One Letter At A Time

My life feels like it has been on a roller coaster.

I’ve decided my life during therapy makes me very grumpy. Right now I’m typing with only one hand because my other is all wrapped up and I have to tell myself, “Just one letter at a time.” I have wanted to let everyone know what has been going on, but I haven’t had the minutes in the day to accomplish it.

Every day was a visit to the cancer center and to therapy. Each day seemed to change what my future treatment would be. As of today…I’m still not sure.

After therapy today my arm was measured to determine what progress has been made. I wanted to cry when she told me not very little (okay I did cry when I got home). I spoke to my therapist later in the afternoon because she wants to talk to my oncologist. She believes something else is going on. The IV antibiotics didn’t make a difference so it seems they have ruled out infection. The tissue has softened but the volume of fluid still remains. I have also lost a great deal of range of motion. It’s very frustrating and the therapy to regain that motion is so painful. Another area God has allowed me to experience so I can empathize with others who fight so hard through their time of physical therapy.

I’m not even sure I fall into any of the original options now. When I saw my doctor on Wednesday she said she isn’t convinced she wants to do chemo. I knew she wanted another PET Scan but the imaging center called today and they don’t recommend having another scan so soon (scheduled now for 1/21/11). I see the oncologist on 12/30 and see what happens next for me. I will continue therapy this week, except I cancelled tomorrow because of Katelynn’s MRI test. Tomorrow I need to be a mom – not the patient.

Please pray for Katelynn tomorrow morning through 1:30 pm. Her test is scheduled at 11:00 am and is supposed to last 2 hours. She is having an injection straight into the joint of her shoulder. They’ve told me it isn’t very pleasant. She is terrified of doctors and needles. I’m assuming they will inject at 11:00 am and then start the MRI at Noon. We have no idea how she will handle going through the tube. I think I’m just as nervous as she is. Both Jim and I are planning on being with her. If I could do it for her I would.

I would love to share about our Christmas but I will have to wait until I have both hands to type with. I thank our secret Santas for their wonderful gifts to our family. They allowed us not only to feel blessed but hopefully bless others.

I’m off to enjoy sitting and relaxing by the Christmas tree. I love the lights on the tree and I only get a couple more evenings before it’s all boxed up and put away for another year.

Maybe by New Year’s Eve I will have a better understanding of what is ahead in 2011...okay probably not. 2010 wasn’t anything I expected.