3.16.23

We’ve had a busy couple of days! I had my reconstruction consult on Tuesday. We planned to head down a day early and enjoy some time away. But apparently we live in the season of life where whatever we plan doesn’t go as planned and our get away was cut short. Such is life. We were able to enjoy a meal out with dessert before our change of plans so that was nice! 🙂 (Not sure I would have drove 3 hours for the meal but Aaron might disagree 😉🤣🙂 Don’t get me wrong, it was VERY good!) The good new is, I am a good candidate for the type of reconstruction I would like to do. The “bad” news.. This particular doctor is booked out about 9 months at the moment! He also strongly recommended waiting at least 9 months after radiation to do surgery. I do have another consult with an out of state doctor later in April so I won’t be a making any decisions quite yet. From what I have seen in their facebook group waiting at least 6 months is what seemed to be the most common. Of course that all depends on the doctors availability. One thing I will say is that even when things don’t go like I would like them to I can see how God has everything in control. I was pretty bummed when I found out I couldn’t do my reconstruction immediately after surgery. BUT at the time of surgery we didn’t realize that I would need chemo or radiation. Had I had the immediate reconstruction I may not have been happy with my final results after radiation. (Radiation can be hard on the skin and we were told that they may be able to fix some of those problems during reconstruction.) So while I was disappointed at the time, I’m thankful now. 🙂 As much as I want to have my reconstruction surgery done this year, I know there were will be some disappointment if it doesn’t, I’m going to rest in the fact that God knows whats best for me and there is a reason it’s not happening when I want it to. ❤️

As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.

Psalm 18:30

Since our consult was on Tuesday, my normal infusion day, we had chemo on Wednesday. Everything went really well! My fingers are still sensitive. They do hurt with the ice but nothing like that one day where they hurt basically the whole time. I still say I have no idea why they hurt so bad that day and haven’t since- other than, that’s a huge answer to prayers! 💗 I’m dealing with more hot flashes during the night, not sure if I should be thankful that that’s when they happen or not.. They tend to interrupt sleep. 😬 But I don’t notice them so much during the day. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Aaron’s mom came to stay with the kids while we were in Madison, and then during my chemo appointment. The girls had fun making crafts and hanging out with grandma. (I’m sure the boys had fun with grandma too!) She brought up some yummy cookie dough balls from Aaron’s Aunt Linda. Aaron’s grandma makes the BEST oatmeal buns, she brought up a couple bags of those that are in the freezer, I am looking forward to gobbling those up!

I was told at the beginning that chemo could change my nail beds. And it does. I finally decided to just paint them because they looked kind of gross.. And if I keep them long, they “roll over” the end of my finger (kind of hard to explain but it looks goofy. If I remember right, that should all clear up once I’m done. Yesterday’s weather was warmer and I could definitely tell! I ended up spending most of the day not wearing a hat. You know, it took a couple of week being out and about wearing a hat to not feel like I had everyone’s eyes on the back of my neck. It’s going to be the same going out and about without a hat too. Especially while I’m basically bald (I didn’t loose it all! There is still a little fuzz up there! 😉). My hair won’t officially start growing back again until about two weeks after the last infusion. With number ten in the books that leaves two left. TWO. I’m getting so, so, so excited!!

Prayers are still very much appreciated! That the last two treatments would go as well as the other ten have. Prayers as we face more radiation stuff, for wisdom for our doctors as they recommend treatment options. Prayers for wisdom for us as we are faced with decisions to make. We were planning to head to Iowa this weekend, but Mom is not feeling well so we won’t be going down now. She started feeling sick last week, we thought she’d be good to go by now.. she’s not. You can pray that she will feel better soon. We are all pretty disappointed our plans got canceled. Also, a couple of our kiddos woke up Wednesday not feeling well. 😬 Mainly headaches and laying on the couches feeling down. You can pray that no one else gets sick including Grandma Jill!