Day 13: One more day...

until the 14th day... the day my mom gets her Bone Marrow test.
Tomorrow she's scheduled to have her bone marrow test. The doctor said we're looking to see in the test results that they've gotten all of the leukemia. Tomorrow they'll administer the test and we won't get the results for another 48 to 72 hours after.

Pray for our patience and trust as we wait for the results. And pray that the results show that the chemo was effective.

HER MOUTH
One of the other effects of the chemotherapy is the vulnerability for the mouth to get infected. It's really important to keep the mouth clean. The doctor told her today, "no offense, but the mouth is the dirtiest part of the body."
She's been feeling pain and soreness on the right side of her mouth. It made it difficult for her to get a good night's sleep last night. There may possibly be an infection starting in her gum line. She has been regularly gargling this anesthetic mouth wash. The doctor will also give her a different anitbiotic to hit any infections that may be growing.

Pray that her mouth would be free of infections and that the pain would subside.

HER HAIR
Another side effect of chemotherapy is hair loss. It's Day 13 and her hair is still on her head. When my mom wakes up she runs her fingers through her hair and says, "It's still there." She also looks on her pillow to see if any locks have been left behind. After she showers she brushes her hair and she takes a look to see if a lot of hair is left in the brush.

Mostly, she's just curious when it will happen and how it will happen. She's feeling pretty ready for it, knowing that it likely will.

Pray for her (and our) readiness and response to the hair loss. Pray that she can really accept it and see that her beauty is not her hair :)

HER ENERGY
Before the doctor came in today we walked two laps around the floor. We had to stop because she started to feel dizzy. The doctor made sure to tell us to "take it easy." It's usually around this time that patients begin to feel really tired. He told her to go ahead and rest when she feels the need.

Pray that she gets the rest that she needs and that we know when to push her and when to let her take it easy.

HER THANKS
Mommy said she's so grateful and thankful for all the cards of encouragement, phone calls, visits and prayers. (This area and the surround walls used to hold the cards that have been sent to her. It got soo packed that I've taken them down and plan to hang them on one of the room's other walls.) The support makes her feel loved and she sees the prayers working. At times when she's not feeling well, she's aware of God embracing her, giving her the strength and giving her hope.

So, thank you greatly for all the ways that you are supporting her (and us!)