"Amen" and an "awe man!"

So I took hit #2 of my chemo on Friday the 16th and Amen I wasn't sick (jumping up and down) they had me on so much anti-nausea medication, the chemo didn't stand a chance:)
However these things come at a price.  I went to a movie Saturday night, don't see 'Flight' unless its free (un plug).  I felt so great and so thankful that Jesus and I weren't up all night sick.  I wanted to take advantage of  this awesomeness.  Sunday I felt a tad dizzy but nothing that wasn't bearable so I went to an awesome 'seminar' at NSAC called Defend Dignity.  I still felt OK but recognised when it was time to go home.  I even got up early for church on Sunday I felt so good. 
Well Monday I was off work and was out and about (can't remember where), anyway I was doing my laundry because even on chemo there's no excuse for dirty clothes unless....your legs collapse making it impossible for you to finish resulting in a phone call to a friend who hurried over to take my laundry to her house to finish it for me.  My concern wasn't so much it getting finished rather the people in line after me would go thru it or just throw it on the floor because no one took it out.  People in my building are very testy when it comes to laundry.  It is free but on a time schedule.  Anyway, my other friend had to be called over as one leaves and a new one arrives.  So i was babysat until my mum could come over from work where she sat with me lovingly until I fell asleep.

What a baby!  Well Tuesday morning came, way to early and again, not sure what I was doing but I remember calling my 'Vancouver' dad and just saying, "you need to come and pick me up, I can't walk."
Well, when God says "Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10.  He really means it.  So I'm sure by the grace of God my dad was able to manage me down to the car, I think at one point we were both ready to call 911 as I was falling all over the place.  I wasn't dizzy though, my balance was totally off, I had no depth perception and my feet couldn't find their placement.  So that was my Tuesday and my Wednesday.  Thursday I phoned my oncologist and the pharmacist told me that although this reaction is not common, it is heard of and as long as I am progressively getting better to just work it through. ( Not very helpful considering how vulnerable I felt.)  I saw my neurologist because the headaches have been of migraine level, a friend I know all too well.

Although I was sure God wouldn't let my legs lose control or power in the middle of the street for this and my headache reason I thought it best to see my brain guy.  He pretty much said the same thing as the oncology dept.  Lots of drugs in me and I have to lay and let them work thru my system. BAH HUMBUG!!!!!  I have things to do, places to go, people to see. (well OK not really, I cleared my schedule and was given the week off work.)  It's the principle of it though.

Why is it that they never tell you what you want to hear? 
Anyway, I once again, through the rebellious tenants in my head I was able to sit with God and he revealed much to me and that was worth all this other crap.  I shared my heart and spirit with dear friends, I shared about God and what's he's done and continues to do in my life and through the cancer that I have.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tZ1fWz4fAE&feature=related

Just sang this song on Sunday at church and my heart just about burst with joy out of my chest.
The church I have been blessed to work at has told me to take every week after my treatment off so I can recover.  I'm absolutely NEVER leaving here:)
After all of this goodness and blessing I would have to be positively blind to not see Gods hand here.  He is so good all the time and uses everything although lets be honest we don't always feel that way.  (just calling a spade a spade).  Sometimes its afterwards that we see his hand, but it's been there the entire time.

Bless you all and thank you for all your prayers.

Round 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV63_Vmf-74

I invite you all to listen to the Hillsong United Church that I have linked above.  The song holds extremely special meaning to me as it was one that my dear friend Lois shared when she was first diagnosed with cancer and now she is heaven resting in the presence of Jesus.  This song is helpful to remind me that God is with me and really at the end of the day all I need is Him.

I had my oncology appointment yesterday...
Tonight I start round #2 and guess what???????? If my body doesn't get itself together and get my white blood cell count up then round #3 will be lessened or possibly put on hold which wouldn't be to good because as much as I HATE taken these wretched pills, they are very useful and necessary in helping me evict these 2 tenants in my head. 
My bones have softened a bit but not dangerous; just something to keep our eyes on and of course lets not forget the whole reason I was collapsing......yup, my seizure med levels just will not stay down so they're on they're way up again but I'm all over it.
I don't want to drop again, that would really suck if I was in the line up at Tim Hortons (plug) and I'm just about to order and BAM I drop. 
So as far as the bone density, I will have regular x rays to monitor and I have been given strict instructions that I must not do any hard core slamming in a mosh pit at a heavy metal concert. :)
That's about it, more anti-nausea pills to take so I'm praying, and you too please, that they are strong enough to keep everything down, otherwise Jesus and I once again will be sleeping in the washroom.
Thanks again for all your prayers.  Its kind of funny, when times are tough we sometimes ask "where are you God"  but then there's times like this when I have NO doubt that Jesus is in the bathroom with me.
So I will stand strong, make my smart ass comments and as my boss would say, use Gallows humour to get thru.  I come by it honestly.
Bless you all.
Mel:):):)

Nothing too exciting for once:)

So this is just an update.  It's actually kind of boring.  I had an appointment with my oncologist on Wednesday, he agreed that the reaction I had to my last chemo wasn't normal...I think I've said that in an earlier blog.  Bottom line, he's going to increase my anti-naseau meds, and he also told me if I'm that sick again to just come into the hospital and they will give me an IV with the good stuff in it to settle my stomach right down.:):):):)  I like the sound of that.  My seizure medication levels have dropped tremendously, and so have my dizzy spells.  I still get them but not as frequent and to combat my migraines which are fierce I have been given a very strong migraine medication.
So I'm feeling pretty good.  I felt really good after my appointment with Sasha (oncologist) and I feel like I am making headway.
I have an MRI in January that I am really looking forward to because it will show what both tumors have been upto.  Maybe one of them is packing and getting ready to move out.
God is good, all the time and I can feel him continuing to work in and with me and that is an incredible feeling.
Oh of course I turned 41 on October 25, I guess thats news too.
Well thats it, incase you wonder how often I write in here...when something happens I write.
Until next time may God be gracious and show you His glory.

Phenomenal song, the prayer in the middle is sure to bring goose bumps all over.  Sit back, close your eyes, and be open to how the spirit moves you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoC1ec-lYps
Bless you
Mel