My second chemo treatment was Feb 26^th, so I’m right in the middle of “the low week”.  I’ve been told to expect eight days of the valley this time.  What a gift I’ve been given here, and I praise God for it.  This valley has not been nearly as difficult and dark as last time!  Thank you, loved ones, for praying for us.  I truly believe God has been delighted to answer the many of us who are asking Him.

My nephew Wes is turning 11 today.  I called to wish him Happy Birthday and hear what his day holds (and it sounds pretty incredible!).  What a sweet gift he gave me as he shared that he prays for me multiple times every day…and exactly when those times are.  He has times set aside to pray for his Tia.  Precious guy.  There are so many who are interceding for us, and I know God is answering.

The side effects have been so much more doable this time around.  The standard protocol after chemo is to give a “Neulasta” shot, which stimulates bone marrow production to produce additional healthy white blood cells (since the chemo is killing off my existing ones).  I had what my oncologist called a “tremendous response” to the first shot after chemo #1.  My white blood cell counts were around 41,000 at day 10 instead of the normal 8,000-9,000.  Praise God for an excellent physician.  He recommended we try a series of “small, daily shots” called Neupogen that Gabe gives me each evening at bedtime during the low week.  I believe it has been much easier for my body to tolerate.

God has guarded me from sickness, even with three of our sweet kiddos in preschool, church programs, etc.  It has been such a gift not to have a sinus infection on top of it all this time around.  And there is no straight-forward explanation for why other side effects have been better – except prayer.  And I do believe that’s the explanation.  The nausea has been more doable, the stomach bug effects, my mouth’s soreness has been almost non-existent (the ginseng?).  I praise God for His gifts and kindness to us.