Everyone has celebration markers in their life—significant
events that we pen and record as part of our personal history—big birthdays,
graduations, births, weddings, driver’s licenses, report cards. We even have smaller markers that reveal
changes in our lives—like the penned marks on my pantry wall showing the boys’
heights each year. Wow-does that show significant
change. Next week I celebrate a big
marker in my life—my 50th birthday. I certainly never thought I
would share my 50th with cancer and chemotherapy. In fact, my plan was to be in Uganda with my
whole family and my Uganda team and my Ugandan brothers and sisters, and then
spend four days in London. But those weren’t the plans that were in store. God is allowing me to endure this new trial
and I will embrace it with faith and strength, which only comes from Him.
This has been a crazy
cancer/chemo week! I had chemo on Monday and it was a party! Jilane
took me, Greg came by with my images for the doctor to see, Leah took the last
shift and brought me home, and Darlene and Molly dropped by (which is a whole
story in itself!). You are only supposed to have one visitor, but my
nurse was so sweet. She told me that next week she would have a table and
chairs for the PARTY! The cancer/chemo culture is incredibly loving. I have met a
new friend Ron, who has chemo on the same days as I do—he is a hoot. His faith, family, and terrific sense of
humor will get him through his own cancer trial. When I arrive, the nurses greet me with hugs
and always comment on my jewelry and clothes (gotta be a fashionista even with
chemo—it really helps!). The love and optimism in the infusion center gives so
much hope.
I had minimal side
effects while the pump was in--Danielle took me to disconnect on Wednesday and
I was pretty tired yesterday and today--plus raw throat and chapped hands which
is all part of the side effects.
Today Greg and I had
our appointment with my oncologist to discuss the images and the next steps.
You won't believe how amazing these results are—
Here are some pretty
awesome “celebration markers”:
The most important one
is my "cancer marker counts"---my original counts were 53 and now my
counts are 7! Yes, seven. And a "normal person without
cancer" has a cancer marker of FOUR! My doctor says this is
incredibly awesome news and he still calls me his rock star patient.
The second thing is
that my liver tumors are significantly reduced, but the liver
specialist/surgeon wants me to stay on chemo for at least two more rounds (one
month) to optimize chemo since it is working so well. Then he will look
at images again and decide with the colon surgeon on surgery.
Things to note--they
want me to sleep more and lighten my schedule a bit. My white blood cell
counts are low, but that is just because chemo is working. Since I have
been exercising (running) five days a week still, they want me to lighten that
and power walk instead. Everything else they said is going great, but now
that I am in round six of chemo, they said that my body is going to weaken more
and I will be more tired, so I need to take advantage of rest.
Friends,will you join
me in celebrating all the markers of life?
Embrace them and pen them in your hearts.
4 comments:
Kirsten, my heart is over flowing... I have tears of joy running down my face. HAPPY 1/2 CENTURY what amazing news this is!!! You a "rock star".
Kirsten, God is good! What wonderful news! Keep up the good work "rock star" and get your rest!
Such great news AND you are an amazing inspiration! Much love to you!
You are such an amazing and strong women of God!
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