A Week of Ups and Downs

It's funny how the brain works.  Seems to somehow 'allow' you to forget some of the more difficult things in the past in order to move ahead.  The two week break from treatment was wonderful for Paige and our whole family.  We had time together, which is a precious commodity these days.  Paige had enough energy to get out a few days each week for 'normal' things--we even made it to a midday movie (gotta avoid those crowds)!  It was a beautiful glimpse at what is to come, but next up...Phase Three.

The first of four planned hospital stays for chemo treatment went as doctors expected.  Paige's body tolerated the high dose chemotherapy, and the excess was properly flushed from her system.  She didn't experience any major side effects or adverse reactions.  We were admitted on a Thursday evening and came home early Monday morning.  Paige was a little tired from waking up multiple times in the night for vitals, but all was good.

We got a reality check Monday evening when Paige really began feeling the effects of the chemo.  The next two days would be the roughest we have had in a while.  She was so physically drained that walking from her room to the living room was a challenge.  Wednesday evening was an emotional one--Paige was "tired of being so tired" and upset with herself for "not being brave."  I've been encouraging her to express what she's feeling at different points of this journey, but there was no way I was going to let her think she wasn't being brave or that it wasn't okay to cry.  After a long talk and prayer time, she put her head on her pillow and settled in for a good night's rest.

Paige has felt a little better each day this week as her body rests and recovers from treatment.  Her beautiful smiles have even returned!  We are praying her health and counts hold so we can do this all over again next week.  Each treatment gets us one step closer to that victorious finish!  

This was definitely a week of ups and downs, but the faith and hope we have in our Heavenly Father remains unshaken.  We have good days, and we have bad ones--but God continues to deliver us through every single one.  

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.   2 Corinthians 4:17

But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you...  
2 Thessalonians 3:3