Ringing The Bell For The Last Chemo!

 

"Joy cometh in the morning!"

My Anna rang the bell 

for the completion of her chemotherapy treatments

today at 2:20 p.m.

We are SO excited!

Thank you for all of your prayers!!!

Anna's LAST Chemo!

 

It's still surreal to type my daughter has cancer.

I don't know that I will ever completely process that.

But it's another kind of surreal to type that 

TOMORROW IS HER LAST CHEMOTHERAPY TREATMENT!!!

I am SO excited!

I CANNOT WAIT to watch her ring that bell of completion!

She says that, although she is thankful it's the last one, she is not excited yet because she dreads the chemicals so much. Unless you've gone through it, I don't think you can understand what it's like to have poison pushed into your veins. I've only watched it happen. I cannot imagine what it's been like for Anna. And the side effects are horrendous. Nausea, weakness, overall feeling horrible for weeks. 

But I am so thankful for that target-seeking poison.

It is the reason my daughter will live.

Please pray for a good chemo day for my Anna.

That they will be able to access her port first try to get her labs.

That she will have great nurses.

That she will not have any reactions to the chemo.

That she will not vomit.

That she will not have restless arms or legs.

And that she will have minimal side effects during the chemo

and after she gets home.

I cannot begin to tell you how much 

your prayers, 

your support, 

and your love 

have meant to me 

and to her 

during this journey.

Thank you.

We love you all,

Anna's mama

58

 

Update Chemo Cycle #5

 

It is so exciting to type Chemo Cycle #5!

That means only ONE MORE!

Anna had a rough day today.

Because of nausea.

When they had so much trouble accessing her port

a few treatments back,

they ended up having to flush the IV line to the port

really fast 4 or 5 times in a row.

The sudden rush of all of the saline and the preservative in it 

caused such a strong taste

(yes, you can taste it as it goes in the line)

that it overcame her and started the vomiting.

Since then, every time she gets a taste of the saline preservative 

when an IV line is flushed,

she vomits or almost vomits.

They had trouble getting access to the port this morning.

Had to get a second person to try.

That nurse got the access but the saline taste at the flushing

made Anna vomit.

And the nausea just never went away.

Even after IV doses and oral doses of anti-nausea medicine.

Thankfully, some of the medicine made her sleepy today

so she was able to sleep for a good portion of the chemotherapy

but each time she awoke, she would start gagging.

She had wonderful nurses all day today.

But it was a rough day.

We were thankful when it was over.

We both noticed the beautiful spring blooms and flowers

as we drove away from the hospital.

Such a sign of hope.

For the new season in the year.

And for the new season of healing for Anna that is so close

we can almost taste the goodness of it!

Anna was somewhat hungry by the time we got home

and requested mashed potatoes.

So far, she has held that down.

Like every time, she is totally exhausted.

She fell asleep after she ate and has been sleeping since.

I pray she stays asleep all night.

Thank you so much for all of the prayers for my girl!

Please pray that she will rest well and that 

her nausea will subside!

Love,

Anna's mama

Anna's Chemo # 5

 

Anna will have her 5th chemotherapy treatment tomorrow.

I am SO excited that she only has 2 left!

And I am SO thankful it is working!

She had a rough few days of nausea after the last treatment

but turned a corner on the Monday afterward

and was eating normal food by that Tuesday.

After that, she was exhausted but slowly regained strength

until this past week, she said she felt almost like normal.

We were even able to go to an outdoor wedding

where I took this photo of my Anna girl.

Please pray that this treatment will go smoothly

and that her side effects 

during and after 

will be none to minimal!

Thank you all so very much for all of your prayers

and support in every way!

We love you all!

Anna's mama

Update Chemo Cycle # 4

 

Overall, Anna's 4th round of chemo today went well!

They were able to get her blood drawn on the very first attempt!

Her appointment with the oncologist confirmed again that the cancer is shrinking 

and is on track to be resolved completely!  Anna was able to get some answers 

to some questions she has had. It was a good appointment. 

And, even though she was nauseated a few times 

during the process today, her chemotherapy went well.

She did not have any major reactions 

and she had wonderful nurse!

We even started discussing when she gets to 

"ring the bell" of chemo completion.

She cannot wait!

She is now wiped out and exhausted from the chemotherapy itself

so after coming home and eating a sandwich, she is

snuggled in her bed resting.

Cancer is a horrible disease.

But, for Anna, today was a good day fighting it!

Thank you so very much for all of your prayers!

Every specific prayer for today was answered the way we wanted.

For that, we are very thankful!

Halfway There / Prayer Request For 4th Round Of Chemo

 

Anna is halfway finished with her treatment plan of chemotherapy!

We are SO excited to be halfway there!

Thank you all for all of the prayers, cards, calls, and support!

It all means so much to us and it has all been so helpful! 

As I said in my last post, Anna did so much better with the 3rd round.

They had the nausea medicine just right for after the chemotherapy.

She vomited one time after chemo and that was it.

She was still exhausted but so happy to not be vomiting.

Her energy level returned faster as well.

This past weekend, she even went to spend time with a couple of friends.

They didn't go in any crowds but she was just happy to have the energy 

to drive and to be out of the house.

I was so happy for her!

Overall, she said she has almost felt normal for the last week.

I am thankful!

Her 4th round of 6 chemotherapy treatments is tomorrow.

And the white blood cell booster shot will be on Sunday.

We are praying the lab work goes a lot better this time 

and that they get her blood on first try!

We are praying that she doesn't have any chemo reactions! 

And we are praying she gets a really good and compassionate chemotherapy nurse 

- that matters so much.

And we ask for your prayers, too!

Thank you!

Anna's mama