Happy Sunday to you - hope this update finds you in good spirits and health.
I was discharged from Swedish last Thursday after a one week stay. It is always music to my ears when I hear my neutrophil count is over 500 and ''going home'' is now a reality.
This hospital stay was rougher on me physically and emotionally/mentally. I was dealing with more pain issues this time around (I'll spare you the details - trust me on this one!). So I had my very first experience with Patient Control Anethesia (PCA) - I've also heard it referred to as a Morphene drip. Basically, I receive a small amount of painkiller via my IV continuously and when I experienced more severe pain, I'd push my ''happy button'' and it would dispense more painkiller. Unfortunately, it made me a little nauseous and pretty drowsy.
This was definitely a time of more ''firsts'' - my first gram negative rod infection, my first time with a PCA, my first time getting Demerol (for the chills - it actually works remarkably well)... Unfortunately, not really as much fun as other ''firsts'' (first kiss, first date, first time eating ice cream...). :-)
It has been a good weekend - I actually got a day off yesterday. My second day this month where I didn't need to go in for a CBC or GCSF shot or anything medical! Kenny and I were so thrilled that we decided to drive up and spend a day in Vancouver, B.C. Just to be in different surroundings was lovely. I especially enjoyed Robson Street - great shops and I love people watching there.
Prayer requests: *Tomorrow, I go in for a bone marrow biopsy and we'll see if we stomped out that 2.5%! This is biopsy #11 for me, so I definitely know the ropes, but I always appreciate prayer for the procedure. *For my counts to continue to rebound. My platelet count today was only 18,000 so I will probably get platelets tomorrow. Fortunately, my red count continues to stay strong after last week's blood transfusion (4 units of blood is a lot!). *For healing - I am still dealing with pain issues, but it's slowly getting better. *For the national bone marrow drive coming up this weekend (April 26-28). Kenny will be writing an update soon with all the good details. *For my bone marrow search - that I would trust in God's timing and not be anxious.
Praises: *I had the biggest thrill on Friday - I got to meet Carmen's baby and hold this precious two-week-old life in my arms. In my head I kept praising God because it's not everyday I get to hold such a miracle! I remember when Carmen called me and told me about her cancer diagnosis a few months ago - I just kept praying that God would protect the baby and my dear friend. We now can rejoice in Kelsey's being here and focus on praying for Carmen's healing. She begins her chemotherapy this upcoming week so please keep her and her family in your prayers. *I know it's redundant, but I simply love being home. Dorothy knew what she was talking about when she said, ''There's no place like home, there's no place like home...''
While I was at Swedish this last stay, I had one particularly rough day mentally. I was simply worn out - tired of everything medical. Just yearning for the days when I was healthy. I put on my Steven Curtis Chapman CD and listened to one of my favorite songs - ''Be Still and Know.''
''Be still and know that He is God Be still and know that He is holy Be still O restless soul of mine Bow before the Prince of Peace Let the noise and clamor cease
Be still and know that He is God Be still and know that He is faithful Consider all that He has done Stand in awe and be amazed And know that He will never change
Be still and know that He is God Be still and know He is our Father Come rest your head upon His breast Listen to the rhythm of His unfailing heart of love Beating for His little ones, calling each of us to come Be still...''
I especially love listening to this song while I'm in the hospital because it calms me when my soul feels restless, when my ears are tired of the beeping and whirring of my IV machine... It reminds me of all that God has done in my life (and that He has great things in store), that He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow... It reminds me that He loves me beyond my comprehension and that I can go to Him anytime, anywhere whether it be in my hospital bed in room 1245 or here at home...
May you feel His calming presence in your life this day - no matter what it may be on your heart that is distressing, know that we serve a God who knows our pain intimately and can also provide us with the healing we need. I am constantly amazed at how He truly provides me with what I need to make it through the tough days as well as with so many reasons to rejoice in each day.