Saturday and Sunday have been quiet days of rest. As expected, the biopsy from my eye area has left me with swelling, bruising and stitches under my eyebrow – basically it looks like I’ve been in a fist fight. On top of that I have a big area of swelling on my forehead – pretty hard not to feel self-conscious. I had to get out of our room today, so I sported a low visor and sunglasses – even inside. Jonathan, in his complete support, tried to convince me that walking around the hotel and inside shops/restaurants like that is completely normal. 🙂
Tomorrow will be another busy day with at least 3 appointments at MD Anderson. We will meet with a radiation oncologist (surprisingly, we’ve never met with one before), the Head and Neck surgeon again and then follow-up with the Lymphoma specialist who is coordinating all of my care.
Although the pathology results most likely will not be in yet, we hope to get some good insight from the scans, blood work and combined input from so many medical specialties. I’m sure that there will be discussion on whether additional tests will be needed, and if surgery, radiation and/or more aggressive chemotherapy is the best treatment. We will be sure to post another update tomorrow evening.
If you wonder what in the world that picture is that Jonathan posted for Day 5 – that’s just a little taste of his artistic and humorous personality. That is simply the blood pressure cuff I had on my arm. I think he thought the illustrations were intriguing. 🙂
We are overwhelmed by your love and support! Thank you for the many many prayers and the comments of encouragement. Love, April
p.s. I may be clothed with a hat and sunglasses today, but my long-term goal is from Proverbs 31:25.
I am like your friend Mary K who is looking @your blog several times a day. Your Uncle Gene keeps asking me when I have checked and wants me to check again. We have prayed all day for you knowing that you had three appts today asking God to be with you and praying for knowledge of what this is you are dealing with and what the doctors can do to make everything right again. God bless you and keep you in his care little April and Jonathan also. Good Nite and Sweet Dreams
We continue to keep you in our prayers. Thanks for keeping us up to date. We look forward to having you back soon.
We are thinking of you every day and hope you will get some encouraging answers very soon !
Lots of love from all of us in Stockholm
So glad you got some rest! I’ve become a blog stalker, checking for updates throughout the day! Praying that today is a good day. Praying Proverbs 31:25 for both of us!
Was glad to see your post – I know it must be so hard to wait and not “do” so I am praying extra hard and hoping that you get some news and concrete plans today!
We love you so much.
April and Jonathan, we are all keeping you in our prayers here in Jacksonville. Stay strong and trust in your doctors. We are thinking about you everyday. We love you. Keith, Jodie, Zachary, Cole, and Carly.
Thanks for the update…I see how God is holding Jonathan, April, the girls and Harrison up with love and strength. Continuing to pray for y’all….
Praying many times a day. I laughed at the blood pressure cuff picture. I looked at it on my phone and for awhile thought it was a vision test…thinking your vision had really gone down hill based on the picture. When I finally figured out it was the blood pressure cuff, I laughed and thought…Jonathan!
Great to get an update! I have been thinking of you all weekend. Also good to hear you got out a bit…and, yes visor and sunglasses are nothing unusual. My thoughts and prayers will continue to be with you. Remember, if there is anything I can do please, let me know.
You are already clothed in strength and dignity. Today I will pray that you will soon be able to laugh at the days to come.