Chemo Round 1 is Complete

Natalie has officially completed her first round of chemo.  Everything went exactly according to the schedule that we posted on Monday.  She had her shot to keep her blood count up this morning and Monday she will have her weekly blood work and an appointment with Dr. Khurshid.   After that she will be free from doctor's offices and poking and prodding for an entire week!  After the past three weeks, it is a well deserved break. 

All in all, she says she feels pretty good.  Considering she had no clue what to expect, she said it was a great week.  Last night was the worst she has felt so far.  She was nauseous and had a hard time eating.  Thankfully today she feels much better and is planning to go hear Stephen's band play tonight.  She said her sense of smell is really heightened and food has a funny taste to it.  The full effects of the chemo probably won't show up for a few more days.  They told her that the shot she got this morning will probably make her joints sore within a few days.  The good news is that they have given her some sort of remedy for just about any possible side effect you can imagine.  She is going to be qualified to be a pharmaceutical rep before this is all said and done.  Hopefully with all of that she is able to manage the side effects as best as she can.

I just got off the phone with her and I have to say that I have never known anyone that has faced something like this with such an awesome attitude.  It is so inspiring to talk to her.  It breaks my heart that she is going through this, but every time I talk to her I can feel the peace that she has about the situation and the determination that she has to not let this get the best of her.  She is NOT sitting around and feeling sorry for herself.  Her plans are to stay busy with their ministry in Corsicana and start working some as soon as she is able.  She said she is really happy to have this week behind her and she is excited to see how this journey continues to play out. 

There are two big reasons that she is able to have the kind of attitude that she does.  The number one reason is her faith.  She truly believes that God chose her to have cancer for a reason and she is going to use this to bring glory to Him.  She is already on a mission to share her faith with two specific people at Arlington Cancer Center.  If that isn't inspiring than I don't know what is.  I told her she better hurry up though because it won't be too long before she isn't going to need them any more.

The second reason is the love and support all of you have shown her!  All of the acts of kindness people have shown (and there have been a lot) and the words of encouragement are so motivating to her.  So many people have told her that she has inspired them with her strength and that gives her even more strength.  Even though there will be hard days ahead she truly believes that having a positive attitude and Christ centered focus is going to make all the difference in her recovery.