My Family

I love my mom and sisters so much. (Love you too John). Thanks mom for the wonderful talk and great advise that you gave to me yesterday at the infusion center and also for letting me vent and just listening to me. I love you and will always hold a special place in my heart for you! (Remember the necklace)!

My dad and all his girls! Dad I love you!

The most important people in my life!!! Forever Strong! (Thanks Tawnie and Aunt JaDene)!

My sweetheart!

Eagle Scout

One Proud Mom!!! (I did this backward, but it has been along time since I posted so I will get better)

My dad, Earl Owen, received the flag and presented it to Bracken!

Congratulations to my son, Bracken, for achieving his Eagle Scout! I am very proud of him and the many merit badges that it took to get there. He has had some of the best leaders and I thank them for their encouragement.

New Year 2012

I have decided what is the most important thing in my life right now, and that is my FAMILY!! I have still been going through chemotherapy and the great fun of steroids. It has been one of the toughest things I have done in my life, but I am alive and still a mother, wife, daughter, sister, and friend.
I was so glad to see 2011 go out and a new 2012 come in. It has been a hard year for our family, but is looking up for this coming year. I have the best extended family anyone could ask for. Thanks for the drop in talks, crashing on the couch waiting for Weston to get out of school, and just keeping my chin up.
I want to thank my parents for everything they do for me. Parents are wise!
Thanks also to the nurses and Dr.s they are amazing people!
Last, Thanks so much to my Angel, Brandi Chase, she keep what is most important for me to remember.
I still have a greater love for the gospel and treasure my testimony more everyday! Thanks to everyone and have a great new year!!

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!