Friday, February 29, 2008

Covered with His feathers and under His wings

I began a second course of Erbitux treatments yesterday. I didn't have to start with a double dose this time, just the dosage I maintained during the last 8 treatments. This morning I felt like I did before. My legs were bothering me and I felt achy. I took some Tylenol and that helped. My face is flushed, especially on the right side and feels warm to the touch.
As I sat in the room waiting for them to get the IV started I just thought how I sure didn't want to have to do this again. I just had to pray for God to calm me, and He did. Sometimes you just do what you gotta do.

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, ''He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.'' Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. Psalm 91:1-6

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Visit with doctor today

We saw my oncologist today. He consulted with another oncologist in Birmingham about his proposed treatment plan with Erbitux. She concurred with his treatment plan. Though, I don't think she would have swayed his conviction, it was confirmation that this is right for her to agree with him. So I will begin treatments in 2 weeks. I will have 8 consecutive weeks, once a week, just like in the summer. Then the plan is for me to continue with the Erbitux once a month for an extended period. At least I've got this option and there is not a need to go with conventional chemo treatments. I've been blessed with very nice doctors who truly want to see me healed.

I start in 2 weeks so that I can spend next week with my Monkey Boys. The Monkey Boys mom and dad and sister, Monkey Girl, will be going to Hawaii for the week. What fun to get to spend the week with my grandsons while their parents and sister get to enjoy a special time in a special place.

I do have a praise. I returned to Birmingham last week to have a place biopsied on my tongue that looked suspicious to me. Thankfully, my doctor called Saturday to tell me it was only inflamed tissue. He said he had two pathologists check it giving them my history with this cancer. He said he was happy. I told him I was, too :)
It may have never been anything, but who am I to deny that God might have completely healed it before it was removed!

I have set the LORD always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. (Psalm 16:8 NIV)

We must offer ourselves to God like a clean, smooth canvas and not worry ourselves about what God may choose to paint on it, but at each moment, feel only the stroke of His brush.-- Jean Pierre de Caussade

Friday, February 1, 2008

"Fight for me, God!"

Read from my Beth Moore devotional last night. Her last words of prayer most definitely speak my sentiments exactly:
"Lord Your power has not diminished since the days when You revealed Your power and glory as You fought for Israel. I am Your child, too. Fight for me, God! Overpower the one who seeks to overpower me!" (based on Exodus 15:9-10)