My Diary of Hope

New Treatments and a New Year of Blessings!

2009-02-24T14:57:00.003-05:00

New Treatment and a New Year of Blessings!

New Treatment and a New Year of Blessings!

It has been several months since I have blogged. I hope everyone is doing well. Sorry it has been so long. It is hard to get here and blog. Basketball season is almost finished and things will start to slow down again. I went to the Oncologist on January 15th. The lab work was good and the scans were good. I did start another treatment that my Oncologist recommended. This treatment will hopefully keep me in remission longer, but there are no guarantees. She did say the cancer still can come back while having these treatments. She said it is up to us if we want to have the treatments. Some people choose not, because they do not want to take the time out of their lives and also spend the time infusing and feeling bad. We are ready to try everything even if it means throwing in the kitchen sink.
I can ramble on about what this treatment means or I can give you the exact facts and here they are: I hope you understand if not just let me know.

RITUXAN Ongoing Therapy for up to 2 years After Successful Initial Treatment: Significantly Lowers the Chance of Low-Grade Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Progressing, Relapsing, or Resulting in Death
For over 10 years RITUXAN has been trusted by oncologists and patients. RITUXAN can be used as an ongoing therapy for low-grade NHL after receiving CVP chemotherapy.

RITUXAN was tested in patients who had completed treatment with CVP chemotherapy and whose disease was stable or better. Patients got 4 treatments of RITUXAN every 6 months. And they were treated for up to 2 years after CVP chemotherapy. This large study showed that over a period of time:
Getting RITUXAN as an ongoing therapy after CVP chemotherapy significantly lowered the chance that low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma progressed, relapsed, or resulted in death. In fact, it lowered the risk by over 50%

Side effects are minimal. I feel like I have the flu for about 24-48 hours then I’m much better. I’m getting steroids again to help with the side effects of the medication, therefore I have to really watch my blood sugars. I’m having my treatments on Thursday’s and I’m back at work on Friday. I’m tired on Friday, but get to rest on the weekend. I have one more treatment on this Thursday and then done until August.

The Family is doing great. Zach is finishing with the Junior Varsity basketball team and is starting a club soccer league. Julia will start her dance season in a few weeks and I can’t wait! Her costumes are beautiful and her songs are a lot of fun. Zach has his 1st soccer tournament this weekend. I know I sound busy but that is the way I like it. I enjoy what they enjoy. Josh has been very busy with work, but always a big help. Well I better go and get some things accomplished. Thank you for all the phone calls, prayers and Christy Welch for cooking meals for the family. I’m truly blessed with such great friends and family.

Love,
Deylissa

2008-10-23T14:45:00.001-04:00

Good News!

I went to the Oncologist on October 16th for my 3 month follow-up after stopping treatment. PET/CT looked great. No active Lymphoma cells!!!! There are some places lying doormat in my stomach, but they did not light up on the PET portion of the scan. White count, RBC, Hemoglobin are all back to normal. That is good news going in to the flu season. We celebrated that night by going out to a Soccer Diner for Zach’s team. It is so nice to hang out with great boys and their parents. Zach and the HPCA Varsity Men’s Soccer team will be heading to Wilson, North Carolina for the State Playoffs! Zach again is starting Keeper. We are down to the last 4 teams. They have had a fun and action pact season. We are all doing great and Julia, when not at soccer matches, is dancing her heart out. She is excited to try out for a school sports herself next year. She wants to try out for volleyball or tennis. Sorry I have not blogged sooner it has been a little hard going back to work and getting organized. A busy Soccer season does not help with that. High school games were fun when we were there, but it is totally different and very exciting when your child is out there. I will have another Scan in 3 months on January 18th. I will blog before then so keep checking back. I have hair and in another month I might be able to do a hair style. I will try to get some pictures on the blog or into my Christmas cards. Thank you again to all the people who continue to pray, call, and help with meals.

p.s. Cousin Debbie I received your message on my blog. It was great to hear from you. I have lost your phone number; I will get in the mail this week my contact information.

Love, Deylissa

2008-09-24T11:26:00.000-04:00

Julia celebrated her 10th birthday Last week with a 60’s party and Zach’s 15th birthday is coming up. I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma on Zach’s birthday 3 years ago this coming October. We have made it another year and things are good. I feel bad for Zach that his memory for his 12th birthday was me in the ER. Zach is a very adaptable child and has taken everything in stride.
Both kids have a good experience to share with other children concerning cancer and may help someone else deal with the disease someday. I’m very proud of them both.

This is my 3rd full week of work and doing well. I’m not super woman anymore. It is hard to get everything done and not feel like I’m 200 by the end of the day. I am still working out and losing weight slowly and some inches also. All hard work! Soccer season is a lot of fun and Zach is keeping very busy with homework, projects, and now student council. Julia is staying busy with school, dance, and her social life. These things are busy and that does not help with the fatigue, but I love being a mother and being involved with their lives. Now the chores like laundry and keeping up a house I could leave alone. I like things too neat to just let them go and that is my fault. My sleep patterns are still messed up. The doctor said that will get better. I did go for my diabetic physical the other day and all checked out well. My A1C was 6.4 (excellent), but I do not have reflexes in my legs anymore. This may mean some damage from the chemotherapy. The doctors are not worried about it. I could not ask for better health otherwise. I’m here, working, and enjoying being a mother, enjoying life. Josh told me if I wanted hair extensions I could get them. I told him that my short hair is my badge of courage of everything I went through.

I have another scan on October 16th. I’m trying to keep everyone informed if you are able to still follow my blog. I will try to do entries more often.

Love,
Deylissa

Good News!

2008-07-10T18:17:00.000-04:00

Went to the Oncologist today July 10th for PET/CT scan, lab work, and to see the physician. We started out with the PET scan and then so on. My lab work is almost normal and my scan was clear…normal….Good news!!... I’m in remission!!!! The Doctor will see me in 3 months for a PET/CT scan, and lab work. I will do the following until this time next year and if everything is good at the end of the year we will go to every 6 months. She did say it would be a while before I got my energy totally back due to being hit so hard with Chemotherapy. I have been working out and will try to continue that. My goal for this year is to get back in shape and eat more organic fruits, vegetables and cut our meat consumption in half. I have been working out since she released me at the last visit. It is hard on some days, but I’m trying to force myself too at least 45 minutes. Most days I can make an hour, especially the days that Zac is working out with the Varsity team. He is there for a 1 ½ hrs 3 days a week training for basketball. We had a great 4th week at the beach! Julia had Nationals for dance and she received a gold medal for her Solo, Jazz team, and Lyrical team. They did great! We spent one night at Myrtle Beach and then the rest of the time at Meredith and Pop’s beach house at Oak Island, N.C. We relaxed and had fun with the kids. 2 sets of our good friends came down toward the last of the week and we enjoyed their company and celebrated life with good bottles of red wine. I will keep my port-a-cath until after the 1st of the year and then have it removed. We are praying for a 5 year remission or longer…. No guarantees. I am very hopeful because this round was text book therefore the Port-a-cath will come out after 2 more good scans. I will have the port-a-cath flushed every 3 weeks.

Thank you for all the prayers and support, they have worked. Please keep on praying it’s always needed. Every night I pray for all of you, my loved ones and friends. Thank you to Meredith and Ralph for the use of the beach house…We had a great week!
I will continue to blog through the year. Just to keep in touch with all my prayer warriors. I will get some more pictures on line shortly. My hair is trying to grow back in! It has now been 4 weeks since my last treatment. I will let you know how that is going. I hope you all can truly be blessed by God’s grace in your lives as I have been. I look around and find things everyday. All we have to do is slow down and look. Peace and happiness to you all…

Love,
Deylissa

2008-06-20T23:10:00.001-04:00

All has been well! I have started a work out routine and I have not missed a day yet. I’m trying to get back in shape and get my lung capacity and energy levels back to normal. The steroids have blown me up and hopefully they will be out of my system soon. I would like to apologize that I have not blogged in a while. The Chemo brain makes it hard to concentrate for several weeks. That will all be better now!!!! Now that the Chemo is finished Josh has gotten used to my bald head. Hair is slowly growing in, but is very fine and fuzzy. I’m looking forward to new and exciting hair cuts. I’m hoping all the other hair grows in much slower; it has been nice not to shave. I will have a PET/CT scan on July 10th at NCBH to confirm that I’m still in remission. I will then be followed every 3 months for a year, then every 6 months. Zachery just finished Driver’s Ed and will be waiting for the driving part later this summer. I want to say Thank you to Tammy suits for taking Zachery to Driver’s Ed every morning for me. Julia came home tonight from Drama camp and had a grand time. The Somers made great memories for Julia with such a great week. Summer will slow down now that camps have come to an end. I’m going to try hard to take care of myself and be ready to go back to work. I hope to have a healthier body by the end of the summer. Thank you to Davidson Cardiology for bringing dinner to us…it was great…….Love…Deylissa

2008-06-11T09:58:00.000-04:00

I just finished my 6th treatment last Thursday and starting to feel tired, but doing well. Sorry I have not kept you more informed. The Family keeps me very busy then I crash and go to bed. Last treatment went well. I will blog to you soon…..Love….Deylissa

Thank you to everyone who sent cards and called during my short hospital stay!!!!!

Home from the Hospital!

2008-05-28T10:42:00.005-04:00

I came home from the hospital over the weekend! Doing well! It is slow going and I don't have my energy or voice back completely yet. I have added some pictures to my blog for everyone to look at. I hope you enjoy them. I wanted to say thank you to the Somers' and the Welch's for watching Julia and Zach while I was in the hospital. Christy kept the family fed for the holiday weekend and Anna Grace and Family wore Julia out with swimming and much needed play time. Thank you for everything it is greatly appreciated. Love............Deylissa

The biggest Thank you goes to Joshua for sleeping in that hard chair at the hospital and keeping me company and entertaining me during my journey to health.

5th Treatment and hospitalization....doing well!

2008-05-23T23:06:00.000-04:00

I just finished my 5th treatment and it went well. This treatment and the last have hit me much harder than the others. I have had more nausea and fevers. I still have managed to come on the top on my good days!! The chemo brain still keeps my thought process slow, but have had some comical moments because of it.

I think my hair will come in blondish-brown. Right before my treatments I get a few hairs that grow in…..I hope the blonde is not grey in disguise.

The garden I planted is doing great! Julia has been a great help with keeping weeds and bugs out. It has been relaxing and fun.

I had a great Mother’s Day. We ate lunch at the country club with our good friends: Eve, John, and Dillon Roser. Lunch was FANTASTIC. We ran into Aunt Kay, Uncle Carey, and Mrs. Cranford leaving the club. I was so excited to show Aunt Kay my fake eyelashes. I have lost a lot of my lashes. It was fun wearing the falsies. I found out you can’t wear them more than 10 hours without your eyes getting sticky.

One week of school left and things will slow down!!! Maybe. My next treatment is in a few weeks and then a PET/CT 4 weeks later. If it still looks like I’m in remission, that will be my last treatment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Special thanks to: The Roser’s, Christy, Todd, Jordan, Joyce &, Abbey for all the diner invitations and helping with the kids. Since I typed this I have gotten a fungal infection and I’m taking a high powered fungal medication. My throat feels like it is full of razor blades and I have not moved out of the bed in 3 days….no energy. If I continue to spike a temperature greater than 100.5 they might keep me in the hospital. This has been one of my sickest times in my life. It is hard to explain. Keep the prayers going they do work.

Friday night here we are at Baptist Hospital! Got admitted due to running a fever and a fungal thrush infection in my throat. Taking no chances while I’m neutropenic I will receive IV antibiotics and fluids. Will be here until my counts come up and no fever. Hopefully only a day or two.

2008-05-05T10:31:00.000-04:00

Hello Everyone! Sorry I have not bloged in a while; this last treatment wore me down more than the others. This time my counts were at the lowest and I ran a low grade fever every day. I also slept a lot and then would do things at the house in the evening and would run out of time to blog. I have thought of all my friends, family, and prayer warriors often and disliked that I have kept you all uninformed of my status. This week is a good week and feeling great! I’m trying to get caught up on my cleaning, organizing, and planting. We have planted an organic garden it will be interesting to see if we can keep it alive. Josh planted 12 trees yesterday, he will be sore today. I helped as much as possible I wear out easy and get short of breath quickly. I helped haul a few buckets. Josh did a great job they look fabulous. I’m watering the trees now as I’m blogging. I better go and move the water to the next tree. I will blog again soon……Love…Deylissa

2008-04-24T21:49:00.001-04:00

Good News! All biopsies came back with no cancer cells! God is wonderful! I will have a CT scan next week to see where we stand with all other lymph node sites. We have 2 more treatments (6 weeks) then onto remission. More scans after will be needed to be absolutely sure no remaining treatments will be needed. This is a good week and I have gotten a lot done. With such a busy lifestyle I’m always glad to complete projects. We had a big burden lifted by the good news and know now everything will be fine. I have felt over all very well this week and will have a few bad days coming up, but those days let us know the chemotherapy is working. Thank you for all the prayers …………God always listens.

We have another busy weekend coming up with dance competition in Thomasville on Saturday and another AAU basketball tournament in King. Believe it or not we look forward to it all. Right now life is all about the kids and they are the joy in our life and a gift to us from heaven. We hope to give them all our love a guidance to take with them into the world. These busy days show us how we are blessed with health….. Weekend here we come……..Hope you all enjoy your own. Love to you and yours…………Deylissa

2008-04-22T09:34:00.003-04:00

I would like to extend a big Thank you to Davidson Cardiology, The Sommers, and Gloria Ninnie for bring by fantastic food it is a blessing and greatly appreciated. Look for an update this afternoon, I'm on the run to get more test and trying to get out of the house to work out before the Chemo. kicks in. Sorry for my 1st song messing up we are getting if fixed ASAP. ......Love...Deylissa

2008-04-15T23:21:00.002-04:00

My Biopsy was a great experience and the staff was exceptional! They were actually waiting on us when we arrived. I came home and slept all day, while sleeping Josh took Zach to the orthopedic doctor to look at his foot injury. Zachery has turf toe, thank god it was not broken. Turf toe is an injury of the bunion area and can flair up later if not healed properly. It was a crazy Monday.

Julia had a dance competition this past weekend and did great. She took gold in her solo, Platinum and 1st overall in their lyrical and high gold in jazz with a 2nd place overall. If that was not enough Zach had a basketball tournament, they won 2 lost 2. Zach played on the injured foot Sunday and played a great game. He was the top scorer.

Back to the biopsy the preliminary was good. Stomach and esophagus looked good. He was still concerned about the lymph node in my chest. He did not see anything out of the ordinary in my stomach, but won’t be sure until the pathology comes back. The pathology will be back in time for my appointment on the 21st. He did find that I have chronic pancreatitis probably from my diabetes or from the chemotherapy. As soon as we know more we will let you know.

Had a great day today did not get to exercise, but will exercise on Wednesday. Thank you again for all the cards, phone calls, food, visits, gifts, and prayers.

2008-04-11T20:45:00.000-04:00

Counts are back up and feeling great! Due to being neutrapenic and miscommunication on the GI lab side my endoscope just got schedule for Monday April 14th. My treatment was moved to the following Monday the 21st to ensure the biopsy would be back in time. We had to chase down the test; thank god we know what to do.

Julia dances in Winston-Salem this weekend and Zach is playing in Tobacco Road basketball tournament. It will be a busy weekend, but a lot of fun! Look for a blog on Monday night for a preliminary from the Doctor.
Love,
Deylissa

2008-04-07T09:11:00.001-04:00

An apology to everyone, I said there were new pictures and there was not. Every time I went to add them, I took a nap instead. This week has started out better, and now I’ve added the pictures. You can see what we have been up too. I also cleaned out closets and organized drawers to give away kids clothes that no longer fit. They are both growing up so fast! Since I have started to feel better again, I will be back to my exercise and maybe even plant that organic garden. My counts once again are low and I’m on infection protocol, so if I do make it out into the public I will have to be careful. Still do not have a date for my next biopsy, but will let you know ASAP. Thank you again to all who has brought food by it does help when feeling bad. Josh or me can pop a good meal into the oven and not feel guilty that the kids need to have a big meal cooked. Well it is 11:00pm and I better finish my laundry and get to bed. Blog to you soon……Deylissa

2008-03-31T18:58:00.000-04:00

This past Thursday I had my 3rd treatment. All went well, my sister Kerri surprised me and came up from Georgia to sit with me and my good friend Christy. My usual companion Kristin is still in Australia on an awesome vacation. We enjoyed our time together and the treatment went fast.
I have had a little harder time rebounding after this treatment. Nausea, headache, and chemo brain has started quicker this time. We have had a great Easter Break and the whole family has Spring fever. Josh, Zach and I did put out 90 bales of pine needles for the flower beds. A lot of work but the yard looks so much better. We wanted to plant flowers, but will have to wait for warmer weather.
My PET/CT scan on Thursday March 25th came back good. The lymph nodes in my head, neck, axillaries’, chest, abdomen, and pelvis have gotten better! The troublesome spot that started the chemo in my small bowel is also reduced!! The Chemotherapy is working. I did have a place show up in my stomach and the Doctor thinks it is gastritis caused by steroids and Chemotherapy. Since I had small bowel involvement she does not want to ignore it. I will have another endoscope to obtain biopsies of my stomach. If it comes back as lymphoma cells, she will change my treatment. If it is gastritis then I’m half way done with my chemotherapy: Yea! We are so glad we have a cautious Doctor.
I would like to thank Aunt Kay and Uncle Carey for bringing by the Salad, Chicken salad, and banana pudding, it was fantastic. My mother, Sister Kasey and her twins came from Virginia for a visit and stocked the house up with groceries and laughter. We had a great visit and I’m so glad they came. Thank you for all the letters, food, and prayers.
I will let you know when I get the date for my endoscope. It must be completed before my next treatment. Happy Spring Planting!

P.S. look for new pictures….click on slide show. Love…….Deylissa

2008-03-22T15:10:00.001-04:00

My counts are officially back to normal. I’m starting to get my energy back and the cold is slowly getting better, just in time for my 3rd treatment next week. Mornings are my hardest time due to lack of energy, it is hard to get going. I have an infection of my hair follicles and it looks interesting. They have given me 3 strong antibiotics and one topical antibiotic. The last of the stubble on my head is leaving and I have a baby smooth head on most areas. The infected hair follicles are somewhat normal and are caused by the steroids and not the chemotherapy. I’m almost done with my thank you notes. I have to finish them on days that I can concentrate. Thank you to everyone who has sent cards weekly and care packages.
HAPPY EASTER TO ALL! Love….Deylissa

Counts are low again

2008-03-16T21:11:00.001-04:00

Counts are low again and I’m feeling bad. Due to the counts being low, I have caught another cold and I have been running a fever. The fever is my body trying to get WBC counts up. I’m back on quarantine again! I slept all day on Wednesday and have been lying low today. I told Josh I know this cancer is my way to witness or do something for God, but on days like this I question it. Pop said pray to God a let him know I feel bad and he would respond. Julia dances this weekend and Zach goes to Chapel Hill for fun. We stayed in Raleigh for the competition and went to the campus to see Papa’s old dorm and drink from the well. Zach bought a Carolina Pharmacy School shirt on Franklin Street. I hope he gets to go to school there like his Grandfather. The campus is full of history and we love being there. I need lots of rest today. Zach and Josh went to Charlotte to see ACC game and Julia and I will stay on the couch! Blog to you soon. Love……Deylissa

2008-03-11T09:23:00.001-04:00

Today is Tuesday March 11, th 5 days after 2nd treatment and feeling pretty good just slow going. We had a great weekend. Julia did fantastic at her dance competition and we saw 2 of our friends dance in guys and dolls, they did a great job. Kristin was a great host and we loved our time with her family. Zachery had a great basketball practice with the Kernersville Mavericks and his Volcano project exploded to the max. I participated in my 1st yoga class yesterday at the cancer center and had a very relaxing time. I think I’m going to keep up the yoga it was worth it. My eyebrows are starting to fall out and thin out…..help does anybody know how to paint them on. Talk to you soon. I’m off to curves! Love….Deylissa

Second Treatment

2008-03-06T22:26:00.000-05:00

Well here I am again, sitting in the Chemo unit getting my second treatment. All has been well except for I have a cold. I have had to resort to wearing my hats and wigs. I have lost my hair in patches and I could not get out of the shower, because I was covered in hair. I decided to shave my head. With a few tears, I sat on the bathroom floor and Josh bravely shaved my head for me. The kids have taken it very well. In fact, Julia thinks of me as a novelty item. She shows me off to all her friends. Their reactions are priceless. Josh is having trouble coping with my hair loss, he wants me to wear my wigs all the time, but it is very uncomfortable. He tells me I look like a Chemo Patient in just hats! Duhh!!
Well my WBC count was back up to normal today. I had no reactions to the Chemotherapy! I’m dreading the fatigue most of all. I have to return tomorrow for my Neulasta injection to help boost my WBC’s. We will be staying at Kristin’s house for the weekend for Julia’s dance competition in Lenoir. I’m going to try to do small entries every other day so stay tuned in. Oh by the way, I lost 4 lbs even with all the steroids. I guess working out is doing me some good. Keep the messages coming I enjoy the comments from all of you. The heavy prayers are working!

No more shaving...YEA!

2008-02-27T20:09:00.001-05:00

Everyone I have talked to said, I would know my cycle after the first treatment. If that is so, I will feel good from Thursday (the day of the treatment) until Tuesday. Monday is when I stop the last day of steroids. When the steroids got out of my system I was hit with the fatigue, nausea, pain, chemo brain, indigestion, and more fatigue. The good news is it lasts only 3-4 days and then I’m back to myself. However I am learning a nap is helpful during the day to get through the hard times. The past 2 days have been good days. I know now I can handle it.

I get my cell counts checked tomorrow and if they are up I can come out of quarantine. YEA!! It has been hard to stay inside and not go anywhere. I finally get to eat a salad again! I love salad. Thank god for Josh. He has been taking up the slack. Josh and the kids have been very understanding when mom needs a nap. Todd and Christy Welch have helped with pick up and drop off for school. Kids can be germy in masses. Lots of hand sanitizer on arrival home during this hard flu season. We have had great meals from Meredith, Pop, Jennifer, Julie, Christy and my sister Kristin. These have helped a lot. Everyone likes Pop’s chicken stew. We throw them in the oven and have a great meal with hardly any clean up. Thank you my family and friends!

Like clock work…..14 days after the 1st treatment my hair is falling out. Nothing big yet, however the sink and brush see a lot more hair than normal. It does make me sad seeing the strands add up. The chemo is killing the hair follicle but Josh pointed out that it’s a good sign. We know now that those lymphoma cells are dying inside also! Even though I know the treatment is working, I found tears coming in the shower. Oh well, I finally get that leg hair removal I wanted so badly. Instead of lasers it is Adriamycin, and Cytoxan. It is going to make getting ready so easy….especially at the pool and beach this summer. Smooth and Sexy! I never thought hats were me, but now I’m going to get the chance to get my vogue on. I will put pictures on my blog for you to judge. Let me know what you think when you see me. Talk to you soon…

" Infection Protocol"..... & Slow Moving!

2008-02-22T12:09:00.006-05:00

Thursday February 21st was a good day; I woke up and felt good. I saw the kids off to school and made the trip to Baptist Hospital for my 1st lab work one week after my 1st treatment. When arriving at the treatment center all the nurses came running to see how things went. They did tell me the way I was feeling was due to stopping the steroids abruptly and a combination of the chemotherapy (These ladies are sent from heaven). The fatigue like nothing I have experienced before, nausea, bone pain, and “chemo brain” is normal and will get better (chemo brain is a sensory overload). The symptoms were like clock work…the nurses said it would happen like that and it did. My lab work was drawn from my porta cath and then they sent me away, and would call when the results came in. I went to eat at Panera Bread for lunch and then to the mall to take something back. While at the mall I received the call and the nurse instructed me to go into infection protocol because my WBC counts was low. I was instructed to get out of the public, check my temperature frequently, eat no raw fruits and vegetables, cook everything thoroughly, avoid recently vaccinated children, wash hands constantly, and stay away from fresh plants and flowers. I finished my shopping and came home. Friday morning was a ruff morning I woke up with a headache and a sore throat. I could not take Advil, because it would mask a temperature and they need to know if I spike a temperature, so I had to sleep it off. I’m up and writing on my blog and feeling better.
I’m reading a book called “Any day with hair is a good day” It has been proven that writing in a journal provides the following benefits: pain reduction, increased immune function, lower blood pressure, and lower heart rate. I’m going to keep journaling… and I recommend that all of you will keep writing for better health! I’m off and going!

So tired!

2008-02-20T12:33:00.000-05:00

Today was a sad day! I’m such an energetic person and it was so hard to get out of the bed, I woke the kids up and sent them to school and could not stay awake. I crawled back in bed and literally did not have the energy to crawl out of the bed until 11:00. It did not last long, I’m up and feeling better, but it took a mental toll, because I do not stop for even a cold normally. Ironically I have a cold also, but that is treatable and manageable. God has given me the strength to beat this and this is a stepping stone to my better health. I will find the energy, but have to realize this is the time to achieve great health, even if it means a nap. “A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s book.”—Irish proverb. I’m off and going….

First Chemotherapy Treatment

2008-02-16T10:54:00.001-05:00

Today was a long day. I started my first treatment today Thursday February 14th. We arrived at 9:00am for lab work and doctor’s office visit. We started the treatment at 12:30 with a pre-treatment via my porta-cath of IV benadryl, zantac, steroids, and anti-nausea medications. After those medications they started the Rituxin. They had to start it very slowly and watch for any adverse reactions. At 2:15 pm I started to have a mild reaction to the Rituxin of shortness breath, hives, and a burning, scratchy throat. They stopped the infusion for 30 minutes and the symptoms subsided. They started the chemotherapy drugs after that which I tolerated very well. We were completely done about 6:30pm. Josh and Kristin were great companions during the day. We watched the movie Game plan on Kristin’s portable DVD player. We played Trivia Pursuit and read magazines. The nurses were all great and tolerated Kristin and Josh cutting up very well. I attribute my well-being during the treatment to all of your prayers as I hold them all dear to my heart. As a symbol to this I wore my diamond cross given to me as a gift from our dear friends Eve, John, and Dillon. It was ironic that the cross hung between my heart on one side and my porta-cath on the other.

I wanted to extend another thank you to all my family and friends who have been great prayer warriors. Julia’s class made special get well cards which were a joy to read. The bible quotes in the cards were awesome; these 4th graders do understand prayer. My best friend Christy presented to me a sterling silver square bracelet with a smiley face charm to remind me of happiness, good times, and love. A beautiful prayer shawl was presented to me from my husbands loving aunt Kay Eanes. The shawl was hand stitched from “Chicks with Sticks” at Memorial United Methodist Church. Another friend of mine Mary Drummond who just finished her Chemotherapy treatment gave to Julia and I a wonderful bag of uplifting items to help me through the treatments. These are things that helped her. I also received many, many bible verses from all my dear friends that I will take with me to read and cherish. Julia and Zach’s friends have also been there for them with hugs and uplifting gifts. Julia’s Petite Jazz Company from the Dance Shop have been very supportive to her and myself. They presented her with a very lovely care package.

Today is Friday February 15th. I had some fevers last night, but slept well. I woke up refreshed and Josh, I, Zach, Christy, and Jordan went with me to pick up my wigs and then to NCBH to get my Neulasta shot to promote RBC production, while Julia went to a horse show with Aunt Kristin and Montanna. Still feeling good we made a short trip to the Mall and then home to type this posting. The doctor said it would be Sunday or Monday before the fatigue and nausea would start. I will talk to you all soon.

Thank you for the love & prayers they are working!!
Love,
Deylissa

2008-02-11T21:21:00.009-05:00

"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift."

What Cancer Cannot Do

It cannot cripple my love.
It cannot shatter my hope.
It cannot corrode my faith.
It cannot destroy my peace.
It cannot kill all of my friendships, but only make them stronger.
It cannot suppress all of my wonderful memories.
It cannot silence my families courage.
It cannot invade my soul.
It cannot steal my eternal life.
AND I WILL NOT
Let it conquer my Spirit.

Therefore, as a way to communicate with all of my family and friends, Zachery and his friend Jordan have set up a blog for me to use while I let your prayers, our faith, and the doctor's knowledge work together to heal me so I can get on with my life. We are ready for this treatment physically and emotionally. We have a great doctor who is extremely knowledgeable, helpful, and caring. We have a great support system. Our families and friends mean so much to us. Thank you for all that you have done already, without your support, help, and prayers we would be lost in this sea of uncertainty.

There are some great websites with information for people with Lymphoma and Leukemia you can visit for more information on my cancer. If you look-up these sites I have, B-cell Follicular Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma-grade 1A and Stage IV. Sounds scary and extremely morbid, but you know knowledge is power. The more people who understand this disease the better chance I have of beating it. My sisters and nieces have made a vow never to remove their bracelet's until I am well. They eat, sleep, and even bath, and go through their daily lives remembering me with those four words that mean so much, Hope, Faith, Courage, and Strength. As time goes by this year please remember these words they mean so much to me and my family.

Hope for a full and quick recovery,

Faith in God's healing power and Prayer,

Courage to cheer me on when I may be to tired to go

Strength to get me through my treatments
Strength to Josh, Zachery, and Julia Mason for being so brave, supporting, loving, and caring.

Only God knows our life's story. He knows of our exact birth and of our exact death. He gives a life to make as we will. Pray, and Pray hard to God and let him know I still need to add several more chapters to my life's book. Pray; If tonight my name is mentioned when you kneel to pray, then I know my day was well spent and God is listening. There is a saying, "You can never get a cup of tea large enough, or a good book long enough to suit me," so as this time goes by for my treatments, grab a cup of tea, read my blog, Pray for me and my family and friends and help me create a life's book that will always be a source of love, hope, and joy, and full of wonderful memories and time well spent. I love all of you and God bless you.

Delightful
Encouraging
Youthful
Loving
Inspirational
Sacrificing
Strong
Awesome

On Friday February 8th I had a minor surgical procedure peformed to have a Porta-Cath inserted. Through this Porta-Cath I will receive my first Chemo Therapy Treatment on Valentine's Day. The procedure went very well, we even went out to eat at the Rainbow Resturant afterwards and then home for a 5 hour nap. It was a great experience and my Friends from High Point Regional Hospital made it a blessed day. Thank you to Donna,Stacey,Angie, and Heather! I have been a little sore, but went to work on Monday.

Sunday February 10th, Angie,Christy and Kristin gave me a "Love, Hope & Faith Shower." This was a very uplifting day. Many of my friends and family showed their support to me and my family for our upcoming treatments. We are blessed with a tremendous support system. Please view pictures from the shower.