Things are rather better right now. I was prayed over and anointed with oil by some of the pastors at Mosaic Church. My husband, daughter, and parents were there. That was such a peace-bringing experience. They prayed life, wisdom, and God's love over me. When I feel like I'm spiraling, I go back to those words and talk to Papa God about them. I also read a book recommended to me by Jim. It is Welcome Holy Spirit by Gordon T. Smith. It made sense to me, affirmed the many ways that we may interact with the Spirit, and calmed my fears that I have somehow not been in tune or walking in the Spirit.
My exercise class continues to work on my gait training. On the other exercises, I am getting faster, so will likely soon add some more resistance. For my physical therapy, I can stretch further than before. I am getting in touch with the orthopedic oncologist I saw in May to look into getting an injection to help with some of the ongoing pain that isn't clearing up. My mental health therapist met me at Latta Nature Preserve for an open-air session last week! That was amazing, and so above and beyond, and so kind, I get the warm fuzzies whenever I think about it. I made the decision not to start the new chemo drug. My oncologist, who is also amazing, listened to my fears, took those and my current state of health into consideration, and agreed that quality of life is of huge importance, and that we can re-evaluate when we need to. Scans come up again in August, so we'll see if the cancer is still stable on the CT and whether there are any signs of cancer on the MRI of my brain. I am going back on birth control because my menstrual cycle is so erratic and my ovaries just won't give up. I thought chemo would knock me into menopause, but no, my ovaries are enjoying the roller coaster ride, apparently. Ugh! I got my 2nd booster vaccine today. And I read in the Charlotte Observer that Mecklenburg County has been downgraded to green level for Covid- that means low transmission levels. The pharmacist that gave my vaccine said that she's noticed the medications usually prescribed to help Covid patients are at lower levels, too. All good news. I am still cautious. I wear masks inside buildings, I meet folks outside as much as I can, and I double masked one day when I was feeling really uncomfortable with transmission levels and had to go shopping.
Katie and I took Sasha to the dog park nearby nearly everyday this week. She is friendly, not very aggressive, and loves sniffing around. She doesn't like people in her house, though. I assume that goes for other dogs, too. It's progress I'm happy to see, though. I am always happy when I am not cooped up in my house. Though, I must admit, I wish I could join the little kids on the splash pad! Hahaha! I'm starting my next batch of dollies, with some very special ones being made in addition to the hospital dolls. Jeff Gordon's Children's Hospital doesn't take handmade medical dolls, so Levine will receive all my medical dollies. Jim got me a new sewing machine, which will make the work go faster. My superhero and character dolls will still be made by hand. Lately, I've just been sewing up some items that Sasha chewed on. I got some material to make myself an Amazing Spiderman skirt. I like sewing, for the most part. There are still things I get frustrated with, and my skill level isn't as far as I wish, but I love the sense of accomplishment. Might get back to crocheting, too. Maybe. I appreciate all the extra prayers that have been lifted for me in the last month or two. I have so many prayer warriors from all around the world and the country, and I have been richly blessed!
My exercise class continues to work on my gait training. On the other exercises, I am getting faster, so will likely soon add some more resistance. For my physical therapy, I can stretch further than before. I am getting in touch with the orthopedic oncologist I saw in May to look into getting an injection to help with some of the ongoing pain that isn't clearing up. My mental health therapist met me at Latta Nature Preserve for an open-air session last week! That was amazing, and so above and beyond, and so kind, I get the warm fuzzies whenever I think about it. I made the decision not to start the new chemo drug. My oncologist, who is also amazing, listened to my fears, took those and my current state of health into consideration, and agreed that quality of life is of huge importance, and that we can re-evaluate when we need to. Scans come up again in August, so we'll see if the cancer is still stable on the CT and whether there are any signs of cancer on the MRI of my brain. I am going back on birth control because my menstrual cycle is so erratic and my ovaries just won't give up. I thought chemo would knock me into menopause, but no, my ovaries are enjoying the roller coaster ride, apparently. Ugh! I got my 2nd booster vaccine today. And I read in the Charlotte Observer that Mecklenburg County has been downgraded to green level for Covid- that means low transmission levels. The pharmacist that gave my vaccine said that she's noticed the medications usually prescribed to help Covid patients are at lower levels, too. All good news. I am still cautious. I wear masks inside buildings, I meet folks outside as much as I can, and I double masked one day when I was feeling really uncomfortable with transmission levels and had to go shopping.
Katie and I took Sasha to the dog park nearby nearly everyday this week. She is friendly, not very aggressive, and loves sniffing around. She doesn't like people in her house, though. I assume that goes for other dogs, too. It's progress I'm happy to see, though. I am always happy when I am not cooped up in my house. Though, I must admit, I wish I could join the little kids on the splash pad! Hahaha! I'm starting my next batch of dollies, with some very special ones being made in addition to the hospital dolls. Jeff Gordon's Children's Hospital doesn't take handmade medical dolls, so Levine will receive all my medical dollies. Jim got me a new sewing machine, which will make the work go faster. My superhero and character dolls will still be made by hand. Lately, I've just been sewing up some items that Sasha chewed on. I got some material to make myself an Amazing Spiderman skirt. I like sewing, for the most part. There are still things I get frustrated with, and my skill level isn't as far as I wish, but I love the sense of accomplishment. Might get back to crocheting, too. Maybe. I appreciate all the extra prayers that have been lifted for me in the last month or two. I have so many prayer warriors from all around the world and the country, and I have been richly blessed!