Oct.11, 2011

It has been along time since I have posted, so as I wait for the banana bread to come out of the oven, I thought it would be a good time for updates.

I went to the clinic at L.D.S. yesterday and had labs drawn, an MRI on my hip, a lumbar poke with chemo, (the triple threat chemo) and more chemo and steroids to finish my day off.

From the MRI they found bulging discs in my lower back that was causing a pinched nerve. Very painful to walk and sleep, so no heavy lifting for me for a week and the Dr.s are deciding where to send me for management on that. The L.P. came back clean, YEA, and the chemo went in the spine this time. They up ed my dose of Methatraxate again, but are to the maximum that it can go so they can't up it anymore! :) When I got back to the 8th floor I had one more chemo to get through the I.V.(Vincristine)and then we were ready to go. It was a long day in Salt Lake, but I love the staff and my family on the 8th floor. I now go over to Logan Infusion Center for the next two weeks to receive my chemo and love the drive just a little bit better. I am still pressing forward and want all of you to know just how blessed I have been by the little things that everyone is doing to help us out. I don't know how I will ever repay you, but will think of something. My family has become so close and I love them all. Now that the computer is wet from my tears, I will just say one more thing, I love you all!!

Vacation June 2011

We took some time in June and went to visit my brother and sister in Roosevelt. We pulled our trailer and parked it in the back yard of their house. I really needed the break from home. John took us Fishing and each one of us caught a fish. Only my brother could kiss the fish. They made our stay fantastic and I loved the conversation and good food!

This is my nephew Tyler, and he wanted a "cheesy picture with his fish like all the rest of us had. He is such a sweet kid and I love him to the moon and back!

No I did not catch a thing, but I also didn't want to be left out and not get a "cheesy picture" fatness and all. (Look at those checks!)

John and Tyler took us to the Dinosaur Museum in Vernal and we had a great time looking at all the dinosaurs and fossils. Here we are by the Woolly Mammoth. Weston had a great time!

Weston and my niece, Malaree May fishing with the net. I can't remember if they caught anything or not. I do know they were having a great time. Jack and I threw rocks in the water at the other end of the lake and had just as much fun!

Jed with his nice trout. Jamie fried it up that night and it sure was delicious. That was the first taste of fish for Weston. He really liked it.

Sorry I can't make this picture turn the right way, but it is of Weston and his first fish that he caught. He was so excited and we also taught him to bait his own hook with a worm using his hands not pliers!

June 2011 Relay for Life and more

Sorry for the picture overload, but this is some of my best supporters (Some I didn't get a picture of) We had a wonderful time at the Relay for Life. Our shirts for the relay were "Hunting for a Cure" One day I hope that we don't ever hear the words "Cancer!"

My husband, Jed and my oldest son Colten.

Boy my dad sure is funny! I love him and my mom too!

Cousins Tawnie and Shaun

Jack, Tyler, Jamie

Family Friends--Harrah's

Nieces

My best supporter and best friend, my sweet hubby, Jed. I don't know what I would do without him. (He had just had his hip redone and still showed up to support me) I love him so much!

This is the "Survivor Walk" I was very emotional when I saw my family and friends cheering for me. If any of you have not been to one of these, you need to they are great and very helpful to see all the people who have overcome cancer. I am going on 1 year cancer free!

Getting set up for the Relay for Life. My niece, Malaree, and my son Weston.

I was honored to walk in my friends behalf also. Robinett Wilkinson lost her battle with Leukemia, I admired her for her fight and her friendship. Her husband, Keith and daughter, Kim came and joined us for the walk. Great people! Cancer sure sucks!

This is Andy Layne and I with two thumbs up for being "Survivors" of cancer. I am glad to know that we both can go to each other and they will know what we are going through! He also won the raffle that we had. A nice new shop vac.

In June my family and I did the Relay for Life, this is the quilt that my team had to raffle off and I won it with help from my family. My Cousin, Sherri pieced this quilt so it was special to me!

The Fielding Elementary School started to come down in June and I wanted to get a picture of me and my boys. I attended the school and then in 2006 I started working there as a cook in the kitchen. My boys are in order of attending the school. Colten is next to me, Bracken, and then Weston. So sad to see the school go down, but glad that they will be building a new one. I liked the commute to work!

Happy Birthday to me!!!!
As I have been thinking of this day and what it would mean to me, alot has come to my mind.
Let me refresh one year ago today.
Getting out of the hospital on the 14th of May 2010 with the Dr. telling me I looked to good to do a bone marrow biopsy, I went home with little energy and a immune system that did nothing. My boys had given me a workout dvd and I decided that if i work out a little more I would feel better. Not! Two weeks of blood tests I finally agreed to a bone marrow biopsy.

I went to the Logan Cancer Center and Dr. Ali Ben Jacob preformed to procedure. My mom had fingernail markes in her hand from me holding it. (Not the funnest test in the world without pain meds). They told me it would take one week to get the results.
The next day, I was on my way to the Logan Temple with my friend, Cali Bywater, when my phone rang. It was Dr. Ben Jacob with the words, "You have Leukemia and I am finding you a hospital to go to today, please stay by your phone." I made Cali pull over, and I just cried, I want my mom!!!! Funny how even at the age of 40 you still want your mom. Mom's just have a way of making you feel better.

One hour later I was on my way to the L.D.S. Hospital in Salt Lake City having to make life changing decisions.

One year later here I am remembering the day and thankful to still be here with my wonderful family. I have so many people to thank for this, because I think I would have given up long ago if not for their encouraging words and especially the gospel of Jesus Christ.

So today I celebrate one year cancer free, and one more year of treatments to keep me cancer free!!! I listen to my kids more, and don't get so upset if the dishes are piled high in the sink, I love my husband more each day and always remember to tell those I love, I love you everyday. You never know when your last day will be so don't put things off. Love to you all, and Happy Birthday to ME!

April 25, 2011

This is what my husband does when he takes me to the clinic, I am so grateful for him even if he is not the best conversation person.

This is my son Weston, he loves his mom and wants to help all the time.

This is my wonderful Dr. Julie Asch, I just love her to death. She is taking such good care of me!

The last dose of the 'Red Devil" I was so excited, another milestone in kicking Leukemia's Butt!!

My counts are finally doing what they are supposed to do, get back to normal. The steroids are still my killer and making me gain so much weight that it scares me. I hope that I can lose some of it when they cut my dose in half. I can now tolerate the cycles and am so happy that I am having doxy all done. (That is what we call the Red Devil) Things are going a lot better now that I am done with the PEG also. I almost fill like myself. I appreciate all the help that I am getting and love all of you for it! You are my angels.

Feb 28, 2011

I am way behind on this blog, but this was a big day for me! My last PEG!!! Brandi gave me a shirt that had the count down for this chemo, and each nurse that gave me this chemo signed in the square for the count down. This is Becky and her student nurse and they were as excited as i was to get that last dose and be done. I am feeling so much better now that the PEG is out of my system. I have been able to go grocery shopping, I still hate that chore, but its nice to feel good. I have great family and friends that help me with the things that I still am unable to do and I sure appreciate each and everyone of you.

I will still need two more doses of the "Red Devil" and I hope to feel even better! The Dr.s are amazed at how great I am doing. I cherish every good day and try to keep a good attitude about all that is still ahead of me. I am also glad for some hair on the top of my head, not a lot yet, but it is coming! Cycle 6 will begin on April 4. I need a total of 10 chemo cycles and then we are at the maintenance and I will be able to go back to work in Aug. Looking forward to that! I take one day at a time and still have faith that i will be a survivor of cancer!

Jan. 22, 2011

I have been having good days, and have been able to do just a little more. It is sad sometimes to feel good and then know that Monday you start over again. I have faith I can make it through. I am strong!
I have so many people helping me, and they will never know what a difference it makes for me especially, but also for my family. Thank you, Thank you!!
Yesterday my mom took some time and taught me to crochet a dishrag. I think that was the best medicine for me. It keeps my hands busy and my mind off of other things I can't do anything about. I love her so much. I always look forward to seeing my dad in the mornings also. When I get better at the crochet, I am going to make a afghan for my chair that I seem to spend alot of time in. I am also going to make some fleece blankets to give to the patients at LDS Hospital. When I was admitted for the first time they gave me a blanket, but have since had no more donated to the hospital for new patients. Its my way of giving back. I am thankful for my family, brother and sisters, that's you too Jamie! Thank you for all the prayers. I will keep plugging away! Love to all

I wanted to introduce you to one of my many angles out there. This is Brandi Chase, and she just became cancer free through the DanaFarber Study that I am on. She has helped me to know that it is the hardest thing that I will ever do, but I am strong and will make it through. She comes to the clinic and visits with me on the big PEG days and I love her for doing that for me. She will forever be my friend and a source of strengh to me.

Went to the clinic Monday and my counts had come down again. My white count is now a 1.0 and last week I had 9 neutralfills, but yesterday I only had 2. They like to see that number stay at about 5, but I know that it will come up this week. I am back on the antibiotics, ceflex, and levequin. Can't attend big sporting events or Church, but can have visitors. I also had #8 PEG. I only have 2 more of those chemo's and will be so glad to be done with those. Brandi told me that I will start to feel alittle bit better when that chemo is finished. You have to have something to look forward to in all this or I would fall apart! I am doing the best I can with what is going on inside of me, and I feel so blessed and loved by so many. My mom reminded me this morning that an apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ had promised me that I will beat this. I have so much faith and still hold strong to my Father in Heavens hand. I appreciate the priesthood blessings and those who administer them to me. I am so thankful right know for the relief society and their willingness to help my family at this time. It really helps me get through! I love you all. If counts are good, next Monday next round here we come.

Jan. 14, 2011

I wish I could download pictures, but I have forgotten how, so I'll just update.
This week has been my second in the consolidation period of three weeks. The chemotherapy running through my body had really taken over and It has been a rough time. I have taken one day at a time, and today has been a very good day for me. Monday when I went to the clinic, the chemo this time didn't bottom my counts out and they were good enough that I didn't have to start on antibiotics, just good hand washing and staying away from sick. Dr. Konapa said everything looked good and we were making good progress.

This Monday I will receive the next dose of the PEG, number 8! That is a chemo I am looking forward to getting done with.


I am still having the inside body shakes, feel tired, and wish that I could do more around the house. I know that in time it will come. I am grateful to family and friends more and more each day. I love you all.

January, 7, 2011

Let me update things that I have been feeling and doing, Yesterday, I went for a ride with my parents to Theurer's Meats to pick up the beef they had ready. It felt so good to be able to go for a ride and enjoy some fresh air. Things have been been better with great friends and family taking alot of my stress and anxiety away from me so I can concentrate on getting better. I was also feeling good enough to go watch the BR. Girls basketball game and to feel like I was part of the community again and not panic. Shaunie you did a great job! I was nice to be with my boys like we use to do. I know I will get there but the road is slow.

Today I have been thinking alot about the gospel and how I am so glad that I was raised in the gospel and know that with faith all things are possible. I am thankful for priesthood blessings and how they can calm and remind us that if we take a hold of heavenly fathers hand and pray to him, he will hear and answer our prays. I have been a little tiery eyed today to thinking of all the blessings that have come to me and my family. I am thankful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints.

I also am tapering off the steroids tonight and that is not the funnest thing in the world, but if you were to ask anyone going through cancer, nothing is the funnest!

I thank you all for your prayers and continue to ask for more. I still have a smile on my face. My next appointment is on Monday, so until then, I love you all.

Jan.3, 2011

Headed down to L.D.S. for a check up and to see if my counts had recovered from the last go round. If they had, then I was able to start the next one. When it was my turn to go have my blood drawn, they couldn't access my port in my chest so they had to draw out of the arm. I don't have very many veins left to choose from, because the chemo, I guess hides them. Right after she drew out of arm the red port decided to work. They still wanted me to go down to have a look at the port to make sure it was o.k. Funny thing happened they got me all ready and did the ex-rays. Perfect, they said. All was in the right spot and they got all three lines to draw blood. We now have east 8 outpatient clinic baffled.

I surprised the P.A. and the Dr's by my counts. They all had doubled and I was ready for the next round of vinecristine, the red devil, and believe me the name fits, its nasty chemo, 6mp chemo pills, and of course we can't forget the steroid, dethemexazone. I am going to do my best to get through this round and just keep going. Only 2 more Peg chemo's and All of you in Fielding will hear my cheers all the way home.

I want to thank Lorianne Stokes for taking me to the clinic. We had a nice time just visiting and it sure helped to have someone else who knows that CANCER SUCKS!!

I am grateful for all the prayers and please keep them coming. I love you all! Until next time.