Enough!

...who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 2 Corinthians 1:4-6 NIV



Enough. Pam did it. I had my doubts at the beginning that she would make it, mostly due to her history of over-reacting to each and every drug thrown at her, but she did it. She finished the complete chemotherapy regimen. It wasn't easy and although we are looking back now, it doesn't seem as though time flew. The past 6 months have crept. The next six probably will too. But, step two (the two surgeries can be called #1) is done. A huge thank you to all of you who have supported her, prayed for her and encouraged her.

Last Wednesday went very well. I was supposed to be booked with field trip duties so Pam's folks delivered her to the cancer center. Sheri kept Pam company and watched for reactions. Rachel and Gina showed up to acknowledge the finish. Then they treated Pam to a celebration lunch with even more friends (or was it just Tanya added in? Leesa? idk) It was such a better ending than four years ago when chemo had her stranded in the hospital. So much better.

Pam is tired. Physically the chemo did it's trick. She longs for the strength and energy to run and exercise like last year. Her memory is hit and miss and strangely enough she seems to have pretty sharp long term memories, but the short-term just isn't all that reliable. The blood in her nose has stuck around. Her eyebrows are racing her eyelashes to the floor, giving her the complete cancer patient look she detests. But it's all good. A Porsche without paint is still a beautiful and fantastic car. Amazing Grace is an awesome song even when performed without instruments, maybe even better.

And now, rest for a few weeks, maybe a month or so, then radiation. Pam isn't planning on it being a picnic. The left half of her torso, hip to shoulder to sternum and down again will be nuked. She is guaranteed it will burn and some physical changes are likely. Her love of hot weather is going to be tempered this summer with discomfort, but it is all part of the long term plan of overcoming this cancer. Prayers will continue to be welcomed.

Her blog will continue to let you know how she is progressing. You can have fun watching the hair return (pray with me that it comes in brown with blond highlights, a financial prayer of sorts). I will keep the blog updated as information seems interesting or prayers are needed.

You may wonder why Pam took this pic of Rachel and Sheri in the cancer center in such an odd pose. Respecting the other patients seated all around, Pam was talking quietly to them. Seems both Rachel and Sheri each have hearing problems in at least one ear, Rachel's left, Sheri's right. So they had turned their heads to hear Pam's words better and Pam couldn't resist capturing the moment.