No One FIGHTS Alone!! Take THAT PPC!!

I think the Photo speaks for itself. PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED!!!

What happened to July? It just flew by. We had a fun filled 4th of July. Family, parade, breakfast, city park fun, BBQ, and fireworks. To celebrate the 24th, me, Joe, Rebecca and Cody had VIP Rodeo tickets. That's the only way to go to the rodeo, dinner before and reserved seats! Yes, I know, I'm spoiled. Cody talked us into going to the parade in Ogden, something we've never done. Afterward, we went to breakfast. Normally, we don't do anything for the 24th, we really enjoyed the day this year.

It's hard to believe August is almost over. School starts in less than two weeks. Today, I received my route sheets for the new school year. I really hope I can start on the first day along with everyone else.

I had my last treatment two weeks ago. I have to say...it kicked my butt!!! It's amazing to me how different my body responds to each treatment. My treatment before last, wasn't too bad, I was tired and felt flu like symptoms, but I dressed and made it through each day. What is usually the worst day for side effects, I went to an eight hour (very boring) meeting! This last treatment, I had serious fatigue, nausea, and chronic muscle and joint pain. Just the usual, except more intense. But, I was thrilled to get it over with. I had a cat scan a few days ago, I should get the results this week.

Other events during the month of August....Michelle was here for a week for Grace's birthday. It was so nice having her home, but as usual, the visit was too short. It was my turn to have Grace's birthday party at our home. It's always fun getting together with my kids and grandkids, Brandon, his parents and all his siblings (7 of them) and their kids. Joe's two kids and Michelle's friends came up from Salt Lake this year. It was good to see them! Grace had so much fun, we had kids running around everywhere. It's was great! Grace's cousins and Joe's kids spent the night. I enjoyed having them stay even though I was exhausted when they all went home

I am grateful Grace is surrounded by cousins, aunts and uncles, her (other) grandparents and parents who love her and what a great example they are for her to follow. She is so blessed to be a part of a such a good, honorable, decent, loving family. I am a firm believer "it takes a whole village to raise a child."  In today's world, kids need all the help they can get to stay on the straight and narrow path. I am reminded of what Henry B. Eyring said:

“Our most important and powerful assignments are in the family. They are important because the family has the opportunity at the start off a child’s life to put feet firmly on the path home. Parents, brothers and sisters, grandparents, aunts and uncles are made more powerful guides and rescuers by the bonds of love that are the very nature of a family.” 

Joe and Rebecca have been getting up at five every morning to go running. They are training to participate in a 5k around Lake Cornelia in Minnesota next month for Silent No More Walk/Run for Ovarian Cancer. Joe has a supplier from Minnesota who's sister had ovarian cancer, she was involved in starting the organization sponsoring this run. And...did you know....September is National Ovarian Awarenes Month? Neither did I! I don't know what events are planned except Friday, September 7th is Wear Teal Day. (Teal is the color for ovarian cancer.)

 Again, to all those who have extended their love and support, we thank you! To all those who offer prayers in our behalf, thank you! And to those who have and continue to put our name in at the temple, thank you, thank you! YOU are our hereos, our support, and our reason to keep on fighting!

I will close for now...Joe has gone out of town this week, soooo....I am headed to my sewing room.
No One Fights Along!

I thought I would give an update on how things are going, it's been a while since my last post. My chemo treatments were delayed due to an infection I've struggled with the past few weeks. Also, my platelets were too low. For three weeks, everyday I've had to go to the hospital for IV antibiotics. We seemed to be making progress fighting the infection when I developed a blockage in my small intestine. Talk about pain! For two days, everything I ate (and believe me, I eat a lot) sat in my stomach. My stomach became inflamed causing severe pain. Joe called my doctor, he had me come in right away. Needless to say, while waiting for the doctor to come into the exam room, I threw up and threw up and threw up in the garbage can. I've never thrown up as much I did then. The good news is, instantly, the pain was gone. The doctor came in after I was done throwing up and asked where my pain was. I pointed to the garbage can and said "in there". He said it's not uncommon for this to happen after the type of surgery I had. I had two or three more episodes of eating, pain, throwing up. For a couple days my diet was liquid only, and small portions at that. This is a challenge for me, because if I can't eat, I'm pretty miserable. Finally, food passed threw and I was able to eat normal portions again. And my platelets returned to normal.

I had my fifth chemo treatment last week. The side effects weren't as intense as previous treatments. I refused to be layed up the usual four to five days I'm usual down. I had a 8 hour mandatory meeting at work the following Monday, which I'm proud to say I made it through the whole meeting. Tuesday night, severe stomach pain returned. We ended up going to the emergency room spending most the night there. We got home at four in the morning. Joe had to be in Salt Lake by 6:30am with a full day visiting suppliers. He got home about 5pm, totally exhausted.

My sixth, and LAST treatment is scheduled for the 30th. I hesitate to announce that for fear of jinxing it. I am looking forward to building up my strength and feel like my old self again, physically and emotionally. The last few weeks have taken a toll on me emotionally. I think because of the delays in treatment stretching it out further than we expected. There are certain kinds of pain others don't see. I'm not talking about the physical pain, I'm talking about the "dead-dog-tired-of-it-all" pain. Many believe the most difficult aspect of cancer is the physical pain. Wrong, wrong, wrong! I recently had someone say to me, "boy, you sure look good, you must be feeling good." Really? Just because I look good on the outside doesn't mean I feel the same on the inside. And just because you can't "see" the pain doesn't mean that it's not there.

I thank all of you who continue to pray for me and my family. We feel those prayers and have seen them work many times. Fighting cancer has been the second hardest thing I have ever done in my life. But I was not alone and I am truly blessed. I am forever changed because of the tender mercies of prayer. It has given me the strength to fight.

Happy First Day of Summer! I just love summer, long days, warm weather, and no school for the grandkids…or me either! Gotta love it!

Sooo…yesterday I felt great. I haven’t felt that good since I was diagnosed with cancer in January. I wasn’t nauseated, weak, tired and I could feel my hands and feet. I was busting with energy. I was able to ‘spring clean’ my bedroom. I set out to clean our house windows inside and out. Joe nearly had a stroke when he came into the front yard and saw I had climbed the ladder to wash the second story windows. He insisted on helping me which meant I could do the windows on the lower level. Afterwards, I did a little yard work. I would have continued cleaning, but Joe put his foot down about 10 p.m. actually, he was dead dog tired trying to keep up with me all day. Just before falling asleep, I mentally made a list of all the things I was going to accomplish the next day. Yeah, right!

I should have known…the next morning I woke up nauseated and weak, by the end of the day I was throwing up and barely able to walk. Joe thinks I over did it the day before, I disagree because I didn’t feeling worn-out or exhausted by the end of the day. Anyway, I’m hoping for a better day tomorrow.

Next Thursday is round five of chemotherapy. I hope I feel well for the fourth of July. This is one of our family’s favorite holidays. We start the day going to West Point’s parade. After that, Joe cooks breakfast. Later the kids swim and play games; afterwards, we all take a nap then begin the second round of fun…barbecue and fireworks!

After treatment six, I’ll have a CT scan to see if the chemo is working. Of course, we are praying for good news that this horrible nightmare will end, but if not, it will mean more chemotherapy. I don’t even want to think of going through more treatments. I am worn out…emotionally. I want my life back. I want to feel good, no more medicines, shots, nausea, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, no more trips to the hospital. I know Joe and my family want this as much as I do. We are praying this will be the outcome. We should know by the end of July.

It’s hard to believe it has been four weeks since my surgery. The surgery went well. I spent nine days in the hospital…nine  l o n g  days. The surgery was radical, but the doctors felt they had achieved optimal results. Two weeks after being discharged from the hospital, I had a follow up appointment with my surgeon. I asked him to explain the details of the surgery. (I really don’t remember much during my hospital stay due to heavy pain medication).  Joe and I didn’t realize how large the tumors were and how much cancer there was. The doctor removed my omentum, which was most diseased. He said if I hadn’t had it removed, I would have gone within 12 months. He removed tumors from my peritoneal and liver. A section of my colon and right diaphragm was removed also. He was unable to remove another tumor on my liver due to the size and thickness of the tumor. We are hoping this tumor responds to chemotherapy. I had chemotherapy on Thursday. We are praying I will only have to have two more treatments completing the 6 cycles.

My recovery has gone well with only a couple minor complications. The days are long and boring, but I’m comfortable and have had minimal pain. Thanks to medication, of course.

We have been blessed in so many ways. Joe’s work offered him the option to work from home. His manager, supervisor and coworkers have been incredible supportive. They felt Joe needed to be home to help me as much as possible. His out of town trips have been reduced also. We are so grateful for this blessing.

Joe did go on a trip this past week. Two of my dear friends drove me to the hospital for my chemo treatment and sat with me all day. The next day, they both spent the day at my house while I slept making sure I was ok. How loving is that?

It has been said that the greatest gift that can be given is to lay down one’s own life for another. Many of our loved one’s lives have been laid down, put on hold, and set aside as we fight for ours. It is truly a gift beyond measure.

Post Surgery!!

Hey Everyone! Sincere apologies I haven't made an update on Mom and her surgery!! Everything went great! She went in a champ and came out a champ! She spent one night in ICU for monitoring purposes and then was moved to another room to relax and heal. Doctor feels confident he got most of the cancer out and the chemo will be able to get the rest!! She's been healing ahead of schedule and is still her spit fire self and doesn't miss a beat!! Thank you for all the prayers, thoughts, flowers, and so much more! We appreciate it all and are so thankful for each and everyone of you!! I will post more when we get home and settled!!

Why is it every time I sit down to write, my mind goes totally blank? Maybe because there's not much going on. I've been trying to mentally prepare myself for surgery next week. Joe has been so encouraging and positive. He said I should look at the surgery as a blessing in disguise. He is right, it is a blessing. And I should be grateful it is available to me and that we have a highly recommended doctor to perform the surgery. 

Speaking of Joe...what would I do without him? He is always so positive and encourages me to keep fighting. When I run out of steam, he picks up and keeps going. When I'm awake at night, he is too, making sure I'm ok. Although I have no hair, my face is swollen, and sometimes I'm as pale as a ghost, he treats me beautiful. He is kind and thoughtful even when I'm ornery or sick. I am grateful how he loves me and cares for me. He has always treated me this way even during the bad times. He brings me flowers every birthday, anniversary and Mother's day. He loves his kids and grandchildren. He works hard to support our family. He involves me in his life, but shields me when it's too much. His faith is strong and I know he loves the Lord and the gospel. I appreciate all he does and i love him dearly. I'm thankful he is my partner and he is who he is. 

Anna will be coming home soon to help while I am recovering. I can't wait! I'm sure Joe and Rebecca can't either, it will relieve them a little. Rebecca has been the best nurse and housekeeper. I can only imagine what the house would look like if it weren't for her. Thanks Rebecca for all you do! 

My daughters will post how things are going while I'm down. I will take everyone's encouraging words, positive thoughts and love with me. Thanks everyone for lifting me when I need it most and for brightening my day. I love each and everyone of you! :-)