What a week. Chemo cycle twelve is done!

 Our week started off with Amanda's physical therapy appointment on Monday.  We got there and Amanda had no energy.  None.  She had trouble doing the full sets of exercises and would get a little too pale for my liking.  So immediately I began wondering if her counts were already starting to drop!  Thankfully, by the time we got in the car and started home her coloring had come back. Amanda said her legs just didn't have the energy to do anything after starting off the session walking six minutes on the treadmill.   Our girl doesn't have much endurance at this point.  We did go for a swim that evening and as always, she really enjoyed that!

Going into Tuesday, I thought that she would probably not make it to ROCK.  She did!  Not only did she make the lesson, but for the first time in weeks she lasted for the entire lesson, helped un-tack Oakey and then walked him out the his pasture!  I was thrilled with what she was able to do.  She had a great lesson, did very well, and endured.  That was a good day.

Yesterday was her appointment with Dr. Harrod.  Getting accessed was very stressful for Amanda, but that seems like the norm here lately.  On day one of cycle twelve she had a pretty rough accessing experience that lasted even once she was started on fluids.  Her port area just hurt.  Thankfully, unlike last time, she calmed down quickly after she was accessed and did great for the rest of the time there.  Counts came back looking good.  We were there a loooong time considering it was supposed to be our "short" day.   I have learned to stay flexible when it comes to her appointment days.  Nothing is set in stone.

We did get some very good news while at Dr. Harrod's regarding Amanda's MRI on June 30.  We are going in the next day, July 1 to get the results instead of waiting until July 8!!  I realize that may not seem like a huge deal, but the challenge of "waiting" a week for the scan results is excruciatingly difficult for me. 

Yesterday was Amanda's last medication of cycle twelve.  Twelve cycles of chemotherapy are done.  As of the last MRI three months ago, there is no active tumor.  Praise God.  What an amazing journey we have been on.  Even though there is an "area" they are watching, I am still so incredibly thankful for where we are today and how well Amanda is doing.

Amanda's day yesterday was one of accomplishment.  In spite of the nerves and apprehension, she faced her fears and got the job done.  Twelve chemotherapy cycles completed.  I'm so proud of her.  

Please pray for her upcoming MRI.  Pray that the tumor is still not only not active, but gone.  I know that technically, brain tumors don't go away, but our God is big.  He can do anything. :)  Pray that the new area they are watching will be clear.  Wouldn't that be an awesome thing?!  Above all, pray that God's will be done in Amanda's life.  My waiting will be with eager anticipation of what God will do in Amanda's life, and I'm praying that the MRI will be the first step of her new journey. 

God's mercies are new each day,  His love is never ending. 

Praising Him for a new day.

Psalm 107:1
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Getting ready to ride!

I adore this picture. Seriously.  She looks so comfortable and happy on the back of Oakey.

Amanda and Sandra Jo are two peas in a pod. 

It was a beautiful day for a ride.

YES! I got a smile!

Playing "Red Light, Green Light" cowboy style. 

I'll never get tired of seeing that smile.

Two laps to cool down + independent riding = one happy girl.