Hello again from Indianapolis. If it’s true that the worse you feel, the better the chemo is working, then I should be all better soon!
I remember people used to tell me when I was pregnant and hanging over the toilet that I must have a strong and healthy baby. I thought about that as I ralphed all day and it encouraged me. The fact is…I had three strong and healthy babies. OK, so maybe now that I’m hanging over the toilet again it means this stuff is putting up a heckuva fight. I sure hope so! Now here is some irony. The nausea medicine I was prescribed makes me sick. Seriously, I look at the box and have to run to the bathroom. My doctor will be making changes there. I had to stay at the hospital today to have fluids and nausea medicine. Tonight I feel OK…not great…but tomorrow is another day!
I also started daily radiation treatments. The machine looks like something out of Star Wars. I imagine light sabers destroying the tumor…the force is with me! Actually, it’s the Holy Spirit and that’s even better!
I have heard from many people who have friends or family with pancreatic cancer. I do hope you find some encouragement through this website. I wish I could provide you with strength as a survivor…but I’m not there YET! Someday I will be able to do that.
Much Agape,
Ann
Ann: Sorry to hear that today has been a difficult one. As you said, I guess that means the meds are doing their job. I have been thinking of you non stop and hope my prayers, and the prayers of many others are being heard. Today I found a photo of us at a cheerleading clinic in Vincennes — way back when — 1973-74.!! It was a joy to remember those times. What a ball we had. Anyway, Ann, just wanted you to know I’m thinking of you and sending tons of love your way! Cindy
Ann;
Remember that, shall we say, interesting van ride from Kingston to Montego Bay, that year you took the Aldersgate kids to Jamaica? You know the van ride… 17 people and 42 pieces of luggage in a vehicle built for 8. Everyone that was lucky enough to have a seat was sitting on one cheek. And every time the van went into those van-sized potholes on those wonderful Jamaican roads. And when we weren’t bottoming out the suspension, we were dodging goats and all manner of livestock through those mountain passes.
But remember also the faces of the children at the orphanage, the klieg-light smiles and the soul-reviving laughter. The journey was a trial, but the results, oh the results on the faces of those children were pure heaven. The destination made the journey all worthwhile (well, maybe not worthwhile, but at least a fair trade). So it is for you again. Tough journey… but it will lead to sweet sweet victory. And Ann, you WILL be victorious; I believe that with all my heart.
Hey Ann,
You were on my mind alot today … so I prayed! My prayer is for your healing, but also that you might be used in a mighty way to minister to those around you to don’t yet know the Lord. I’m confident that during this time God is going to use your gentle, quiet spirit to encourage and love those who need to learn more about our Savior. I hate puking, but if it’s working … bring it on huh? Hang in there … God is doing a mighty work. Here is the verse, Habakkuk 1:5 ” Look at the nations and watch– and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe even if you were told.” I like to fill in the word Ann instead of nations, when I think of that passage. Lifting you up in prayer.
Ann,
Hang in there…!!! I am praying for you today and every
day! Unfortunately I believe it is true that the sicker you
feel from chemo, the better it is working. My father was
initially diagnosed at a Stage 4, which means that the
cancer had already spread to two of his other organs
(his liver & lungs) besides his primary (colon) by the
time he was diagnosed. It will soon be 2 years now on
August 4th that he was diagnosed. His oncologist in
Fla. is just awesome and has tried him on several
different regimines over the past two years. Definitely
the harder “poison”, as I call it, administered through his
port makes him feel worse than other types, i.e. pill
form, however we have always received our best
results when he was the sickest. So, Ann, I guess
there is something to be said for being sick,
unfortunately. I pray that this is indeed the
case for you as well…that it’s working!!! May God
bless you and keep you…
Hey, Ann! I don’t know exactly what forms of treatment you’re being given; however, I just saw on Reuters.com that pancreatic cancer patients who develop a rash while taking Tarceva have an increased recovery rate!! I recall you mentioning a rash, so I’m hoping that’s what’s going on!!
Keep fighting!!
Linda C.