Treatment Twenty-One

Written by Dawn and Alyssa.

Hello everyone! It's Dawn here. I was sharing with Alyssa various things about this past weekend and she suggested I write about them and she'd edit my thoughts for today’s post! 


I had a bit of a break last week with no treatment and it was really good. I had some anxiety earlier in the week when I was having some side effects from the previous treatment and it seemed to me like I would never feel well enough to go away for the weekend as we had planned. Thankfully, the side effects lessened in time for us to leave on Friday. 


We were planning to attend my niece Olivia's wedding, and I was nervous about being away from my comfort zone (Toronto area, so not too far away), but being away turned out to be a blessing. Not just the wedding (more on that later), but just being elsewhere with no appointments or treatments or recovery and to fill my mind with what was around me instead! We went there earlier and stayed at a hotel in Bradford, 20 minutes from the church where the wedding was held. We enjoyed some downtime, good chats, and a quiet morning with a short drive around, just Andrew and me. 


The wedding was lovely! I found it to be really encouraging to my faith - singing beautiful praises to the Lord who brought Olivia & Jair together! ❤ I wasn't prepared for one song - one I sing often around the house. My eyes glistened but I was able to sing it from my heart, believing in its truth!


“I rejoice in my Redeemer

Greatest Treasure,

Wellspring of my soul

I will trust in Him, no other.

My soul is satisfied in Him alone.”


(My Worth is Not in What I Own, Keith Getty, Kristen Getty, Graham Kendrick, 2015)


After the wedding, Andrew and I had time to drive by some places that we went to regularly as teenagers - towns, parks, stores, friends homes and the homes that Andrew & I grew up in - they're about a 10-minute drive apart from one another! Also, our high school, Andrew's middle school, my grade school (Andrew had never seen it), and where I used to work for the Christian Labour Association (CLAC) before we were married (it relocated later). The dinner was held at the Christian grade school Andrew had attended - Timothy Christian School in Etobicoke! That was fun to see again! 


Which brings us to today’s treatment. Today was treatment #21 - "only" chemo. Andrew didn't come in with me because he's fighting another cold. Dr A had told us that Tuesdays after the holidays are busy because they have Monday AND Tuesday treatments all on Tuesday. That proved true today with my wait being over an hour. Despite the wait, my nurses were very friendly, and my shot wasn't too bad compared to some others. 😉


Today I planned to get my Monday chores done since we had the Family Day holiday yesterday, but I didn't get any done. I had some gastro issues - which I seem to have more of as the treatments progress. I ended up napping and resting instead. Later this afternoon, I spent time with some of our grandchildren, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Yesterday, we had our other grandchildren over for a visit for family day, which was another treat! What a blessing to see all my grands in 2 days! 

I didn't make it to church this past Sunday as I'd hoped. But the gastro issues combined with exhaustion (it was good exhaustion!) made it another Livestream Sunday. Again, I'm very thankful for our livestreamed services when I'm not able to attend! 


Next week I get another bit of a break from treatments and instead have my 6-month Echocardiogram to see how my heart is faring and then I have my regular appointment to see Dr. A with my regular labs. 


Thank you again for your continued encouragement and prayers! 


"My worth is not in what I own
Not in the strength of flesh and bone
But in the costly wounds of love
At the cross

My worth is not in skill or name
In win or lose, in pride or shame
But in the blood of Christ that flowed
At the cross

I rejoice in my Redeemer
Greatest Treasure,
Wellspring of my soul
I will trust in Him, no other.
My soul is satisfied in Him alone.

As summer flowers we fade and die
Fame, youth and beauty hurry by
But life eternal calls to us
At the cross

I will not boast in wealth or might
Or human wisdom's fleeting light
But I will boast in knowing Christ
At the cross

Two wonders here that I confess
My worth and my unworthiness
My value fixed - my ransom paid
At the cross"

-My Worth is Not in What I Own, Keith Getty, Kristen Getty, Graham Kendrick

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