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.