2.21.23
Oh I can’t tell you how good it feels to be on the downhill side of this!!! I am still doing pretty good! My energy level drops around days 3-4. Nothing terrible. I’m just ready for bed by 8pm. (As in like it or not I’m asleep on the couch around then. haha.) I have noticed that my fingers are more sensitive to touch. It’s kind of hard to explain. I wouldn’t say they are tingly or that I am experiencing pain, but I can tell they definitely feel different. I talked to both my Physical Therapist and Oncologist. The PT stressed the importance of doing the desensitizing exercises. During my session she used a tuning fork to see how responsive my fingertips were to the vibration. Thankfully that hasn’t changed and as soon as she touched a fingertip I could feel the vibrations. The plan is to monitor it for any other changes. I would appreciate prayers that it doesn’t get any worse. If it stays the way it is, it’s not a big deal. I can still function with it that way. My fingers really hurt with the icepacks today though. I toughed it out but I was very wiggly through it. They throbbed and felt like I had knitting needles being jabbed into each finger tip under the nails. 😬 So while your praying that my fingers won’t get any more sensitive you can pray that next weeks ice session goes a little better than today’s…
The swelling in my ankle that I had the ultra sound for last week is still there. Lori gave me a compression tube that I can wear to help with it. I plan to get a pair (or two) of compression socks too I just forgot when I was at Walmart today. 🤣 I’m guessing it’s from the swelling but my ankle, top of my foot, and then my calf, running up the inside of my leg, feels like it’s bruised when I touch/push on it… it just depends on where I’m touching and how sensitive the area is on wether just touching it will hurt. Prayers that that wouldn’t get any worse would be greatly appreciated as well. ❤️
Five more weeks. I can handle this for five more weeks! 😉🙂 Remember how I said I had good and bad news.. My bad news was my eye lashes/eyebrows were getting scarce… 😬 You know it’s obvious when your five year old notices it. “Mom you don’t have any eyebrows.”/ “Mom where are your eyebrows.” it was something like that I can’t quite remember how he said it. You definitely look goofy. (And I don’t mean that in a bad way.) It’s just we’re used to seeing ourselves with eyebrows and eyelashes… so when they are so sparse you can’t really see them you look weird. So I took a couple more pics. I know in a few years things will get foggy and all the details will kind of mesh together and I don’t want to forget. The little comments or the way I felt. On the bright side, I will hopefully be a pro at filling in/drawing my eyebrows so that when I’m a little old lady and need that skill I’ll have it! haha.
This artice ‘Finding Ways to Better Support Cancer Survivors’ was shared with me by a fellow breast cancer survivor a while back and I want to pass it along to ya’ll. You all have been so supportive. Between texts, emails, comments on here, and everyone praying for me, I’m just so thankful for your support and love. Some of the things in the article I’ve already experienced and some I’m sure is yet to come… I think it’s a good article for anyone who has experienced trauma or a life altering experience. Which is why I figured it would be a good article to share. 🙂
Both Easton and Colton went ice fishing for the first time this past week. First Easton got to go, then Colt got to go when we were down on the farm. They had a ball! It was the boys’ turn to go to chemo with me this time and the girls got to spend a couple of nights with grandpa and grandma Hestekin.
Thanks for the update Cassie. You’re getting so close and holding up well from the sound of it–despite the tingling, swelling, and pain from the ice packs. I wondered about that last one, up until now you seemed to be taking it in stride, but I always thought that would be tough. I know you asked about Alpha Lipoic Acid for the neuropathy, but I can’t remember what the doctor said.
The pictures are great, as always, it looks like your little men were a great support team! Thanks for the article too, it helped me better understand what you must be going through–beyond the physical–and will probably experience when the treatments are over. I was wondering how things were going last week, but I know you have a lot on your plate and I didn’t want to “bother you”. I won’t make that mistake again, I was so happy to see the email this morning! Also, thanks for the specific prayer requests…much love and prayers.
I really can’t complain about the symptoms I’ve had so far. The ice packs hurting my hands this time is probably the first “bigger” problem for me with this chemo. I forgot about the Alpha Lipoic Acid, so thank you for the reminder!! I just sent my dr a message about that. When I talked to him about it the first time they wanted to wait and see what type of chemo side effects I would have before I started something else new… So we’ll see what he says to my message from today.
Thanks for keeping us up to date on this journey. That article was wonderful; thanks for including it. I will continue my prayers for you and your family!
Thank you Jean! ❤️
Your eyebrows look great. Good job in “filling them in”. May you be encouraged as you take the downward slide. With God nothing is impossible.
Thank you Josie! ❤️
Oh girl, much prayers for you on your healing. In about 5 weeks will be Spring too, new beginnings for all.
I so enjoy the pics, what a journey you have to share with your family by your side. I am sure it helps the kids in understanding what its all about when they get to go with you.
Also, I enjoyed the video a few back on the skits at church, so funny! I especially liked the driving one, LOL!
May the weeks of ahead be strong ones for you.
Hugs,
Julie 🙂
Thank you Julie! Things could be so much worse! Yesterdays ice session was kind of the first “bump” in the road for me with this chemo…
Yes! I wanted the kids to at least see what it’s all about once. Not everybody gets that chance.
Glad you enjoyed the skits. I thought they were fun to watch.
Yay, you only have a few more to go!!!
You are doing so good! We will continue to keep everything in our prayers.
❤️ Thanks Natalie!
Cassie, thank you so much for continuing to share your journey. I have been following along with your updates and keeping you in my prayers. My mom was also diagnosed with breast cancer last November and is just starting chemo now, so I have been able to share some of your story with her. I am thankful that in Christ, we can walk through trials with hope. You make that so clear in your writing and are an encouragement to so many. May God continue to give you strength and peace each day.
Thank you! I will never be able to thank enough the people that have been lifting me in prayer through this journey! ❤️
I’m so sorry to hear about your mom! We’ll be praying for her as she starts her cancer journey! I know no two cancer patients are the same but if she ever wants to talk or has questions feel free to pass my number/email along.