The phrase "COMIN' IN ON A WING AND A PRAYER" comes from a WWII song which is based on the actual words spoken by the pilot of a damaged aircraft who radioed the control tower as he prepared to come into land. The song says, "Tho there's one motor gone, we can still carry on, comin' in on a wing and a prayer"...
The chemotherapy and radiation has taken a toll on my body. I IS STILL SICK!! I have the cold I started with last week which has gone to my lungs. We set up a steam tent at night which seems to help quite a bit. I actually feel pretty good - just a little tired and sore. On Monday morning each week my blood is drawn and before the chemotherapy pump is placed, the results have to be within normal limits. Monday the 13th my counts were lower. My white blood count has dropped a couple of points since I started. If it drops one more point they will not treat me until the counts go back up. I have researched the things I can do that are EXTRA to try to boost my immune system. I am hoping with the extra day this week I can recover a little better. I am careful about where I go and what I do. I need the blood counts to be in a good range so I can start the treatment Tuesday. I am PRAYING hard! Though my spirits are high, my body is a little broken and I am literally limping to the end of this week ON A WING AND A PRAYER!
I have prayed hard for a BUTT SHIELD!! I know I have been protected from a lot of the harsh effects of my treatment. This morning I noticed a large BRIGHT RED BURN in the crease at the top of my right leg! I have NO CLUE how long it has been there! It STARTLED me and actually scared the HECK RIGHT OUT OF ME!! (TRUST ME - I have LOTS of HECK in me!!) While at radiology I asked if that was from the treatment and indeed - my SUNBURN is a bad burn in an area that does not normally see the sun!! It is only on the top of the right leg. There is nothing on my left leg. What you need to know is THIS..... I had surgery on an inguinal hernia years ago - on the right side. The crease at the top of my leg is NUMB! I have not felt any pain at all. I put some Aloe Vera on the burn and felt a little stinging but can you imagine what GRATITUDE I feel that it is only on my right side? I feel this is yet again - ANOTHER TENDER MERCY from Heavenly Father.
I know my prayers are heard. I know many many people are praying for me and in fact, I am COMPLETELY OVERWHELEMED by the messages I receive DAILY - by text, by phone, in my INBOX and on this blog. I am so THANKFUL for my BLESSINGS. I am THANKFUL for FRIENDS. I am THANKFUL for my family. My children are in contact with me EVERY single day and have a genuine love and concern for me. I LOVE them SO MUCH! My grandchildren - Simone, Lukas and Stella call me on their Mama's phone and you cannot imagine how incredibly good that feels. They are such BRIGHT SPOTS in my life and honestly - a HUGE reason for FIGHTING! The HOPE of meeting Kelsi and John's CHARLOTTE in a month keeps me fighting! These babies are the LOVES of my LIFE!
On Valentine's Day Kerm and I went to dinner at a Thai place at 4 pm. As you can imagine, we were the only ones in the restaurant - for at least 20 minutes! It was perfect timing to get out but at a time where we would not run into lots of other people - which kills me - I LOVE people and I LOVE running into people and it makes me sad that I am basically a SHUT IN at this point in time. For the time being - my CHURCH days are OVER! I know this is necessary because I need to stay healthy and strong! The grandchildren came by a little later with hand made cards and some GOURMET CUPCAKES for us! I love those babies to PIECES!!
Two of my friends Susan and Marin brought by the darling little Doggie - complete with a YELLOW LIVESTRONG bracelet around his arm! Along with flowers from BUBBA - these loving thoughts and actions MADE MY DAY!!
I COUNT MY BLESSINGS every single day! This week I decided that during radiation I would pass the time each day by COUNTING MY BLESSINGS - ALL OF THEM. That includes YOU - my friends and family! I am so THANKFUL! I am so APPRECIATIVE of the prayers in my behalf. Please Please Please keep praying for me and my family! The next 14 treatments will continue to lower my immune system and at this point in time - I need all the HELP I can get!
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "But those who HOPE in the LORD will renew their STRENGTH. They will SOAR on WINGS LIKE EAGLES; they will RUN and not grow WEARY, they will WALK and not FAINT".... I HAVE HOPE!!
You are awesome ...... keep on.....keeping on.....you will beat this!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the history of those lyrics and for the thought of the day. I love both! They're perfect and apply to so many situations.
ReplyDeleteAgain, I relate to how concious (sp?) you are of your blood cell counts and how important they are for your treatment. When I had preeclampsia, I was having my blood taken every 4 hours! It's so hard to not be the healthy person you've always been and to shut yourself out for a while. Although I've been fine since having Tyson, my church days are every other week and I am far from the social butterfly I wish I was. I sympathize with you and pray for you!! Hang in there!!! Hugs!
Bobby Jo, if anyone can't beat this, it's YOU!
DeleteYou are in our thoughts and prayers!