Beginning the Fight with Peaceful and Successful Infusions

This is my first update, posted from a place of exhaustion and gratitude after completing my first chemotherapy infusions.

Peaceful and successful - that's how I'd describe today. Thanks to your thoughts and prayers, the medications that flow through my veins, the skilled hands of nurses and doctors, and the presence of my spouse by my side, I made it through.

I'll post a more detailed update later this week when I've had time to process and rest. Right now, I just need sleep. But before I do, I want to share what's on my heart.

Praying in the Spirit

"Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere." - Ephesians 6:18 NLT

This verse has been echoing in my mind throughout treatment today. I feel the weight of your prayers - friends, family, church communities, even people I've never met who heard about my diagnosis and lifted me up.

Prayer isn't just words spoken into the void. It's tangible. It's powerful. Today, I felt surrounded by it - a shield of intercession that carried me through moments of fear and uncertainty.

Thank you for praying at all times and on every occasion. For staying alert and persistent even when you don't hear from me. For believing on my behalf when my own faith feels shaky.

Your prayers are working.

I Am Lacking Nothing

I want you to know something: I am lacking nothing.

Not because I'm wealthy or because cancer treatment is easy, but because of the incredible support system surrounding me. The gifts that brought comfort during infusions today - blankets, snacks, distractions, thoughtful gestures big and small - reminded me that I am deeply loved.

I am so blessed. Not in spite of this diagnosis, but even in the midst of it, I can see blessing everywhere:

In my loving spouse who sat beside me through every moment of today's infusions

In my mother-in-law who found the coolest shirt made specifically for patients with ports (the nurses had never seen one before!)

In the prayers lifting me up from near and far

In modern medicine that gives me a fighting chance

In doctors and nurses who treat me with such genuine care

A Shout-Out to Modern Medicine

Can we take a moment to appreciate modern medicine?

Just decades ago, my diagnosis would have been a death sentence. Today, I walked into a treatment center, sat in a comfortable chair, and received medications that will save my life. Nurses monitored me carefully, adjusted dosages, made sure I was comfortable, answered every question with patience and kindness.

The shirt my mother-in-law found - designed specifically for port access - made the infusions feel almost natural. It's such a small thing, but it reinforced something important: I am not the first person to walk this road. There's a whole infrastructure of care, innovation, and thoughtfulness built by people who understand what cancer patients need.

That shirt represents so much more than convenience. It represents a community of people who've fought this fight before me, who've advocated for better care, who've designed solutions to make treatment more dignified.

I am standing on the shoulders of countless patients and advocates who came before me.

Knowing How Special I Am

My mother-in-law's thoughtfulness with that port shirt reminded me of something I need to hold onto through this journey: I am special. Not because of anything I've done, but because I am surrounded by thoughtful, creative, knowledgeable people who see me and care for me.

When you're facing something as scary as cancer, it's easy to feel alone. To feel like you're just a patient number, another case file, another body in a treatment chair.

But today reminded me: I am not just a patient. I am a daughter, a wife, a mother, a friend. I am someone worth fighting for. I am someone people pray for, bring comfort to, sit beside through hard things.

Thank you for caring for me. Thank you for reminding me that I am special, loved, and not alone.

What Comes Next

I'll share a more detailed update later this week about how treatment went, what to expect going forward, and how you can continue supporting me through this journey.

For now, I need rest. My body has been through a lot today, and sleep is part of the healing process.

But I wanted you to know: Day One is complete. The fight has officially begun. And I am not fighting alone.

Thank you for your prayers, your gifts, your presence, and your love.

I am blessed beyond measure.

💜 Kayla

"Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere." - Ephesians 6:18 NLT