Prayer for Pain

My pain started up again 2 weeks ago, and it's been getting progressively worse. This week has been pretty bad. In fact, when I woke up Tuesday morning, I was in the most pain I think I've ever experienced in my life. I could barely move. I'm often very stiff and have trouble walking. It doesn't last all day, but it usually happens first thing in the morning, then after lunch, and then again in the evening.

So on Tuesday, I had my dosing increased of "breakthrough" pain meds. Then I was supposed to call back later in the week (today) to report on how much I had ended up taking. Well, the answer was a lot!! So now my regular narcotics dose (3x per day) has been increased as well.

Please pray that my pain goes away!! I have spent too much time lying in bed, praying out loud that God will relieve my pain. I hate to sound like a big complainer, but that is the state of things this week.... Prayer would really be appreciated!! I want to get back to a somewhat normal life again. My doctor doesn't want me in pain either, so they will increase the dose as necessary. I'll be back there on Monday.

Medication and Pain Status

Everything is going well thus far with taking the medications from the clinical trial. The biggest deal has been having to take an additional 4 pills per day now. ;)

Unfortunately, I'm still having pain. It started before I began the clinical trial though. I've always been fairly stiff when I get up in the morning (ever since surgery, I suppose). But lately, I'm in a lot of pain for the first hour of the morning. It can get pretty bad, and I basically can't do much until it starts to subside. And then it tends to happen in the evening and sometimes in the afternoon as well. I do have "breakthrough" pain medication that I can take for the pain, but this has been no fun. And the location varies. I have pain in my lower back, down my legs, and in my left arm. I've also been having trouble standing still again lately. I get pain in my left leg from standing still (that had gotten better at one point and is back now).

I don't have any doctor's appointments this week! :) But next Monday will be a full day at Duke.

So for now, my health-related prayer requests are:

• for my pain to go away
• for the clinical trial to go smoothly -- and to be successful in fighting the cancer!! :)
• no side effects from the medication as time goes on (it's more likely to happen after a little time as passed)
  
• continued improvement in my left arm's mobility
  

Arm Improvement!!

On Friday, I realized that I was able to slightly elevate my left arm for the first time since September!!!! WOW!!!! :) :) Prior to Friday, I could not lift my elbow out from my side.