Counting My Blessings

I can't count them all, but I will continue to be thankful to be a part of a praying community. Thankful to God for such a wonderful husband (His posting just made me gloat inside).

I wanted to keep you posted on how I am doing; the latest in my (our) life. I had an MRI done on my cervical and thoracic spine. It was the first radiological test since the surgery on 12/1. The prayers of the righteous do avail much. While there were some changes since the MRI prior to surgery and radiation, there was nothing for us to be concerned or alarmed about. It obviously showed the rod which is stabilizing my back, but also a hematoma or fluid sac which will absorb itself and 2 spinal compression fractures. No worries!!! The compression fractures are on the same 2 vertebrae that Dr. Kim operated on to remove the cancer and are both in the area supported by the rod. The MRI also did not show any extension/spread of the cancer along the spinal column.

Unfortunately, I was not able to receive my chemo this week because my White Blood Cell (WBC) was too low. One of the potential side effects of chemo is lowering the WBC, so mine had been going down, but this time it was just too low. Get this!!! I had to receive a shot that would increase my WBC over the next two weeks. Uhhhh.... Why did the medication cost $3500? And no I didn't type too many zeros. I was thinking with this drug I should be healed of everything. Thank God for insurance.

Lastly, on Thursday, I had my second encounter with a medical massage therapists to loosen up the scar tissue and help improve mobility in my upper body. By that night, I felt like I had been in a fight. Friday morning I had physical therapy. She worked me over. Instead of an hour, it was an hour and a half. We did all new exercises as we are now beginning to work on strengthening exercises. She's stepping up her game....ugh! But I do it with a smile because I know what the goal is. Like Rocky I just have to focus on the prize. And so, Friday night, the pain was so unbearable I could hardly turn myself or sit up. I'm taking the Vicodin!

You may wonder what do I have to be thankful for given this week besides being alive...
Obviously the results of the MRI are a blessing. Understand that the cancer could have spread and affected areas past the rod, anything. However, for now it hasn't and so I am blessed. The fact that I was unable to receive my chemo was a little disheartening but hopefully I will feel a bit better than usual. I now have 2 weeks off from chemo and right now I am planning my daughter's Sweet 16 birthday party. Prayerfully I will be able to participate without having to worry about myself. Lastly, all pain is not bad pain. My therapist is able to push me more over the next two weeks, hopefully.

Thank you Lord for hearing my prayers but for also listening for anyone who but mentions my name in their prayer time. Thank you for the surgery and the radiation and now the chemo, which are attacking the enemy in my body. You have given me the strength to fight and when I am weak, you have given me the strength of a praying community who's got my back. The enemy won't have an opportunity to weaken me to the point that I should fail. While this battle and this journey may be long, hard, and difficult, I (we) have already won. And we believe it all in faith and as evidenced in how you are working and manifesting in this temple. Thank you Lord for your people and bless them in every aspect of their life that they each may be covered by your grace, mercy and tenderness.

I love you all
Yolanda