November Review

I can hardly believe that November is nearly over and I have neglected updating my blog. I have been on a little "roller coaster" ride since my treatment on October 30th.
The week following the first round I was really fatigued, sleeping 12 hours a day (very unusual for me!) Dr. M. prescribed meds for the nausea which really helped, but I still felt queasy - unsure if my stomach was hungry or I was nauseated. I did go to work the next week, but I was so fatigued, that I cut the work time short and headed home for Girard and family support. My blood counts were okay the next week and I recieved Gemzar only on November 6th. Over that weekend, I caught a little virus and become hoarse and started coughing. Alot of coughing! I went to work again, kept to myself in my office (away from students) and was able to work that week. This week was my "off" week from chemo, but I felt pretty lousey because of the cold. During that week, I experienced nose bleeds 4 days in a row, a side effect of Avastin. I saw the physician on November 20th - still a little hoarse, but the cough had subsided. My blood counts were too low for chemo, which was to be the next round of all three medications. I returned to the cancer center on Monday, November 23, but my white blood cell count was still "borderline" low, and the Dr. recommended that I postpone chemo until Monday, November 30th. I was secure in the knowledge that this was meant to be - that the Lord had intervened so that I would have a good Thanksgiving holiday with my family.
My sister from Texas arrived on Monday to stay a week. My sister (and husband) from Glen Ellyn (Chicago) and my sister (and husband) from Billings along with my brother's family will be at my home for a Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday.
We will be traveling to Grand Lake (Oklahoma) on Thursday to have dinner with Marlin's family - his brother has a home at the lake. This has been a tradition for several years. Grant will be spending the day with Tosha's family in Kansas City. (Did you know we are planning a wedding for March 6?)
Lindsay and Aaron will be at the lake, too.
I have much for which to be thankful - family, friends, colleagues, a comfortable home, a country I love. Take a few minutes and ponder those loved ones and creature comforts that you have in your life. Thanks be to God!
Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good report -- I will think about such things. The things I have learned and received and heard and seen in those who walk with Christ, I will practice, and the God of peace will be with me. Philippians 4: 8-9.
Blessings to you -
Love to you -
Ellen