Thank You

I've taken 4 self injections of interferon so far and am still doing well.  I take them at night so that I can just sleep off the symptoms then wake up feeling good.  I still get tired and have to make sure I'm drinking enough water, but overall I'm doing great!
I'm BEYOND excited about going to school, praying that I'll be able to get right back into the swing of things! Cannot wait!! :)  I hope that my mind stays clear while taking the interferon.  I really need to watch the first month or so to make sure that my grades wont suffer from the low dose.

Well, my "unplanned semester" is now over!  Saying this doesn't seem real. Its almost a bitter sweet thing (much sweeter) but I knew this blog would have to end sometime and there's really not much I have to say on a daily or even weekly basis. Even though this is my final blog I'll be sure to keep in touch. If you have any more questions PLEASE write me an email (raabewl@indiana.edu), facebook message, call, text, ect...I would love to hear from you!

Looking back to the first day of this rollercoaster I never thought this day would get here and now it's come faster than I expected.  I've grown so much during this semester at home and have learned how important family and friends, patience, and faith truly are.

I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to lean on you. I have felt so much love from all of you and couldn't be more blessed. Thank you for the love and support given not only to me but to my family as well.  We have felt so comforted in your constant thoughts and prayers.

I love you more than you could ever know.
THANK YOU
Rachel

More Energy!

Today I spent most of the day looking through old pictures for a slideshow I'm making and being outside in the snow.  I can definitely tell my energy level is going up.  I stayed outside and shoveled our driveway for over 45 minutes.  (Don't really know if I was supposed to having the lymph node surgery) I don't have any swelling yet, so I think I'll be fine. I do have to be more aware of it though.  Its hard to know what I can and can't do.  I also went to a jean party today and got a new pair of jeans! Because I lost so much weight with treatment I've dropped a pant size so now I have pants that fit. :)
I'm excited to see Zionsville friends tomorrow. It will be great to have people my age around!

Thank you all for the thoughts and prayers.  They are what have gotten me through this semester.
I love you!

Prayer Request

I found out today that a family friend's daughter was diagnosed with colon cancer.  She is 17, a junior in high school.  PLEASE pray for her and her family.  Pray for comfort and healing in this scary time.  Thank you.

Fear of needles is gone

Today I went to physical therapy then to the hospital for the second interferon injection.  My physical therapy is going well.  My range of motion gets better and better each time.  Hopefully I'll be pain free soon.  At the hospital I was able to inject myself for the first time.  I washed my hands, then rubbed the alcohol swab on my stomach, waited for my skin to dry, pinched my stomach, stuck myself, let go of the skin, and injected the interferon.  I'll be such a pro by the end of this.  One nice thing about these injections is my fear of needles has been eliminated. I can also can tell a difference in my energy level already.  Instead of going to bed around 9:30 or 10 and getting up between 8:30 and 9 (10-11 hours of sleep) I wasn't tired until 11 and was wide awake at 7:30 this morning (8 1/2 hours!)  That's more reasonable for a college student's schedule.

I'm still feeing good tonight, took some tylonol before the injections, but the true test comes once the tylonol wears off.

Thank you so much for your love and support!
Love always
Rachel

No Hospital Today!

Its a Tuesday at 2:30 and I'm not at the hospital!!!!! :) Ahh! It feels so good to be out of there on a daily basis. The sun is shining and the snow looks beautiful! Its a good day.

Last night was fine.  I started feeling feverish and got a headache around 9:30 so I took some more tylonol then went to bed.  I woke up this morning feeling fine.  I still have a lingering headache, but its not bad enough to take anything for it.  If I keep hydrated the headache lessens.  I've been busy doing things for my sorority today.  So excited to live in the house next semester!

Happy Tuesday!
Love and Blessings
Rachel

1st injection done!

I went to the doctor and had my first injection out of many today.  I was a bit nervous for it because the last shot I had in my stomach was a painful one.  This one didn't hurt a bit though! The nurse did it for me today and I watched so that she could explain what I would be doing.  I'll go back on Wednesday and hopefully be able to do it myself.  I'll probably have a headache and might get some fever and chills tonight because my body isn't used to getting the interferon through a shot yet.  Right now I feel ok though.  I'm excited to have more energy than I've had for a month! The dosage is reduced to 10 million units instead of 17 million and its only 3 times a week. :)

I'm feeling good. SO excited to get back to school next semester!  I can't believe its already so close!

Thank you all for the thoughts and prayers!
With love
Rachel

DONE DONE DONE! :)

I finished the infusions today!!  Couldn't be happier! Praise God! :) I am so looking forward to doing things other than sit in a chair with an iv from 2:30 - 5.

I go back on Monday to learn how to give the self injections but that shouldn't take too long.

I'm so thankful for the nurses at the hospital, they have been so great through all of this.
I want to thank everyone who took me to and from the hospital.  It helped tremendously! And thank you all for the thoughts and prayers as always.  I truly believe that the reason I handled this treatment so well was because all of you.

I love you so much!
Rachel