Danelle Fights Cancer

It’s scan week

This last round of chemo was the easiest so far. Minimal physical side effects, and I was feeling back to myself about a week later. I had my sweet friend Holly from college come up for the week, and she was a wonderful nurse, cook and chauffeur for the week. We went to see a movie with Rachel before Holly headed back to Florida. I chose the new Tom Hanks movie, A Man Called Otto. I had read the book the movie was based on a few years ago and remembered it being sad but overall funny. Well, I remembered a bit wrong. Holly and Rachel both gave me a hard time, but all 3 of us were laughing at my poor movie choice through our tears at the end.

On Thursday morning, I go in for the first round of scans since my diagnosis to determine how the cancer has responded to the chemo and our next steps. I am hopeful there will be positive changes, but there is also some anxiety that comes along with the scans. I have a follow up with my oncologist on Friday morning where we will learn next steps. I will either have one more round on chemo that day, then surgery will be towards the end of February or no chemo on Friday and head to surgery on February 8th. I have been dreading surgery since I found out it was a necessity back in November. I do much better as the nurse providing the care to someone instead of being on the receiving end of that care. As my anxiety about surgery has risen over the past few weeks, God has been so gracious to help me change my perspective to one of thankfulness instead of dread. I am thankful I have access to good doctors near my home. I am thankful for health insurance. I am thankful there are skilled people who can help get the cancer out of my body. I will not say I am looking to my surgery date, but at least the dread and anxiety surrounding is much less than earlier this month.

Our prayer is that the chemo has eradicated as much of the cancer cells as possible, so surgery can be as minimally invasive as possible. I pray also that I and my family can rest in God’s presence and grace that is sufficient for this day, and all the days following. I want to focus on the God I know and his faithfulness instead of the looming unknowns right now.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the prayers, cards, gift cards and meals you have provided to our family over the past 2 months. I am so thankful for the community that God has placed around us.

(Picture is of Danelle and Holly before Holly left)