Phase One ~ Complete!

So here I am - last day of chemo for the first stage of treatment. God is so good! I have been eating really well! No pain! Hopefully I will have gained a little weight! (Not too much! Haha!)

Well, today was a trip with my man! We left in a snow fall, arrived a little late, but not a big deal because doctors and nurses were doing the same. They told me they just are glad we arrived safely! Isn't that great that they actually care about me? So the day went well! I have gained a pound! Who-hoo! I will take that! Better than losing it! My labs were all good! They discussed the next phase, in which I won't know which chemo I will be using until I get my P.E.T. scan. After these next few days I will get a 2 week break! I am ready for it! Can you believe I am entering 2nd phase? It is going fast! Thank you for the gifts, the meals, the encouragement, most of all a big Thank you for your prayers and love! I do have the peace that passes all understanding! I am feeling victorious in Jesus! I had a fantastic birthday week with lots of love!

Please join me in prayer and in any way you might want to help a family of one of my friends from high school and junior high. Her name is Kelly and her daughter just recently lost everything in a house fire! She has 2 children and they literally have nothing but their lives! Which we praise God for their protection! Please message me if there is anything you would be willing to do to help them! I know God will bless and they will be blessed by it!

Also remember my dear sister in Christ as she too is battling her own cancer. Her name is Tara, and she is trusting God for the victory!

My memory verse this week is: Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall Renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Do you see an EAGLE soaring over those rolling waves? I do!

One more shout-out to all my Trivia Crack partners, keep playing the game with me because I really am not a sore loser and I feel I am being educated while playing the game. So if you beat me I will be up for a new challenge! Hahahahaha!

Love,
Gigi

To Infinity .... and Beyond!

So this has been a pretty incredible last few days! Let me start with how blown away I am at the outpouring of love and support by so many people! I really can't contain it all! Not only from family and friends, but people who don't even know me.

On Saturday Rick and Kelli Szakal held a benefit for me at Infinity Gym. They raised an generous amount of money and so many showed up to work out on my behalf. These people make me strong! They give me the motivation to be strong and fight with everything that's in me! I see that in their faces as they push through some of the hardest workouts! I love you Infinity family for having my back and showing the world what God's love looks like! Powerful, unconditional, and all consuming!

 

 

So many of you let me know how much you are praying for me even your kids who make me teary because we all need the faith of a child! And to think that these precious babes bring me before our God just motivates me to fight with everything I have in me.

 

Those prayers have been very effective! I am eating whatever I want! No pain! It would appear that the tumor is shrinking! I am fatigued for the most part which is to be expected but I am doing things and getting out. I am experiencing some cold sensitivity to my hands so like Elsa, I have to wear gloves! Lol. Can't handle frozen!

Chemo is not so terribly hard at this point, although I am sure some would disagree with me. And I anticipate things to get a little more difficult once radiation starts. I will be getting chemo every week along with radiation. So I will ask for those prayers to keep coming!

I am approaching my last treatment for this first half and then I will be having a pet scan. Please ask Jesus for a shrinkage of 50%. You can surely ask Him for 100%.

You may think I am a strong person, but I tell you my strength comes from my Savior! I give Him all the glory and acknowledgement !

I can tell you I feel blessed beyond measure and completely loved. God has gone above and beyond what I can imagine or think or ask for! He answers that through people! You! Thank you from my heart! I will never forget all you are doing! The only way I know how to answer back is to win this battle! I believe I will!

 

Love,

Gigi

Making His Deeds Known

TWO down, ONE to go!!!! Almost half way done!

Today was a good day! The best was that my big brother took me for my treatment and hung out with me all day! It was good and we didn't even watch tv! We talked all day! And those of you who know me, understand that is my comfort zone! Thank you John! Love you for being there in my time of need! You are the best!

 

I started with my blood draw and I had the same nurse I got the last time, she is a Christian and very sweet! We had a great conversation about how our faith makes all the difference in the world, and how people who don't trust in Christ get through these trials. I love her and pray I get her each time!

On to my doctor's visit and saw several nurses, and Audrey my coordinator, and then an intern who was very nice and encouraging. I had some new questions in which he answered, so I learned some new info. All in all very upbeat and positive visit.

Then on to top floor for my treatment. Had to wait a little but got in and started the process. Nothing different. Takes about 3 1/2 hours. And then we are on our way. This time I had my own private room with a full view of the horseshoe and a TV which we didn't turn on because we just had good conversation. Made the time seem to go quicker.

So now I am home and going to just chill for a couple days, and then I will be back into the flow.

So here are some praises:

I gained a pound!

 

My blood work is great!

I am eating normal food as my pain is subsiding!

I received all smiles from the staff on that last praise!

Dr said that is an indicator chemo is being effective!

I feel a little better this round I believe it's because I have been eating better, due to all the wonderful meals we are receiving from all you awesome cooks!!!!!
You are fattening me up, and that's a good thing!

I also heard some positives on side effects which help me put some anxiousness to rest!

I have received some beautiful gifts from some beautiful people! Thank you from my heart! You have made me feel very loved! Everyone has!

 

To all my awesome prayer warriors, can I just say I hope you all realize how powerful your faith is! God is hearing you and He is going above and beyond what we all can imagine or think! He is faithful! I pray that your faith grows through this as well as mine! I pray He blesses all of you in a major way!

I am thankful to everyone for walking this journey with me! I love you all!

Here is how I would ask you to pray:

That I can continue to eat healthy and gain more weight! I know, not a usual request from a woman!

There will come a time when that will change again when I begin radiation.

For travel safety.

That I continue to stay healthy - I ask if you see me that if you have any doubt about being sick please just keep your distance in order to protect me. I am a hugger and can't resist so I will rely on you to protect.

For continued peace

ThatI will reflect my Jesus!

For total and complete healing physically!

Thank you again!

 

Love, Gigi

 

And you will say in that day: “Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted. “Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth. Isaiah 12:4-5

One Day at A Time

So I am on the week after and feeling back to my old self somewhat. I am eating better and actually not having much pain when I do. Praise God! I have decided to not work during this time so I will have time to take care of me. I have put on my Warrior Headdress and Shield, along with my bow and arrow! I will be in fight mode for the next few months so expect to see my tough girl side!
I have been experiencing some side effects but nothing too severe. The two days I had my pump I wasn't feeling the greatest, but I got through.
The Lord has created us with the will to fight and to live! I intend to utilize that will!
I hear interesting comments all the time and some make me smile as I am not sure what people expect out of a chemo patient. No harm, it's just teaching me cancer etiquette because I really was not aware of what to say and what not to say. We will learn together! I may write a book when this is all said and done.
I am so thankful for the love I feel from everyone! You have been so above and beyond what I can imagine or think! Thank you with all my heart. So for now I will enjoy each morning and each sunset and everything in between! All the little things that go unnoticed!
Funny how much your perspective can be altered by one word.....Cancer!

Love to you all!

Gigi

She Will Not Be Moved

The sun will soon be coming up on the horizon, and I have survived my first chemo treatment! Praise God! Such a long day for my daughter, my mom, and myself! We arrived at 11:30, left at 7 pm. My mom who is going to be 85 years young, is going through her second round of cancer with daughter number 2. How do you do that?
She learned at a young age how to survive! I believe God has had his hand on her all her life, as I believe He also holds me.
My daughter Jen, who also is a tough girl, brought her soft and gentle side along. She can hang in the hard times and I would be lost without her. I couldn't do this without any of my family! Right now they are my glue!
So the day consisted of back and forth trips up and down the floors, starting with blood draws. I have a port so anytime you access that , it has to be done with extreme care. My nurse was a Christian and she was wonderful! She got my day started off right!
I am thankful The Lord has gifted me with patience because I am learning you have to have a lot! I am not the only one going through this! It was a holiday week so they have crowded everyone into 4 days!
Then it was on to see my oncologist, who I really like and draw such encouragement from. I received very encouraging news again. The chemo I am on is not supposed to cause hair loss!!!
So if that holds out to be true, I will be one happy camper! Although it has other side effects which I started experiencing right away.
Then it was on to chemo. Quite a few people waiting their turn. I went back about 3:30. Nurses are super nice and very professional. They double check their work. My area where I will be receiving chemo, is a cozy private area with a tv and large window to look out. They offer me a meal which I accept. We settle in for the ride. The bags of liquid are hung and as that is being done my nurse is explaining to me procedures and side effects. This is so surreal! I am about to have a toxic substance filtered through my body! Each one is explained along with side effects. So it begins. Two hour procedure, then the last chemo bag is given, and then I am hooked up with a pump to take home with me. I am sent on my way.
I started experiencing side effects pretty much right away as one of the drugs they give you actually opens up your cells so that the chemo goes to work immediately! They don't mess around!
And so I begin!
I can't tell you how much your prayers and concern, meals, cards mean to me! The outpouring of love is mind blowing! I know that their are some of you who are doing some serious praying and staying at our Father's throne room constantly for me! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
You represent the body of Christ well! This will forever change my life!
Here are some things to pray for!
My weight is stable - stays that way
I won't become sick
I can tolerate these drugs
Strength for my family
I can continue to eat and drink well
I will represent my Jesus well!
Sorry this is so long, I promise not to be so lengthy next time!
Love you all so much!

Gigi

One For The Money, Two For The Show...

So tomorrow is the big day! Ready to get this show on the road! I have peace! I am ready! I have a big God! 
Appreciate prayers for travel, and that all will go well, but mostly that I will reflect Jesus! Love you all for doing this with me!

Fear Not

I received my port yesterday and did pretty well. They didn't put me completely out so I was awake through the whole procedure. I couldn't see anything and the only pain I had was when they numbed the area. I know have a little device in my shoulder that everything will go through. No more I.V. and no more sticks for blood draws. I will only likely keep it a year maybe longer. My shoulder feels like somebody punched me really hard or for you hunters, a kickback from a shotgun. I am restricted for a couple weeks but other than that not too bad.

I was in the new building and got a first hand view of what they have to offer. It is something else. I am sure to experience a whole lot more. Everyone there is super nice and very helpful. They know their profession and perform with the upmost experience! I am in good hands! I am ready to get on with it.

I have been receiving so much encouragement from so many of you and I can tell you it is breathing life into me! I am blessed and thankful for it! I want to try to live as normal as I can, although is there such a thing? I know I am not the only one who has or will go through this, but I want to share my journey in the hopes that it will be an encouragement to someone. Either for the journey or spiritually. I have a God who can handle it all and wants to! He walks with me right through this, and if I become to weak and weary, He will pick me up and carry me! This I can rest in. I am memorizing a new verse:
Fear not, for I am with you ; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous hand. Isaiah 41:10