Steps

Its been over 3 weeks since Allison “graduated” and since I’ve posted any updates. I’m not sure why I haven’t posted. Utter exhaustion? Laziness? Depression? I’m not sure, I have always felt “prompted” to post updates, but for some reason I guess I needed to take some time away. Strange but that’s how I’ve felt.

The first 10 days or so following her graduation treatment were pretty rough…extreme weakness, nausea, stomach cramps, bone pain. Then on Friday, March 11, she had a good day, followed by another on Saturday, Sunday and all the next week! Praise our wonderful Lord for days like these! I have promised myself that I wouldn’t take “good” days for granted ever again. He promised He would provide, He promised He would carry us and He has never failed to follow through on those promises.

She’s still got the bone pain in her legs and chest and some swelling in her legs and arms. Dr. Christman sent us to have an ultrasound done on her legs to rule out blood clots (that’s another side effect of chemo). We held our breath, said a prayer and (again) praised God that there wasn’t any blood clots. Hopefully this pain will diminish over time. That’s bothering her more than anything right now.

On Tuesday we visited Dr. Zurenko, her radiation oncologist. He came in, spoke to us for 10 minutes, then scheduled her first appointment for April 4 to be “marked”. On Wednesday, April 6, she will begin the first of her 33 radiation treatments. Every day for 6 and a half weeks. If everything goes as planned I’m calculating her radiation “graduation day” will be Friday, May 13 (yes, Friday the 13th!).

Steps…this trial has been a journey of “steps”. “I found something”…let’s get a biopsy. “I’m sorry to tell you this but…” … dear God, what do we do now? “You need surgery”… “We didn’t get it all”…surgery #2, “…and that’s why I’m recommending chemo”. “When will my hair start falling out?”, “let’s just shave it”, graduation day! Now we take the next step, one in which we’re being told should be easier than some of the previous steps. We’re clinging to that hope.

Blessings upon blessings keep coming…last Wednesday after another amazing choir rehearsal, Tammy comes up and asks how Allison’s week had gone. I told her it had gone really well and that we think she may be rounding the corner to a better health. “I bet you guys would really like to get out of town, huh?”... “Tammy, you don’t know how much I’d like to get away for just a few days.” … “Well that’s why I’m here, I’d like you and Allison and the family to stay in our beach house for Spring Break.” I could hardly contain the tears of overwhelming joy that I felt. When I got home I told Allison….more tears. Yes, tears of happiness but also tears of a humbling realization that we are truly loved and that people are continuing to be blessed through our circumstances. God WILL bring glory to Himself and he WILL do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine. Believe it… oh how He does indeed enjoy “showing off”!

Graduation Day!!!

"Pomp and Circumstance" did not play...caps and gowns weren't handed out, but we graduated anyway. Praise the Lord we graduated!! Today was Allison final chemo treatment!

Our graduation day started like any other Tuesday, getting up early, waking the kids for school, eating breakfast...the usual. But this was not just any other Tuesday and we could feel the smiles crossing our faces as we went about our routines. We said our morning "pre-doctor visit prayer" and headed out knowing that (God willing) we wouldn't have to make this journey ever again. We were running a little behind so when we came to a complete stop on the interstate (twice) I semi-panicked. NOOO! We can't be late for "graduation day"! But the Lord "shows off" like he always does, we arrived for our 8:45 appointment at 8:44. Score!

Today the chemo room was emptier than normal. What? Does not everyone want to celebrate with us today? No, as I look around the room, others, looking much sicker than Allison, are going through their own trial right now. I quietly pray for each one, not knowing their particular situation but knowing full well the anxiety and fear that each is going through. I only hope they know the Source of Peace that carried us when we were afraid to move.

Jennifer, our angel that provided Allison's care throughout each of the treatments, quietly celebrates with us. She feels like a friend of the family...no, she is a friend of the family and we'll never forget her comforting words. She truly cares about the people in this room. Father, thank you for calling people like Jennifer into this profession and ministry.

After chemo we meet Allison's mom for lunch and (I shouldn't have asked what she wanted to do) hit the shoe store. The last time we were are this particular store, I made her put on the "stripper shoes" so I could take a picture. Little did we know back then what difficulties would lie ahead of us. The Lord protects us from things like that. He provides "just in time" Grace.

When we arrive home we see pink balloons on the front porch and a card in the mailbox, we can't control the tears that fill our eyes...Katie, you're such a blessing to me and my family. Thank you for your comforting words, faithful prayers and for being such an inspiration. We love you more than you'll ever know. Not long after we arrive home, Lisa shows up with supper from Ashley's kitchen...we are so blessed!

We don't know what is next. Allison goes back in one week, next Tuesday, for lab work. We expect her blood count to be low since she's not having the Neulasta shot (not having the shot...another blessing). This is scary since there's still so much sickness going around. If its too low they'll start her on antibiotics as a precaution. But beyond the lab work we don't have any details. We know she'll probably start radiation in 3-6 weeks. They say after 2 surgeries and 12 weeks of chemo that radiation is a breeze. Blow breeze blow...