Jessica's Journey

 CHEMOTHERAPY WEEK 11 Yesterday was week 11 for my chemo infusion!  Only one more week to go during this phase of chemotherapy.  I was there for about three hours BEFORE they even took me down to get my infusion.  Needless to say, it was a long day.  We waited on labs for quite a while but my counts looked good enough to receive treatment.  Praise God.  I also got to see my oncologist yesterday.  He is pleased with how things are going with me.  A pharmacist also came in to educate me on my next phase of chemotherapy.  (red devil phase)  I will be going straight into that phase as soon as I finish treatment number twelve next week.  Please keep me in your prayers as it will be much harder on my body than the current treatment I'm on.  Thank you all so much for the continued prayers.  God is listening and He is answering!  

 CHEMOTHERAPY WEEK 10 I'm getting behind on my entries!  Week 10 went very well, no issues during my infusion.  However, the week at home was much more rough on me than usual.  I had extreme fatigue and weakness.  I have grown to expect the fatigue because it happens every week.  But I had much more this past week.  I don't think I was drinking enough fluids.  I'll definitely be pushing the fluids after treatment 11.  On a positive note, someone sent me an extremely lush blanket this week, which was perfect timing since I was in the bed a lot.  I'm still amazed at the generosity of everyone, even strangers who don't personally know me.  I'm very blessed.  

  CHEMOTHERAPY WEEK 9 Today was treatment #9!  Only three more to go with this phase of chemotherapy.  I'll then begin the next phase, consisting of eight more weeks of chemotherapy and immunotherapy.  Today was a smooth day.  I got to see my oncologist today.  He is pleased with how things are going.  He discussed setting up an MRI sometime after this first phase of treatment.  We will be checking to see how well my tumor has responded to the chemotherapy and immunotherapy thus far.  Fingers crossed that it has shrunk, or even disappeared!  Every day of this journey is a mental battle.  No one prepared me for how difficult this would be on my mental state.  It's a constant rollercoaster of emotions...worry, fear, dread, hopelessness, anger, sadness, but also hopefulness, empowerment, strength, resilience, motivation, drive, and determination.  I try every day to focus on the positives.  It's not always easy and I hav...