Walking Through Faith in Challenging Days
October 1-3, 2022
Walking through faith during extreme trials means learning to carry physical weakness while clinging to spiritual truth. These entries reflect a few days in October 2022, capturing the balance between pain, fatigue, family life, and trusting God throughout it all.
October 1
Woke to Joe’s alarm. Up and down few times in the night using restroom. Very wobbly on my feet almost fell a couple times had to catch bed or furniture to keep from falling. Hot flashes a couple times. Got out from under covers until I got chilly. Heart palpitations are bothersome.
Reminds me of one of the times I was pregnant. I had been taking Zyrtec for my allergies, but the Dr wanted me off because studies hadn’t been done to see if it was safe for pregnancy. Put me on Sudafed instead. I ended up in hospital because it caused heart palpitations and arrhythmia. Stopped taking Sudafed. Nothing else I tried worked. Back to Zyrtec after baby was born. All pregnancy induced ailments disappeared once I gave birth.
I haven’t thought about that in years. It makes me hopeful that my memories are coming back. Thank you, Lord.
I’m in much pain this morning. The neuropathy seems to be getting worse with each dose. Eyes watery. Headache. With the neuropathy, my hands seem to get feebler causing me to have dropsies.
Scripture Reflections: Romans 15:11-12; Nehemiah 11-13; Malachi 1-4
Question: how can I protect my heart during chemotherapy treatment?
https://www.cancer.org/latest-news/protect-your-heart-during-cancer-treatment.html
Found a pdf booklet about cancer survivorship which covers a lot of information regarding cancer care, possible symptoms, questions to ask doctors, etc. It’s 48 pages long. Sent it to my email address to see if I can print it in booklet form to save ink and paper.
Tagged in a post by my niece Samantha that her kids were wearing pink in honor of breast cancer awareness month. Go Storm!
Burn papers, chop onions to dehydrate, prep rice to cook in crockpot for dinner tonight (stuffed peppers), Joe helped me dump the rinsed rice water on plants outdoors, made fresh carrot juice for next couple days. Got out ingredients to make fresh Italian seasoning but I cannot locate my large container of garlic powder, Joe helped me get the dehydrator set up on front porch.
Reading articles from Marnie Clark on how to ease side effects through cancer treatments. A week to ten days after treatment days, I’m pretty miserable.
https://marnieclark.com/why-probiotics-and-prebiotics-are-so-crucial-during-chemotherapy/
This time I tried fasting with only eating dinner the day before, day of, and day after to see if it’ll minimize my symptoms.
https://marnieclark.com/the-impact-of-intermittent-fasting-for-breast-cancer-patients/
Worked on writing up my weekly update. I’m never really certain what to say nor how much to include. This week was a bit lengthy, but I wanted to share some of the things that go along with getting chemotherapy treatments.
I’m beyond exhausted. Need to lie down for a while.
Meant to sleep only for an hour but ended up sleeping until it was time for bed. Sometime while I was sleeping, I turned to get more comfortable and my left shoulder popped. Ouch! Oh, it hurts a great deal now.
Heard Dezirae and Joe talking. Asked questions. Joe told me not to worry about it. I mentioned I need to get up to finish the bulletin. Almost as if in unison, they both said that missing one week the church would understand.
Soul Winning Conference pushed back a week to October 12-14. It’ll work out better for me because I should be on the mend and feeling somewhat better. We understand that car accidents can be a mess and have lasting injuries with multiple doctors’ appointments. I’m glad that Mrs. Jackie is still alive. Time and proper care will help heal the injuries. Keeping them in my prayers.
Sat up to use restroom. I’m having a dizzy spell. Joe had to hold my hand to help me back to bed. The dizziness is making me a bit nauseous. Sucking on a ginger chew. I don’t want to get sick. Yuck. Tried to take my night vitamins. Ended up choking on the vitamin C. Unable to take 4th vitamin C. Throat feels swollen.
Thankful for …
1. Receiving good news from a local Pastor and the men of his church are going to help us with painting the auditorium and mission house. Thank you, Lord! I cried tears of Joy!!!
2. So far this round my side effects are minimal. Next few days will tell.
3. Loving family.
October 2
Rough night. Tossed and turned trying to get comfortable. Left shoulder throbbing horribly after it popped a few times. Balance off. Hot flashes. Stuffy nose.
Song: Burdens
Scripture Reflection: Proverbs 29:25; Luke 1:1-80; John 1:1-14
Took Pepto and sipping on flat ginger ale to soothe upset stomach. I’m very nauseous and feel if I could puke, I’d feel better. Not a good feeling.
Got up to print out SS attendance rosters for 4th quarter, typed up and printed Special Music schedule, finished bulletin and printed 5 for people who absolutely needed it.
Decided to make the meatloaf so it can rest in fridge until ready to bake. Made more Italian seasoning mix. Put a few dishes away.
I’m exhausted and hurting. Going to go lay down a while.
Slept for couple hours. Rejoice Radio playing while I slept.
Still feeling blah and a bit nauseous but it has eased some. Sipping on apple juice.
Put meatloaf in oven. Made no bake fudge cookies. The smell and taste of peanut butter turn my stomach right now. I used to love eating peanut butter. Keeping Jordon and his roommates supplied with goodies.
Laying back down. Stomach is starting to hurt.
Mashed potatoes and asparagus for lunch. The smell of the meatloaf is turning my stomach.
Sleeping a lot today. Don’t feel well. Everything I drink is making my stomach churn. I’m nauseous and my bone are starting to hurt. I don’t like feeling like this.
https://easyhealthoptions.com/prevent-chemotherapy-heart-disease/
October 3
Very rough night. Much pain. Trouble getting comfortable. Multiple trips to bathroom. No energy. Exhausted. Headache. Couldn’t even muster up enough strength to get out of bed to see Dezirae off to school. Makes me sad.
Song: ♫ Goodness of God ♫
Need to go get the auto tags renewed but I don’t have a way to get there nor do I feel up to it. I realized last night I forgot to do that. Ugh.
Scripture Reflection: 1 Peter 1:3; Matthew 1-3; Luke 2
https://www.organiclifestylemagazine.com/how-to-detoxify-from-chemotherapy-and-repair-the-body
https://www.organiclifestylemagazine.com/inexpensive-easy-detox-the-one-gallon-challenge#recipe
Had a time trying to get insurance straightened out again because the Rx wouldn’t process. Several phone calls later and I think it’s finally corrected. Informed by one part of insurance that it’s the insureds responsibility to inform the other dpt of changes. Excuse me.
Mom graciously took me to get Joe’s check deposited then to tag office. $45 late fee later I have tags renewed. I’m exhausted and need to rest. Lost my balance at tag office, but thankfully I was able to steady myself with the help of the cane.
Went to bed when I got home. Glad I had a crockpot meal prepared to dump in crockpot for Joe and Dezirae. I don’t have the energy nor can I eat right now. My tongue and throat have sores, and swallowing is difficult right now. I’ve lost 9 more pounds.
Need to figure out how to repair gut quickly after chemotherapy treatment.
https://wellnstrong.com/healing-your-gut-after-chemotherapy/
https://www.organiclifestylemagazine.com/renewing-health-after-chemotherapy
Thankful for 1. Hugs from God 2. Able to get tags renewed today 3. Dezirae able to hang out with friends today 4. Able to get care pkg mailed today for Jakob and Bri