ONE DAY LEFT!

Tomorrow will be my last day of infusions!  I'm SO EXCITED! I'll have to start figuring out what I'm going to do with all the extra time I have.  I'm feeling pretty good still.  Sleeping a lot as always, but doing great.  Next week I'm planning on starting my training for the summer.  Last summer I wanted to finish all 3 legs of a sprint triathlon but couldn't because of the cancer and surgeries I was having.  My goal is to finish one this coming summer.  I know its not going to be fast. I'm incredibly weak and out of shape from all of this. I just want to finish.  I'm planning on having enough energy to train even with the self injections. :) Hopefully that will be the case.

Thank you all SO much for the thoughts and prayers through all of this.  I've been blessed beyond belief and couldn't ask for better friends and family.
I love you!

Well, I've made the decision to continue with the low dose treatment. (self injections 3 times a week for a year)  While I made the decision I don't think it will feel official until I start them.  My blood pressure is still good and my liver enzymes are getting back to normal.  I've been feeling pretty good the past couple of evenings. Last night I had some body aches along with my headache, but its still not bad enough to take any extra medicine.
Today I had physical therapy as well. My arm is getting more and more flexible each day.  I can now raise my arm all the way up and am slowly getting to the point where I can move it in a circle.

Thank you for everything
I love you all!

Home stretch!

Each day I seem to feel better. Last night I didn't even take my second round of tylonol.  I had a slight headache, but nothing I couldn't handle on my own.  I'm still sleeping a lot, about 10 hours a night, but overall I'm feeling great.  Tonight I'm still feeling good.  My blood pressure was at 101/70 and they will get my liver tests read tomorrow.  I have a bit of a cough but don't feel any sicker than I do normally with this.  

I can't believe I only have 3 more days of the high dose! This has gone by much faster than expected. Even the nurses can't believe that I'm on my last week.  I am very ready to not base my schedule around my treatment anymore!

I'm making my final decision about the self injection, low dose, of interferon that the doctors want me to take 3 times a week for a year.  I am more worried about the cancer coming back than I am the side effects to the interferon while my mom is more worried about the side effects.  I'm needing extra prayers on this decision. I know whatever I decide God will be right there with me.

Thank you for the thoughts and prayers! I'm so blessed to have the friends and family I do.

LOVE!

Wonderful Weekend!

This weekend was wonderful! (Hence the title :)) My parents drove me to IU friday night because I wasn't feeling up to the drive right after treatment. I stopped by and visited some friends from my floor last year then I stayed the rest of the weekend at my sorority, AGD, for recruitment.  I am SO thankful I felt well enough to come help.  Loved seeing all my sisters!
I can tell a big difference in my energy level each day that I'm off the treatment.  I felt better on Sunday than I did Saturday because there was another day between me and the treatment.  I'm SO looking forward to getting off this high dose! ONE MORE WEEK!  :)

Lots of thanks for the thoughts and prayers!

IU BOUND!

Yesterday was good. I've been getting a bit more tired as the week goes on but overall I'm doing well.  My headaches come like clockwork and I just have to take a couple tylonol to get rid of them.  This weekend is recruitment (19 party) for the sororities and I'll be going down to IU to help with that. :) I can't wait to see everyone!  I'm hoping that I'll wake up Saturday and have a bit more energy than I do now.  We'll see.  I'll just be happy to be there.
Because I don't feel well enough to drive myself after treatment today my parents are driving me down.  SO thankful for them!

I hope all of your weeks have been great!  As always, thank you for the thoughts and prayers! One week to go!!!!!! (after today)

I'm still trying to decide whether or not do continue with self injections for the rest of the year.  Hopefully by next week I'll have made a decision.
Lots of love!!

Today I went to the mall in the morning then took a nap before going to treatment.  I still have lots more energy than before.  Getting out of the house feels great!  My blood pressure was down again today so they aren't as worried about it but are still going to monitor it closely.  I'm feeling good, just a small headache. My interferon buddy (the lady who started it the same time as I did) is doing much better too.

Thank you for the love, thoughts, and prayers!

Half Doses = Amazing

I can already tell that I have so much more energy than I did last week and the week before.  My headaches are being controled just by a couple of tylonol instead of the high dose meds I was taking and I'm able to go out and do things before my interferon without feeling exhausted.  Very excited!

Yesterday when they took my blood pressure it was at 124/94 compared to monday (102/77).  The nurses are a bit concerned because it jumped that much in just one treatment.  They are going to keep a close eye on it the next couple of days to make sure it stays under control.

Thank you all for the thoughts and prayers!
And HAPPY SNOW! :)  I love waking up to snow on the ground, so beautiful!

Love
Rachel

ps I have a new favorite song.  I Will Follow - Chris Tomlin
SO uplifting :)