This is the Jupiter Lighthouse in Jupiter, Florida, near my childhood home of Stuart. As a symbol of hope and safe harbor, lighthouses have always held an attraction for me. We took this picture in 2021 during our last trip through Florida.
Ready for the Next Round
Thanks to all of you who have been praying and sending encouraging notes – I have been overwhelmed by the number of prayers and encouraging messages I have received. I feel very blessed to have had so many family and friends reach out. If I have not personally thanked you, please know that I am reading everything, and will reply in time as I can on our journey.
Last Wednesday, (11/6/23) was my first Chemo treatment, and it went smoothly. It was a long day – a full 8 hours of transfusions (2 chemo medications and Immunotherapy, along with supporting medications). I left feeling a little strange, a sensation that was hard to describe, but I knew they had pumped a lot of SOMETHING in my system. Then came the waiting for exactly how my body would react.
Thankfully, I felt pretty good the next few days. One thing they gave me was a steroid, which made me feel a little jumpy on Thursday. Nasua was very mild on Thursday and Friday, and I certainly felt fatigue on Friday and Saturday, but by Sunday I was feeling on the upswing, and by Monday, I felt pretty normal, which is a great response, all things considered.
So today, I start the cycle all over again. I hope that the pattern continues, and while the fatigue was real and I needed some extra rest, it was manageable. Honestly, the most consistently uncomfortable has been the port in my shoulder. I am getting used to the feeling of an object under my skin, but it still makes my skin crawl sometimes. At this moment, I am hooked up and receiving round 2.
I continue to ask for prayer for this process. Healing, bills, time, work. There are so many changes making life different, and we are trying to find a new ‘normal’ to this new reality. I was touched by something one of my pastors said a couple weeks ago – when we pray for others, our faith is lifting them when their faith may by weak. This communal effort in upholding the concerns of others before God and sharing in the work of recovery is something that God acknowledges and blesses. This is easy to understand as basic Christian principle. We pray for ourselves and are instructed to pray for each other. But as we experience sincere prayer out of concern for others, we open a stream of compassion that changes us for the better. Karly and I discussed this week how it really is not a burden to pray for others or be involved in their heartache or burdens – It’s often a blessing to able to share the weight. So if we ask how you are – or how we can pray for you – it’s a sincere question that you don’t need to dodge. Life is going on for all of us, and life has plenty of trouble for each day. Keep living it and sharing it as you go.
Thanks again for caring and reading. I hope you find a beautiful moment today, even if it’s just a glance out the window.