11/27/12

Okay so last time I said I almost had to be taken off for a week, anyways, I take a week off of chemo.
Which is fine by me (means less nausea on my part) but isn't good news. Anywho, it only made us more curious to see what the results of this Mondays blood test would be. So again it was high, 3rd week in the row. Luckily I have one more week left that I can be off until they have to drop my dose to level 2 of the chemo.

I kind of thought it would be a little break on my body since I wasn't on chemo, therefore a little holiday gift, but it definitely hasn't been. I guess there are still some drugs in my system that I'm not even taking that make me sick and give me horrible headaches, and make me feel like I'm going to pass out. So I've spent lots of time in bed recently. But on a happier note, I got my honey baked ham on Thanksgiving. It was delicious.
I think God knew what he was doing when he gave me cancer, but I don't think cancer knew what it was doing when it started attacking me.
Oh and we're going to Hawaii on December 30th, for those of you that keep asking!

 Anyways the girls, leaders, and many others in my ward did a Festival of Trees tree for me. It's very cute!

It's probably a really good thing I have this little clone of me, since I happen to have a lot of free time. And the others in my family, I just really like Jordyn.

YAY!

So after a long day of appointments today, okay it wasn't that long. But anyways after all my appointments I am pleased to say that my tumor has.... (drumroll).... SHRUNK EVEN MORE! Not that much, but hey, I'll take what I can get! It's an answer to my prayers, and for that, I'm grateful:) All of my doctors, my RO, NO,  Speech and swallowing therapist, Physical therapist and all of the nurses are so impressed with my improvement, especially when they found out I ran that 5K. It's kind of exciting to see them so impressed.
Anyways, Dr. Broniscer said this is the part that's always out of their control, because I'm still on the chemo (I almost had to be taken off for a week because my GGT, (liver test) is about 7 times the average persons) So hopefully the chemo will kill the tumor because it's still alive, and DIPG tumors are very aggressive. So we're still hoping and praying this chemo will kill the tumor, and all will be well. But whatever is in the plan for me is what's going to happen, so I'm not about to fret. Anywho, just thought I'd update ya'll since there has been so much support, and many prayers. Thankyou!
Love ya'll,
Rach
PS, I got my second flu shot today and I made my mom get one too! Watch out, Dad, Lauren, Devin, Heather and Jordyn, you're next!

In the airport

So Diane and I are in the airport because she always has to be extremely early. So once again I am bored out of my mind so I decided to update this old thing. So this week we're going back for a bloodtest, and an MRI. Which is rather nerve racking, considering the news could be really good or REALLY bad. So we're praying and hoping it's really good, because I'm sick of bad news:)  Luckily we only have to go back a few days, and we'll be home Thursday afternoon.
So anyways people ask me how I am a lot, and about my current condition. So my answer is, Good! For the most part. Recently I have been having a few good days, and then a bad day, then a few more good days then a bad. "What is the bad day like?" They ask in reply, in which I say, "mostly just sick to my stomach, I'll throw up, but basically just laying in bed all day."
The truth is, I'm worlds different (in a better condition) ever since I've been home for the most part. I think there is a healing aspect to the home, something about being there. Or maybe feeling comfortable helps healing. Or perhaps I'm just crazy! But anyways, I could hardly hold a conversation let alone say one sentence/write on my blog at that time at the time I was leaving Memphis. But ever since I've been able to be home and with the people I love, I'm back to my normal, chatty, sassy self!:)
Anyways, this week I've been getting super excited for Christmas, watching all my Christmas favorite movies! I'm definitely not one of those "no Christmas til after Thanksgiving" kind of people. Although I do like Thanksgiving, but I don't like turkey. Lucky for Honey Baked Ham!

But anyways, I'm just severely bored sitting here in the airport... see!  But this next MRI really is scary. PRAYING and hoping for good results. Feel free to do the same:) And thanks so much for all the prayers and service that have already been given, SOOOO appreciated. I feel it all the time. There really is such a special power about prayer, that is a feeling I can't describe when you're on the receiving end of so many. So thank you thank you thank you!
I can do hard things!
Rach

November 9th

So my wish got granted, and I'm going to Hawaii with my whole family. So my wishgranters Tiffany and Beth threw a surprise party to tell me! It was exciting:)

 All my friends that came!

 Me and coach Camie!

 These next pictures are from the Run for Rachel 5K. (Which I ran) I'm still sore! and it was 6 days ago! Okay, I'm not still sore, but you get the picture!

 Above is a man from Harmon's who gave me a 1000 dollar check!

 Me and Jordyn

Gary, Andy, Me and Camie, they were the awesome ones who threw the race for me. (Andy and Camie are my coaches, and Garrett's a friend from track and cross country!)