From Darby: It has been almost one week since Clayton‘s IV chemo infusion, and his side effects are getting a little better every day! The cold sensitivity from the IV chemo has been pretty strong. He has stayed bundled up with sweatshirts robes, beanies and gloves, but it has progressively gotten a little bit better each day! The side effects from the chemo pills have also been a challenge to try to manage. The pills that he takes twice a day make him pretty sick so we have tried to stay on top of the nausea with different medications. It truly is like a juggling act trying to figure out how to manage all of the symptoms and pain without causing more issues, but our nurse administrator keeps referring to this week as our “learning week” so we are doing our best to figure out how to manage his symptoms the best that we can this week so that we can hopefully prepare a little bit better for each upcoming treatment.
There have definitely been moments of discouragement this week, knowing that we will have to do this for at least five more rounds, but we have also been really encouraged! Since Saturday night, Clayton has progressively slept with LESS pain from his tumors than he has since October!!! We are “cautiously hopeful” that the chemo is targeting the cancer and WORKING!!! (I know that may not seem very positive to say that we are cautiously optimistic, but we have learned that in dealing with cancer there are a lot of ups and downs and turns that come out of absolutely nowhere. We do not have the scans to PROVE this is what is happening, so we say cautiously hopeful because we are choosing to believe the pain is less because God is using all of his treatments to target the cancer!)
This week has been a massive emotional roller coaster but we have felt the nearness and peace of God in the struggle. When we’ve needed an extra measure of strength or peace, He has given it. When we have needed wisdom and discernment, He has given it! When the pain from cancer was too much, He gave relief and sleep. Even hearing and knowing what He is doing through all of this in other peoples lives has given US hope! Please be praying for us to figure out exactly how to balance his chemo pills and nausea, for Clayton to continue to sleep without pain, and for us to continue to have strength and peace about facing this treatment 5 more times.
Praying for you! The days of seeing you as a youth in youth group run through my head as I think about all the years I have known you!! You have allowed God to use you to further His kingdom and I know He will use this battle to continue to do that. Praying for healing and comfort through it all.
Thank God for the better areas of this news. Y'all are all covered in prayer all over the country.
Is there any way he can tolerate Pure Peppermint oil for nausea instead of other meds ??? I would be happy to donate some Young Living oil, it's helped so many with that. Love and care, Nancye Briggs 806-241-7154 text if interested ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
As every day, continued prayers for comfort and strength.
In your weakness I pray our lord will provide his strength my brother, be patient and he's grace will shine upon you. Your faith will carry you through this and I pray our lords light shine on you when you think you are in darkness, I come in agreement with our brothers and sister that our lords grace be with you.
May you feel his presence in your walk when you open your heart to him.
Peace be with you and
Your family.
Martin and Fibi Hernandez
continued prayers 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼