Onward and Upward

"Onward and upward" is what my Dr. says after he's examined me, questioned me, and evaluated my blood counts!  (That's on the days I "pass"!)  And I passed today!  Thanks for your prayers!

My platelets and red count are getting lower.  The nurse reminded me that I don't have any "to give away" and I assured her I hadn't been!  The Dr. and nurse both talked about a transfusion.  So that may be part of my future adventures on this journey.  I think they are preparing me for the eventuality!  I hope I can escape that treatment but, as the Dr. said, "It's not the end of the world."

The low red count/hemoglobin will eventually make me tired.  Right now I still have an amazing amount of energy, although I do get winded when I do some "normal" things.  So the nurse said when I get "too pooped to go", they'll probably do a transfusion. 

Today's treatment zapped me.  I expected that to happen last week and it didn't.  Who knew?!  I feel like I've been soaked in chemicals and I had to "sleep off my drunk" when I got home.  But I'm up moving around again.  I don't want that stuff to "pool in my veins"!!  (I know that's not very medical or scientific, but that's how I feel!:-)))  I watered my herb garden and walked around outside a little.  Tomorrow I hope to be back on my daily "regimen".  The nurse suggested that instead of drinking so much water, that I drink more things with nourishment in them so I'm getting ready to make a bunch of limeade.  I'm so excited!  That will make drinking much more fun!  (I know, who said drinking wasn't fun?) :-)  My weight was down a little this week so along with drinking more nourishment, I'm supposing it would also be advisable to eat more ice cream.  (That's my own prescription!)

Today's song that was going through my mind when I woke up is one we sang in church on Sunday.  I may have mentioned it before, but it is relevant again today, and it is "today's song"!  I'll share part of it.  The title is "All Must Be Well"  On iTunes it's sung by Matthew Smith on Incredible Grace Music if you want to download it.  I thank God for putting it in my mind while I was asleep last night.  What a wonderful truth upon which to meditate as I awakened this morning!  The 2nd and 3rd verses go as follows:

Though we pass through tribulation, All will be well.
Cause it's such a full salvation, All is well.
Happy still in God confiding, 
Fruitful if in Christ abiding,
Steadfast through the Spirit's guiding, All must be well.

We expect a bright tomorrow, All will be well.
Faith can sing through days of sorrow, All is well.
On our Father's love relying,
Jesus every need supplying,
Yes, in living or in dying, All must be well!

I am confident that all is well and all will be well!  One last thought.  I seriously laughed out loud during my devotions one morning last week.  The verse that was part of the reading for that day was Psalm 6:2, "O Lord, heal me, for my bones are in distress."  I couldn't believe it!  It was so relevant! Straight to my heart (or bones!)  That verse has now become my prayer and I wasn't surprised when my counts were "okay" this morning!  I will appreciate your continued prayers that the Lord will heal my bones and that they will make all the blood they should be making!

Seven more treatments!  Two more cycles!!  Thanks for hanging in there with me on this journey!  God is so good - all the time!  He is the One to be praised for the strength He provides to me each day!