Flu no Flu!

Friday I was finally able to go shopping after being home for 3 days. My family was so happy there was finally food in the house. But later in the day I started feeling sick. Like I had the flu. I had a fever and was ache all over and my bones ached. I was thinking great I have gone this long with out being sick now I am sick. Then all of the suddon I woke up in the middle of the night and remembered that the nurse told me I could have flu like symtoms from the Herceptin. I didn't before so I didn't think I would this time but I guess by it self it can cause the flu like symtoms. So I was so happy when I woke up this morning and the fever and aching was gone. I am hoping that doesn't happened everytime. That could get old every two weeks. I guess I have to remember it is better than having cancer.

Busy Day/ Number still going down!

So Thursday I had a long day of appointments. I started off the day with a PET scan that started at 7:45 and went for three hours. I was able to take about an hour nap while I was there. They gave me 2 Xanx this is to help with the small space they put you in during the test. I only tell you this because it plays a part later in the day. So after the scan I had just enough time to run home because I had forgotten my cell phone. Then I headed back over to the hospital to have my infusion of Herceptin and Zometa. They also gave me Bendryl with my meds. I only tell you this because again it plays apart later in the day. As soon as I was done at the hospital I run by my mom's to pick the kids up and then headed down to Dr. Kenzie's. Kamden, Ryan and I all had appointments at 3pm. I couldn't wait until another week to see Dr. Kris my back was out and killing me. Anyway I on the way home I could barley keep my eyes open. When I got home I took a nice very long nap and got up just in time to go right to bed. I think the Xanx and the Zometa knocked me out or relaxed me just enough that I slept. Oh, I almost forgot I got my CA2729 counts back when I went into the hospital for my infusion. It is 29! The nurse said the vacation must have done me some good. I don't think she understands how not relaxing a vacation is with kids. But I am so happy to see the number is still going down even off chemo.

No New NEWS from Dr. Rado!

So I am having a hard time finding time to blog. I had an appointment with Dr. Rado on Wednesday the 21st. It was mostly a waste of his and my time. I was supose to have my PET results but I still hadn't even had the scan. I had gotten my blood work done the day before and that still hadn't come in. So he has not very happy. He was able to get me a PET exam scheduled for the next morning. As far as the visit we talked about if the cancer is all gone will we do over kill on the chemo like I have seen them do on other patients. He said no because he doesn't want my body to grow amunoed to another chemo. He feels that the likely hood of the cancer returning is extremly high and he wants there to be options for chemo treatment then. I informed him I will not be returning to him with cancer so there is no need to worry about chemo treatment down the road. I have been having trouble with my eye it has been blurry for a week or so. So Dr. is making me an eye apointment with an eye doctor to have that check out. I also told him about losing my voice twice since I have been on chemo and going horse alot. He said we would see how that goes being off chemo. We talked about treatment after we are sure the cancer is gone. He said I will be on Herceptin for a year for sure and then we would see from there. I will also be on Zometa(sp?) it's for my bones. I will do Herceptin every other week and Zometa once a month. Both are I.V. drugs. So I will still get to see my friendly nurses often just not quite as often. And I will start seeing Dr. Rado every four weeks instead of every 3 weeks. We will continue doing blood work each time and a phyisical exam at each visit. Then every 6 months I will have some type of a scan to keep an eye on everything.

Fern and the Bamboo

O.k. I got this email this week and I love it so I decided to share. I hope you enjoy it too. I makes me think.

The Fern and the Bamboo ~

One day, I decided to quit. I wanted to quit my job, to quit my relationships, to quit my spirituality; I even wanted to quit my life.

I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.

"God," I said, "can you give me one good reason not to quit?"

God's answer surprised me. "Look around", God said, "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"

"Yes," I replied.



"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light, and I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed ~ But I did not quit on the bamboo."

"In the second year the fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed ~ But I did not quit on the bamboo."

"In the third year there was still nothing from the bamboo seed ~ But I would not quit."

"In the fourth year, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed ~ Still, I would not quit."



"Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant ~ But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent those five years growing roots, which made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge they could not handle," God said to me.

"Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots? I would not quit on the bamboo ~ I will never quit on you! Don't compare yourself to others. The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern, yet they both make the forest beautiful. Your time will come," God said to me, "when you will rise high."

"How high should I rise?" I asked.

"How high will the bamboo rise?" God asked in return.

"As high as it can?" I questioned.

"Yes," God said, "give me glory by rising as high as you can. And remember... I will never leave you, nor forsake you. I will never give up on you. I will never, ever quit on you."



Everyone has days when they want to 'quit'. When there are struggles or obstacles in life, remember we're just growing roots!!

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Good News all Round!

I had a Dr. Kris appointment on Thursday. It went well. He says my cancer isn't stable yet but he is very excited about my 36 CA2729 count. I needed a lot of adjusting. We talked about stay on some of the vitamins and going off of others. He said my body seems to be recouping and emotional I am doing good. Good news all around.

Pictures of the wonderful weekend.

This is a picture of our girls night out or Bacholarett Party



This is a picture of Cody and Jillian coming out of the temple after the sealing.



This is a picture of the family waiting for family pictures at the reception



Here are three of us girls enjoying a nice quite Sunday afternoon together. Kim, me and Bailey.



Here is a picture of what my dad always does when he has a moment.j/k He only does this on the stand at church.j/k I love you dad!

Well just a quick update on a fun weekend I had. My sister Bailey flew in on Monday night and spend the whole week with us. She just went home on Monday afternoon. I was able to take her down to Dr. Kris with me and she was able to see Dr. Kenzie with Kooper. She likes Dr. Kenzie and they took good care of Kooper. The kids and I enjoyed having Bailey here to play and visit with.

My sister Chauntel got here at midnight on Thursday. I took her and her two kids down to Dr. Kenzie on Friday. They also had a nice visit with Dr. Kenzie. Chauntel was able to stay at our house for the weekend. The kids loved playing with there cousins they don't see very often. They really didn't want them to leave.

We had a busy weekend. We spent half the day on Thursday at Dr. Kris's and then 1/2 the day with Dr. Kenzie on Friday. After we were done we joined the rest of the family sitting up for Jillian's wedding at the church. She was going to have an out side reception but with the not so nice weather on Saturday we decided to do it inside. It only took 4 1/2 hours to set up and an 1 1/2 to take down on Saturday. It always seems to take long to set up then take down. Then we had a girls night out we went out to dinner and shopping. It was fun to be all together again. I can't remember the last time we were all together and I don't think we have ever been all shopping together. It was fun!

Saturday was another busy day we were up again at 5:30am. We had the sealing in the morning along with 2 baseball games a luncheon with Cody (grooms) family and then home to get ready for the pictures at 3:30 and then reception from 5-7pm. Thank goodness we were done by 7. We were all cleaned up and home and in bed by 9:30.

We had 9am church in the morning which we were all ready and there before 9am WOW. Then we were able to sit and visit and relax until 4pm when Jillian and Cody opened all the wedding gifts. Just a funny. Baily and I asked well how much money did you get. She says $120.00. Bailey and I said well we gave her 80 so she only got $40 from all of the cards. We were a little confused. We then spent 20 mintues looking for the cards when my mom finally remembered she had never brought them out from her room to open. Needless to say they ended up with more than $120.

The kids and I were so sad to see the aunts and cousins leave on Monday. We are looking forward to see them all again hopefully soon.

Back on Herceptin

Today I had my first dose of Herceptin without any chemo. Yah! I still get the pre meds. Which is a steroid and something for nausea and some Benadryl. It is an hour I.V. drug so I am there about 1 1/2 or so. Ryan couldn't get away from work today to go with me. So Bailey my sister came with me today. She is sister number 5 she lives in Cedar City. It was so nice to have her there to visit with. Of course I was so tired when we got to my moms to drop her off and pick up the kids. I couldn't keep my eyes open so I took a nice nap. Bailey is here because my baby sister is getting married this weekend. We are so happy and excited for her! We are also all so excited my sister Chauntel from Texas is coming for a couple of days.

I met a member of the church today while I was at the hospital who was getting treatment also. He is only 26. He had or has cancer on the base of his skill that ate away at his skull. They had to fuse his spin and skull back together. I think to the best of my knowledge that is what happened. It seems everyday I am reminded at how lucky and blessed I am. I am not saying he isn't blessed because I think he is he is still here and seems to be doing really well. I am just saying that daily I hear about peoples trails cancer, death, sickness or what have you that reminds me how bless I am and thankful for my trails. There are so many different trails much more trying and difficult than mine.

Side note we don't know if I need more chemo or not we are waiting for the PET scan results when ever I can get in for that test. I am hoping that with such great CA2729 cancer marker numbers I won't need anymore chemo.

I haven't said it in a while and I am so overwhelmed with gratitude to all my friends and members of my ward who continue to bless me and help me in so many ways. Thank you so much to those that have brought dinner and help me with my children. It is so helpful and kind. And of course all of you who read my blog and give me such encouraging words. I love reading your notes to me they always put a smile on my face and cheer me up so thank you. Don't think that it isn't much because I truly love the kind and uplifting words you leave me.