I really, really don’t like to talk about myself, but am very grateful that you all care enough to ask. So there is a bit of a problem, isn’t there?
That is one reason this website is such a blessing to me. You all can get information without me feeling like I have to talk about myself all the time. When I see you, or when we chat on the phone, I am far more interested in hearing about you.
So here are the details:
After having to skip treatment last week due to very low counts…some downright in the basement…I did bounce back enough to have treatment yesterday. So far I am tolerating the new chemo-cocktail, although it is still early. My face swells and gets red and hot, but that doesn’t last more than a day. There are other side effects, but nothing debilitating yet. I’m still pukey and tired.
My pain is now manageable with medication. Perhaps the nerve block kicked in, or perhaps the new treatment is working on the tumor. It would be wonderful to know that the new treatment is effective. I will have a C-T scan in a few weeks to find out.
I still don’t sleep and I still can’t lie flat. I often finally fall asleep after reading the paper about 6am. The nights are long and quiet, but I get a lot of reading and praying done.
I still haven’t gained any weight, although my appetite is pretty good. In the winter, jeans and sweaters helped. I’m not pretty sleeveless. Since I eat well and have an appetite, I’m told not to worry about my weight. The only reason I do is that I had hoped to gain weight while not in treatment because I usually lose during, and I just can’t afford to lose anymore.
Let me know if you have tried to sign the guestbook. There hasn’t been a post in it for a long time and I’m not sure if it’s not working, or you guys just aren’t writing. You can still post following my blogs.
Did you all feel the earthquakes? I was awake for the first one, and in treatment for the second. Those were the only two I felt. I hear we might have had as many as seven.
I think you are now all up to date, so next time we talk, let’s talk about you!
Dear Ann:
You don’t know me but I’ve been following your website since I first learned about your illness. In fact I believe you and my grandson, Brandon Mayes, were diagnosed around the same time last May. He learned he had a Wilm’s Tumor on his kidney which had already progressed to Stage IV and began treatment immediately at Riley’s. We spent a lot of time (just like you & Randy) driving back and forth to Indy the past several months. In fact my daughter told me she saw you & Randy in Radiology one day. We are still waiting to hear the results of scans done last Thursday on Brandon to determine if he is in remission.
I say a prayer for you every day and sincerely hope you beat this. I don’t think I’ve ever known a more spiritual woman than you and I greatly admire your faith, courage and enthusiasm!
I hope this message gets through because I’m quite sure there are many others waiting for you. Don’t you just love computer glitches??
May God be with you in this journey and please know there are many, many people who care and love you!!
Jenny Wagoner
Grace and peace Ann,
It is a blessing reading your inspiring messages. I would only hope that I could handle having cancer like you and my wife Joyce are.
In your last posting you said you would like to hear about us. We just finished our last formation for
Kairos IV at Branchville Prison this coming Thursday night through next Sunday. It is almost like Walk to Emmaus and Tres Dias. We do have to go to the UMC campsite at Santa Claus to spend the 3 nights. We
have a kitchen we can use that is used all the time by Oakland City University to teach the inmates ulinary skills.
So please pray for the 42 inmate candidates and for us 45 leaders. Few, perhaps none, are
committed Christians; thus pray that many will become Christians during the week end.
Like no doubt hundreds, perhaps thousands, of others I lift you up in prayer to our Lord daily.
Because of Him,
John Lovelace
dear ann,
your guest book may not be working. i left you a comment on it earlier this morning, and it is not there. i just wanted to let you know that i keep you and yours in my thoughts and prayers. i have a link to your site on my blogger site and see that many leave by way of your link. it always excites me as i hope that means you have just that many more prayers coming your way:) what a blessing that your pain has lessened!!! it is my hope and prayer that your new chemo is the miracle drug you need and will do the trick.
love and GOD’s blessings,
dani
ps… i hope it was not the picture i uploaded to your guestbook that has caused your problems. if you think it is please feel free to remove it;) oh, yeah, and tell randy the one who nosed him said, “hi”:D
Annie…I’m encouraged that you were once again able to continue treatment….that is a prayer answered. I pray for you all the
time…because I’m praying for guidance and strength all the time…..or I would not have to abilitiy or the strength to meet with each
of my clients and have the energy required for each one of them. Thank you so much for you kind words and prayers for me..
it’s amazing that with all you have going on in your life, that you have time to pray for me. But knowing you, I know I shouldn’t
be surprised. You are an amazing person…..and truely an inspiration in my life. God can and does heal and lead and guide
….and prayer shows you the way. I know I grow impatient some times….wanting it to be in my time….but only God know when
the time is right….
Peace be with you……
Love,
Kimmy
Dear Ann,
It’s Shorty here. I am so proud to hear of your courageous battle. You are and always have been amazing. I wish there were word to express my gratitude for being able to consider myself a friend. Strong women stick together. I have many prayers out for you. Please let me hear from you. Julie
You are in my thoughts and prayers. My 51 year old mother is going through the same cancer right now. Keep your faith. Miracles happen everday
Good morning Ann,
I praise God that you are feeling better and I see the evidence of this in the number of posts you have put up this month, more than any other month this year! Thank you for sharing with us.
I am blessed to be one of the men on the KAIROS team with John Lovelace, another friend of mine who knows God and shares Him with me. I praise God for Christian friends who share their lives and Christ with each other.
God, we ask continued healing for Ann, strength and peace for her, Randy and their family.
If you would, drop God a line for the team this weekend. I know you two are in communication!
God bless, tom
Ann: I hope this message finds your blog site up and running because we all want you to know how very hard we are pulling for you. It is encouraging to find more new blogs from you this month than we have in past months – which has to mean that you feel more like writing.
I know God is holding you close and you are drawing strenght from his love and I hope you are feeling that from your friends as well.
As for me, I have gone to plan C in my working life and you would find it interesting – I will tell you more about that at a later time
God’s blessings Ann
hey Ann, How was the beach? Randy said you guys were off for a beach break. I am glad you are finding some refuge from the pain with the help of meds and prayer. I pray for you all daily and find myself wishing we could manage a weekend of Rand R some where. Maybe this summer we can get togehter. We love you guys!
Hi Ann…
I’m so glad you take the time to blog on your website. I often think about you and hope you’re doing ok! Keep fighting girl! Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Kathy (Sloan) Wood and The Sloan Family & Foundation
Dear Ann,
May you have a blessed week. May you find the strength and courage to face the challenges each new day brings as you continue
your journey with the love and support of your family and friends.
Cathy Engel