Back on track

(at least for now!)

We are BACK!

Honestly, I have never been so excited to receive chemotherapy as I was on Monday. There was definitely some anxiety in my heart as Nathan and I went to the Cancer Center and waited for my labwork to be run… and then the lab was running behind!! In the end, that didn’t matter because my neutrophils and white blood cell counts were both in the normal range and chemo proceeded as planned! HUGE Praise!

Another huge praise— my Northstar test results returned (these measure free floating cancer cells), and my number dropped from the 300s to 27. TWENTY SEVEN!! The goal is less than ten, so this is massive improvement and answer to prayer. Sadly, the doctor indicated that he was disinclined to end my treatment early, but he was very open to adjusting my medicines or even dropping one of my chemo drugs after the next Northstar test. Hallelujah for this wonderful news.

At the end of last week, I felt better than I have felt in ages, and I realized it was because my body had been without chemo for over three weeks. On one hand, that was encouraging, because it means I can anticipate feeling ‘normal’ (whatever that is) on the other side of my treatment. On the flip side, it made the anticipation of side effects feel heavy, especially after a break from treatment. And the side effects hit hard, with my feeling very sick to my stomach and fighting a bad headache Monday evening through Tuesday afternoon. As of this writing (Wednesday evening) I am feeling better but still weary from the chemotherapy. I guess that means it is working!

Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement during my chemo ‘breaks.’ It was a discouraging time, and yet I was reminded every day of how the Lord cares for us, and how many people care about us. I will receive a growth factor shot tomorrow to help boost my WBC in hopes of preventing delays in the future.

Praises:

• I was able to receive chemotherapy this week. Treatment #5 out of 12 is done!!

• My immune system is weak, but I have not been sick.

• Though I battled nausea on Monday and Tuesday, it has subsided and I was able to eat and function normally today.

• My Northstar numbers have greatly reduced which means the treatment is working!!

• We also learned on Monday that we will receive money for the damage done to Georgia’s car when the tree fell on it. That plus the generosity of God’s people should allow us to replace her car soon.

• In all the craziness, I forgot to mention— we bought ME a new vehicle in March. My minivan is twelve years old, and it has been the plan to get something newer for me this year. Georgia’s car being totaled gave us extra incentive, because now she and Baxter can use the minivan. My vehicle is a Kia Telluride and is so much fun to drive.

• God is working all things for the good of those who love Him, and we trust His timing is perfect.

Prayers:

• Continued ‘normal’ WBC and neutrophil numbers throughout the rest of my treatment

• Minimal side effects from the ‘booster shots’ (normal side effects are bone pain/achiness)

• Health for me and for the rest of the Finn family

• Peace in the midst of the drudgery that is chemotherapy treatments. Comfort when plans change. Wisdom for making plans and taking steps to keep everyone healthy physically, emotionally and spiritually.

• Smooth transition to a new insurance plan that started April 1

As always, we are so appreciative of your love and prayers! If you would like to help, my GoFundMe and MealTrain are still active. We are so thankful we don’t walk this journey alone.