New Additions to the Family ~ Hearing Aides and Wig

     I am at the end of the 10th treatment of Folfirinox as of this week.  As far as I am concerned, I am going for 12 treatments and the MRI.  I was told at the beginning I could "stop" at any time.   Haven't really had to yet.  Although I started losing hair the last 2 months, other side effects have not gotten worse.  I am very thankful for that.  Seems like the cancer is not killing me but the chemo that is very toxic could after too much(?)   Only God knows all that!
     My tumor marker has elevated a very small amount this time for whatever that means. (?)   That really doesn't concern me at this time since we started out at 4000!!!
     As to side effects, my hair finally started falling out on the top...lovely☺  But, I bought  a wig, so I use it when I go out:)  Not only have I gotten a wig and learning how to "handle" it,         Agustin got hearing aides from Costco and "what an improvement" in his hearing. Amazing! We highly recommend Costco for hearing aides...especially the great price at which they are sold.  He can even use an app on his phone to regulate the volume and everything else you have to regulate without having to go up to his ear all the time and find the switch.   Amazing electronics these days!  It doesn't even make funny noises either.
     Last week, I had a very good "quality" week.   I decided to make  a 6 day challenge to swim every day at Ruthie and Bill's pool and I did it!    I went every morning (and it was cold) and did laps as much as I could considering my stamina is not what it used to be.   I intend to take it up again next week after all the side effects are out of my system.
     This past Monday, our little Sebastian swam in his first swim meet for Hill City Swim Team and we were very happy and proud for him.   He swam 25 free and 25 back and even got a blue ribbon for his back stroke.  He just started learning the strokes during swim practice which he loves  this summer!
     I am so thankful for the constant support my family and friends give me.  The girls called friends the last 2  treatment times I had chemo to bring meals (just during those hard weeks), and it is such a blessing.  I especially appreciate visiting with the friends that bring the delicious meals.  During the "quality weeks", I get to go to the supermarket and make the meals...I feel practically "normal" during those days and I am always grateful for the extra week  of "quality life" which I have requested from my caring doctor.

Psalm 147:1-11 (The Message translation)

Hallelujah!  It's a good thing to sing praise to our God;  praise is beautiful, praise is fitting.

God's the one who rebuilds Jerusalem, who regathers  Israel's scattered exiles.  He heals the heartbroken and bandages their wounds.   He counts the stars and assigns each a name.  Our Lord is great, with limitless strength;  We'll never comprehend what he knows and does.  God puts the fallen on their feet again and pushes the wicked into the ditch.

Sing to God a thanksgiving hymn, play music on your instruments to God, Who fills the sky with clouds, preparing rain for the earth, Then turning the mountains green with grass, feeding both cattle and crows.  He's not impressed with horsepower; the size of our muscles means little to him.   Those who fear God get God's attention;  they can depend on his strength.

The "good" Week

   This is the second week after treatment #9 and I am feeling pretty well.   It's a good thing since Agustin had to have an ingrown toe-nail surgically cut out Wednesday and my sister had her sinus surgery Thursday morning.
    Both are healing quite well.   Agustin has to soak his foot in Epson Salts water twice a day and apply a special prescribed antibiotic cream for 2 weeks.
The other "big news" this week is that I got a wig.  Now, the wig is not quite like what I have been used to.  I had curly hair and it was white after I stopped dying it a few years ago.  This wig is courser hair than mine and not as curly but about the same color.   It gives me lots of hair on the top of my head which I don't have anymore because of  the chemo side effects and that is the whole point☺
    Saturday, June 3, 2017, was Sarah's graduation from high school, something I wasn't sure I would make when I first found out I had pancreatic cancer.  She graduated  cum laude  from New Covenant Schools.   Earlier this month she was awarded the Gryphen Award for volleyball, basketball, soccer and tennis.   Her thesis was: "Original Sin and Redemption in The Scarlet Letter".  (All seniors are required to present a thesis to graduate.)
      It was a big day for her and our family. We were so proud and happy for her.  Graduation was held at Ct. Street United Methodist Church like a church service and it was packed, standing room only.  It was good to be back there since I have sung many solos there in past years.   After another celebration at New Covenant Schools where all the kids' families displayed memories on different tables and lots of tasty food, we went to Sarah's house to celebrate and eat more ☺. Sarah has decided to study nursing at Liberty University.  We gave her a stethoscope for a graduation present❤
     It was a full week and I  rested on Sunday.
Colossians 2:7 as transliterated in  The Voice:
"Let your roots grow down deeply in Him, and let Him build you up on a firm foundation.  Be strong in the faith, just as you were taught, and always spill over with thankfulness."