CHEMO ROUND THREE!

Hello everyone!

I have now completed three of the six chemotherapy sessions. Yesterday was my halfway mark and I couldn’t be more excited. I am still in great spirits and fighting stronger than ever. I am still thankful for this season of suffering. I honestly believe that the Lord is using my testimony to bless others. I pray that my suffering is a blessing to others.

Chemo Round 3:

Mom and I arrived at Mayo at 6:45am in order for my PowerPort to be accessed and labs to be drawn. 8:15am: I had my pre-chemotherapy appointment with the medical oncology NP and she was very impressed with my progress. She was floored that I have had minimal side effects and that my tumor is unable to be felt. [Although, she did mention that a linear area, that is likely scar tissue from my biopsy was palpable]. Praying that this area is only scar tissue and IF NOT the next 3 chemo sessions completely rid of it.

Chemotherapy began at approximately 9:45am. Tiffany was my nurse this round and she was great. She immediately administered my pre-medications: Benadryl 25mg IV, Pepcid 20mg IVPB, Tylenol 650mg PO, Aloxi 0.25mg IV, and Decadron 20mg IVPB. After the pre-meds, chemo “OFFICIALLY” begins. Taxotere 120mg x 1 hour—with my feet and hands wrapped in ice to prevent neuropathy and ice chips consistently in my mouth to prevent mouth sores. I must say the first hour was a complete blur all thanks to the Benadryl IV. Benadryl naps are still my favorite! Followed by Carboplatin 830mg x 30 minutes, Herceptin 378mg x 30 minutes, and Perjeta 420mg x 30 minutes.

I convinced Mom to watch “The Meg” during chemo and she, shockingly, enjoyed it. LOL. I absolutely love sharks and was glad that Mom enjoyed the movie. [Shockingly, she didn’t call it cheesy, LOL].

After chemotherapy, Mom and I enjoyed a nice “late” lunch at Chili’s. We laughed and enjoyed our meal before our journey back to Lakeland from Jacksonville.

FAITH:

“Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

Faith is all about trusting the Lord when we do not have all the answers and when nothing makes sense. We believe Jesus not because we can visualize/understand the clear explanation; we believe the Lord because we know he is sovereign and all-knowing. Faith is trusting without seeing. “A part of being a faith-filled, legacy-building man/woman of God is trusting him implicitly/completely” (Green & McAfee, 2019, p. 30). We must trust God daily, day-by-day, with the big and small things that we may face. This builds an unshakeable faith that sustains us during our times of suffering and hardships.

“Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

You may not be currently facing a hardship or suffering, but what can you do to begin building your courage and faith for when times of suffering/hardships do come? Spend more time in daily prayer? Dedicate time to studying God’s word? Trusting God with your current dilemmas? Developing Godly friendships with strong believers who will encourage you and pray with you?

I remember being the person who could not truly understand hardships and sufferings. Sitting in church and listening but NOT comprehending the fact that everyone faces hard times during this life–kind of/somewhat thinking I was safe from hardships. But, BOY-OH-BOY, did the Lord grab my attention on September 13, 2019. I was not living my life solely for the Lord. I had definitely back-slidden and allowed my goals and desire for worldly-success to replace my desire to study God’s word. I was so consumed with “what others thought of me” and became very prideful.

During this breast cancer journey, I have been stripped of my hair and my physical appearance continues to be impacted. [These things that use to be so important to me are now so insignificant]. I took my health for granted. I was so consumed with “working out daily” and “having the perfect hair” and “having my makeup applied perfectly” but all of that is so insignificant now. I now look in the mirror and my hair is gone. I have scars from biopsies and the PowerPort placement and I know that I have more scars to come–once my surgery is performed. At the beginning of my journey, this was so detrimental to me. The hair loss, the change in my physical appearance, and the many scars that my body will endure caused me to shed many tears. BUT, now I am at peace. I am thankful that the Lord chose to humble me through this journey. I am more dependent upon Him and I now find comfort in reading/studying His Word.

I am at peace because I know that the Lord is using my sufferings to comfort others. I pray that I am a beacon of light to others. I pray that my testimony brings glory to God’s Kingdom.

We don’t know all of God’s good purposes in suffering, but we do know that he uses our suffering to prepare us to comfort others. That means we often suffer, sometimes severely, in ways we don’t understand now, because we haven’t met the person who will one day be comforted by our story. Greater suffering requires greater comfort from God, which makes us greater comforters for others.” -Unknown

Please continue to pray for me (and my family/Chason) as I face rounds 4-6, surgery, radiation, continued monoclonal antibodies infusions, and then reconstruction. I am FOREVER grateful for all of the encouragement, cards, and prayers. The prayers are powerful. They comfort me and reassure me that the Lord is always with me. I love you all. I cannot thank you all enough for being so compassionate and encouraging.

With Love,

Anna Vaggalis

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