Blessed

This past week was my off week from treatment. I felt great nearly all week and was able to get in some much needed sister time!

Most importantly this week I realized how truly blessed I am. I have been doing very well about writing in my prayer journal everyday, and I have noticed quite a few of my prayers have been answered this week. Often times, I don't take time to stop and think about what I have asked God for, and notice if it came to pass or not. This week, I have tried my best to pay attention, and have seen things come to pass.

One day I asked God to let me have a good appetite. This prayer was answered almost immediately. I had 3 good meals that day and when I said my prayers for the evening I made sure to thank Him for answering this small prayer for me. Having a good appetite makes a big difference in the day. I also asked for pain free days, and everyday this week has been pain free except for two very short,  intense spells mid week.

Through these little prayers and giving thanks I received a big blessing this past week! On Friday, January 15 I received an unexpected phone call from my Nurse Practitioner. I thought she was just calling to check in and see how things were going as this is how the conversation began... then she says, "Have you heard the news?" I've no clue what she is talking about... she reads me the letter...

My new wheelchair was approved!!!

I instantly began to cry tears of JOY! I did not expect to hear this anytime soon. We had just submitted an emergency appeal the week before and I didn't think it would go through honestly. Apparently, God had other plans ya'll and I am so glad. I should have my new wheels around the second week of February! I am looking forward to getting them. Everything is going to be so much easier as far as being transported... Mom will be able to put the new chair in her car a whole lot easier than my current one. It's going to be a lot easier for me to get around in as well.

Pictures to come as soon as we pick it up!

Love & Hugs,

Crystal

Happy Hats :)

Since shaving my head I have fallen in love with hats, boggans, & headwraps. They make each day fun, especially when a hat matches perfectly with my outfit of the day (#ootd for all you who love hashtags).

Before diagnosis you couldn't get me to wear anything on my head. I didn't like how anything looked. Now, I can't get enough! I'm all the time looking for new ones when I go shopping. I bring home at least one new one from each Chemo week. People make them and donate them to Tennessee Oncology, and patients get them for free! I think that is awesome!

For me, wearing the hats gives me something to look forward to that makes me feel good. They make putting together an outfit a lot more fun, as well as make me happy. Thus the title, "Happy Hats!" :)

Love and Hugs,
Crystal

Chemo Round 2

Well, I had round 2 this past Tuesday... as always treatment goes well; but I left in a very ill mood. I am not quite sure why this happens but for the first few days post treatment I am just an all out grouch. This time around, I experienced the cold sensitivity, and it is just like they say. It feels like your hands and/or feet have fallen asleep and pins and needles are poking you if cold air hits them. Thus, not a very pleasant experience making me an unhappy person.

The side effect I dislike the most is the restlessness. I am trying my best to fight through it because I should be feeling like me come tomorrow or Monday.

 I did receive some good news though. I do not have to have radiation at this time because I have responded so well to chemo. There will be 2 more rounds of chemo and then a PET scan to see if things are shrinking like we want them to.. then after that we will discuss the use of radiation.

Also, my oncologist started me on a new medicine called Avastin. It essentially acts Round Up; preventing further blood supply to the tumor and killing off the vessels that are already there to keep it from growing. I am really praying my body responds well!

That's pretty much all for now!

Love and Hugs,
Crystal

Quick Round Up - New Year/Fun/Word of the Year

My first selfies of the New Year with a new hoodie and boggan on. :) The new year has started off great for me. This is one of the first years in a long time that I did not even watch the ball drop... I usually always watch that.. but just didn't care to this year.

I had a great first weekend of 2016 as well as the week leading up to said weekend. It was an off week for treatment so I tried to do something fun everyday and I am happy to say I was successful. I was able to spend time with my best friend Cassie while she was in from WA visiting and felt well enough to get out and have Japanese for lunch over the weekend which I greatly enjoyed.

Best Friends since we were babies!

I was able to go to church Sunday morning with Erin and Terry. It was great to see everyone there as it always is. The sermon was very spot on with my life at this time. Pastor D talked to us about trusting God and the people He places in our lives. There is a reason for everything that goes on it our lives, even the people we meet!!

I was also able to figure out what my word is for the year. Everything that I have heard, seen, and read this year regarding my faith has lead me back to the word Trust. I feel like God placed me on this journey so I would learn to trust Him more through all things in my life. So, I am trusting in Him that I will make it through this journey... and I am trusting that I will find a Godly companion this year.. I really hope I do.

Tomorrow is another big day, round 2 of treatment so just continue to bare with me for updates this week. I should be starting radiation as well.

Love and Hugs,

Crystal