Cycle Four - Only Two More.....

....two more cycles, that is!  That means only two more "big treatments" with six one-drug treatments sandwiched in between!  That's a total of eight more!

Today's treatment felt to me like it went better than any of the other ones.  I basically had no "symptoms" during the treatment.  Sometimes I have had a bad taste (chemical) in my mouth during treatment or occasionally I have felt a little dizzy when they gave me my premeds.  Nothing bad, but it was just nice to feel so "normal" during the treatment today.

My blood counts are hanging in there.  With the injections I'm getting, my white count remains high.  Platelets and red count are on the low side, but okay.  The Dr. increased the dosage back up some today, so he'll see how that impacts my counts next week.  Between now and next Tuesday if you want to know how to pray, you can pray for my platelets and my red count! :-)

Almost every time I tell another woman about my diagnosis, she wants to know about my symptoms and how I knew to go in to the Dr. when I had just had my annual check-up that had come back normal.  I have spoken to many women who have an uneasiness about the possibility they could have or will have ovarian cancer.  Today I visited with a lady who was in the chemotherapy room with another patient.  She is a retired teacher, so we were "soul sisters" right away. She wanted to know why I was there (only a teacher would ask!), then wanted to know how I knew I had ovarian cancer.  She then asked if I had been real sick with the chemotherapy.  I had the opportunity in telling her both stories, that God's hand has been so obvious throughout this experience.  She gestured with her hands, and made a "covering".  She said, "It sounds like you are just surrounded!"  I told her that I was surrounded by prayer and that it had made, and is making all the difference in my treatment.  She said she believed that too and seemed encouraged by my story! 

Shara and G.B. McClanahan

When I knew I would be this far into my treatment on April 30, I resigned myself to the fact that I probably wouldn't be able to attend the graduation of my niece and nephew in Indiana on that date.  As you know, April 30 was this past Saturday.  I praise the Lord that I was able to be there for all of the festivities!!!  What a miracle!  I was praising Him all week-end, for every event I got to attend.  And if I had to leave a little early to rest or to get the right food in my stomach ;-), I was just thankful I was there!  I took all my "paraphernalia" and gave myself the injections so my treatment didn't "miss a beat"!  What a wonderful blessing and a great weekend!

At the Baccalaureate service Friday evening, the congregation sang the "Revelation Song".  I was moved to tears as I heard the crowd of about 2000 singing,

Worthy is the Lamb, Who was slain, Holy, Holy is He.  
Sing a new song, to Him Who sits on, heaven's Mercy Seat.

Clothed in rainbows, of living color, flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder.
Blessing and honor strength and, glory and power be, to you the only wise King.

Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder, at the mention of Your name, 
Jesus, Your name is Power. Breath and Living Water, such a marvelous mystery.
 
Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God almighty, 
Who was and is, and is to come. 
With all creation I sing, Praise to the King of Kings, 
You are my everything and I will adore You....

If there's one thing I've learned during these past few months, it is that we do not control one minute or any event of any day.  "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." (James 1:17)  God is in control, even when we live with the illusion that we are!  And every breath is a gift.  Every day is a gift.  Undeserved gifts!  I'm thankful that He is trustworthy and I can rest in knowing that He doesn't vary or change!  We can't say that about anything else in this world!  So, I had to stand with the 2000 people and sing from the bottom of my soul, "With all creation I sing, Praise to the King of Kings......"  Whew!  I'm getting teary-eyed now.  Time to quit!

Thanks again to everyone for your support, prayers, cards, text messages, phone calls, ad infinitum....  Today I received a card signed by seventeen men in South Carolina, an Intercessory Prayer Group.  I don't know sixteen of the seventeen, but they are praying for me.  I am humbled and honored by the support of so many people!