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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.

Crop & Hair!

Here is Ryan in one of my wigs per Natille's request.
Here is Sandy Fletcher!
Here is a long time friend Kim Hatch (Johnson) and her mom Vicki Johnson.
Carter decided he wanted his hair cut like everyone else this morning.
Here is Carter with his shaved head.

O.k. and here is the requested for Ryan to wear my wigs.
Here are some pictures from the Crop for Her Cure. This is Michelle Bunger helping out and Andrea Calveard.
This is my mom Sandy and my dad Rodger with my new wig. It got to hot for the wig.
Here is one of my best friend Chelsie Bishop (Brown) we have known each other since I was in 3 grade and her sister Tracy Decoursey and her mom Vicki Brown.
Here is Harker, Susan Leaven and her friend sorry I forgot her name and Barb Thomason.
Here is Very Happy Alica Leppert and Shalia Trumble helping out at the fund raiser.



Friday, November 9, 2007

Wigs, Wigs and more wigs!

This is me with bleach blonde rock star hair.
We decided this is an older women's hair cut. Not me!
This is the wig I picked out the hair styles is cutting bangs.
This is me with my new wig and Melanie my mother in law.
This is me with the wonderful ladies at Top Options hair salon.
This is a picture of Cole today he was able to participate in the assembly for Veterans Day.
This is a picture of Cole, Kamden and Carter this morning after we got ready for school.
This is Nancy my chemo nurse. I love Nancy.
O.k. so this is the first wig on tried on when I went with my mother in law to try on wigs. This is my favorite but the color wasn't right.
Here is me with long brown hair eyes closed and all funky.
So if you can't tell by the pictures today was a good day. I felt really well all day. I was able to get up get the kids ready and run a few earns. Then my mother in law took my to get my shot with Nurse Nancy then out to lunch and off to pick out a wig. So we had a really good time today. I think I ended up with a really nice wig. Just adding to my daily options. I also was able to get in a cat nap while my mother in law took Kamden to dance. I wanted to get in a nap so I could go to the crop tonight.

More Good Days!

Wow, I had a fabulous day yesterday. I had a wonderful friend come and help me yesterday. I was a little tired yesterday and would get a little light headed when I would stand and walk around. Kamden loves to have my friends come over she puts them right to work playing games with her or reading to her. I can't get her to even hardly talk to me when I have a friend there. She thinks they are there to play with her. So Andrea and Kamden had a good time playing card games and reading most of the day. I went and had my shot again yesterday. I wonder if that isn't helping me to feel so good this time around. Ryan went to work at 3 and didn't get home until 8:45. I was so tired by the end of the day I put the kids to bed at 7:30 and went to bed. I was sound asleep when Ryan got home. So I must of been tired. Today I am feeling really well again. We will see how the days plays out but so much better then the last round of chemo.

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

WIG


Well I am trying to upload a picture we will see if I can later. Today I had an appointment at the Cancer Center with Frankie from Frankie Co. I picked out a wig and she cut and styled it for me. I had only short haired wigs to choose from and most of them were curly. I just couldn't go curly. So I am curious what everyone thinks. Do you like the bald head or the wig? Be honest. I don't want to look like a dork walking around. Thinking I look good and not really looking good. So be honest.


It was a good day. I felt really good all day. Tonight I am feeling a little more tired. Anyway I went in for my shot today at 12:30 and they told me I couldn't have it until later in the day. I have to wait 24 hours after chemo. So I had to go back at 2:10. So I was able to get a few things done before I went back in. The shot was quick and painless. This shot doesn't have the acking bones and fever so that is good.

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Pictures of Buzzed Hair!











Chemo Round 2 Day 1

O.k. so I decided after I woke up this morning and there was hair all over my pillow and I had two handfuls of hair in my hands from washing it that it as time to buzz it off. I probable could have waited a few more days or even a week but I decided not to. So we had a hair cutting party this morning. Ryan shaved mine and Cole's head and then did his own head. I have to say while he was cutting it I was a little paniced. Then before he was done I was o.k. with it and I am so o.k. with walking around bald. I don't think it looks bad. I do have hats and I did wear one part of today. Like Nicole Zornes sister said it is so easy. When I can have hair will I while of course but for this stage in my life I am so o.k. with being bald.

I was able to have chemo today. I was there for four hours and Ryan and I played cards and did a little work while we were there but we had a good time together. Again we meet some nice people. Some sad stories and some good stories. The greatest news is the my chemo nurse Nancy got engaged. She has never been married and is in her 40's. She meet a guy whose son had chemo. Anyway I am so happy for her and she said she is not going to stop doing chemo for Kadlec just cut back on some of her other duties at the hospital. Yeah!! We love Nancy!!!

So far I feel great which was like last time it takes and day or two to kick in. So today was a pretty good day. Oh, and the Cancer Center had a lady there that gave me a free facial before I went over to Kadlec for my Chemo today. That was so nice and relaxing to have before chemo. They do one free facial for chemo patients. She was a very nice lady. I have meet so many really neat people on my journey.

I just wanted to say again thank you to everyone that helped with the fun run. I know it was a lot of work and I really appreciate those that helped and that came and supported. We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends. Thanks!!!

Monday, November 5, 2007

Crazy Doctor!!!!

I had a Dr. appointment with Dr. Rado's office today. I thought it was with his Nurse Practitioner. When we got there we found out it is a new Oncologist. Oh, my .....where do I begin. The man walked in didn't even shut the door or wash his hand or introduce himself and then proceeded to tell me I needed to quite taking my Natural medicine. I couldn't believe this doctor. Let's just say first impressions were not good. He didn't have a clue as to what medicines or chemo I was on. He told me I couldn't do chemo tomorrow because my counts were to low. I said that is weird because I had blood test on Friday that said my counts were good enough for chemo. So we couldn't figure out what he was talking about. Then we found out he was reading my reports from the day I was admitted. He wasn't worried about getting me to the hospital with such low counts just that I should stop taking my natural medicine. Then we explained he didn't have the new results. So he wondered around the hall for 5 minutes trying to find someone to get him the new results. Then he asked us all sorts of question about what chemo I was on and what Dr. Rado wanted me to do. He then spent 10 minutes reading over all of Dr. Rado's notes. I thought doctors were suppouse to review the patients charts before they saw the paitent. All I could think about was I am paying you $350 for this visit today and I am telling you what I need. I don't think so. He didn't know about giving me blood work orders or about when I was to come back to see doctor Rado. Then he left the room and didn't say weather we could leave or stay. The nurse came in and asked what was going on. I think she was confused. We asked for blood orders and when we needed to come back. Then the doctor and the nurse came in and ask what Dr. Rado had told me about what I should be taking! I just couldn't believe what was going on. Then I asked for samples for the nausea medication which I was told they would give me samples for no problem. Then the nurse came back in and said there wasn't any after I had been told I could have some. We left that office so confused and frustrated. We went to the front desk and they asked for my check out sheet so they could schedule me and they hadn't given us one. So they told us they were over book and they would have to call me for an appointment. Then we went over to the Cancer Center and one of the girls went over to the Dr. Rado's office and picked me up samples of my nausea medicine. I am not so sure what was going on over there today but it scared me. I know things have gone so smoothly so far so I know I can't complain. When Nancy the chemo nurse from Kadlec called me today I asked if they had gotten the orders right and how scared I was. She said the new doctor had gotten part of them right but she had to call over and tell the doctor to change them because they weren't what Dr. Rado had told them to give me. So even after I had told the guy what my orders were suppose to be he still messed them up. Thank goodness for Nancy my chemo nurse at Kadlec. I love her she is so good. I think if she wasn't on top of things I would be in big trouble this week. I would have been over medicated and no shots to help with the white blood cell counts. So today I am thankful for Nancy my chemo nurse and Michelle Woods at the Cancer Center.

So, I do get chemo tomorrow!

My hair is really thinned out the last two days. I am trying to decide to shave it or hang on a few more days. We will see?

Saturday, November 3, 2007

Fun Run!

This is a picture of Cole my oldest and his cousins Kayla and Anthony.
This is all the guys Ryan works with and Ryan's boss Cheryl. There are also some of their kids and some wives.
This is Cole my oldest and his cousin Anthony.

This is my family just before the fun run. Me, Kamden 5, Cole 9, Ryan, Carter 2 1/2.
This is the registration table. Andrea Calveard, Jodi McDonald, Cheryl Seamens (Ryan's Boss) Cheryl's sister in law, Laural Petty, Amy Christensen, Sister Neaf.
Registration table Michelle Davis, Jodi McDonald, Chyerl and others.
This is my mom Sandy (dark hair) and my mother in law Melanie Bassett (blonde hair).
This is most of the guys that work with Ryan.

What a fun day. I got to see so many friends and friends of our family. What a blessing to have such wonderful supportive friends. Thank you to all that came and for all those that helped with the Fun/Run. I hope everyone had as much fun as I did. What a blessing to have such wonderful friends. Thank you! I had so much fun. I am glad I felt well enough to come. I completed the 1 mile ya!
Cole had a soccer tournament. I am glad he is done with soccer. I think he is glad he is done. He is ready for basketball. He enjoyed soccer this year. He says he is going to do soccer again instead of football. We will see next year what he decides.
Ryan's brother and family came over tonight and watched movies with us. It was nice to be able to spend time with his brother.