Post-chemo update

Denise has had a totally different set of side effects from the chemo last week.  Although she has had no nausea, she has had some severe body aches and pains from this last round.  She was able to talk to the oncologist's office yesterday, and they said that what she was experiencing was normal and that- like the nausea- it would improve some each day.  Please pray for a rapid improvement in her aches and pains- especially because her birthday is on Thursday!  I hate the thought of her being miserable on her birthday!  Overall, though, she is being a trooper and hanging in there! 

She does not have a treatment this week like originally thought, so when she gets over the body aches, she should have a few good days before her next round!  Please pray for her pain relief and also for rest of body and spirit. 

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. -Matthew 11:28

Change in Chemo Plans

Denise went to the West clinic yesterday expecting the fourth round of the chemo she has been getting.  Once the doctor heard how sick she was after this last round, though, he decided to change her chemo schedule.  She got to skip the last round of this regimen and move on to the next steps which now includes a once-a-week treatment (that should not be so hard to tolerate) as well as another treatment every other week.   Please pray for minimal side-effects from the treatment today.

Another prayer request is for the AWS (Axillary Webbing Syndrome) that Denise is experiencing.  This was caused by having some lymph nodes removed during her mastectomy and causes pain and limited mobility.  She is going to physical therapy three times a week to try to help the issues, but could definitely use some prayer for healing of her arm. 

Thanks for the support and prayers for Denise and her family!  I will update again soon!

Still sick...

Please continue to pray for Denise and for freedom from this sickness!  She had chemo last Wednesday and is still not feeling well.  Pray for some good days to find her very soon! 

Day 6 update

My partner, Rachael, speaks of each day in terms of what day in Denise's chemo treatment it is, so I thought Day 6 would be a good post title!  Rachael and I were able to have a great visit with Denise this afternoon, and thankfully, day 6 is treating her better this round than last!  She has still been nauseous, but has managed to stay in good spirits and also not get sick.  On Monday, Denise realized that her hair was indeed coming out by the clump-full, so she decided to take action!  Her sweet friend Shay came over to aid in the process with the help of Dave and the boys!  Denise, Dave and Ryan all now have shaved heads!  Denise looks beautiful with her super-short new do!  Her head is still tender, so continue to pray for her comfort level, and that she will be able to enjoy the good days that are headed her way hopefully starting tomorrow! 

Post-chemo update

Denise had her second treatment on Thursday and is in the midst of the miserable days that follow.  Dave said that the doctors were able to change her nausea medications, and that might have helped some this time around.  She has still had the nausea, but maybe not quite as badly as last time.  She is taking several different medications for the nausea now which are knocking her out, so she is sleeping quite a bit.  Please pray for relief of these symptoms quickly for Denise.  Please also pray for Dave and the boys as they have to watch her suffer so much. 

Keep praying...

Hello all!  I wanted to pop in and give a quick update on sweet Denise!  I was able to talk to her for a while this afternoon.  Thankfully, she is finally feeling better.  It took her a full seven days to feel somewhat normal after her first round of chemotherapy.  She is cautiously optimistic that with a few adjustments to her medicine after her next treatment she may feel a little bit better.  Please pray that she will not feel as horrible for as long!  Another prayer request is for her boys and for Denise and her emotional strength as she will probably start to lose her hair within the next week.  She is prepared for this but is anxious about how it will affect her boys.  Please pray for them through this process.  I will update later in the week after her next treatment on Thursday.  Thanks for all the prayers and support!

Monday Update

Denise is hanging in there, but has had a really hard time in these last few days since her first chemotherapy treatment.  She has had several side effects that are common with chemo but still not pleasant.  Please pray for her comfort, for as few side effects as possible, and that she will start to feel better very soon.  Thanks so much for the prayers, love, and support for Denise and her family!