Surrounded by Blessings

 Laura has a really wonderful attitude of gratitude when she recounted her blessings this week. She told me that today her ward would be fasting for her. She told me about a beautiful mask that a lady in the ward made for her. She explained how Donna had come over to give her a treatment with a rub that opens pores and absorbs cancer fighting elements into the skin. Donna also made Laura juice drinks to help fight the war. Some of her friends from high school came to visit and wish her well.  She feels very confident and happy with her young doctor oncologist who is from India. She said her radiation oncologist was an older, wise, and experienced man that knows what he is doing.

All of which is very good because the treatments for her brain are not so fun and are definitely different than any normal doctor visit. The radiation oncologist explained to her how they are going to put her head in a mask or helmet that covers her head except for her eyes, nose, and mouth, then bolt that down to the bed so she does not move. Then they can radiate very tiny spots on her head. She has to be awake to have everything work. So not fun. But very interesting on the other hand.

I'm thinking this should be daisy stickers 

Her headaches come from the brain swelling with the cancer and it is hoped that as the radiation and immunotherapy are introduced that her headaches will go away. 

In all, Laura has four spots of cancer in her lungs, four spots in her brain, and five in her body. Two in her brain will be treated with radiation in four maybe five sessions. She will have three immunotherapy sessions. 

The bright spot is both of her doctors are happy about Laura's family scheduled trip to Hawaii this year. They had decided long ago to go on this vacation, so all the tickets and such have already been purchased - long before Laura found out her grim news. This is going to be a good vacation for all of them. Another long awaited trip to Machu Picchu that is probable/maybe for Laura, with all the family. One of the doctors had a terrible time getting back because of the Covid closures and warned about being stuck in that country.

So good things to look forward to along with the challenges.