Kicking Butt with Chemo – Day 1

The dreaded chemotherapy started today.

My five year-old daughter asked me why Jasmine would have to take medicine, which usually makes people better, that would actually make her more sick? It seems completely backward, doesn’t it? In order to fight the illness, the body has to get weaker before it can get stronger.

Sometimes the process of weakness is scarier than the outcome. We fear what we will encounter on the way; the pain, the struggle, and what we will have to feel. Because the process is HARD, and sometimes we think it’s harder than we can bear. We fear getting weaker because what if we never get strong again, being completely overcome by weakness?

Jasmine receiving her Courage beads before chemo

The weight of this chemo journey is a reality, but that doesn’t mean we have to carry it all today.

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Despite everything, there were many moments of rest and reasons to celebrate today! Jasmine was given Courage beads at the hospital before her chemo started, and made a beautiful string of beads, which she displayed proudly.

Courage Beads
Our courageous warrior

Jasmine received four different types of chemo medication around noon today. She felt great for several hours and then she started feeling nauseous, an awful side effect of chemotherapy. She was given some medication for it and miraculously the medicine kicked in right away and Jasmine was able to fall asleep. She has been sleeping since!

Christine is spending the night at the hospital with Jas, and she was finally able to relax and have some much needed down time. God is gracious!

Sweet Jas will be getting weaker as the days pass, but she doesn’t have to face that all today. It’s one day at a time, and we can all find rest in God’s grace that is sufficient. When we admit we are weak and helpless, and ask for help, He is strong in us.

“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.'” 2 Corinthians 12:9

3 thoughts on “Kicking Butt with Chemo – Day 1

  1. I am praying for God to pick you up and carry you in His arms. I pray that you will know His presence like never before and all will be well with your soul. I am asking God to display His healing power to a watching world that He might be glorified!

  2. Jasmine, thank you for sharing your journey. I will walk with you and your family and carry prayers to the Father every time I think of you!

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