Two Times The Fun

Well this is/has not been one of my favorite weeks. Due to last week being Thanksgiving I didn't get the opportunity to go to chemo because the doctors office was closed, so I ended up going on Monday, as well as having to go this Friday. Because my chemo was delayed a few days I ended up having to go to the ER late Monday night/early Tuesday morning. I had a terrible headache and some stomach issues. I ended up having to get fluids for some dehydration and IV pain and anti-nausea medications, luckily they were able to get my symptoms under control so I was able to go home and sleep it off, which was my goal. I have had these "episodes" before, and I practically tell the doctors what to do. I am feeling better, but still having that post chemo ache, and by the time I should start to feel better, I will have to go back again on Friday. Although I must say, that even having my chemo delayed just a few days caused me to flare with joint pain, swelling, fatigue, and the rash on my face. So this week is twice the fun. Everyone else is OK, except for my mom, who as I am writing this is in the ER for dehydration, the doctors say she's got a stomach infection, I don't think she will have to be admitted, but were hoping she is back up on her feet soon. While I was at chemo on Monday I found out that my oncologist here in Austin talked to Dr. Martinez (transplant doctor at Texas Children's), apparently she is still consulting with the rheumatology people to make sure that the benefits of the transplant outweigh the risks. Dr. CB (Cline-Burkardt, oncologist here) gave Dr. Carrasco  Dr. Martinez's number, so the two of them can talk. So the waiting game continues, and with the holiday's approaching nothing will probably happen until after the new year. I know that they need to be thorough and dot all their I's and cross their T's. As Dr. Martinez said, "we want to do whatever we can to help you, but our first priority is to not harm you." It is frustrating that I have to continue to wait, but I  am not going to get discouraged, and continue to have a positive attitude. I know that it is all in the Lord's hands. As Romans 15:13 says, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." I know that when I trust in the Lord I will be at peace, and that helps me to stay positive and encouraged. I know that God will never leave me nor forsake me. 


Joyful Love
         &
Blessings In The Lord
Alexandra K. Acosta

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

You would think that with all the difficulties and hardships that my family and I have endured this year, that it may be difficult for us to be thankful. But it is just the opposite, we have so much to be thankful for. I am so thankful for my friends and family, for the support hey give me, and the fact that they are always there for me when I need them. They are truly a blessing to me. I am so fortunate to be able to have a roof over my head, a warm bed to sleep in, clothes on my back, shoes on my feet, and food to nourish my body. Sometimes I also can find blessings and be thankful for the things in the most unexpected situation. It may sound odd, but in some ways I am thankful for my illness. This illness has allowed me to grow not only as a person, but also in my faith and relationship to God. My illness has allowed me to meet friends who I consider family, and led me to my support group at Wonders & Worries, both of which I would be so lost without them. My illness has also allowed me to be a blessing to others. By that I mean if I were not ill I wouldn't have needed to receive infusions at Specially For Children, and see the need that they have for toys and there infusion suites, and in turn doing a toy drive through my church to collect toys and donate them. Its easy for us to see all the negative things that are going on in our lives, but its more difficult to see all we have to be thankful for and all the blessings that the Lord has given. But more importantly we must find a way to be a blessing to others, especially those who cannot repay us. As Luke 14:14 says, "And you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." It is also key for us to be thankful for all that God has given, and be a blessing to others all year around, not just around the holiday's. Throughout the day you can say, "God I am thankful for being able to see another day." Just simple things like that. As 2 Corinthians 9:11 says, "You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." What are you thankful for today? And how can you be a blessing to others and thankful to God, today and all year around. I hope you have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!!!!


Joyful Love
         & 
Blessings In The Lord
Alexandra K. Acosta

Back In Town

This past week my grandparents and I went down to McAllen TX for a business that my grandfather had. We left last Sunday and came back on Thursday, just in time for chemo on Friday (not fun). My grandmother and I just stayed in the hotel during the day while grandfather was working. SuSu (my grandmother) taught me how to platy gin rummy which was fun, and we mainly just relaxed and vegged. I did bring my GED workbook along and did some studying in the morning so that was good. It was a nice little getaway for me and SuSu. Although PaPaw (grandfather) had to work, he said he did enjoy having our company. Of course being in "the valley" in south Texas, we had some terrific mexican food. My grandparents went to this same taco place for lunch everyday (the owner of the restaurant has a couple different restaurants their and throughout south Texas) had the most wonderful homemade tortillas and fajitas. We also went to this "old mexico" restaurant that we like to go to on our last night their. We also had a fun time playing the LOGO board game when we got back to the hotel, SuSu won twice, PaPaw once, and me 0. We had a terrific time. It was a nice little vacation for me, and a change of scenery since I have to spend a lot of time at home because my immune system is so weak from chemo. I also loved the quality time with my grandparents (though I did miss my mom). I am happy to be back home and to have life get back to normal. We still have not heard anything from Texas Children's, but my oncologist here is trying to get in touch with them to see what the status is. They want me to continue with the weekly "lemonade" (methotrexate chemo). I had it this past Friday, and was very happy because my mom was able to take me (Del Valle) had off because of Thanksgiving and the Formula 1 race. It has been a pretty busy weekend by my standards. My mom and I went to see Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2 at the Alamo Drafthouse. This morning we had church then breakfast at one of our favorite restaurant's (where I always get the cinnamon short stack of two pancakes, even for dinner). This afternoon my mom, grandparents and I are going to the IMAX to see the new James Bond movie Skyfall, so that should be fun. I may just have to take it easy tomorrow, since this is quite busy for me. I'm hoping to call TCH tomorrow to see if I can get an update, and with any luck get an appointment with Dr. Martinez. I will definitely keep you updated when I know anything. Right now, I am just praying that God will give me the strength and patience that I need to continue waiting, and continue with the chemo. I know that he has a wonderful plan for me, and as Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, "There is a time for everything."

Joyful Love 
          &
Blessings In The Lord
Alexandra K. Acosta

Still Waiting

Well we are still waiting to hear from the BMT unit in Houston. My grandfather thinks that if it was a no go we would have heard something by now. We have many theories about why its taking so long. Financing, space availability, when they can start things, waiting to discuss with the rest of the team members, maybe waiting for a full report from rheumatology and other test results? The list can go on. In the mean time I continue to go for my weekly methotrexate infusions (or as I like to call it "lemonade" because its yellow) at Texas Oncology Seton-Williamson. Dr. CB (Cline-Burkhardt) and her staff are fabulous, I'm very lucky to have all of them. Each week the chemo is more difficult, but I know it will be much worse when I have the transplant. I have been trying to study for my GED a little bit each day, and keep my mind as occupied as possible. But its hard not to think about it. The chemo has caused my taste buds to change. I have been wanting breakfast foods like french toast and pancakes, and things with cinnamon, like cinnamon rolls, and apples and apple sauce with cinnamon. I also can't eat as much as I used to (which is not necessarily a bad thing), and I can't eat certain foods anymore. I get full so much more easily, and its definitely a learning process. Something that would be a normal size meal makes me feel like I ate 3x as much. On a different note, we have had some terrific news recently. Last Monday the 29th, my mother defended her dissertation for her PhD and is now officially Dr. Katherine Fugate. The fact that she has been able to accomplish this, having a sick child and a full time job is wonderful. I am so proud to call her my mom. Everyone else is doing well, and were just trying to to take each day one at a time and to "let go let God." In the meantime we will continue to live our lives, pray for some good news, and rely on each other and God for support. 


Joyful Love
          &
Blessings In The Lord
Alexandra K. Acosta