Where to begin?
The Good News:
My MRI looks “excellent” according to the doctor
He said that the area where the tumor was looks “very good” and he could barely see the “hole” where the tumor had been (paraphrased, of course
)
Now for the not so good news:
My labs came back really really really low. My platelets are down to 33,000 (low normal being over 150,000) and my WBC is down to 2 (normal being 11). I’ve lost another 10 pounds bringing my total weight loss to 40 pounds
. They want to hold off on continuing Temodar until the 8th of November, and are lowering my dose from 300 mg to 200 mg per cycle. I will get labs 2x a week until the 8th, just to be sure they are coming back up.
That explains the way that I have been feeling lately. I felt the same exact way last time my platelets were low, but this time I didn’t bruise (odd because last time my platelet count was 55,000 and I had bruises all over). When I mentioned how miserable I am when I am on chemo, they told me that my body obviously responds very well to chemo because it is not only attacking the bad cells, but is also “over attacking” the good (proven in my low labs), and suggested the lower dose of Temodar. I kinda looked at him funny when he said that my body responds good to chemo, because it doesnt feel very good! He said to take the fact that I barely function on chemo as a sign that the drug is working…so that is what I am doing
I didn’t ask him for sleeping aids this time, because I want to see how I feel with higher platelets under my belt. I can go back and attribute every symptom I had (down to fatigue) to having such low platelets, so I can only assume that not being able to sleep is due to that too.
I am so very exausted, but so very pleased. I was so worried about this MRI and Neurology consult. I knew something was wrong, I just couldn’t figure out what…. Now I know and it really does explain alot! I will get labs from now atleast two times a month until I finish chemo. I will stay on top of my labs and not let them get on top of me, because obviously getting checked once a month isn’t enough.
I am going to go spend some well deserved time with my family! Thank you so much for your prayers and comments, they mean more than you can ever know….
-H











http://www.jenessabyers.com/
I saw this little girl on tv a week or so ago and I thought of you. I am so glad to hear that your treatment is working. I try to visit your blog at least once a week, but I’m usually rocking a baby to sleep when I do, so I rarely ever leave any comments. (I’m too impatient to type one handed) I am praying for your complete healing and I know that a lot of others are praying for it as well. You have been a blessing to me. I have learned a lot from you about trusting God and staying focused on Him. You have not allowed this disease to run or dictate your life, you have given it all to Him. I am so very thankful to you that you are so open and honest in your posts.
Love and prayers from your sister in Christ,
Crystal
Glad to read the good news! Praying for those numbers to come up so you get some energy and appetite back!
I am so thankful that the chemo and God are kicking cancer’s a**!!!! What a blessing! I pray for stronger and more energetic days ahead … but I am so glad that the chemo is doing what it needs to. God bless you!
WONDERFUL NEWS!!!! Praising God!
It always seems to help when you know what is wrong, doesn’t it? It’s scary when you can feel that something isn’t quite right but you don’t know exactly what it is…..
Great picture!
Congratulations on the good news. Prayers are still coming your way. Keep strong.
Thank God!! I am so glad the to hear and see this MRI.
That’s also understandable how your with a low white counts and platelets as well.
Take care of you and keep the faith.
Always Hope!!!
Heather,I don’t comment often but I check daily for updates
I am more than pleased about your news today. I’m sorry you are feeling so yucky, but I’m glad to know you have an explanation for it. I’m giving Him some praise with you today!
Have a wonderful, relaxing evening.
Praise God for His mercies to you! You’re right…low counts will make you feel horrible. I’m glad that they figured it out. Did you get a transfusion? That always seemed to help me.
Hang in there and I’m glad you get a break from chemo.
AWESOME AWESOME NEWS ..HOW I LOVE THE LASTEST PIC OF THE MRI….SIMPLY THE BEST!!!!!!!!! it will make the lowest days of chemo more bearable!
I am so thankful with you for the good news and the not-so-good news b/c it gives you some explanation for what is going on in your body! Keep on keeping on!
Whooo Hooo for those awesome scans!! (I’m believing God for those one day for my son!)
Sorry about your counts, wow, no wonder you were feeling so BAD!
Praying things start getting alot better for you.
Enjoy that wonderful family of yours!
Rejoicing with you,
Susan
Great news Heather! I am so happy for you!
A friend wrote me today and said, ” God is good and He is right in all He does”. It was such a good reminder to me as I face my scans tomorrow.
Love, Gina
I have missed you, but you have been ever on my mind to pray…the MRI and all that concerns you.
WOW! Your pictures are beautiful.. Do you know how very beautiful you are?
Continuing to pray and asking for huge miracles and blessings ten thousands beside.
Love in Him,
Holly
God is good! What a wonderful MRI and I am glad you got some answers about the way you have been feeling.
Fantastic, fantastic news!!! We’ll just keep on praying for you that your levels will come up and all those nasty symptoms will begin to ease. I hope that you will be able to get some well deserved rest now. Take care and thinking of you, Lisa.
YOU Go, Girl—Kick that tumor OUT of your brain!
Praise the Lord! Thanks for the update…I’m so glad your MRI looks good…as for your labs…I’ll be praying your counts come back up soon. *hugs*
Hi Heather-
I just read about all that you have been going through… and crying the whole time reading about you and Emma.
I will keep you in my prayers. Glad to hear the good news about your MRI.
Debbie found your site and sent it to me.
God Bless you.
Nikki (Frailing) Cleary
I love, love, love your most recent MRI pic. Love it!
I’m sorry you’ve been feeling so rotten, but I’m so glad you now know why.
I had fainted. unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord ~ Psalm 27: 13-14
I am smiling today for you,
Linda
I am so gald you got good news and answers. You are an amazing person and mom-Still in our thoughts and prayers !
Heather, I’m new to your blog, but I feel very close to you because my husband has the exact same type of brain cancer that you have… I was praying for you that all would go well with your appointment, and I have to say your MRI looks really fantastic! This should be a wonderful sign of encouragement to you! I have to keep reminding myself, like you, that The One Who is in control is the One Who loves us the most….so why should I fear? My husband tells me often, “Fear is useless, what is needed is trust.” You and your family will be in my prayers. If you would like to contact me offline, if there’s anything I can do to help you, please feel free to contact me.
Heather, Praise the Lord that tumor is gone! You are going to be just fine in a few days with your change of medications. God has assured me of that!
Love and Prayers for your entire family,
Betty from Oklahoma
Congrats!!! That is such great news!!! I’m glad they figured out why you were feeling bad, and hopefully you’ll feel better soon.
You’re in my prayers!
God bless
We serve an AWESOME God!!!
YAY~
Leah in Alaska~
Praise God! What wonderful news.
That is excellent news about the MRI! Praying your labs improve and you start feeling better.
Praise the Lord for the MRI results. Now, we know to pray more specifically for the platelet count to go up. Praying right now, dear Heather!
Great news and here you are encouraging US!!! ((( hugs ))) Praying for you. D
God is good. Thank you for sharing your story and encouraging so many people. You are in my prayers.
Heather, I am so happy for you ! You have been in my prayers. I’ve been reading your blog for a little while and you are an inspiration! God is awesome, isn’t He?
HUGS HUGS HUGS and prayers always for you.
I’m so happy over the MRI. My prayers are with you that you get stronger every day. God bless you and hugs!!
I’m so excited to see that picture! I can’t wait to see it when there is NO RED DOT! Always praying!
That MRI looks awesome!!!!
Praying for your blood count & labs too….
You’re in my thoughts and prayers, Heather. Thank you for sharing your journey. You are an inspiration to all of us.
Then maybe you should feel honored to have cancer. If it’s God’s will for you to have it and all. Maybe there is no God and you’re just reaching for air castles and going through this life alone to have nothing but sleep on the other side.
How wonderful Heather! I’m praising God with you.
Wonderful news! Love & prayers.
Annonymous — We all have burdens to carry. It is our hope through our faith in Christ carrying us in our burdens that others might find the love of Christ and want to know more.
God bless,
Sallie
I must say that on the “other side”..heaven..our Heather will have much more to do than SLEEP!!….She will be handed a whole bunch of rewards and you know what she is going to be doing with those rewards?
She is going to be laying them at the feet of her precious Lord!
Oh if I only had ONE of those rewards to give to the King, I would be so happy..Terry