Surviving Cancer

I’m currently reading a book that I have found very inspirational and helpful during this tough journey I have found myself on. It’s called, “It’s Not Supposed to be This Way” by Lysa Terkeurst. This book is not just about breast cancer struggles, but about about hardship and difficulties in life, in general. A good read for anyone going through a hardship. I am only about halfway through but have taken away so much already, including the title I chose for this blog entry. It really spoke to me. I am imperfect, but that is because God is still creating the story of my life.

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. (1 Peter 5:10)

While my story is unfinished, I know I must walk through God’s process before I see His fulfilled promise; another great takeaway from this book. It is definitely hard to comprehend this concept the majority of the time while going through something hard, like a breast cancer diagnosis at age 28. This is just a small phase of my life that will somehow shape me and change me for the better down the road. I have said it before and I’m going to say it again, my story, my life, will not end with cancer.

On another note, I got to spend an amazing time home for Christmas with both Josh and I’s family’s. It was great to be home and spend some quality time with family. Most of all, I love seeing my kids get to spend quality time with our family’s and make memories with their cousins!

Now that we are back to reality, I had chemo scheduled first thing Monday. I’m always anxious sitting there waiting for the results from my blood draw. I think I’ve mentioned before that I have mychart and am able to get the results on my app before seeing my doctor or nurse. So when the results came in and I looked at my ANC count, I was a little disheartened. I thought the long break between this chemo and my last one would have worked in my favor. To my dismay, my ANC was even lower than last times. It was 1,000, so I was thinking chemo would be a no go.

I was able to meet with my nurse practitioner, who consulted with my doctor before even coming into the room for my appointment to make a game a plan, due to my low numbers. They decided to try something new this week to help increase my white blood cell counts and ANC. My doctors gave me the go ahead for chemo, thankfully, and I am to have two days of steroid shots to help with those cell counts. So I went back in today for a quick injection and will have to go back in tomorrow for my second one.

I really hope these shots work because if they don’t, there was talk of postponing my next treatment if my numbers don’t improve. It’s just one thing after another. I really just want to finish up this phase of my journey and bring on the next. I really shouldn’t complain too much because my body has been withstanding quite a bit. Even with my chemo treatments and being exposed to a plethora of sick bugs, I have yet to come down with anything. I have had practically no side effects and have managed to ward off all sicknesses to this point, so I will take what I can get and thank the Lord for continuing to bless me in the ways that He has.