::faithful – prayers of thanksgiving and joy for Jenny – Happy Birthday!; praying for Jane as she continues with her recovery from back surgery, embracing physical therapy; for my kids as they head back to school, for focus, enthusiasm and [of course] learning; for myself and Mr. Pea, for courage as we forge through this Chemo Valley.
::news from the cancer battlefield – Since I’m sure you’re all bouncing with anticipation to know what’s going on, I’ll just jump right in. We met with my oncologist Dr. Cloven last Friday to finalize “The Plan”. After much prayer and research, Mr. Pea and I had pretty much decided to go ahead with adjuvant chemotherapy to be as sure as possible that there aren’t any more cancer cells lurking and waiting to attack. Dr. Cloven’s commentary closed the deal. She said, “If it were me, and knowing what I know as an oncologist, I would do the chemo now. It’s easier to kill a few cells than it is to kill a tumor.” Yep. Exactly. That’s the grim reality of ULMS – if it comes back, its fatal; just a matter of how long you choose to fight against the inevitable.
So All-Righty Then. I get a port installed some time this week, and the first chemical cocktail infusion is scheduled for the afternoon of January 16.
::creative – Does halfway tidying the house count? Tossing out umpteen-year-old eyeshadow? How about dusting?
::pondering – Being bald. Really. Here it is the coldest winter in Texas in forever, and in a few weeks I won’t have any hair to keep my head warm. Why am I so focused on the bald part? Injecting my body with chemical poisons doesn’t phase me, nor does the thought of feeling tired and nauseous for months on end. But bald? I can’t stop thinking about it, and what it will feel like and look like. As with most things, I bet the reality will be a thousand times less awful than the anticipation. Besides, there’s a wig and dozens of beautiful scarves just waiting to be put to use.
::delicious –
- Potato Soup, Parker House Rolls
- Leftovers
- Pizza Night for the kids; Mr. Pea and I will be at a swanky retirement party.
- Tamales, Black Beans and Spanish Rice
- Chicken Soup with Veggies
- Baked Pork Chops, Stuffing, Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Beef Burgundy, Smashed Potatoes, Broccoli
::fun – DirtBike and I were mountain bike trailbulding on Saturday. That red squiggly line on the map is what we were working on. DirtBike cut down several trees; I helped clear brush off the trail and visited with my friends.
That’s me holding not one, but TWO pulaskis. Oh yeah. I’m a two-fisted privet mangler.
::fashionable – Brown dress pants, orchid purple sweater shell, marled navy, brown, orange and purple cardigan, brown boots.
::looking ahead – Gearing up mentally and physically for the huge task of traveling through this valley. I can rejoice, though, because I don’t have to hike alone.
Keep the Faith.
Keeping the Faith 
You are amazing and I am praying my heart out for you every step of the way!
Pumpkin seeds…oil or the seeds or the vitamin…..they really help with the yucky of chemo. My good friend used it all the time for her cancers and said it was an amazing thing. Melonie’s hair never went away, got thin but enough to keep her head covered. Same as Clare’s and Rene’s (my family is dealing with lots of cancers right now), just thinner not gone. So maybe ???
Prayers my friend.
We have a new mountain bike trail up here too. Mike and I are going to be volunteering this spring also. Good for you guys.
Blessings my friend!
When my friend Katie went through Chemo, she purposely got her hair cut short first. And it took a couple weeks to fall out. When it started, she had her hubby shave her head. Then an illustrator friend superimposed Ang (from Avatar the Last Airbender Cartoon) over her… and there was this picture of her with an arrow on her head. I tell you she had the best sense of humor about it.
Did you contact the Hat box foundation?
You know I am praying for you.
The superfantstic news is – the cancer is all but gone. Chemo is going to suck. But if it means cancer free – BRING IT!
You can do this. You got this.
I’m around the corner….
xx oo
Angela, you are courageous and you have been an inspiration to me. I will continue to keep you and the family in my prayers. I am asking God to shower you with His peace.
Thank you for sharing what’s going on in your life during this difficult time. Please continue sharing and know that many, many people are pulling for you.
I want to share my favorite affirmation with you: “I am poised and centered in the Christ Spirit; nothing can disrupt the calm peace of my soul.” This has helped me in the past. I affirm it for you now.
God bless you, Angela.
Adrianne
I will be praying for you.
You are a brave, amazing, and funny lady, Angela. Thank you for blessing us with your honesty and wit.
A friend of mine used to prepare herself for chemo by having a dinner date with the hubby immediately before checking into the hospital. I guess it was a just-the-two-of-them opportunity to reaffirm their devotion to each other and to quiet down any fear or anxiety still hovering around.
God bless you, dear.