Facing Your Giants

I picked up Max Lucado's book the other day and decided to read it since we are now facing a giant as David did, not Goliath, but a rare form of aggressive leukemia. He has such a wonderful, unique way with words (as does one of my Pastor's, Dave Belcher). It has been helpful to follow the biblical hero, a man after God's heart, David, and his spiritual journey through the pen of Lucado. Early in the book, he says,
"Focus on giants- you stumble
Focus on God - your giants tumble"
I pray we are learning the spiritual lessons the Lord has for us and that we keep our eyes focused on the cross of Christ during this cancer journey. We certainly recognize our neediness and dependence on the Lord. We are also gaining insight from devotionals some of you have been so thoughtful to send to Katrina. We read them daily.
Chemo did begin about 11:00 PM last night and the Rituximab went fine. Her vitals need to be checked every 15 minutes to begin, so her sleep was interrupted but she felt she slept. Next they gave 2 hours of power Methotrexate (again IV) and are currently running it slowly over the next 22 hours. Also with that is a steroid called Solumendrol. The nurse practitioner did a LP late this AM with an injection of MTX and Katrina is lying flat and sleeping now. Next on the agenda is a chest x-ray just to be sure her heart looks good which we expect it will. She had her 2nd EKG early today. Her pulse rate has slowed- thank you for your specific prayers for that. She ate a good breakfast this AM and talked to her husband before he went to work to let him know the night chemo went well, then talked to her grandpa and grandma. We went for a long walk through the halls, being stopped often and greeted by the nursing staff who are just seeing her again.
If everything stays on track, she will finish chemo late Sunday night and be discharged Monday early afternoon (almost hard to believe). We have outpatient clinic visits set up for Tuesday and Thursday of next week already- but that means Katrina is home, sleeping in her own bed and using her own, well, everything! That sounds to me like a giant tumbled! We are grateful for the presence of the Lord with us in this trial. And for your support in so many ways means so much to us! blessings, Lori