I am still here dear readers….just a lot has happened in the shuffle through Chemo, doctor visits, emergency room visits, hospitals, highs, lows and all of that in between.
I really don’t know how people manage all of the above without a faith of some kind, because the going can get rough and tough.
If I didn’t have my Lord and Savior with me every step of the way….I would be floundering in a sea of despair.
Romans 8:37 “In all these things we are more than conquerers through him who loved us.”
First, the good news.
The horrible, ugly, nasty chemo has managed to shrink my cancer by 30 %….which excited me, but my oncologist….not so much.
It went from 2 centimeters to 1.3 centimeters.
Remember, she has to do the surgery and apparently she wants it much smaller.
The bad? sad? news?
I confess….I was disappointed when she said “Continue the chemo….we will try to modify it a bit so it will be easier for you to tolerate.”
(You see, there are days when I have a type of vertigo where I can’t read with out getting dizzy….and the nausea from the strong dosage of chemo is almost unbearable.)
I was hoping to go straight to radiation and then surgery. ;(
And then….
And then on Thursday, at 2 in the morning, I ended up in an ambulance on the way to the hospital.
I felt like singing…..’I love a parade” as the fire truck, the paramedics AND the ambulance arrived on my street with all red lights flashing and waking up the entire neighborhood.
And they kept all lights going while the wonderful EMS ladies strapped me in and slapped on sticky pads all over my body….right out there in my front yard for all to see.
Thank goodness they did not have sirens going.
Whew!
I think I saw Mrs Kravitz come running out her door in a short nightie and hair curlers screaming…” is she ok”?
Ok, maybe that was one of my delusions, but I do remember thinking….please shut off your lights and let’s not make a spectacle of all this.
So why was an ambulance called?
The dear ole Captain felt I was having a heart attack and in reality, it turned out to be a gall bladder attack, which feels pretty much the same.
So after two days in the hospital….it was determined my gall bladder needed to come out….but then the team of doctors had their conferences, much like the major summit meetings…and the decision to not operate was the consensus of everyone except…get this…my Senior Oncologist in Tampa.
Maybe she felt like she would have enough to remove in the 8-10 hour Whipple operation, and her job could be made easier.
And maybe the doctors in the ER said….”whoa! we are not touching this one…let’s pass the buck”!
Now, dear readers….I don’t know if any of those conversations took place, but I did come home from the hospital with my inflamed gall bladder intact.
And on a soft food, low fat diet.
Yay!!!!!!
Of course you know I am craving ALL fried foods now.
Fried Chicken, Chicken Fried Steak, Deep Fried Catfish…..and I could go on and on.
As I eat my clear jello.
And sip on my hot tea and nibble on my dry toast.
After church yesterday, one of our sweet ladies offered to drop off some Chicken Broth and it tasted so good.
That is another plus…when one of our own is down…all our wonderful church family lifts us up.
And not just my church family but all my friends across the globe.
Yes, I have dear friends in Ireland, England, Australia, Canada and Mexico who are sooooo supportive.
And I can’t forget all my super-wonderful blogger friends.
I have been receiving such beautiful encouraging cards from you….. that I send the Captain to the mailbox daily looking for my daily encouragement.
i can’t thank you enough sweet friends.
I read the cards over and over….
So until next installment….the word is to keep on keeping on and so with God as my Captain, and my Captain as my co-captain…
More Chemo treatments, hopefully not as strong….until my oncologist is satisfied.
Remember, we got this at stage one (or two) which is highly unusual.
Once it reaches stage 4…it is more difficult to treat and there are not too many success stories at that stage of the cancer.
Keep apprised of your body dear friends….if you feel something isn’t quite right…most likely YOU are right.
Get regular check ups and insist on further tests even if your doctor does not.
We caught mine very early.
I have to also remind you that Dorian was sending winds and rain and devastating the Bahamas….I pray for all those who have lost everything, my heart goes out to them…. and I thank God for sparing Florida.
I leave you with my verse for today.
Proverbs 3: 5, 6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your path straight.”
Hugs and much love and Blessings Always
Sue Derosier says
Weren’t we a pair! sitting outside at Moffit trying to warm up in 90 degree weather. Yes the journey is a rough one but we’re still here doing what they tell us to do like the brave soldiers we are! We Have it better than some and harder than others but here we are still here. We got this! Keep your chin up!
Kari says
Sue it was so interesting talking to you Wednesday at Moffit….Someone to share our journey with….interesting because at my oncologist appointment, the feeding tube was mentioned if I didn’t start gaining weight. Ugh. Thanks for the insight on that.
They did modify my drip on Friday and that helped a lot. More to come my new friend.
Janet says
Kari:
So sorry to hear about the gall bladder attack. It’s not that you don’t have enough things to think about, right? I admire your strength, faith & sense of humor throughout this whole ordeal. Thx for keeping us updated. I know some days are better than others. Just know that we think of you often & our prayers are with you. Much love to you and Tom.
Janet & Bud
Nancy says
Oh my sweet friend… I have been thinking of you and praying so hard for you. I was gone for a while but am back now so I needed to find out how things were going.
Your humor and your amazing faith will surely help you get through this.
Somehow I giggled during this post… giggling and praying for my sweet friend … at the same time.
YOU will get through this! Jesus has his loving arms wrapped around you!
Love you so much!
the Painted Apron says
Oh sweet Kari, this is just unbelievable! You are constantly in my thoughts and prayers even though I have been remiss to email you…the last 2 weeks have been quite busy but you are always in my heart and I admire your bravery and attitude so much!! I was so happy you were spared from the hurricane, thank God, and God help those in the Bahamas that are struggling so…I promise I will be better sending you notes, keep up the great fight!!
❤️ Jenna
Brenda Peters says
Sending prayers and hugs to you and your captain. Love you both
Sandra Garth says
I’m thrilled that you still give us updates and hope all the cards start falling into place for you soon. We love you and continue to pray for your daily strength and recovery.
Rita C. says
I love hearing from you, Kari. I am sad for what you’re having to endure, but your humor is so fun and uplifting. (btw, I called myself Mrs Kravitz in our old neighborhood, keeping a pulse on activity around us, lol, but I promise that wasn’t me!). Geez, just when you thought you couldn’t eat, your gall bladder goes and acts out, and wouldn’t you know it, that’s when you WANT to eat?? Not fair, just not fair.
Thank you for letting us know how you’re doing. Big hugs for you, and steadfastness for your Co-Captain. XO
Tammy in Albuquerque says
Kari, I was just thinking about you and praying for you this past weekend. Thank you for the continued updates. Much love and prayers. Hugs~. Tammy
Linda says
I am always grateful to see your blog posted. I am following your journey closely. You really made my day today and I wanted you to know. Several members of my family are dealing with some rough diseases right now and I needed to be reminded that the Lord is with us always.
Ross says
Mega hugs from across the pond honey. I find you are an amazing inspiration, a tower of strength, with such an amazing heart. You are so blessed to have a loving family who obviously care so very deeply about you. Fight on and keep your faith. Much love xx
Everyday Living says
My dear friend, you are amazing…your humor is intact and your faith in our Lord and Savior has not faltered. In the midst of your chemo to have a gall bladder attack is unthinkable. The scene you painted of all the medical personnel arriving in your neighborhood made me laugh, I know you were not laughing at the time with your horrific pain. I am praying that the chemo will continue to shrink the cancer, but faster…praying that your gall bladder will not act out again…praying for your sweet captain as he takes care of you…praying that you feel the sweet Arms of Jesus holding you…praying that you feel the prayers of all your friends…praying for some good days that you feel like being up. You are loved dear Kari ❤️
Candis Wiebracht says
Love to you dear friend, praying for this next round to shrink it to your Dr. wishes. I love how you have always walked so close to Him amidst the sufferings. May you feel His comfort and assurance that He is walking with you. Candis