HALF WAY THERE

I have reached the half way point! Praise God! He is working wonders in this. My tumor is GONE. Lymph nodes are going down (that we can see). My radiation oncologist said I am doing very well. He usually sees patients on pain meds by now, I haven't even taken a tylenol. God is so GOOD. I know I will have some side effects, I will not go through treatment without pain, but God will be with me. I am starting to get a red neck. I feel a bit more drained tonight. I had chemo today and it's wiping me just a bit. I have very little taste buds, so eating is just not fun anymore. I would say I can taste about 10-20% of the food :(......it's only temporary. I am still loosing some hair at the base of my neck, but have not lost anywhere else. I asked the nurse at chemo today if I haven't lost my hair yet, will I ?. She says you usually loose it in the first couple of cycles and she usually sees people loose it with Taxol ( one of my chemos). God is being gracious to me and wants me to be a blonde throughout this! I have lost 5 pounds total so far, which is good. I can loose up to 12% before they talk feeding tube. I am trying to drink meal replacements in between meals to add and bulk up while I can still swallow good.
I am so filled with peace. I am so comforted knowing God is holding my hand through this. I have had an opportunity to witness to a lady who has cancer, living at the Wilmot house. This is her third bout. She is only 45 and this time she says she is so scared. I felt like Satan was attacking me, seeing this woman. I had a rough day after listening to her story and hearing her fears. I felt him attacking me saying, "see what's to come, look at her suffer." I was able to share with her all that I was hanging onto over these past few months. God is not of fear and God does not want us to be anxious for anything. I told her God has a PERFECT plan for her and to continue to pray for God's wonderful peace. I got a wonderful book called "Praying through Cancer" from a great friend at work, and I got it for her too. I hope I can show her God's love, please everyone pray for her as well.
Tomorrow (Wed) I decided to bring Alexa with me. I figure I am doing well enough and know the next few weeks can be rough. My mom will go with us and we will stay in a hotel with a pool. I have a late appointment on Wed and early Thursday and Friday. She should do fine, since treatment only lasts about 30 mins, mom can handle her. It will make this week fly, having her there.
On Saturday, Ray's work invited us to a dinner they were having and honored us with a check from the benefit they put on for me. I was able to stand in front of 150 people and thank them for their substancial monetary gift without crying ( lots if prayers before!). We will not have to worry about debt throughout this. It was amazing what people gave, even though some of them hardly knew Ray and he has only been there such a short time. God is looking after us. What a blessing.
Thank you again for all your support. Continue to pray for safe travel and that God allows this radiation to kill all the cells in my neck.

LISA