Chemo Round 2 and so many happy things to report. I started out on the spin bike for ten minutes because my son Nick said exercise increases white blood cells, and low white blood cells means no chemo, so what the heck. I gave it a try. (For the record, I have no idea where he got this information or the medical veracity of exercising to increase white blood cells, but he’s a fighter pilot so I trust he knows a few things about keeping the body alive under extreme conditions). By 8:30am I was getting blood drawn and according to my oncologist, my blood work was “spectacular!” So, yay!
The CA-125 marker, in particular, was WAY down. This is a blood marker that when elevated can be (is) a sign of cancer, and it’s used as a benchmark to track progress in shrinking and killing cancer cells. Normal range for people is 0-35. My CA-125 was 550 at my diagnosis, and it was 147 today! Definitely going in the right direction!! Yay, again!
The bloodwork also showed that my kidneys are functioning normally, which means the stents that were placed prior to chemo are doing their job. I have a love/hate relationship with the stents. Enough said. IYKYK. Yay kidneys!
In other news, I found out that genetic testing we did shows I do NOT have or carry the BRCA gene (or any other gene mutations of the 85 tested). So my sweet daughter doesn’t have to worry about inheriting that! (Nor do my sons since they could have passed it on as well.) BIG YAY!
God shows up in our lives in so many ways, and one of the best has been that my dear friend and one of the finest humans I know is now my very own chemo nurse. Her two sons are close friends with all three of my kids, and I adore her. Tim held one hand and she held the other while I was given my diagnosis. She has texted me every single day to check in. And she administers the four-hour chemo infusion that will eventually bring me back to full health. How lucky am I? I’m sharing this sweet photo of my camera-shy Diane – please notice the death grip I have on her arm: “DO NOT EVER LEAVE ME!” P.S. you’re welcome for the cleavage shot. 🤣 Yay Diane!
And finally, my Anna girl is on the road and headed home for the summer after finishing up finals for year 2 of law school (one more year to go!) YAAAAYYY!!!!!
SO….. I am tired, chemo fog is setting in, and I can’t decide between napping at 5pm or just waiting for bedtime, but I am feeling VERY good. ❤️ Came home to flowers at the door, two meals on the counter, and some lovely cards and notes in the mail.
By the way, this morning’s random bible verse which I came across while waiting for the infusion is so apropos and anything but random. It comes from Paul’s letter to the Philippians: “For I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.” (Philippians 1:12)
Your prayers and the Holy Spirit sustain me and will certainly be my deliverance.
Night night.
Kick it with Charla 
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