From October 21, 2008

Dear Friends,

Bev goes in tomorrow for her third chemo treatment. After her first two treatments, the pattern seems to be that she's ok for a few hours and then she's fairly sick for a few days.

The chemo treatments right now are spaced two weeks apart. After she's given the chemo, her white blood cell count drops so much that she has to be given a shot that forces her bone marrow to produce more white blood cells. To say that it's painful when the shot starts to work would be an understatement...but at least we know that the pain means that her white blood count is going up. Since white blood cells are what fight off infection, we have to be very cautious with Bev when her count is low, as she's in danger of getting any sort of infection that may be going around.

Along with our other prayer requests, be praying that her blood counts stay high (so she doesn't have to get the shot) and also that she doesn't get too sick from the chemo. She does absolutely love her Oncologist, so that's been a blessing.

And I refuse to write an email without saying how humbled and thankful I am for all of your support for Beverly. Your cards, prayers, calls, gifts, and deeds are ridiculous and I feel that we are spoiled. But if any person deserves to be spoiled, its Bev. By the way, she's now bald, and if I may say, she looks good! (See attached photo, taken right after she had it cut, with Bev's mom and sister also).

Love,

Dustin


P.S. The Chemo room wasn't as fun last time, as we were seated next to someone who decided to share with Beverly a list of every single unpleasant side effect that chemo has had on her...i finally put an end to it by threatening to take her hat away if she didn't stop talking.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7