CLICK HERE FOR THOUSANDS OF FREE BLOGGER TEMPLATES »

Monday, February 25, 2008

4 More Rounds!

Yes, you read that right I went to see Dr. Rado today and I have four more rounds of chemo. So that means June is the new target date to be done. We talked about that the chemo is working so why change it. I know it doesn't seem like good news but it is. He was worried that after a while the chemo I am on would stop working. And that we would take a break from chemo and try another then take another break until the cancer flared up and then try another chemo. Then to just keeping doing that basically maintenance chemo for life. Just to maintain a quality of life. So the fact that the chemo is working and he is now talking that it could be gone by the time we are done with these 4 rounds chemo. This is a step in the right direction.

We also talked about if I am still his patient when I am done with chemo and how that is all going to work. Because after what happened last week I told him I felt like I wasn't his patient anymore. He apologized and said no I will be his patient for quite a while so please call and always let him know what is going on. He was glad the hospital took good care of me. He felt bad that the office didn't do such a good job taking care of me. So we went back over the rules of what to do when certain things happen. So I felt better and hopefully their wont be a next time.

I also asked if we could change my shots. I was getting 5 Neulasta shots after day one and one big shot of Neupegeon after day 8. I think that shots has been causing some very serious itching. So I think if we go to the Neulasta shot after day 8 for 5days that I wont itch. So I am excited to see if we finally figure out the itching.

So when we were done with the appointment we went out to make an appointment for the next visit. The scheduling lady said their was nothing so we tried to make appointment for the next three visits and they weren't able to. We were only able to make one out of four appointments. They will call when there is a cancellation. That is how busy they are now.

So back to game days and free or kinda of free lunch with Ryan tomorrow. So yes chemo starts again tomorrow.

Friday, February 22, 2008

Sick, Sick and more sickness!

Some of this I have already posted so I am just going to start at the begining. So a week ago Monday I had a bladder infection. Just as that was clearing up I had a fever and chills on Sunday. But by Monday I was feeling better. Tuesday I woke up with a pink or red eye. Which I assumed was pink eye. Kamden had it a few weeks ago and so I started taking her medicine. That one eye swelled shut that night. Then on Wenesday my other eye was pink or red so I started putting medicine in that eye too. Wenesday night that eye swelled shut. So by Thursday both eyes were red and still a little swullen. I decided it couldn't be pink eye because the medicine should have worked. Since I had a stuffy runny nose from Sunday I figured it must just be a cold in my eyes. Anyway on Thursday when I woke up I wasn't feeling great and within 30 minutes I was throwing up and also had it coming out the other end. I hadn't eatten since the night before so I wasn't throwing much up. I spent all morning and afternoon sleeping and running to the bathroom. Then my sister was kind enough to bring me some 7-up which ended up coming up and out both ends. I decided to take my temp and it was up. So I called the hospital and they called the Dr. who told the chemo nurses they were to busy to deal with me so I had to figure something on my own. Nice ha, I pay them $350 a visit and they are my Dr.'s still because I am still on Chemo and this is what they tell me. So a very nice friend kept my kids so Ryan and I could go to the Emergency room. Where we were given great treatment. So much better than my last visit to the Emergency room. They run blood test, took some X-rays and did some test where they take your blood pressure when you lay, sit and stand. So what they decided is that I was dehydrated, have some sort of flu bug and a sinus infection. So they gave me an IV for some fluids and put me on an atibotic. They also recommended that I take my Zofran which is my nuasa medicine. Oh, why didn't I think of that earlier well I was throwing up. They said they give that out all the time with patients that are throwing up. So when I got home I took one and I felt alot better along with the fluids they gave me really help. So today I feel better still a little tired but so much better than yesterday. So if this is what no chemo gets me I can't wait to be back on chemo. Just kidding I am so glad it was nothing bad and that I will still be able to have chemo on Tuesday.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

The rest of the update for the last week


This is where you will find us every Saturday at Cole's basketball games. Kendall, one of the twins and Kamen and Carter.


Me not getting enough of the twins at Cole's basketball game.


See how much fun we are all having. We are self entertaining while Cole isn't playing.


Cole playing basketball.


Kadmen at on of Cole's games.


This is Kamden working on her Accountable kids board.


This is Cole with his Accountable Kids Board that he did.


And of course Carter with his Accountable Kids Board.


Then the three of them together they are so proud of their work and that they did them by themsleves. Well all but Carter.


This is Ryan helping Carter paint his Accountable Kid Board.


This is a picture of Kamden showing off her first tooth she has lost.


This was my project for the day. Something spilt on the kitchen floor this weekend that was sticky and I couldn't get it up. So I got out a scrub brush and noticed that the grout was all black or dark gray and should be white. So I spent the day scrubing the grout. Doesn't that sound like found. You can see the difference in this picture. No it isn't a shadow I wish.


This is a picture of Carter with a helmet on and ready to go on the Motorcycle. He loved it and went quite a few times with Ryan.



This is a picture of Cole on a Motorcycle this weekend. This was one of the very few times he stopped. He pretty much rode a motorcycle for about 4 hours with hardly stopping to say hello.


This is Carter and Kamden both wanting another ride from their dad but their dad is no where to be found.



Last Wednesday I went in for my CAT Scan and if you remember when you have a CAT scan you have to drink some nasty milky stuff for the scan. Which I choked down o.k. only gagging an few times. I thought I was fine and went to do a little grocery shopping after. While I was standing there checking out I thought I was going to pass out and throw up right there. And as I am trying not to throw up or pass out the cashier says to me so what is your husband doing for you for Valentine's day. I wanted to say don't you mean what am I doing for my husband for Valentine's day. I think maybe I am wrong that it is a holiday that goes both ways. But of course it was all I could do to not throw up or pass out. I didn't I make it out. I was chilled and not feeling so great the rest of the day so I hang out on the couch with the kids watching movies. I know we seem to do that a lot lately. I am just glad they like movies. I felt much better by they end of the day.

Thursday was so fun the kids and I picked up Kendall and the twins and we run around and did a few things I needed to get done. Then we went back to my mom's house and hang out for a while. The twins did so good with all the running around. Then for a special treat for the kids on Valentine's we took them to the movies to see Spiderwick Chronicles. Kendall and the twins met us there. We all had a good time and the kids love the movie. Carter didn't move the whole movie.

On Thursday the Accountable Kids boards came in so on Friday night we had the kids paint and decorate their boards. They had such a good time. We also went over the new program with them. So on Saturday we started the new program. They love it. I love it. They got up and got all their chores done without any nagging or whinning. I hope it continues to go smoothly.

Saturday we went with some friends out to ride motorcycles and four wheelers. The kids and Ryan had such a good time. Cole rode a motorcycle for the first time and we couldn't get him off he rode a bike the whole day. On Sunday he and Ryan were so sore but they both said it was worth it. Now Cole thinks he needs a motorcyle and a four wheeler.

Of course Sunday I was sick and Monday I had a doctors appointment with Dr. Kris. The kids got to go to breakfast with their grandpa and then out to lunch with their grandma. They thought they were so cool. They had a good time with grandma and grandpa. Thanks Dennis and Melanie for watching the kids.

I know some of you just want to know about the cancer stuff but I am not keeping up on my other blog so I hope you don't mind about all the family stuff.

Dr.Kris/CAT Scan results and Update!

I will start off with the results from the CAT scan. I actually had Dr. Kris fax the results to me on Friday. But I couldn't read it. The first two scans when I read the results I might not have know one word in the sentence but could figure it out what it said. The results this time I maybe knew one word I could read in the sentence it was like the guy was showing off all the big words he know. Dr. Kris said he made up a few words along the way too. He didn't call things by liver, lungs, lymphnodes, he used other names for them. So I could only tell that it said I still have cancer because he gave measurements for some of the liasons on my liver. They have shrunk again to half the size they were before. Originally a couple of them maeasured 5 cm and then about 2 1/2 cm and now they measure 7 mm. So they are shrinking. The tissue in my breast still shows scar tissue but no cancer. They didn't mention my lymphnodes in my neck or chest but they mention that I still have cancer in my lymphnodes in my stomach or plevis area which I didn't know I had any there. I still have cyst on my ovaries that are pretty much the same size. And now I have scar tissue on my lungs. I told Dr. Kris that I never had cancer on my lungs. He said he know that. So we talked about it, it could be from the chemo we will have to wait and see what Dr. Rado thinks. My CA 2729 was 54. Wow it came down and the chemo is still working yah. I think that this means more chemo and that they will stay with the same chemo. My guess and it is just a guess is that it will be 3 more rounds.

So my appointment with Dr. Kris went well. We talked a little about the scan. He was excited had said the chemo is working again that is good and your cancer is shrinking those are all good signs. Needless to say I told him yah but it is supouse to be gone! He said it will be don't worry. Anyway of course my back was out again my rib was twisted this time. We I guess I decided after being adjusted again that I need to quite lifting the kids and moving around so quick so I can keep my back in place at least longer than a deay or two. That way I don't have to have my neck or back out the whole two weeks other than the day I am adjusted. So I told the kids no more picking them up. Which my mom says you shouldn't be doing that anyway they are to old. Yah right tell that to my kids. He also checked all my emotional things going on to make sure everything was still goo and no new stuff and everything was good. I told him about being sick on Sunday and he checked my and didn't find anything so it must be a virus. Which I will tell you a little more about that in a minute. So over all things went really well with Dr. Kris.

So back to being sick. I will start at the begining I was sick last Monday I went in for a test and found out I had a bladder infection. So I was on antibiotics all last week for the bladder infection. Then on Saturday night I was chilled and ache everywhere. It seemed to get worse as the morning went on so I took my temp and it was fine. I decided to stay home from church to get some rest. I slept the whole time the family was gone and then when they got home I took my temp again and it was 100. I was told when I had a temp of a 100 or more to call the doctor and they would run a blood test to make sure everything is o.k. So I called the on call Dr. on Sunday afternoon. He said I was o.k. unless I had a 105 temp and to just take Tylnol. I wasn't very happy but I figured I would see Dr. Kris on Monday. Anyway the rest of the day I didn't feel so great so I rested. But by Monday morning I felt fine and I didn't have a fever just a very runny and stuff nose. So I think what ever it was is gone. Then this morning I woke up with a itchy eye and this afternoon my eye is red I think I have pink eye. So I have been thinking about it and my blessing said the kids wouldn't get me sick while doing chemo. Since I have a nice break I guess I am going to get some of the things they have had this winter. I have to say nothing serious thank goodness. I actually think it is quite funny and I am so thankful I never got sick so that I didn't have to stop chemo.

O.k. I hate long post so I will leave it at that and post the rest on the next blog.

So my spell check isn't working and you all know how much I need that because I can't spell. I hope you can figure out the post.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Tagged by my sister Bailey!

Well I was tagged by my sister a couple days ago and I decided to finally respond.

A. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.
B. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names and then goes to their blogs and leaves a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and that they should read your blog.

10 Years ago...

10 years ago I had almost been married a year and I had just found out in January that I was pregnant with our first child. I officially become a stay at home mom. This of course is my most favorite job on the whole earth. And a few months later we bought our first house.

5 things on my list to do today....

1. Drink the nasty drink for a CAT scan and of course get a CAT scan
2. Drop off and pick up my kids from school and activities
3. Grocery shop it has been to long
4. Take a nap
5. Take a walk with the kids and Ryan

Snacks I enjoy.....
Oh, where do I start apples, banana’s, celery oh who am I kidding I wish these were my favorite snacks. My favorite snacks are movie theater popcorn, slurpees (Banana), little sausages, French fries, licorice; oh I could go on and on.

What I would do if I were suddenly a millionaire.....

Who couldn’t think of a million things? Buy a house with property, a vacation to visit Klaudija and then invest the rest.

3 bad habits......

1. Speaking before I think.
2. Not being a firm with the discipline in our house.
3. Not stopping to enjoy the moment.

5 places I have lived.....

1. Spokane, Wa.
2. Fossil, Or
3. Kennewick, Wa.
4. Paso, Wa.
5. Germany for the summer (if I can't count it then I have only lived in four places that is why I wanted Ryan to find a job in Arizonian.)

5 jobs I have had......

1. Newspaper Route
2. Clerk out at Hanford
3. Rite Aid stocking shelves
4. Pharmacy
5. Tanning Salon (My favorite job I have had next to being a mom. As you can see it wasn't hard to beat out the rest of the jobs.)

5 things people don't know about me.......

This one is hard I think I must talk too much.

1. I do the yard work at our house and I love it.
2. We had a hard time having a baby after Cole and started the adoption process.
3. I am the only one in our family that had the police and fire department come 2 different occasions to our house because of silly mistakes.
4. Ryan and I were only engaged for a week before we were married and had only dated 4 weeks before he proposed.
5. I had never really farted and since Chemo I can't seem to stop.

I am tagging Cherie Jenkins, Jessica Thorne, PRP Karen Johnson, Kristen Hatch, Heather Beck and Stacia ok so that was 6 can I do that.

Email forwarded poem!

O.k. I don't normally post email forwards but I love this poem. I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I did.


IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck

(Written after she found out she was dying from cancer).

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed
I would have sat on the lawn! With my grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later. Now go get washed up for dinner' There would have been more 'I love you's'; more 'I'm sorry's.'
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it.. live it and never give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!!
Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what
Instead; let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.
Let's think about what God HAS blessed us with, and what we are doing each day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, and emotionally. I hope you have a blessed day .

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Family Time

O.k. I just noticed it has almost been a week again since I have posted. I would like to say I havn't posted because I have been so busy but that isn't the case. When I sit down to the computer I go to my google reader and read every one elses blog and then I tend to get a little discourged and then I don't end up blogging. So I think I need to blog and then only read everyone else blog once in a while.

I wanted to start with a quote I read the other day ......

Friendship is a living thing that last only as long as it is nourished with kindness, empathy, and understanding.

I know I don't say this often enough but I am so thankful for all the friendships that I have. Each friendship I share brings such happiness and richness to my life. So if I haven't told you all lately thank you for you friendships. I am also so thankful for my friendship with my husband and need to remember kind words, empthy(when he is sick) and to be more understanding(of his faults because of course I have none)j/k. I am glad that there is at least one day durning the year that helps us/me stop and really be thankful for our spouses.

Last week I was able to go see 27 Dresses. It was a cute show. I hadn't heard any reviews if it was good or not but I enjoyed it. I even cried o.k. I know it doesn't take much to make me cry. And the guy in that movie is so cute. I couldn't figure out who he was and then my sister said he was the oldest brother from Cheaper by the Dozen.

Since last summer we have been trying to watch Top Gun. Cole got a pair of sunglasses during the summer that looked like the sunglasses Tom Curise had in Top Gun. Cole looked at me and asked what Top Gun was. Then he asked if he could watch it. So we went to Blockbuster and they said they didn't have it in someone had rented it. And every time we went in to rent movies we would check. One of the guys said someone rented it and never returned it. Finally when we went in last week to rent some movies they had a new one. You pay enough for a movie if you never return. So my question is why did it take so long for them to get a new one?

So this week is my offical week back to normal or somewhat normal. I am back to carpooling and driving kids to and from activities. Oh, what was life like with out being in the car 24/7. Are we stay at home mom's or what? I don't think that means what it use to.

Saturday we took the kids to do a service project down at the Little League Field. At first I didn't think it was going to be a kid service project but the kids ended up being great help. Cole, Kamden and I put together 12 shelves. Good Job kids! I sometimes find it hard to find service projects that the kids can do. It usually ends up that mom does the service project from the family. Anyway we all had a good time together.

We had a busy Saturday we haven't had one of those in a while. Chores in the morning, then the service project, some errends, then a basketball game and then to end the day we had the missionaires over for dinner. Can I just say we have awesome missionairs. They did such a good job with their message and the kids loved it.

I am glad Sunday follows Saturday. It is so easy to get all caught up in going and doing. It is nice to stop and refocus on what is important and be uplifted. Lacey Kogan taught the lesson on Sunday and she did a really nice job. By the time the song came at the close I was in tears which seems to happen alot lately. I am so thankful for those who take the time to prepare their talks and lessons so that I or we can be touched by the spirit.

This week our family is back to our family walks. When I mention to the kids that I thought that we should start walking again they were so excited. They said they missed walking. So this is my excersize plan. I am just leaving it to my kids to nag me to death to go for a walk.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Lazy Days!






I wanted to be so excited and have a big party on Tuesday and say I am done with chemo yah! But since I am not sure if I am done can I say I am done. And if I am done and I didn't do something fun to say yah I am done did I miss my opportunity to celebrate being done with chemo. Anyway if you don't know what I am talking about Tuesday was my last day of chemo for round 6. I am not sure if I am done with chemo until I see Dr. Rado on the 25th with all the test results. I was kinda wanting to wait to post to say yah I am done and know hear is the next step but then I thought I can't wait two weeks to update. So here we are.

Last week I went to the church book store to get a book that a friend recomended but I couldn't find it and had to go to Barn and Noble to order it. Anyway while I was there I came acrossed a book that I have fallen in love with it is call "Accountable Kids". I hope I am not the only one but my kids seem really undisciplined lately and I have been a little lost at where I needed to change things. So I found this book and I can't wait to start this new program. The book gives you ideas on how to encourge your kids to be better kids more accountable I guess. I have ordered the kits that go with the book and I am just waiting until those come in to get started. Ryan is even so excited to get started we can see the benifits and we haven't even started. We are dying to get started.

It seems that once a start a round of chemo I am busy until my last shot a week and half later. I had my last shot yesterday. Today was a day I didn't have to go anywhere or do anything. It has been so nice to feel good and not have to do anything or be anywhere. So the kids and I have been hanging out watching movies from when they were little and doing little projects. All while I try and update my blog and get all caught up on my emails. It seems like I don't even have time to get on the computer other than to read an email quick or check a blog quick. So did I already say I can't wait to get back into a routine.