By the time Monday rolled around, I couldn't keep food down. It was a vicious cycle. I would eat something, but that irritated my throat. The irritation made me cough. The cough triggered a gag reflex which triggered acid reflux which triggered vomiting. Not. fun. at. all.
My blood work revealed that my potassium levels were very low. Prescription supplements were ordered for me. I had actually kept food down for two days prior to getting those supplements, but they made things worse again. One of the side effects is vomiting and that set in for me again . . . worse than before! I stopped the supplements after two days!
I looked up potassium rich foods and I'm not only eating them, I'm keeping them down! Two days now without getting sick, each with three small meals in them! Woo hoo!
My coughing has also diminished quite a bit. My underarm/side pain is going away as well, which indicates it was another side effect of the radiation treatment.
However, I still have no voice. Talking on the phone is very difficult for me, so if you need to reach me, send an email or a text! :D
On to more good news. My blood work also revealed that my tumor markers are now at normal levels and another test that was very high last month is now well within normal as well. (That test reflects bone disease.) From all indications, the current treatment plan is working. The x-rays of my neck shows definite disease regression there due to the radiation, but we're hopeful that these numbers indicate that regression is happening up and down my spine.
Additionally, my kidney and liver numbers are great! Everything is in good working order.
I recently started an interesting project. I've decided to read the Bible by writing it. Yes, I'm copying the Bible into blank books. I'm using the Message version and I'm enjoying the project quite a bit. (I call it my "Bible Project." I was inspired by seeing a handwritten Bible in the Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum.)
I emptied my first ink pen today and I'm only on the 19th chapter of Genesis!
Would you like to be a part of this project? You can participate by giving me black ink pens. I'd prefer smooth rolling pens, but not gel pens. Nothing fancy (Bic is fine). By doing this, I can be praying for the giver of the pen while working on the project. (At some point, I'm going to need more blank books, but right now, I have four of them and am still in the first one.)
PRAYER POINTS:
Great praise for the work God has done! His story will continue to be a good story, even if the disease is progressing instead of regressing.
I am supposed to get a biopsy of the lesion in my rib at some point. I'd like to get that on the books as soon as possible.
I would LOVE to be able to talk again!
I would LOVE to be able to taste foods again. The taste buds are healing, but most foods still taste pretty awful.
ONGOING: “Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.” (These are the words of Jesus, as recorded in John 13:34-35. The Message) As I pursue what it means to "love my people," I've been shown that loving someone is to show up in their life. I'm still not sure what that means, but I continue to seek after God for clarification.
Thank you for loving me.