Misery is a Choice

Hi, Friends,

I found this past week that I may have met my match. Throughout this cancer journey, I have been able to handle the inflamed feet, the aching and tender hands, the gray, wiry hair (okay, so I'm frowning on that one), and so on, all of which have not lasted too long or haven't even shown up on this last round, which ended last Wednesday. But my newest foe are the side effects that go with the high blood pressure medicine I am on, and they may just take me down! Gas, cramps, bloating, diarrhea...if you only knew how humbling that is to share. It's been a long week and it has affected everything from family to work to daily plans and sleep. I'm in touch with the nurse at UCSF, and we are working together to find out how to stop all of this, which all ties in with the chemo and the steroids/lack of adrenal glands. I see Dr. Ryan, my oncologist, next Monday at 11:30, so hopefully we will find a solution at that time.

Sunday, our pastor shared some principles for living through tough times. What appropriate timing for me to hear those, as I was feeling a little sorry for myself. I was reminded of many wonderful verses that take us the way of the cross through those tough times. I was also reminded that 'trouble comes to all; misery, however, is a choice.' Wow. I'm not the only one living with troubles, and I definitely don't want to make the choice of taking those troubles to the misery level. A timely message for me!

I'll update you again after I meet with Dr. Ryan next week. Thank you all for your continued prayers.

Danene
May 4, 2009