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Friday, December 28, 2007

Schultz Christmas 2007

Well I thought I would update since it has been to long again. We have been so busy with my sister here from Texas and my other sister from Rexburg came last night. My sister Chauntel that came from Texas got in around noon on Christmas eve. We spent Christmas Eve doing all of our family traditions. We start off the festivities with going to view Christmas lights all over town. This year we settled with just going over to Senske and watching there light show. Wow, that was so good! Then we headed back over to my parents to read and reenact the nativity. After getting the kids all dressed they were pretty much done before we even started to read. After we were done with the nativity we all sat around singing Christmas songs. Then we did are other tradition of exchange gifts. And last but not least we all over ate. We have a tradition of making all of our favorite goodies and just munching all night long. We all had a great time visiting and the cousin playing.

On Christmas day we got up early and opened our gifts with just our family. This is the first year we have not gone to my parents on Christmas morning. The kids had a really good Christmas and were so thankful and excited about all of their gifts. We then headed over to Ryan's parents for a short time to visit with them and open gifts. Then I had chemo at 10am. So Ryan and I headed over to the hospital for chemo and breakfast. It was so fast we were only there an hour, long enough for a yummy breakfast. We then headed back over to my parents and we all went over to the church to play. We spent the rest of the day playing in the gym at the church.

Wednesday we had a great time playing at in the church gym all day. We did a pinata, parachute, basketball, popcorn game, spicy farkle and upset the fruit basket.

Today my mom and dad rented a pool at a locally motel. So we spent 4 hours swimming and eating and my sister Kendall's friend is a clown. He came and made balloon animals for all the kids. I am not sure if the kids or all the adults enjoyed it more?

I did want to stop and say thank you to all those who helped make my children's christmas an unforgetable one. I don't think my kids have thought about my cancer at all this Chrismtas vacation. They have also enjoyed playing with their cousins so much. I wish they all lived closer to us. I am thankful that they could all come home once in awhile.

Check out my Slide Show!

Saturday, December 22, 2007

5 Things about Ryans

Well the last two days have been crazy busy. I spent Wednesday and Thursday making treats and delivering them. As I was driving around delivering them with Kamden I realized all the help I didn't get treats too. Sorry if I missed you but I guess you have to draw a line somewhere. If I was supper woman I may have gotten them out to all of you. I would have like to to do that. I guess that is why I am mentioning it. It drives me nuts to not be able to do all my friends. So I hope you understand. We love all of you and wish you all a very Merry Christmas. Ryan took this week and next off from work but ended up working 2 1/2 days this week. That drove me a little nuts I was hoping he would be home to help me a little more this week. I am just glad he has a job and a boss that is very understanding. So he can take time off to come to chemo with me and doctors appointments. Yesterday we after running all of my errands and finally cleaning out my car after 3 months we headed over to my parents. I hadn't been able to hold the twins and was dying to hold them. So finally after a coupled of days I got to just lay on the couch with Gavin and Triston for a couple of hours. I did share a little bit with Kamden and Cole they loved holding them and just checking them out. Kamden thinks we need more kids in our family. We had to try and explain that we aren't having anymore. And that she needs to enjoy her cousins. It was so fun to hold the boys they are so much smaller than my babies. They were 5 15oz. and 6 11oz. My smallest which was Cole was 8lb 6oz, Kamden was 9 10oz and Carter was 10lbs 1oz. So basically my babies would crush the twins. It is a little weird to hold such tiny babies but lots of fun. I again am very thankful to everyone and there prayers and thoughts. I said I was going to say 5 things about 5 that people should know. My sister tagged me and I still haven't done so. So I guess I have a minute today and will take time to do that.

1. Let's start with he is a tease. He is the biggest tease I know. I thought my dad was a tease. Ryan far exceeds my dad's capabilities. Ryan loves to hide and jump out and scare me as often as he can. His new thing is to steal Carter's nose and tease him and watch Carter jump around screaming for his nose back. I think he loves to laugh at himself and how cleaver he is. He teases so much that we have notice Cole is becoming quite the tease too. It helps keep our family smiling well for the most part.

2. Let's see ... he loves to spend time with the family. I love this quality in Ryan. There are so many men that love to spend time with their friends and doing their hobbies but Ryan loves to spend time with us. Our new favorite thing to do together is to spend time out on our boat with our extended family and friends. But there are many days we just go out with our family. Before the boat Ryan would work long hours in the summer and Saturdays. Now you can usually find about every Saturday in the summer we are out on the boat together. We also all love movies and spend alot of time watching movies together. Ryan also loves to get down on the ground with the kids and wrestle and give horses rides even to Cole.

3. Something else that you all should know about Ryan is that he is good at his job and loves what he does. Over the last couple of years he has gotten lots of compliments on the work he and the crew do. It makes him happy to make his costumers happy. He works hard to make them happy.

4. Another thing about Ryan you should know is that he loves to shop. He loves to shop anywhere. He never complains when we go out shopping or just to look at things. Well he doesn't like the craft and fabric stores as much but he does pretty well since his mom use to take him all the time to the craft and fabric store. Mostly he loves to shop for cloths. I think I can thank his mom for this. He has passed this on to Cole. Cole's favorite gifts are cloths just like his dad. I have to say he does a much better job of shopping cheaper than he did when we were first married. Thank goodness.

5. Ryan loves to play sports and card games. Ryan plays softball most summers since we have been married. He has also played basketball off and on since we have been married. He has also coached Cole in baseball and basketball for the last couple of years. He is so kind to do this. Any of you who have coach the younger kids know what I mean. He also loves to play card games. I am not sure if he likes to play because he almost always wins or if he would play anyway. When we get together with his family we almost always play card games. We try to play them with my family too. My family isn't as receptive just my parents. When his grandma comes to town almost every night we spend at his parents playing card games. We have such a good time.

6. O.k. I am bad I have to do one more. Ryan is so good at making me feel good about myself. He tells me often how much he loves me. He is always tell me how much he loves me and how beautiful I am. I thought that would stop they older I got and the longer we had been married but it hasn't and I am so thankful.

Well I hope that helps some of you get to know Ryan a little better. I am thankful everyday for him. He has been such good help to me during my journey with cancer. I couldn't ask for a sweeter, kinder, loving husband.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Baby Pictues!








Blessings!


Wow, when I have good news I am amazed at all the people that I hear from. Thank you it is so much fun to read your comments. I look forward to sitting down at the computer to read all of them. I know there are some of you who don't comment and that is o.k. Thank you for your support too. I really should up date more often. With this chemo brain of mine I tend to forget what happens to me day to day when I don't write. The last few days have been very busy.

Tuesday was Day 1 of round 4. The nurse that usually gives me my chemo on Tuesdays was gone. Connie one of the other nurse gave me my chemo and Kris the other chemo nurse had jury duty. So that left Connie there by herself with a nurse they pulled off the floor. So Connie was very busy on Tuesday and all the beds and chairs were full plus another room with patients. She must be one organized lady because everything went so smooth. She never let anyone sit and wait to be switched over on there chemo. Wow she did such a good job mostly by herself. Ryan and I played Spicy Farkle and Hand and Foot again and of course he won all 4 games we played. His luck must be returning. It is a good thing I love to play cards and don't mind losing. After we picked the kids up after chemo we went by a friends house who just lost her husband to cancer.

A friend of mines husband had a stroke on the 1st of November and found out he was full of cancer passed away this last week. I was reminded at how serious cancer is and how thankful I am to my Heavenly Father for all of the blessings he gives me everyday. I sometimes forget I am even sick because I feel so good. I know that I have been truly blessed and sometimes wonder why I am so blessed.

We were able to pick up Kamden's glasses on Tuesday she was so excited to get her new Dora glasses. So hasn't had new glasses for a year and a half we figured she needed new ones. I am so impressed with how well she keeps them on and that she takes such good care of them.

Yesterday I felt so good and I usually do on Wednesdays. I realized why I usually feel so good on Wednesdays. It is because Danielle usually has my kids and I rest and so I don't feel tired until Thursday. So I was thinking about how good I usually feel on Wednesday and I over did it I think. My sister Kendall went in Tuesday night at midnight and they gave her the pill to induce her into labor. Then around 7 in the morning they gave her an epidural(sp) and broke her water. She was at a 7 and feeling no pain before the epidural. I am sorry but that is just not right no pain amazing. Anyway they also put in 2 pints of blood in her and prepared the O.R. just in case they had to take them CSection. They didn't she had one at 12:30 or so he was 5lbs 15oz and then 35 mins later with the help of a vacuum and the second one came he was 6 lbs 11 oz. They are both so beautiful and health. The small of the two had low blood sugar but they both were nursing great when our family left the hospital yesterday around two. So while my mom was there the kids and I were babysitting for my mom so she could be there. While I was babysitting I decided to make Christmas goodies. Not as many this year but I did get some made. Now I just need to get them delivered. While Ryan and the kids went to the ward Christmas Party I was able to finally meet a friend who has cancer too Allison. She came over with her daughter and we were able to visit about how different and similar our experience with Cancer is. It was fun to meet her. She too is so positive and it is nice to meet someone else who is so positive.

My family has received lots of really good new this week. I found out that there is no cancer left in my body. My sister Kendall finally had her health twin boys. My sister Bailey has an offer on there house they are trying to sell before moving to Cedar City at the first of the year. And my sister Chauntel was able to get in to see a specialist for her son Jackson who is not growing. They were going to have to wait a couple of months to get into a doctor. So that is also great news. And of course a couple of weeks ago my dad was able to go back to work and he is feeling really good. There doesn't seem to be anymore back pain. Our family has been so blessed this holiday season. Blessed beyond measure.

Monday, December 17, 2007

Just Kidding!!

O.k. I was just kidding. I couldn't make you wait for such good news. Dr. Rado said there is no trace of any cancer in my breast or lymph nods. He said that what is left on my liver is probably not active cancer. Just like what Nancy the chemo nurse told me last Friday. He said only one more round of chemo (round 4) then he said I need to make an appointment with Dr. Evans for a mastectomy. So we talked about what Mitra said and he thought about it for a while and then said that is a good point and said that was fine for now. So NO MASTECTOMY!!! Then we went about the rest of the appointment and then he said well maybe we should go ahead and do two more rounds of chemo after this round. He said to make sure everything is gone. He said with cancer that has spread we like it to be gone and then do two more rounds. I told him I could do the three more rounds since I don't have to have a MASTECTOMY YEAH!!! So the chemo will be over the first week in February. I am just so excited that almost all of the cancer is gone. Dr. Rado said he will order another scan one month after chemo to see how the bones look. I will also need to have a scan of my heart to make sure everything is o.k. The herceptin can cause heart problems. So he wants to keep an eye on that. I will be on herceptin for a while he said and that will be every two weeks once chemo is over with. Dr. Rado is not concerned about the cyst on my ovaries he said that can happen. So all very good and exciting news. I am so happy things couldn't have gone any better. Thank you for all your prayers and love and the fasting.

Dr. Rado Vist!

Well, are you all wondering how my doctors appointment went. Maybe I should wait untit tomorrow to post how it went. Make you all wait! I will write tomorrow and let you know how it went........

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Thanks for your comments!

Well, I thought since it had been a few days I would update. First I just want to tell everyone who commented this last time thank you. I was thinking maybe my blogs were getting to boaring and no one was out there.j/k No really thank you for commenting. I really needed some uplifting thoughts and comments this week. I have been a little blue with the winter weather and no sun. I suffer from the winter blues or what ever you want to call it. It isn't as bad as it has been in years past yet. I usually take up tanning about this time but I don't think I will be able to do that this winter. So I really look forward to the sun filled days and the uplifting comments thank you. I also want to say thanks for the cards and phone calls they always help too. I guess I am fore warning you incase I sound to negative.

I am so looking forward to having all most all of my family here for Christmas. It is nice to have something to look forward to. My sister Chauntel is coming on Christmas eve and my sister Bailey is coming the day after Christmas. Of course their familes are coming with them and we are all so excited. I love Christmas traditions.

Friday was a good day. I went in to get my blood work done for my appointment with Dr. Rado on Monday. When I was there gettting my blood work done I talked with one of the nurses about my CAT scan. She said not to be to disappointed. She said the cancer that they found could just be dead cancer cells not cancer that is growing. Maybe my body just hasn't totally cleaned it all out yet. She said wait until you talk to Dr. Rado. So that helped a little. My appointment isn't until 4pm tomorrow. It has seemed like an eternity. I am really excited to see what he has to say about both of the scans.

Saturday was such a nice relaxing day. I seemed to be having a lot of those lately. We watched all the Bourne(sp) movies. It was also my father-in-laws birthday. So my mother in law had a party for him on Saturday. I have the hardest time buying gifts for either of them. Ryan is not helpful he always just says I don't know. So I am always on my own. We did find somethings so I hope he likes them. We went over to there house for dinner and decorated Christmas ornaments. The kids loved it. Then we all went to watch the Chipmunks. It was cute there were some parts they could have done with out. I remember watching the Chipmunks when I was a kid. I loved them and their music.

Today I was able to go to church. Most weeks I feel really good I am able to go. The only problem is with everyone germs, germs. I know I am not careful enough about them. Anyway I left early today with Carter after sacraement. Carter has been running a fever for a few days and we thought he should better not go and get all the other kids sick. So he and I hang out for a while until everyone else came home. I have been working on a few Christmas gifts today. I can't stop thinking about christmas goodies. I usually do Christmas goodies and take them around to friends. I just haven't had a good enough day to stand in the kitchen all day. I keep hoping I will have a good enough day so I can. We will see. I love taking goodies around to everyone at Christmas. It is another one of those ways to see everyone you don't usually get to see all the time.

I have been tagged by my sister to name 5 things about my husband that people should know. So when I have a minute again later I will post those 5 things.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Dr. Kris Appointment and Update!

I thought I would update everyone on my visit to Dr. Kris. Because if you are like me I couldn't wait to see him to see what my scans said. Dr. Kris only received the report from my CAT scan. The results from the MRI will be a couple of days. So we went over the results of the scan first. It was good and bad news.

The good news first, I had three liaisons on my liver that were 1" by 1" that are now 1/2 the size. I also had some other ones that weren't as big that have also shrunk in size. So I am assumeing when I see Dr. Rado on Monday the news will be 3 more rounds of chemo. So that is the bad news to me that I will have to have 3 more arounds. It isn't really that bad just disappointing I was hoping to be done on Christmas Day.

The report also showed two cysts on my ovaries that are 5 times bigger than the ones on my liver. Dr. Kris was a little concerned he is going to wait and see if Dr. Rado orders an ultra sound. I am not worried I was not surprised. Years ago I had some removed and the next day then I went in to the doctor and I had a big one on my ovaries again. I know I get them all the time and they grow and then rupture. So I am not shocked. He doesn't think they are cancer.

We also talked about my rash and he upped my medicine that I am already on for the rash.

He also adjusted my neck that was out. I asked him why I keep having my neck and back go out. He said my bones are weaker and it will probably keep doing that until I am done with chemo and for a few months longer.

We also talked about a mesectamy. He agrees with Mitra no mesectamy.

We then talked about menopause and that Dr. Rado will want me to go into menopause after chemo. Dr. Kris said he doesn't recomend sending my into menopause. He said that the cancer is not a huge estragen producor it is mainly the HER2. He said he also has me on a vitaim that levels my estragen out. So again good news hopefully no menopause.

Then he did a little emotional work. I was a little sad about that fact that the cancer wasn't all gone and I will have to do all the chemo. I really thought it was all gone. So my appoinment was mostly all good news. I am happy that the chemo is working and that the nautral stuff I am on is helping with all of the side effects. I really couldn't be more blessed. Things are going so well.

I will have a blood test tomorrwo then I will see Dr. Rado on Monday and I will know more information.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

CAT scan and MRI

Yesterday I had my CAT scan. It was a new experience I have never had one before. For those of you who haven't had one I will tell you alittle about them. You get to drink a milky like substance that tastes like milk to me with a little flavor of berries. For those of you who don't know me well I do not like milk. So this was fun trying to drink. I couldn't eat four hours before the appointment. My appointment was at 9 am so that meant I hadn't eaten since the night before. I started drinking the milky substance at 6am and then every hour until 8 am then again at 8:30am then it was off to my appointment. When I went back to the room I thought I would have to undress and wear there fancy robes they like you to wear. That was not the case. They let me keep my cloths on and my jewelery on. That was different. They also accessed my port so they could put dye in me to see everything better. They did the scan which took maybe 10 minutes at the most. Then I headed over to the hospital to get my procret shot (red blood cell). While I was there I received a call from the people who gave me my CAT scan. They said they didn't get a good enough scan of my pelvis. So I headed back over to the scan place to have another scan. When I got home it hit me hard. I am not sure if it was the milky substance I drank or the dye they pumped through my port or they fact that I hadn't eaten but I got the chills and alot nauseated. It seemed to get a little better after awhile and then came on again later in the afternoon.

It seems that my children are having a harder time than I thought these days. I thought we had been doing really well with talking to them about different things. Things like death, what cancer is why I am sick, how I feel, how they feel. I think maybe they pick up a little bit and then we need to go over things again and hope they pick up a little more each time we talk. I feel so bad for them. I wish I knew a perfect way to explain what is happening. No, no one is perfect so I think we all do the best we can. It is amazing that anyone turns out normal.

Today I had my MRI that was different. I wont go into to many details about that. People told me that the machine was loud oh was it. I was able to listen to some music but the machine almost completely drowned out the music in the head phones. I was still able to drift in an out of a little nap. I am not sure how it was so noisey.

I received a medical coupon this week for Medicad. That is some great news but also some bad news. There is some kinks that happened so now we have to try to get them fixed. I have high hopes that it will all work out. Then we will need to reapply again in March and then our insurance should pick up all preagesting condition in August. I am hoping by August thing are all taken care of!

I have an appointment tomorrow at 11am with Dr. Kris. I thought that he would have the test results so we would know the results before Monday when we went to see Dr. Rado but the MRI lady said it takes a couple of days to get the results. So will see if he gets them sooner.

Monday, December 10, 2007

Kamden's fit!

O.k. so I have a little updating to do. Last Thursday I went to my sister Kendall's baby shower. One of the pictures is her holding her very heavy cake that she could hardly lift. She got lots of cute things. It was fun to see some friends from when I was a kid.

Friday was a great day a friend took the kids for the day and I was able to take two naps a 1 hour or so nap and then a 3 hour nap. It was so nice. I seem to be more tired the second week this time. The we went to the Mason's house for the fund raising dinner. We had such a good time. We got to sit with the Kim Meyers and her husband and the Gibs. We had a nice visit and we able to see a couple of boats. Besides the company the food was outstanding. We had Clam Chowder, Cesar Salad, Fillet Meneon(sp) and poached pears oh it was so good. Thanks Phyllis Mason, family and friends that helped put on the dinner wow it was so fun!

Saturday was another wonderful day. We slept in until 8 and then laid around watching Pirates of the Caribbean. We bought the new one this last week. We then headed over to the Country Mercantile were we saw Santa. Santa gave all the kids great gifts and we got there pictures taken. They also had a fire truck out there that the kids got to get in. Then we head inside for hot chocolate. When we got inside they changed there minds to Gatorade. They also were able to decorate sugar cookies. For those of you who haven't been out to the Country Mercantile when Santa comes I am telling you it is well worth the stop. Saturday night we had our first babysitter ever. We have been blessed to live by both of our families who have done our babysitting for us. So that was an interesting experience. We got a babysitter so we could go over to the Mason's again for dinner. Saturday we tired different dinner choices. We had the Tomato Bisque, spinach salad, pork tenderloin, and the chocolate cake. Wow another great meal. I am not sure which one I liked best they were both so good. We were able to sit the both Christian families. When it was over we were also able to visit with the Nicole and Mel Zornes and Lindsay and Jared Bates. I can't tell Phyllis Mason and all the help thank you enough. I know this event too was a big undertaking. Thank you! The only part that was hard was we wanted to go sit and visit at every table but thought that wasn't polite. We enjoyed seeing so many friends there.

I was wiped out by Sunday. I think between the late nights and they coughing at night I didn't get enough sleep. It was so worth it though. On Sunday because we had such early church we were able to go to Ryan's parents for early dinner and play cards. The kids were able to help grandma decorate her kid tree. They like to help grandma put up her ornaments.

Today was a fun day. I love snow days and having the kids home. It is a nice break in the routine. We woke up late and didn't find out school was delayed for a while. So Cole and I were up to early we could and should of slept in. I was watching the tv this morning but I didn't see anything about delays for over a half hour so I had to get on line. Was any one else a little annoyed I thought they had a banned that went across the bottom of the screen to let you know school was delayed or canceled. Then a friend called and told us it was canceled. We were to busy watching movies because there was a two hour delay. It was a nice relaxing morning. We took the kids over to McDonald's to play on the toys. I was worried that everyone else would be there with their too but it wasn't that busy. Later in the afternoon Kamden had an eye doctor appointment. So I have to tell you a funny story about her appointment. I can say it is funny now I didn't think it was so funny this afternoon. We went in and looked at glasses while we were waiting. We promised Kamden new glasses once she had seen the doctor. She has had her glasses for over a year and they are pretty beat up. Anyway they called us to the back and took some pictures of her eyes then Dr. Jacks looked at her and tested her a little talked to us a little. Then he said o.k. lets dilate her eyes and then look at them again. So we went to another room and Kamden says to us "I don't want to have the drops". The lady comes in and says o.k. are we ready have you had the drops before she says, "I don't want the drops." So I tell her Kamden if you want new glasses you have to have drops. She the lady starts to put the drops in and she stars to throw the biggest fit. Then the lady says I have to do five more. Which drop I and another lady are holding her head and the nurse it putting them in her. While Kamden is screaming don't touch me, don't touch me. The door to the room is wide open. This goes on for about 20 minutes. Then the lady tells us we can stay in the room or go to the waiting room. We decided to stay in the room so she wouldn't bother everyone with her crying. So another lady comes and asks us to leave the room and go to the waiting room. Luckily Kamden fell right asleep and slept for the 30 minutes or more that we had to wait for the drops to work. The we had to wake her up to take more pictures of her eye. Which didn't go over very well.
The moved the chair up they moved the chair down. Ryan tried to hold her I tried to hold her we tried to hold her head. While she was crying and yelling to stop touching her and that everything was hurting her. Some how the lady was able to get one picture. Then she refused to go into the doctors office. She Ryan had to carry her in and then she refuse to sit down. So we spent a few minutes trying to give her a choice about what she wanted which didn't work. So I held her so the doctor could look in her eye which she proceeded to tells us that whole time she didn't want me to hold her. So the doctor said don't worry we got o.k. pictures we will just call it good. I would have spanked her right then and there. But one thing you have to know about Kamden is if you make a seen or draw attention to her like that she will throw an even bigger fit. So you try to reason but there is no reasoning. I was so upset at the time well more embarrassed of her behavior. Now tonight all I can do is laugh and say that is so Kamden.

I have a busy week again this week. I have a CAT scan tomorrow and an MRI on Wednesday. I see doctor Kris on Thursday so I should know the results when I see him on Thursday.

Pictures from weekend!

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Update on Family

I was able to get some rest on Wednesday it was a good thing because I was up until 4 am coughing. I was coughing and coughing and couldn't seem to stop. I tried cough medicine sucking on Halls and a humidifier. Nothing seemed to work so I went downstairs and slept on the couch or tried to so Ryan could sleep. So needless to say 6:30 came around to early. It was liking having a baby all over again. You know staying up late getting up a lot with the new baby no sleep and then you have to get up with the other kids to get them ready for school. Luckily Kamden and Carter played really well together today so I slept on the couch most of the day off and on. So I feel a little better tonight. I almost forgot how could I forget. My best friend Klaudija (our foreign exchange student from Germany) called at 6:30am on Wednesday. It was so good to hear from hear. I know, I know I say this once a week. I love hearing from everyone. Thank you again to all how have helped our family and send me letters and blogs. I love hearing from everyone it puts such a smile on my face. I love logging on and seeing messages and going to the mailbox and having letters. I know most people love that but I just wanted to say thank you.

My sister Kendall the sister who is having twins has been going to the hospital to monitor the babies once a week. While she is there she just about passes out. Dr. says the babies are laying on her blood vessels. The nurse keeps freaking out so they did an EKG on her heart. She has something wrong so Dr. says once the babies are here she needs to check it out. For now they think she is o.k. Dr. is out of town until Monday so she will see him on Tuesday and if she hasn't had them he will induce her. The babies are about 5 1/2 pounds now so there is a lot of babies there already. So the date I picked that she would have the babies is the 12th. So I am hoping he induces her and I will win the pie. We all picked a date and my mom said she would make the winner a pie. I can almost taste the pecan pie. I guess we will see what the next week holds.

My sister Chauntel son Jackson is doing great from his surgery. He and his brother and sister had bronchitis for a week right after the surgery. They had Jackson's hands scanned and found out he is the size of an 11 month old and he is 21 months. They can't get in to see a doctor for 2-3 months. We are praying he will be o.k. and they will be able to help him.

My dad went back to work last week and seems to be doing well. I think he misses his naps that he was able to take in the middle of the day. So he is adjusting to being awake more hours.

Just a quick update about my family I have had a few people ask so I thought I would update a little.

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Yesterday I had a nice relaxing day. Danielle had Carter and Kamden yesterday so I didn't have anything I had to do. So I addressed my Christmas cards and took a good nap. I am not blogging everyday latley it seems my life has gotten a little more boaring these days compared to the month of October. I guess that is a good thing. I had a rash agin yesterday so I took 2 Benydrl right away and put on some Hydrocrotizone cream and it seems to go away and not get worse. I am hoping that is because I got on it quicker this time.

Today was a busy day. It was a good thing I got rest yesterday. We did some grocery shopping this morning and then we headed down to Dr. Kris's in Hermiston. We took Kamden and Carter down to see Dr. Kenzie she works with Dr. Kris. Carter is allergic to milk too know so Kamden and Carter are off milk. She also adjusted Carter's back. He fell down the stairs a couple of days ago and it was out so she fix him up and then worked on his emotional. He was a mess he was really worried about me. So he is all fix up for now and then she worked on Kamden's emotional. Kamden wasn't as bad but she needed a little work down on her too. So I am hoping both will be feeling and acting better. We then head back to town to get back to chemo today. I had my short day that turned out to be two hours today. They were busy today so things took longer. Ryan and I asked eachother question about eachother. Whats your favorite.....? I learned some new things about Ryan and we have been marred 11 years and I still don't know everything. I am not sure if that is bad and means we don't talk enough or what. Anyway it was fun. I meet some new people in getting chemo today. One of the chemo nurses told us that some of her patients when their hair comes in it is nicer than what they had before. That is the first time I have heard that. I am counting on that. I have always heard it come in gray and curly. So we will see. I still have this cold and a funny voice. I am curious how long I will have it I have had the funny voice for just over a week and the cold for a week and a half. Someone told me they had their cold for 3 weeks. I am hoping it isn't that long.

Sunday, December 2, 2007

Christmas Family Photo!

Yesterday we decided to do our family Christmas pictures. I wanted to do all black shirts and we realized no one but me had a black shirt. So we headed over to Walmart to pick up black shirts for everyone and black hats. We all had black hats but Cole and Carter. Anyway while we were there the kids heard that Santa was in the Garden Center. So a quick trip to Walmart turn out a little longer. Towards the bottom is the picture we got of Kamden and Cole with Santa. Carter wouldn't go near him. After that my parents meet us at the golf course so we could get our family pictures. I was going to do them at JCPenny's but if any of you have done pictures at Penny's then you know. You know that you have to call in advance to schedule an appointment and then you wait two hours to get your pictures and then you wait to pick them out then you have to wait two weeks to get your pictures. Well I waited to long and hadn't done any of that and didn't want to wait that long for the pictures. So this year I decided we would go outside and use are own camera then I up loaded them to Costco and had them print up there. That only take 24 hours. Amazing! I love it, so much faster less hassle and less crabbiness by everyone. You can't beat it. Ryan hates pictures and this time he didn't mind. I think maybe we will have to change the way we do family pictures. I only draw back was it was so COLD. So we did all the pictures in two minutes. Last night I had a rash on my arms for 5 hours or so and I got to be to much so we went to the emergency room. What a waste we were there two hours and they couldn't tell me what was wrong and sent me home. Because I went to the emergency room they discharged me so when I went to get my shot today I had been dump out of the computer. So I had to wait an hour to get my shot. That was not so bad I was able to visit with a lady that was putting up Christmas decoration. It was a surprise to come out of the hospital and see the rain. Below are some of the pictures we took the top one is the one we picked for our Christmas Cards.










Friday, November 30, 2007

Latest Update!

Well hello, it has been a couple of days. I am doing good just tired that is why I haven't posted. Thursday was a good day with the kids. I spent most of the day on the couch watching the kids play and they were so good. In the afternoon I was getting really tired so I layed down with Carter and asked Kamden to lay down. About an hour later I woke up and she was still awake and I asked her to lay down and about 10 minutes later she was sleep. So both kids got a good nap while Andrea came and watched them. Then I went to get my shot for the day. I must of looked tired because the nurses kept asking me if I was o.k. I think it was the way I sounded too. The cold has settled in my throat. My mother in law was so kind after she worked all day on Thursday she came over and cleaned my house while I layed on the couch. That was hard!

Friday I spent most of the day on the couch trying to rest. When I am feeling good and up moving around I don't notice all I do for the kids. When I am trying to rest on the couch it becomes more noticable how much I get up and down to help Carter. I got really tired about noon and we both took a nap on the couch for 2 and half hours. I had to wake up and wake Carter up to go get my shot. Then I was able to come home and rest again while my mother in law took Kamden to dance. She was nice enough to take the other kids with her. Cole had a paino recital at 7pm that we all went to. Cole did such a good job. This is his third recital, Andrea does them every six months. He doesn't even get nervous. I think he enjoys it! Isn't it so fun to see your kids perform and feel so good about themsleves. The last two days were long days with my bones aching from the shots. I can take Tylnol for the pain but because I have a cold I have been trying to watch for a fever. So I haven't wanted to take Tylnol and mask a fever. Finally last night I took some and I felt so much better. Amazing how Tylnol works on a fever and aches and pains. Today I am very thankful for drugs like Tylnol and even the neupageon which helps me not to fight infections.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Dr. Kris Update!

I had a quite day today at home. No kids today so I got some rest and some more thank you cards sent out today. It seems like if I don't do any for a few days I get way behind. So I am all caught up for a little while anyway. I went in a received a neupegeon(sp) white blood cell boaster shot today. I am so thankful for those if I didn't get those I think I know I would be back in the hospital after each time of chemo. Yeah for the shot!

Anyway, I also had an appointment with Dr. Kris my Natural Path today. I don't know if I told everyone but one of the question I asked Mitra on Monday was why I am having back and bottom pain again. I told her it had gone away after one round of chemo but that I was having back pain again. She said oh, it is probably from the shots stimulating your bone morrow in those spots. So I asked Dr. Kris because that didn't sound right. He checked me out and said no you have a rib out. So he worked on that with out adjusting me. Oh, it feels so much better! Another question I asked her (Mitra) and the chemo nurses is why I have been itching. It has been driving me nuts since last Friday and I hadn't had any chemo. They both said it wasn't relate to the chemo. Chemo wouldn't cause itching. So I asked Dr. Kris because I didn't know what else could be causing the itching. He tested a couple of things and then said the chemo is depleting something I can't remember the name of it but it is depleting that in my body. It is common with the HER2. So he gave me some medicine to produce more of what my body needs and I should stop itching in a few days. So I will keep you posted and see if it works. Have I already told you how much I love Dr. Kris. I swear he knows everything! I am sure not everything but I am so glad he is my doctor.

Chemo Day Round 3!

I was going to blog yesterday put I wasn't feeling so hot last night. Ryan and I went to chemo yesterday afternoon. We had a good time playing dice (farkle) and cards (hand and foot). I got a lot loopy when they gave me the Benadryl (sp) this time. I had a hard time staying awake. Usually I can shake it off after 20 minutes. At the same time I couldn't sleep so we played cards. It is so fun to spend time with Ryan. So are you wondering who won. Well I won both games of farkle and Ryan won hand and foot. When we were first married we played cards all the time and Ryan would always win finally in the last year or two I win once in a while. Ryan has the best luck playing cards or any game even when he gets pulled over by the police he seems to get out of a ticket. I still have a really good time playing games with him. Then I came home and took a little nap while Ryan took the kids to work for a little bit. He came home and told me who Kamden put the truck in drive and the truck started to roll down the hill towards a back hoe. Ryan said he chased the truck down and slammed on the breaks it came inches from hitting the back hoe. Neither Kamden or Carter had their seat belts on seating in the front seat. So needless to say Ryan put the emergency break on and took the keys out of the truck. Kamden must have had a good day because when we had gotten home from chemo she had cut her bangs. I don't know if you remember I said she got a hair cut a few weeks ago and we gave her bangs. She has never had bangs before well I she has been telling me she hates them. So I guess she decided to cut them off so she didn't have any. So cute! Anyway, while Ryan was gone my mother in law came over and folded my laundry and put it away. She saw what a mess my kids drawers and closets were so she cleaned out Kamden's drawers and closet. When she left I was feeling guilty so I cleaned out the boys closet and drawers and then I cleaned out the toy closet. So after that I was feeling really tired and nauseaes I think I over did it I guess.

Monday, November 26, 2007

1st Mitra Vist!

I had a doctors visit today at Dr. Rado's office with Mitra his I think Nurse Practitioner? Anyway, I really like her she is nice. I went in with a lot of questions. Towards the end of the appointment Mitra says to me you have a lot of questions. I told you oh ya the first time I saw Dr. Rado he gave me so much information and I didn't know anything yet. Then my second visit I saw a doctor that I had to tell him what was wrong with me. So this is my first chance to ask question about everything that is going on and I know a little more now. She was very good to me. She answered all my question and didn't hurry me along it was nice. She gave me orders for a Cat Scan of my liver and stomach and a MRI or my breasts. Those test will be in two weeks after Round 3 of Chemo. They want to see how much the cancer has shrunk. They will do a PET scan again at the end of chemo. They don't want to check my bones until I am done with chemo. I guess the bones look worse during chemo so they will wait until I am done. Bones take longer to repair themselves. She also said that is probably why my bones are aching. She doesn't think I will need radiation. I hope that stays true. She didn't know how much longer with the chemo. She said either 4 or 6 rounds and that will depend on the CAT Scan and the MRI. So next visit Dr. Rado will decided. She also told me I would be on Herceptin for at least a year maybe for life or off and on throughout my life. Right now Herceptin is only IV. I am assuming it will be given once every three weeks like it is now. I think it is a 10 minute drip I can't remember? She also told me they would force me into menopause after chemo. Either I could have a hysterectomy or I could take a shot once a month for a year and then by the end my ovaries would be no good. I don't know what we will decided. I also asked about loosing my breasts. She said well that was a toss up. She said they do a mastectomy if your lump hasn't spread so that it wont spread. Mine already spread so that doesn't decrease my risk of recurrence. So she said I have a good argument to keep them. She also said Dr. Rado my just require it. Probably not both but maybe just the left. So again something to think about. I asked what would be my routine check up and she said they wont know until the chemo is over with. I also asked about the rash on my head she didn't know. I also asked about the rash on my body she didn't know on that one either. I have been getting nausea the last few days. She thinks maybe from the cold. I don't know if I said already but I can have chemo with the cold as long as I don't have a fever and I don't so I am o.k. I had a blood test on Friday and the CA or Cancer maker number is 134. When I started chemo is was 714 or so. So it is really going down. YAH!!!!! All great news I get chemo this week, my counts are going down possibly no radiation, possible no mastectomy and no crazy doctor this visit oh and Ryan made it to the appointment only a couple of minutes late. Can't get any better than that can it!!!

Pictures of the tree!





Sunday, November 25, 2007

Putting up the Tree!

The kids and I spent most of the morning fluffing out our fake, beautiful fake tree. I love our tree we looked for a new one this weekend a little bit but I didn't like any of them. We bought our tree 5 years ago at Costco it spins and looks real. I love it! Ryan said some of the lights were out so we started looking for a new tree to buy at the end of the Christmas season but the few we looked at I didn't like as well as our tree. So hopefully our tree will last a while longer. When we fluffed it out today all the lights seemed to be working so I hope it makes it another 5 years or more. The kids love to help me decorate the tree and put up the Christmas decoration. We had a good time together visiting and sharing stories as we put up the ornaments. Then Ryan went out a put the lights on the house yah! Last year I had to put them up and take them down. Ryan doesn't like to do the tree, light or decoration. He like Christmas just not to have to do the work. So the kids and I put up the decoration. It was very nice of Ryan to put them up this year. We changed are lights this year. I bought white and blue bulbs we use to have white icicle lights. Every year we seem to have strands that don't work and it is to much work to find the light that is out. So we went with the bigger bulbs this year. We are hoping it will be easier to replace and find the light out. We also bought some multi colored lights because Ryan likes those and we still have red rope light that were on the pillars last year. So we have a very colorful house of lights this year.

I was feeling well enough to go to church today yah! I still have a cold which I don't like. I don't like the stuffy nose part where you can't breath through your nose. It's like I told my mom today I will be blessed for going. They think I should stay home away from all the germs. I love going and seeing all my friends. We just found out today that 3 wards are going to be split to make another ward. I am so sad I love our ward. I will not miss the time change though. It just wont be the same being split. It is so hard to keep in touch with people when they aren't in your ward and you don't see them every week. I am know their are some people looking forward to the change and calling change.

I have lots of doctors visits this week. I see Mitra Dr. Rado's assistant on Monday. I receive chemo on Tuesday and Shots Wed - Saturday. I also see Dr. Kris on Wednesday. So there should be lots of positive updates this week.

I will post some pictures of us putting up the tree and decoration later!

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Quick update!

Well I already told you about my adventure out. Now I have a cold! My parents think it is from the shopping. I think I probably caught it from the kids both Carter and Kamden are stuffy. I should be able to do chemo because I had a blood draw yesterday. They told me all my counts are good. If the cold hangs in until after Tuesday and brings my counts down I may not get the second dose. We will see they said as long as there is no fever I am usually o.k. So I just get to suffer through the cold like everyone else. I also had an itching feast yesterday. I had a spot that wouldn't stop itching yesterday. Finally, I took some Benadryl(SP) and about an hour later felt better but very tired. We watched Hair Spray yesterday I love that movie well I love the music. Ryan and Cole went over to his aunt and uncles house to play cards last night. Carter, Kamden and I went home at 6pm and went to bed and we didn't get up until 7:30am. It was nice to get some sleep and rest. We stayed in bed this morning and watched Amazing Grace it is a great movie. It was almost 10 am before we got out of bed. That never happens in our house. The kids, Ryan and I are all early risers and usually get up and get ready and go in the morning on Saturdays. So it was nice to just slow down this morning.

Friday, November 23, 2007

Thanksgiving Pictures!

Thanksgiving Day Kara(my sister Kim's 3rd), Kamden and Carter playing dress-up.
Mike(Bailey's Husband), Bailey (sister number 5), my mom Sandy, Kamden, Ryan, my dad Rodger).
This is my dad doing some of his exercises for his back on Thanksgiving.
Kara (Kim's daughter), Kamden, Kooper (Bailey's son)
Anthony (Ryan's brother Brett's son), Carter, Kamden and grandpa Bassett
My sister Chauntel (sister number 3 that lives in Texas) and her son Jackson.
This is Jackson's head 2 days after surgery.
Kendall(sister number 4) she is having twins due date Jan 5th she is 40 inches around.
My Aunt Linda (dad's sister), ME and Tracy Linda's daughter and her foster child.
This is me trying to rest at my mom's with Kamden and Carter wanting to help me rest.

Wow what a day we had thanksgiving lunch at my mom and dad's house at 1pm. Then we headed over to Ryan's parents house for dinner. The kids had a great time playing with their cousins. We left the kids with Ryan's parents so we could hit some door buster sales this morning. So Ryan and I were up at 3:30am this morning. We must of hit everything just right because we didn't wait in any lines. We went to JCPenny, Walmart, Fredmeyer, Big 5, Target, Ace and the mall. The busiest story we went into was JCPenny's at 4am. I guess Old Navy was the busiest we opted not to go in the line was all through the story. We were done shopping by 7:30. That is my kind of shopping in and out with everything we went in for. Now if you wanted any electronic that is another story what a zoo! I NEED A BIG NAP!!!! Maybe after my blood work today.

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Thanksgiving!

Hello,

I have been thinking all morning about posting. I wanted to be a little more creative but if you know me I just say it how it is and I have a hard time fluffing it up. So anyway I wanted to write or list all the things I am thankful for. I run into a problem there is so many things I wanted to focus on something and couldn't come up with exactly what to focus on because I am so thankful this year. So bear with me it my get boring for all of you but it is really good for me to see all the things I am thankful for written down.

First and for most I am so thankful for my Heavenly Father who is all knowing and loving. I am thankful for the knowledge that he is a loving Heavenly Father and I am his child that is comforting. I am also extremely thankful for my Savior and brother Jesus who suffered and died for me. I know that he has suffered all pains even mine and my cancer that is also very comforting to me. I am also thankful that H.F. listen and answer my prayers.

I am thankful for my very loving and affectionate husband. Who was able to take me the temple for time and all of eternity wow that is cool ha. Who has been such a comfort to have him with me during all of my Doctor appointment and chemo appointments. I didn't realize how much it meant to me until he wasn't able to come to one of my appointments and then I know who much I really rely on him. He has been such a big help with the kids, keeping the house clean and shopping, disiplining the kids (instead of participating). I can say it is sexy when my husband can clean the house.

I am thankful for my children. Each one of them! I am thankful for Cole and his obedience and his loving nature. I am thankful for Kamden and her mothering nature, her mindfulness of everything going on around her and her love for her brothers. I am thankful for Carter and his sweet spirit and his kindness and willingness to share. Each one of them have been so helpful to me and obedient during this time.

I am so thankful for Dr. Kris for taking care of my whole body. I am thankful for Dr. Evans who is so up beat and kind for her beautiful work. I am thankful for Dr. Rado who is so good at what he does and makes my believe in everything he does for me.

I am thankful for my mom, dad and sisters who listen to me and support me and our family in all of our decisions. I am thankful for all the help they give me with watching the kids and helping drive the kids around.

I am thankful to my in-laws for all of their help with the kids, hair and fund raising.

I am thankful to all the members of Pasco 6th ward and all others who participate in the fast that I know has blessed me and my family.

I am thankful to all who have worked so hard in all the fundraising to help us with our financial situation. I can't tell you how blessed I and my family feel for the out pouring of love.

I am thankful to all who have so unselfishly donated money to the cancer fund.

I am thankful for all the friends that I have been able to get back in touch with through this.

I am thankful to those friends who have brought food, helped babysit, gone grocery shopping and taking me to appointment or just have come to visit me and lifted my spirits.

I am thankful for our home that keeps us warm and safe during these cold months.

Oh, I am so thankful for my three chemo nurses at Kadlec who lift my spirits, answer my million question and are just so kind.

I am thankful for the chemo that is affective with the cancer. I am thankful for all the support medicine. I am thankful for the natural medicine that helps my whole body.

I am thankful for my CANCER, yes I really can say that. Look at all the many things I have to be thankful for and everyday I am given so many blessing and lessons learned that have come from the cancer. I am able to most days sit down and reflect on all the blessing that have come from this disease during the day.

I know their are many more small things every day I am thankful for like the policeman that didn't give me a ticket a couple of weeks ago. But, I don't have that much time to list all of the things just some of the bigger things.

I hope you were able to bear with me and through all my thankfulness. I know that everyone has lots of things to be thankful for. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Family update!

Well, I have had a few people ask so I thought I would update you really quick on some of my family members. My dad is feeling a little better but still isn't great. He is at least out of bed most of the time now I think. In a couple of weeks the surgeon will re evaluate him and see if he need surgery. My sister Kendall that is having twins still hasn't had them. She is due Jan5 but they told her any time after Thanksgiving they will be here. A few weeks ago she had an ultra sound they were both over 3 pounds. My sister Chauntel's third child Jackson had his surgery yesterday to clean out his head. They cleaned everything up and 3 of the plates were still in his head and hadn't dissolved like they were suppose to. They also had to sand his skull it had some ridges in it from the plates that hadn't dissolved. But he is doing great and they think maybe he can go home today. So that is all really great news for them and dad and the kids are getting along good with out Chauntel and I think feeling better.


My mom has a daycare and watches a few kids but yesterday she only had one so she watched Kamden and Carter for me so I could rest for the weekend ahead. I have to say I didn't get as much rest as I probably should have but I had a nice day. My visiting teachers visited me yesterday it was so nice to visit with them. I probable talked their ears off and made them late to their next appointment. You know me I am a talker! Since I have found out I have cancer I can't believe all the people that have cancer. It is like when you buy a new car you start to notice all the people that have the same car that you never noticed before. It is brought to your attention. I can't believe how many people have been affected by CANCER. Thanks to all of you for sharing with me your cancer experiences.

Monday, November 19, 2007

Poem

"The Oak Tree"
A mighty wind blew night and day.
It stole the oak tree's leaves away,
Then snapped boughs
and stripped bare it's bark
until the oak was tired and stark.
But still the oak tree held its ground
while other trees fell all around....
The weary wind gave up and spoke,
"How can you still be standing, Oak?"
The oak tree said, "I know that you
can break each branch of mine in two,
carry every leaf away,
shake my limbs, and make me sway.
But I have roots stretched in the earth,
growing stronger since my birth.
You'll never touch them, for you see,
they are the deepest part of me.
Until today, I wasn't sure
of just how much I could endure.
But now I've found, with thanks to you,
I'm stronger than
I ever knew.
I know some of you have already seen this poem on the Christmas ornament. I just wanted those that haven't seen this poem to be able to see it. I read it again today! My sister Chauntel who lives in Texas is having a big trail in her life. She has three children her youngest a year ago had a surgery for his head. His head was fused together and they crushed it and built it back with metal plates and screws. He has not gained any weight since last year and now he has golf ball size or bigger lumps on his head. The other day he had a lot of puss come out of one of the sores. They have been trying for awhile to figure out what is wrong. Their is more to the story but the just of it is he is having surgery again tomorrow. My sisters family is sick so her husband can't be with her at the hospital during the surgery. I am reminded daily how thankful I am for my trail. It never seems to be as bad as someone elses. I know that my sister is so much stronger than I am and is being watched over by our Heavenly Father. Our whole family loves little Jackson and our prayers and thoughts are with them tonight and tomorrow as the doctors operate on him.
I know I haven't updated in a while. Some days I was to tired and some of it was because I don't feel like anything has happened lately. Saturday the whole family pitched in and cleaned the house and Ryan even cleaned out my car. I love a clean house it makes me so happy. I know that is so wired but it does. We then had to take the kids to a few things going on and while they were out Ryan and I looked for Christmas outfits for pictures this year. I think we were out an hour and I was totally wiped out. We decided to order outfits for the kids off line. That was much easier than shopping. There was a friend of my mother-in-laws that was putting on a fund raiser so we headed over there later in the afternoon. While we where there I run into a girl I used to work with when I was in college. I know I have said this before but that is one of the best parts about this is the friends I get to see again. I also received two card on Saturday from some girls I went to elementary school with. It was so nice to hear from them and hear who they are doing.
Sunday I was able to get some Christmas shopping done on line. That was nice to not have to go out. I may just take up shopping on line. That could cause some problems it is to easy to spend money that way. It was nice to go to church on Sunday and make it through all the meetings. I love seeing everyone and hearing how people are doing. I wish it wasn't dark when we come out of church. It seems like it is bed time when church is over. I am already looking forward to summer and the longer daylight hours.
Today I had some blood work done. I asked them why I was a little more tired the last couple of days. They called me an hour after the test and said all your numbers are up. Nancy said it is just the chemo making you tired not your counts. So I guess the chemo does build up in my body and make me more tired as I go? They told me that my numbers actually look better than they did when I started chemo. So the shots worked great this time. Nancy said have a nice Thanksgiving. She said I don't have to worry about germs well.....just like anyone else has to worry about getting sick. So yah, I can be around the family for Thanksgiving and not have to wear a mask.
I hope everyone has a nice Thanksgiving and enjoys their families. I think we all have things to be thankful for this year.

Friday, November 16, 2007

High Protein Deit!

Sorry it has been a few day since I have updated. I have been a little more tired the last couple of days. I was getting tired around 3 or 5pm on most days until Wednesday. I am not sure if the Nurlasta shot is making me more tired, or the red blood cell count or the chemo this time. Anyway it has been nice to feel so good I really can't complain about being more tired the last couple of days. I got my Nurlasta shot on Friday and I haven't had the extreme reaction this time. I little aching not much and not chills or flu like symptoms.

Thursday I was able to go to a look good...feel better class that the Cancer Center puts on. They go over make-up application, wig care and how to put them on and head wraps and a few other things. I was hoping they would show us how to put on fake eye lashes and eye brows but they didn't. They say you can't use those when you are on chemo. I did get a nice bag full of make up clinique, Avon, Chanel, EL and some other nice companies that donated make up. I did learn about applying eyebrows when I don't have any. I do still have hair but I am still losing hair. It isn't as noticeable because they are so short. I keep trying to tell Ryan it is his hair not mine. I tend to forget I have short hair until I pass by a mirror.

Today was a nice relaxing day. I was able to sneak in a 3 hour nap thanks to friends and Carter took a good long nap with me. Thanks Carter for taking a nap. It felt really good! I am so looking forward to next week no chemo and family will be here for Thanksgiving. I love the holidays and all the family and food! I don't know if I have told you but while I am on chemo I have to eat a lot of protein 100 grams. So everything I eat I try to make sure it is high in protein but everything high in protein seems to be high in fat. So needless to say the 15 pounds I lost eating all the fruits and veggies I put back on. When you don't have energy to work out and you eat high in fat foods it makes it hard to keep the weight off. I am not complaining because I get to eat more food and I actually like it better than the all fruits and veggies diet. If anyone has some suggestion on high protein less fat I am open for ideas.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

New Shots!

Good Morning All,

I was able to get a lot of paperwork done yesterday morning while the kids played together. We then all went to get Kamden's haircut. She likes her new bangs she has never bangs in her life. So to me she looks so different! Then my sister was so kind to meet us there so I could run off to my chemo appointment. Which Ryan just a couple hours before called and said he couldn't go so I was a little bummed. It worked out I was able to get some more thank you notes mailed out. I was there a little longer than I thought. The nausea medicine is a 10 minute drip and Navelbine is a 6 minute drip but then they had to do a 30 minute flush of saline. I guess the Navelbine is extremely hard on your veins so they really try to flush it through. I guess I don't have to do that on day 1 because the other meds flush it through. I also found out yesterday I am getting a little steroids with my nausea meds it helps make the nausea medicine work better. The nurse said it would cause me to not sleep as well last night and sure enough that was true but anything to help the medicine to work better. I should get a better night sleep tonight. You know with kids who gets a good night sleep anyway. I do have to say though that Ryan has been so good since I have been sick. He is much better about taking care of the kids in the middle of the night so I can sleep a little better. What a good husband and dad. Carter has become his side kick because of this. Back to my visit to the hospital I also found out my counts were low not low enough to not have chemo but lower than I thought they would be. I was barely able to have chemo. I thought with all the shots and decrease in chemo I would have much higher counts this time. My red blood cell count was really down so now I am on Procret(sp) shots once a week to help with me red blood counts. I guess that should also help with my energy levels basically it means I am animic(sp). My white blood cell counts were 1 point away from not getting chemo and something else was low I can't remember but my platelets were up. I was thinking with all those shots last week and the fact that is was a higher dose then I was suppose to get I would be good. I guess it is good they gave those shots to me and more then I was suppose to get. I am getting a Neralasta shot today and have a week off so hopefully that will also help get ready for the next round. I asked them why I have been feel o.k. and not worse. They told me that my body tends to get use to being at low numbers and your body adjust. I am not so sure if that is good or not. Good for getting stuff done but I also forget that I am sick and do more and go out more which might not be so good? Anyway enough about that. My aunt emailed me today and remind me that the scriptures say "Man is that he might have joy". I hope everyone is doing well!

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Good Days!

I think I over did it over the weekend because by Sunday I was wiped out. I had a nap before church for about an hour and a half. Then we got to church and I could hardly hold still I thought I was going to fall asleep sitting there. We had are children's program on Sunday. Oh, it was so cute. They did a nice job! I just couldn't figure out why my daughter kept waving to me I was starting to get a little mad then I realized her grandpa was holding Carter up and waving at her. Cole even waved a couple of times. We had to have a talk with the kids that when you are on the stage you don't wave you need to be reverent and that isn't being reverent. I think maybe we need to talk to grandpa about reverence. Anyway the program was really nice and Cole even sang this time. This is the fist year in a few years I have actually seen him sing. He likes to sing but for some reason at church I can't get him to sing. I noticed though when I was in primary that most of the older boys don't sing. There are a few boys that are older that sing but not many. For those of you who are not LDS you are probably wondering what I am talking about. At church once a year all the children go up to the front and put on a program of all the songs and thing that they learn during the year in primary at church. It is so fun to see them sing and talk in front of everyone and see all the things they learned. The kids love it and the parents really love it.

Monday was a great day the kids and I went grocery shopping. That was the first time I have been grocery shopping in probably a month. Since Cole was home from school I took all three. I usually try to go when Cole is in school it is usually at little easier but it worked out and they were all good. I also had a blood draw and took Kamden with me while Ryan watched the other two. Then we headed down to Hermiston to see Dr. Kris. I will try to attempt to sum up how that Dr. visit went. We talked about how our immune system is affected by your emotions. My emotions were blocking my immune system from doing it's job. So we spent all of the visit getting my emotions to let my immune system do it's job. I know it sounds funny I guess you would have to be there. I truly believe that Dr. Kris is helping my whole body do so well with the chemo and my emotions. I really can't say enough good things about Dr. Kris. I think it is so important to totally trust your doctor. He is so knowledgeable! We told the kids if they were good that we would take them out to dinner for a treat. They did really well so we took them out to dinner. We had a good time playing I spy in the restaurant before the food came.

I wanted to ask a favor when people post a comment if you could please leave your first and last name. I have two Magen's and two Heather's and so forth posting and I am not always sure which is which. I don't usually get into the blog I just check my email which shows the post. Anyway I was also hoping that those I haven't talked to in awhile could leave their email address too so I can email if you leave a comment and then I can email you back. Like Emily Hall Spurgean you left me a blog address but I can't get in and I don't know how to get a hold of you. Thanks! There are others too so this would really help out.

I also wanted to say I am sorry to those of you who get tired of me saying I am having a great day all of the time. I know that I use to be very irritated with people who always seemed to be happy all the time. Maybe because I wanted to be and just wasn't. I know that before cancer I seemed to have a lot of bad days and things didn't always seem to go well. I was remind when reading through some blogs the other day that life is hard and everyone has different trials. I just want to say that I am thankful for my trial because I see some of you and your trails and I am reminded who thankful I am for mine. I know that sounds funny but I can't say enough how everyday I have learned something new and received so many blessing. It is the first time in my life I can say while going through a tail that I am thankful for it. I know that I have been through other trials in my life that I still can't say that I was thankful for I am working on that. So please don't be to irritated with me. This trail is a very different experience for me and my family. Not all trails do you receive such an out pouring of love. I have been very blessed with such good friends and family that have been huge blessing in our lives. Sorry this wasn't very eloquent. I am not very eloquent.

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Crop!

Well, I had a minute this morning and got all the pictures posted but I didn't have a chance to write anything before I had some family from out of town stop by. My aunt Linda (dad's only sister) and her daughter Traci and her 3 kids stopped by. Traci was droving her mom home to Spokane from Port Angels and stopped by to visit. It was so nice to be able to visit with them. We haven't seen them in a long time. Probably to long! I have to say that is one of the perks with having this cancer has been to visit and see people I haven't seen in a long time. I love to be able to visit with everyone. That was also one of the best things for me last night. Was to see a lot of friends and be able to visit with them. I just wish I had more energy to visit with everyone and to have stayed a longer. But I am really glad I got to go I had such a good time. Thank you so much to Kim Meyers for all her hard work. I know there were many, many more that helped and donated. I would list them all but I am afraid I would forget someone so I will just say "THANKS"!!!!! I can't say that enough!! I hope everyone enjoyed all the pictures I posted this morning. It was fun to be able to post so many pictures. Today was a good day I got to visit with family I felt good and I got my last shot for the week.