to expect. If I read or looked up things on the internet sometimes it would just upset me more. Sometimes we just need to take baby steps. Everyone is not the same. Some can take more then others. So the second time around some things were better and some were not.

This post I wanted to share some pictures of before and after. You will know what I mean when you look them. I know my first round I knew I was going to loose my hair. But I didn't stop to think about eyebrows, eyelashes, underarms, legs, etc. The legs and underarms was great, no shaving. But the eyebrows and eyelashes was alittle different. I had to figure out what to do, I just happened to pick up a booklet while at MD Anderson and read what to do. The first picture is half of my face with makeup and the other half without. The next one is with no makeup or hair and then with makeup and hair. Big difference. What I had to do was draw eyebrows on and then I use waterproof eyeliner so it would bring my eyes out.

Well, I hope this might help someone out there reading this.

What a Great Day! - May 27, 2010

It is truly a great day! Went today to get the results of my CAT scan. Everything is good, my CA 125 was 7. Now I go back every 3 months for check up. I went this morning after we got off work to go have blood work for my regular doctor for my prescriptions. That was at 9:30 am, 1 stick and I didn't even feel it. She was good! Then off to MD Anderson, got home around 2:30 pm. So again thanks for all your prayers and just continue to pray for me.

CAT Scan Day - May 25, 2010

This is how our day went today. We started off by getting up at 4:00 am went to work, arrived at 5:30 am. Clocked out at 8:45 am, went home fed the dog and changed clothes. Off to MD Anderson we went. All the directions (at MD Anderson) and info is for those of you who have been to MD Anderson, so you know what I am talking about. The rest of you just have to imagine it. HA! We always park at the Mays Clinic because it is cheaper. So we ride the shuttle over to the Main Building to the second floor for blood work. My schedule appointment was for 10:30 am but we got there and checked in at 9:50 am. Didn't have to wait too long, one stick there. While sitting there waiting there was a man sitting across from us, so sad, he had a tumor right under his chin and had a trach tube in his neck. Just remember to count your blessings. I always say there is someone worst off then me. So now we have to go to the Radiology Outpatient Clinic for my x-ray and CT scan. Never been to this building, so we have to catch a bus to take us there. My check in time there was 11:20 am, we got there around 10:30-45 am. Got called back around 11:05 am we are doing real good. As I am sitting in alittle office with a nurse and receiving the barium to drink, a doctor comes and and says I need you RIGHT NOW to the nurse. She leaves around 11:10 am and there I sit. Oh, I started drinking my banana barium. Yuck! Usually you go back out in the waiting room to drink your first bottle, but there I sit. Nurses and doctors are running back and forth in the hall. Then EMT's and an ambulance was called, they are running in. So after sitting there for about 30 minutes, another nurse comes in an apologizes for me being left in this room. She had just come off her lunch break and didn't know what was going on. So she tells me it is time for my next bottle and to change my clothes. So I ask her if I can go talk to Scott first. People in the waiting room we all alittle nervous wondering what was going on and who it was. They had gone out in the waiting room and got alittle old lady to come back, so then they new it was her husband. I come back, change my clothes and was given my second bottle. The nurse asks me which arm to start my IV, I told her which ever one you can find a vein. So she gets two warm blankets and wrapped my arms hoping that would help. When she comes back, she sees that I have bad veins, she sticks me, oops, no good. She starts looking again, calls another nurse over to help, she sticks and digs, oops, no good. So now we are at number 3, she finds one down by my wrist. That smarts! So because the the emergency in the back everyone in the waiting room is off schedule from about 30 mins. to an hour. I was the last one called back before the emergency. So even though they had the emergency I still got out early. My scheduled time for the CT scan was 2:20 pm but I was out of there by 1:20 pm. After my scan, I was waiting to get my IV out and the nurse I started with came over to take it out. She was thanking me for being patient as she was crying and tears falling on my leg. She had been with this lady until the hospital chaplain came to be with her. She was apologizing for crying, she said I have been a nurse for many years but it still affects her. I told her it was fine and we are all human. I told her when she left me I was praying and told her I would continue to pray. This couple were from out of town. I don't know their name but when you think about this little lady pray for her. I can't imagine loosing my husband and being by myself with no family. So now I go to the doctor this Thursday to get the results. At least, there will be no needles.

May 22, 2010

It has been awhile since I posted anything. Been doing good, just get tired more than usual. I rest and then I feel good again. Upcoming news is that on Tuesday, May 25th, I will be having blood work, x-rays and a CAT scan to see how the chemo did. Then on Thursday I go to the doctor for an exam and the results of all the tests. So be in prayer that everything is OK and I can be totally on the road to recovery. I am so ready and I am sure Scott is too. He has been so good to me in taking care of me and helping around the house. Plus going to work everyday and the work at the church. God has totally been good to us. Thank you for your prayers.

Final Chemo Treatment - May 6, 2010

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! For all your prayers. It was a good day. We arrived at MD Anderson at Diagnostic area for my blood work at 8:00 am. One stick in the hand for blood, that was good. Then we went to the 6th floor for my doctor's appointment. We signed in around 9:00 am got called in for blood pressure and that around 9:15 am. We went back out in the waiting room and got called in again around 9:35 am. So when the doctor came in she told us what the plan was. In three week I will have a CAT scan and blood work and then the next day we go back to the doctor for an exam and results of the CAT scan. After the doctor's appointment we went up to the Infusion center where they started the IV for chemo. Praise the Lord! One Stick!!!! Now we had to go over to the Main building for chemo, we got there around 11:05 am. By the time we got called in and chemo started it was 12:20 pm. I slept quite a bit. My appetite not good, but everything went well. We finished around 5:05 pm. That is another blessing. I wanted to go up to the 10th floor where I was after surgery to see if we could see some of the nurses who took care of me. Yeah! Marg was there and it was a blessing talking to her. She told us it was a blessing to see patients they have taken care of. We hugged and even took a picture, which I will post here in a minute. Then on the way out we went back to the gazebo to take some more pictures. With all that running around MD Anderson, we got home around 6:20pm. It is amazing how Scott knows his way around MD Anderson. I just follow. Today he went to the financial office too. Now it is time to start paying. The lady in the financial office is a Christian and has been a blessing to us in that area.

God Is Soooooooooooooo Good! - May 1, 2010

Just been sitting at my computer listening to my neice singing (Pam) and others on CD and praising the Lord! What a blessing! He is sooooooooooooo good. Even during cancer, He shows himself mighty.

Well, to update y'all. My next chemo treatment is this Thursday and it will be my last. Since I will not be having the Carbo part of the chemo treatment, I do not have to take the pre-meds on Wednesday. That is a blessing! When I took the pre-meds I was fighting to stay awake in the morning and then when it was time to go to bed, I was wide awake. So pray for one IV stick this time. I had 4 IV sticks last time plus the stick for my blood work on my hand.

Some more blessings this week, I have received several cards from folks in Idado from people I don't even know telling me they are praying for me. The amazing story is a couple of months ago we had a missionary come through and was with us on a Wednesday night. What a blessing they were! They told my story to their home church, Treasure Valley Baptist Church and they started sending me cards. Thank you Chad & Kirsten Wells! It is such a blessing to hear from folks that are praying for us. It is encouraging and uplifting during these hard times.

Thank you so much everyone for your prayers.

News from the Doctor - April 22, 2010

My strength is even better today. We got a call from Dr. Soliman today concerning my next chemo treatment scheduled for May 6. Because of the reaction to the last chemo, she has decided to not give me the last part of my chemo which is the Carboplatin. She said there is a greater risk of another reaction verses the benefit of it. So it looks like my next chemo will be alot shorter. Praise the Lord! She said after the next treatment they will schedule CAT scan again (about 3 weeks after the last treatment)to check to see how things are and go from there. So the main concern for the next treatment is that they will be able to find a vein for the IV.

Wow, 5th Chemo Zapped Me! - April 19, 2010

Well, this treatment was harder on me than I realized. I wasn't up to going to church yesterday, I just laid around. I figured I would be OK going to work today. I worked all day, but Scott is making me stay home tomorrow to recupe. It is unreal how chemo works on me. For several days after chemo I can't stand to smell food cooking and my appetite is not very good. Also, I just feel like a rag doll. So please continue to pray for my strength and also for Scott with all he does for me.

What a Day? 5th Chemo Treatment - April 15, 2010

This picture on the left is my first shift nurse, Vangi. She was very sweet. As you can see by my 1st picture I was wearing my hat, that everyone loves and wants to snatch from me. On the right is one of the free scrafs I received from the MD Anderson volunteers. I received another one yesterday. They are home made and are reverseable. Praise the Lord for the volunteers.

We arrived at MD Anderson at 7:25 am to report for my blood work. Went on to my doctor's appointment which was scheduled for 9:00 am, but we got in early around 8:10 am they called me in. After about 30 minutes in the exam room, we saw the doctor and were out of there by 9:00 am and went up to the Infusion Therapy. We were excited that we were moving ahead in time since my chemo treatments are soooooooooooooo long. Well, when I got called into get my IV, the problems started. The first tech stuck me the first time on the left arm and the vein blew, so she proceeded to the left arm. That one was pretty painful as she was digging to find a vein. OUCH! I told her last time a tech stuck me twice she went to get Omar. She said he isn't in and went out to look for someone else, she wasn't gone long and stuck her head in and said Omar is here. Praise the Lord! So he found a vein on my left arm, but didn't put the needle all the way in because he said the vein was good and then got small. It should work. So we were on our way again. Headed to the Main building for chemo. We signed in around 9:45 am and sat down and waited. Got called in around 10:30-10:45 am. Got to my room and the chemo was started by 11:00 am right on time. Vangi left and I stood up and I looked at my arm and that vein had blown. We called Vangi in and she took it out and sent us up to the Infusion Therapy in the main building. We get up there and there were alot of people. So much for our good time. While waiting there is when I decided to call my neice Pam so she could get something posted, so the prayer chains could begin. So this tech found a vein on my right arm. So back to chemo we go. Vangi got my chemo started up again around noon. So I thought I better try to get some rest. But every 15 minutes for the first meds, she was coming in. After she got the 3 hour chemo started, I tried to rest again. Then it was lunch time and they came by so I could order. Alittle while after that time to empty trash. Oh well, we will try later to rest. My appetite was gone by the time the food came. Scott went and got me some fried rice from the cafeteria and we switched lunches. Shift change was at 3:30 pm and things were going well until around 8:35 pm and we noticed the rash starting on my forearms. So we called the nurse and she stopped the chemo and started the Benadryl and whatever else they give me. Blood pressure check every 5 minutes. The nurse called the doctor. We continued to watch the rash, well it started moving up my arm and onto my hands and alitte on my chest area. So the nurse called the ER doctor. It had been about an hour of the chemo drugs being stopped. The ER doctor advised her to give me a shot of Eppie (whatever) and not to continue the chemo. Now she had to observe me until the rash disappeared. Checked my blood pressure at 10 and 10:30 pm, blood pressure good. But still waiting for rash to dissappear. Finally around 11:00 pm we got to leave. We pulled out of the hospital at 11:10 pm. Ten minutes short of another 16 hour day.

It wiped Scott and I out. He called into the night dispatcher at work around 9 pm last night and told her he wouldn't be in for his first run. We slept in until 8 am. Moving slow again.

Well, my friends and family thank you so much for all your prayers and for sharing them with your friends and family. God hears our prayers and answers.

Time to Start Praying - April 10, 2010

Just wanted to remind you to start praying for me this week. On Wednesday, April 14th I will begin my pre-meds before chemo. My next chemo is scheduled for Thursday, April 15th at 11:00 am. This will be my 5th treatment, only 1 more after this one. Praise the Lord! The last one we were at MD Anderson for 16 hours, please pray it doesn't last that long. Pray that the blood work, doctors appointment and infusion therapy go quickly and maybe I can get in early for chemo. Then pray that everything goes well with this treatment. Last time there was just a slight reaction on both my arms, not enough to stop the chemo. I am so ready to have this over with. There are so many others out there that are worst off then me. Please pray for Mary Gray who has cancer and is really going through it. Her and her husband are missionaries to Papau New Guinea.

Way Past Our Curfew - 16 Hour Day - March 25, 2010

Well, my 4th chemo was a very long day. It started at 7:15 am arriving at MD Anderson and not leaving until 11:20 pm. Wednesday was a hard day for me also. It started by taking my pre-drugs I took my first dose of meds at 6 am and didn't finish until midnight. The first part of the day made me very tired, which was hard because I was working. The last dose was reverse and I couldn't sleep with having restless legs.

We arrived at the infusion center early to get my IV started, then went for my blood work. The tech who was drawing my blood was really wanting my hat. She just kept saying how cute it was. I told her when I left not to go looking me up after my chemo started and while I was asleep to come and snatch my hat. She just laughed.

Then up to my doctors appointment. We did get in early and out pretty quick. We arrived to the chemo area at 9:45 am but my appointment was set for 11 am so we just had to sit and wait. My chemo got started at 11:45 am and lasted until 11:10 pm

I decided to bring one of my scrafs to wear while laying there in bed. As you can see by my expressions things change as the drugs start flowing in my veins. Did get to sleep some this time and Scott got to get some sleep also. I take Friday off to try to recoupe some but Scott had to go to work Friday, we normally get up at 4:10 am but he slept in till 5 am.

The nurse checked with my doctor to see if she could give me a dose of benadryl and steroid before the last 4 bags which she approved. Because I had had them so early that they were probably already out of my system. So because of the last two reactions my last 4 bags of chemo are giving to me at a very slow rate. The first 3 bags are 1 hour each and the last bag last 2 hours. About 15 minutes left of the 4th bag we noticed a slight rash on both of my forearms. So they gave me another dose of Benadryl and obversed me for 30 minutes, checked my vitals and released me.

So 4 chemo treatments done and 2 to go. It looks like things are getting better, just taking longer. As I have said before there are always others worse off. There was a man who was checking in at 10 pm for his chemo right across from me. He was in so much pain. They were trying to get ahold of his doctor to be able to give him some pain meds. Scott said there was another down the hall in pain too. God is so good to me even while going through all of this. Again, thanks for all your prayers.

Please Be In Prayer - March 21, 2010

This photo was taken at my last chemo treatment. I was wearing a shirt that was made for me by one of my neices and her kids. I have another shirt I wear too that another neice and her kids made. These are my chemo shirts, I wear an angel pin that my sister gave me. We have tried to make it a special time while going through such a hard time. I wanted to have a picture taken of me standing by some of the bags of drugs that I get. This is not all of them. If you remember my last treatment was 12 hrs. from beginning to end. Just wanted to let y'all know that my next treatment is scheduled for this coming Thursday, March 25 at 11 am. I already have my pre-drugs to take on Wednesday. So please be in prayer that there will be no reactions to this treatment.

Also, ladies I want to encourage you to get your CA-125 checked when you have blood work done. Please, please don't put it off. It is a blood test for ovarian cancer, don't wait. The earlier it is caught the better chance you have to get treatment. I had no pain or indicator that there was anything wrong with me. A co-worker of mine had the blood work done at work and her CA-125 was up. She went to her doctor, had surgery but didn't have to have any chemo. So just remember the earlier it is caught the better.

Thanks again for all your prayers.

Half Way Done with Chemo Treatments - March 5, 2010

Reported at the Infusion Therapy center at 7:15 am. Signed in at 7:30 am when they opened. Waited 10-15 minutes to get it. Tried left arm, blew 2 veins. So they warmed up my arms and had someone else come in. One stick on the right arm, got out of there around 8-8:15 am. Got to the Main building for chemo about 8:30 am. Waited again for alittle while. Started chemo around 9 am. Because of my reaction to the chemo last time is why they moved me to the Main building for chemo and will continue to get chemo there. It takes about 45 minutes for the pre-meds.
We did get a blessing today, Scott went to the financial office to go over my bill, come to find out the insurance company made a mistake and we were overcharged about $1000.00. Also, the lady in billing office at MD Anderson is a Christian. So she suggested we wait until the insurance company gets it right before they put us on a payment plan.
First chemo drug Taxol took 3 hours then a flush and then Carbo. After only 20 minutes of Carbo and the rash broke out on my face and arms again. They stopped the chemo, started taking blood pressure every 5 minutes and gave me Benadryl and steroids again. They called Dr. Soliman. After about 30 minutes they continued the chemo but at a very slow rate (2 more hours). I would of been done at 6:15 pm. So my chemo time was from 9 am until 8:30 pm. We left the house at 6:30 am and got home about 9:15 pm. What a day!!!
While there at chemo and my rash broke out, made us think of the man a couple of rooms down from me. Poor man was just throwing up big time. Just to show you there is always someone worse off then ourselves.
So I am half way through with my chemo treatments. Next one is scheduled for March 25th, lets start praying now. Thanks again for all your prayers.

Chemo - Cancelled, Thursday, March 4, 2010

Because of my reaction to the chemo last time, they told me I have to have pre-medications 24 hours before I can have my chemo. I have 3 different kinds of pills to take. So they rescheduled the chemo for tomorrow, Friday, March 5, 2010 at 8:00 am. There was a miss communication from the last chemo to this one. Oh, well I guess there was a reason that I wasn't suppose to have chemo today. At first I was not very happy, but then I calmed down.
So please pray for no reactions tomorrow, if I have some reactions to the chemo they will have to stop giving it to me. We did ask Dr. Soliman if I needed all 6 chemo treatments and she said yes because of the type of cancer I have. That is if I don't have any reactions. So again, my prayer warriors let's start begging God for no reactions and healing. Thank you so much.

Back To Work

As I had mentioned before, my doctor released me to go back to work. Well, Monday, February 15th was my first day back at work. I was a bit nervous but knowing Scott was right there with me to help was a real comfort. We started at 5:45 am for our first run with our elementary kids. They just kid of looked at me strange. I worn my halo wig with a cap, so I had the short hair and a hat on. Which they were not use to. I guess they figured it sounded like me, but it didn't look like me. Of course, I have lost some weight too. Our intermediate group was glad to see me, one of our boys when he saw me on the bus just came over and hugged me. Our first run was over at 8:45 - 9:00 am. We came home ate breakfast and I laid down. Our next run was at 10:30 am until 12:15. We came home had lunch and I laid down again. Our last run is at 1:30 pm until 4:30-4:45 pm. I was a bit tired. Tuesday was better but on Wednesday I was really tired again. Every day I rest whenever I get a spare minute. We have a layover at our intermediate school in the afternoon and I rest there too. Praise the Lord for all the rest times. Scott is still making sure I rest and don't do too much.
Well, today Scott couldn't stuff my wound any more. The hole is closing up and the q-tip doesn't fit. Yeah! So as you see we are making progress. My next chemo treatment is March 4. Please be in prayer for that one, that I don't have any reaction.

February 11, 2010 - 2nd Chemo Treatment

Our day started early with getting my blood work done at 7:30 am then on to my doctor's appointment at 8:00 am. Got to get a picture of Dr. Solimon with me.
Also, got some good news and some bad news. Good news she released me to go back to work, bad news Scott has to continue to stuff my open wound. After my doctor's appointment we went on to the Infusion Center to get my IV started. That went great, with only 1 stick. So now on we go to the chemo center. Which we had to wait 2 hours before we even got in. I did sleep through 3 hours of it. Some more bad news, with 15 minutes left of chemo, I started feeling hot, thinking it was a hot flash. Pam started fanning me. As she was looking at me she said my face was getting bright red, so were my ears, hands and my palms started iching. We called the nurse and she stopped the chemo. They gave me some more Benadryl and a steroid. Started checking my vitals every 5 minutes. I was a bit nervous. My blood pressure and pulse was up, oxygen down, so they gave me oxygen. Pam said they were squeezing the fluids out of the bags. Boy, did I puff up. As you will be able to see by the pictures.

Well, I am having difficulty trying to add pictures to my blog. You will be able to see pictures on my Care Page.

It's All Gone

February 10, 2010
Yep, my hair is all gone. Pam, started brushing my hair and it just was coming out by the handful. So we made a quick trip to Walmart (with hats on) and when we came home she literally washed the hair off my head. Not totally but she started cutting it REAL short and then shaved the rest off. It was very emotional for Pam and it has been a hard day for Scott. So far I have handled this part well. I do have a nice looking head, if I say so myself. We took pictures but I didn't know how to upload them right now and everyone is in bed. I will try to get them on tomorrow or the next day.



February 11, 2010 - 2nd Chemo Treatment
Please be in prayer for me that the IV stick is easy and the chemo goes as good as the last one. I am sure Pam will keep you posted. Thank you.

Glad to Go Home

January 10, 2010
Scott is coming to get me after he gets out of church. I got up and got dressed and after I talked to Scott I went walking around the floor. The nurse came in to go over discharge papers and the prescriptions. One for ibrofin, stool softners, vicodin and injections in my abdomen for blood thinner. She said we didn't need to get all of them. I knew I had to get the injections. So I started eliminating some of them. I haven't had any pain meds since they removed the pump. So I don't need them. The nurse said if I need stool softners I could get them over the counter. So all is left is the injections. When Scott got there we talked about the meds. We had a $25 coupon for the injections, so off he went to the Pharmacy. When he comes back he is smiling. He said the total rang up to $1027.00. What! That was just for the injections. Can't imagine what it would of been with everything else. Our insurance co-pay was $135.00, Scott gives them the $25 coupon and the total rings up to $0. Yep, $0. Scott said he just smiled at the man. He knew who took care of this for us. Later I saw and elastic support in the box that I never used or took out of the box. I asked the nurse about it and she took it and said she would credit my account. Another blessing!

January 12, 2010
Called Celine(nurse at MD Anderson) to check in with her and the other nurse. She hasn't given a definite answer to Nicole's salvation. She was suppose to call me back.

January 13, 2010
Went to church Wednesday night.

January 17, 2010
Went to church got to lead a teenage girl to the Lord. Sunday evening Scott got to lead a man to the Lord after the service.

January 18, 2010
Scott had an inservice day at work. That meant he got off early and later we went up to work. Got to see some folks. When I saw Regina we hugged each other and cried. That is a another story. She is a driver and had ovarian cancer, but it was caught real early with the blood test at work and just had to have surgery no chemo. We have just bonded. After that we went to Walmart. Wow, was I tired. I had to go sit down. When I got home I took a nap.

January 26, 2010
Not a good day. Threw up.

Well, after this was the cough to remember, So I guess we are up to date so far on my journey. My niece Pam and her 2 kids are coming in Tuesday and will stay until Sunday. Thursday I go at 7:30 am for blood work, 8:00 am to doctor and 10:00 am for chemo. Just be praying it all goes well.

Day of Surgery

January 4, 2010
Bro. Richard came to the house at 8:00 am we had prayer and left for the hospital. Had to be there by 9 am to check in. Didn't come get me until around 11 am. The four of us just sat there waiting (Bro. Richard, my sister Paula, Scott and me). I must admit I was somewhat nervous, more so this time then last. The IV team come in start the IV and before they took me, Scott had prayer with me again. They gave me a patch for nausea and meds. That made me feel good. Last time after surgery I was so nauseated. Kissed Scott and they took me to surgery. Next thing I know I'm in recovery in ALOT of pain. No nausea but ALOT of pain. Just remember moaning it hurts, it hurts! Got to my room around 6:30 pm. Paula spent the night with me. It was helpful that my sister was able to be with me at the hospital so Scott could work. He needs to work as much as possible.

January 5, 2010
Tuesday got up for first time to sit in chair while they made my bed.

January 6, 2010
Wednesday they took foley out. My IV starts leaking out, they called the IV team to come start another. Yeah, another stick. Sometimes I feel like a pin cushion.

January 7, 2010
Thursday I walked around the floor 6 times. Paula stays at the hospital with me during the day so Scott can go to work and then he comes up after work. I got up to go to the bathroom and I felt something else leaking, my drain. So we called the nurse, which comes check and said she will call the doctor. A while later the doctor (one of Dr. Soliman's fellows) comes to check. She lays me down and says she was going to take it out. But to our surprise it was just hanging there and was no effort. Praise the Lord!
Well, during the whole week I have been handing out books to my nurses and doctors called "What's Behind Your Light" by Dr. James Wilkins. Bro. Wilkins was just at our church in December and said several people have gotted saved by reading this book. Well, Thursday night my nurse Nicole came in, I gave her a book. Alittle while later she came in and asked if I had anymore books, said another nurse out there wanted one. I said yes and told her where they were. Not long after that another nurse came in and said, "You don't know what you did, Nicole was crying as she was reading the book. She is expecting a baby and is going through some rough times. This nurse was a Christian that came in and she was just praising the Lord over and over. She said can we have prayer together, and she prayed and we were praising the Lord." It is about 11 pm and now I am wide awake and praying. I got that nurses name and phone number.

CA125 Elevated - Not Good

December 22, 2009
Now I am going to start from the beginning for this journey. It was December 22, 2009, we just were going for my yearly check up at MD Anderson. As we were sitting in the exam room waiting for the doctor, a lady came in and asked me if I would continue in a study I have been doing for ovarian cancer recurrence. They wanted to up it to 10 years, I said sure and signed the papers. After she left I was sitting there thinking "What if it does come bac?" Well, the doctors came in and informed us that my CA125 was elevated to 71, not good. Wow, not what we expected to hear.

December 23, 2009
They scheduled me again for more blood work, chest x-ray and a CAT scan. The CAT scan was an awful experience. Of course, I had to drink the white stuff, which tastes awful. Then they start the IV. That was too bad. Now they get me ready to start the iodine push. Wow, the pressure in my arm was unbelievable. It pushed the needle out of the vein and all the iodine went in my arm. The tech had to call a doctor and a couple of nurses. They immediately put ice on my arm. The two nurses had to find another vein in my other arm. Which wasn't an easy task. The nurse who found a vein stayed with me until the CAT scan was done. So then I had to wait for a doctor to come look at my arm. She drew a line around it and I had to stay for another 30 minutes so they could keep an eye on it. I asked them to call Scott in. Wow, my arm sure was big. Scott said he was wondering why it was taking so long. After 30 minutes I got to change and go home. We had to keep checking my pulse and pinch my fingertips. If at anytime we couldn't feel a pulse we were to return to the emergency room. My arm was so big I couldn't bend it hardly. Of course, it was my right arm. After awhile at home I started to panic alittle so Scott told me to go lay down with my arm up. Putting ice on and off and keeping it elevated. Not a good time to have a big arm when getting ready for Christmas.
Around 5:00 pm Dr. Soliman called to inform us I had two tumores and that I was going to have surgery on Jan. 4, 2010.

December 24 & 25, 2009
By Christmas Eve it was better. Scott's mom came and spent Christmas Eve night with us. The rest of Scott's family came over Christmas day. We had a good time. Before everyone left we all had prayer together for my upcoming surgery.

Good News & Bad News

Sorry it takes me so long to get updates. I have had a few folks say they were waiting for updates on my blog and care page so I thought I better get with it. I went to the doctor on Tuesday after my emergency room ordeal. The good news is that my blood work was good and my incision looked good. Said Scott was doing a good job. The bad news is, he has to keep stuffing for now. So I am praying that Thursday, Feb. 11 when I go to the doctor she will say we don't have to stuff it any more.

Six Hours in the ER

Six hours in the ER is not how we wanted to spend our Saturday. During the night Friday I had a coughing spell didn't feel anything different and actually spelt good. When I got up Saturday morning there was blood on my nightgown and we both said "Oh no". So I laid down and Scott checked me out and said we need to go the emergency room, your incision has opened up. So we prayed and got ready to go to the ER. Scott had to call Bro. Richard to take care of Saturday visitation and soulwinning. Praise the Lord for Bro. Richard. We arrived at the hospital around 9:15 am, didn't take long to get to a room. The nurse said at first not to eat because I might need a CAT scan. Right there we were not happy. That is when all the waiting began. I saw nurses but no doctor until around 11 am. He came in looked, pushed and said it probably will need a couple of stitches and it didn't look infected. But he was going to call one of my doctors attendants. Whatever they are called. In the ER rooms at MD Anderson there is a big comfortable chair with a bed, phone access and TV. Volunteers came by to offer coffee, tea, lemonaide, and water. Another volunteer came by to ask if we needed anything. Yes, this is in the emergency room. So we hadn't eaten and we both were getting hungry. Finally they said I could eat, so Scott went to the cafeteria and got us something to eat. So finally my doctor shows, checks me out and starts poking inside of me and says she is going to pack it and looked at Scott and said will you be able to do this. It will need to be done twice a day. She goes to check my blood work and it seems like forever before she comes back. In fact, Scott got a little nap. So she comes in and starts packing and I am sweating and feeling some PAIN now. She says did they give you any pain meds, I said NO. So we continue on. We got out of there around 3:15 pm. So we get home, now Scott has to run to Walmart to drop off my new prescriptions. A strong antibotic and pain meds. So around 8:15 pm I take my pain meds, so I am thinking I won't feel anything. So around 9 we start, injection went fine (only 2 left) but pulling out the packing and repacking was another story. I felt it all and I was crying, Scott was praying and sweet talking to me. I kept telling him it was OK. After all done I went to sit down at the computer to relax a little bit. Now I am feeling dizzy and sick to my stomache. It was long I was in the bathroom throwing up. I did that twice and decided to go to bed. Only to wake up at 2:30 am and was awake until around 5 am. While awake I finally got up read my Bible and prayed. I decided I wasn't taking any more pain meds and just taking "JESUS". So I told Scott that this morning, I took a shower, I got my MP3 player and it was a whole lot better this morning. So as I get you caught up to date, please pray for my honey. He is running ragged and taking very good care of me. I go back to MD Anderson on Tuesday. Pray I heal quick so this packing can quit. Thank you to my neice Pam for posting to my Care Page. Again, I can't you enough for all your prayers.

January 28, 2010

Sorry it has taken so long to give you an update. As I have said before there are good days and not so good days. What I want to do is start from the beginning and get you all caught up to date. I will be posting a picture of a pillow. I call it my "Cancer Pillow". When I had cancer before my sister was here to help me. One day while up at MD Anderson waiting to have blood work done, the volunteers were passing out crafts. I picked this little girl craft to make a pillow. After my sister had gone back home I made this pillow. When we went to Illinois after my chemo was all done, I brought this pillow to my sister. So this time when she got here, guess what she pulled out of her suitecase? The "Cancer Pillow" what a moment.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!

January 22, 2010
First of all, I want to thank my Jesus for answering our prayers for my first chemo treatment. Also, I want to thank all my family and friends for praying for me.
This is how my day went yesterday. I had to be at MD Anderson at 11:00 am to start the day with blood work, then at 11:30 am to my doctor's appointment and then 2:00 pm for chemo. Bro. Richard from church brought my sister and I up to the hospital. What a blessing he is to us! Well, the blood area was very busy, but only one stick and unto the doctor's, which took some time. Of course, they have to wait for the blood results to see if the chemo is on. She came in, said every thing looks good so on we go. So the doctor said go to the 8th floor to the infusion center, so that is where we went. I went to the window signed in and then I started feeling alittle nervious. They called my name around 12:00, I thought oh boy we are going to get started early. So we go in and they stick me in the back of my right arm and it blows. Oops, now we have to try the left arm. She gets a vein and we are all glad, especially me. So now we have to go to the Ambulatory Treatment Center, Blue Suite, just down from where we were. I sign in and we wait, and wait, and wait. The funny thing about going to the infusion center was not on my appointment sheet, it just said go to the Ambulatory area. But I heard the doctor say infusion area so that is where I went. The good thing is she said that is where I will have to go everytime since I am a hard stick. Or I may even have to get a pic line. They called me in around 2:30 pm, so we didn't get in early. Already knowing it is at least going to take 5 hours or more. Yippee! So they get the pre-meds started around 2:50 pm. A little while after they start I begin with the restless leg stuff. I thought I was doing it on purpose but I wasn't. When they started the Benadryl I started feeling sleeping. So I told my sister we better call Scott. He was going to pick up my neice and her friend at our house and come up to the hospital. So we had to let them know where we were at. So here is a couple of pictures right after getting hooked up. The Benadryl was working as you can see.

Scott and the girls got up to the hospital around 5:30 pm. Sure was glad to see them. I was now awake and ready to eat. The chemo started around 4:15 pm. So we ate and just sat there and waited and waited and waited.
Here is a picture of me with my sister Paula and my neice Pam.

I had no problems and when it when I was done the nurse told me I had done good. We got out of there around 9:00 pm. So you can see how long these treatment days are going to be. I have 5 more chemo treatments, please pray they go as good as this one.
I didn't sleep good last night but woke up feeling great, that is considering I just had a chemo treatment. Us girls got up went to Walmart and Kroger and then home. Now it was time for my new hairdo. It will probably only last a couple of weeks. So what do you think!

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Sorry, it has taken me so long to update my blog and Care Page. Those of you who have had cancer or someone close to you, know this can be a roller coaster ride. Some days you are up and some days you are down. Sometimes I just don't want to talk about it. Yet everyday my soreness gets better, there is still a big scar down my stomach to remind me. Also, every night around 8:00 - 8:30 pm I get an injection into my stomach. Scott is doing so good. I sure will be glad when those are done, I think around the 1st of February.
This is what is coming up. On Thursday, I have blood work at 11:00 am, doctor appointment at 11:30 am and if my blood work is OK, I will have my first round of chemo around 2:00 pm. These chemo treatments last anywhere from 5 or more hours. It just depends. Please pray I have no side effects such as nausea, etc. I know I will loose my hair and hopefully it won't be as bad as last time.
My sister will go with me Thursday so Scott will be able to work. My neice comes in Thursday from Oklahoma with a friend. She is going to cut my hair and then on Sunday, she will take her mom, (my sister) back to Oklahoma with her.
After this week maybe I will get back to the beginning of this journey and get you caught up to some of the blessings. The Lord knows exactly what He is doing. I can't thank you enough for all your prayers and good wishes.

January 14, 2010

Well, I will try to get you an update. I am still working on my journal that I have been trying to keep during my week at the hospital. I will go back and let you know of things that happened and some good stories in how the Lord blessed. But for now, let's just do today.
I had a doctor's appointment to go get my staples out. YEAH!!! We are sitting in the exam room waiting and a nurse comes in. She is very tall and starts bringing me up to her height. Wow, I was pretty high up! That part was free! Ha! She then tells me the doctor was busy and she would be taking out my staples. She had already put me down and now I am going back up. She says this shouldn't hurt. YEAH! RIGHT! Let me be the first to tell you it HURT! Only 33 staples to be pulled out. It feels better now.
After all that then the talk and questions about chemo began. Dr. Soliman asked us when we wanted to get started. We both said the sooner the better. So my first chemo treatment will be next Thursday, Jan. 21. I have blood work at 11:00 am, doctor appointment at 11:30 am and chemo at 2:00 pm. So this is an all day thing. Now we have to go over all the side effects, drugs, etc. sign consent forms. As we leave the doctor's office and walk to the elevator, I start getting weeping eyed. Here I go again. When going through something like this you just never know when the crying spells will come. So I guess today was one for me and my sister. My sister Paula, will be going with me next Thursday and then she will be heading back north.
Thank you so much for all your prayers.

January 13, 2010

Sorry I haven't been updating much. Still not able to sit long at the computer at a time. Just wanted to get on here to remind y'all to be praying tomorrow for George Doering, he will be having another cancer surgery at MD Anderson. Those who have been following my blog may remember George. We work with his wife Kathy and she is the one that encouraged me to start this blog. Please, please be in prayer for them tomorrow.
I go to doctor tomorrow to get my staples out and to find out about chemo. Thank you for much for your prayers.

Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010

Well, it is 10:20 pm on Sunday evening. The dreaded night before surgery. Why is when you can't eat anything you want to, and when you can eat you don't want to? This morning at church alittle girl asked me if I felt sick. I told her no and proceeded to ask her when you are sick, isn't that when you go to the doctor. She said yes, well, how come I feel OK and I am going tomorrow and the doctor is going to make me feel bad. Something is wrong with this picture.
I've talked with several members of my family, laughed, cried and had several members of the family pray with me. I sure do love my family!!!! My nephew, Jim, really made me feel good when he told me I was going to have a BIG bobo! He is an OR tech. He knows all that medical lingo, I had to ask him to speak English.
Now that it is bed time, now the medicine is starting to kick in. I had to stop for awhile, because I was drinking the stuff 8 oz. every 10 min. until gone. I had about 2 or 3 glasses left and I loss some of it. My stomach became so upset. They ought to make this stuff taste good.
I'm so thankful for everyone's prayers and good wishes. I am totally trusting the Lord, but while we wear this ole flesh we still have nerves. I think my are kicking in some. Again, please continue to pray for Scott's health. Well, I better finish doing my typing. Talk to you in a few days or maybe a week or so.
Love ya,
Debbie
Jer. 33:3; II Kgs. 20:5