Blessings Abound

OK, the scoop on the transfusion is that it went well (took over 7 hours), but I didn't feel like a "new woman" until today. [Today I actually did some scrapbooking!!!! Woohoo!!!! This is the first time since chemo started and was very encouraging to me to have the energy to delve in.]This delayed energy surprised me, but God was so good about helping me maintain perspective and rest in Him. Holidays can be especially tough, especially when I don't have the energy to celebrate like I'd like. However, 4th of July was alright. We ended up going to a party with friends late in the day and saw some great fireworks. I forgot my crutch at home (how's that for chemo brain?) but managed without it. For a few minutes of the fireworks, I forgot that life isn't really normal right now. Thank You, Lord.
I was also really encouraged at the party, besides being with friends, in that I met somebody whose brother-in-law had the same rare cancer as me. Ten years ago, he found a dr. who would remove the bone with the tumor (which was encapsulated like mine) rather than amputating his leg, and he has been cancer-free ever since. This was really good to hear about and made me feel hope since most stories seem to be about people whose cancer comes back at least once. It also made me thankful that my cancer happened now rather than 10 years ago! My oncologist had told me that chemotherapy and such has come a long way, and this is a prime example.
On a different note, I thought that after my last treatment (last cycle), the cells on my tongue were dying and sloughing off. My tongue turned white and felt like it had been burned leaving little taste. Well, I "happened to" mention it to my nurse this last week, and she informed me that I had thrush and that it could have gotten really bad, going down my throat and into my digestive tract. Thankfully, God spared me from that. It has started to come back again, so I'm taking Nystatin. It's a disgusting mouth rinse that I'm really thankful I don't have to swallow. Hopefully it will truly kick the thrush as I suspect that last time, my body only got the upper hand for a while instead of truly overcoming it (due to the lowered fighting power of my immune system).
Lastly, my shots have been going better. The dr. changed the prescription so that I only need 1 shot per day. I'm not sure if Bob is getting better at giving them (he's been reading up on how to make them less painful) and/or God's been gracious in relieving me of the high stress of it. Regardless, I'll take it. I'm so thankful to not be struggling with that right now. Thank you for praying!