Today was a pretty amazing day. I think I need to give a little background - though. A few months ago, a sign up sheet was passed around in relief society asking us to sign up to give the sister missionaries occasional rides. I signed up because I know in a couple of years I'll have a missionary out serving who will need rides too. Anyways, I drove sister Depew (No. Cal.) and her companion a missionary from New York a couple of times before she was transferred. Sister Depew was then given a "greeney" from (No. Cal too.) her name is Sis. Stacey. My first experience with her was when they needed a ride to Provo for a doctor's appointment. Sis. Stacey had had surgery on her hand while in the MTC and then re injured it with Sis. Depew. It was in the fall because we stopped at a fruit stand in Provo and bought apples. Sis. Stacey saw the PA and gave her some exercises to strengthen her hand. The three of us enjoyed each others company and I felt like we could all be fast friends except that they had an important work to do. I knew I'd see them around when they needed rides.
If you know much about me, you know I am pretty busy. Work on Wednesdays, Tend Al's kids on Tuesdays, Thursdays or Friday are treatments. Well the cool thing is that every time the sister missionaries call for a ride, I am free. Really, like nothing going on. It is amazing. So, Ashton and I drive them to zone meetings during snow storms, or investigator appointments, and have picked them up from dinner appointments. Yesterday, Sis. Stacey called and needed a ride downtown for a doctor's appointment. The sisters recently moved outside of our stake boundaries and can't drive out of their area. Again, today I had nothing going on in the morning and just needed to be back in time to tend Al's kids in the afternoon. Ashton and I picked Sis. Depew and Sis. Stacey up and headed downtown. We caught up and heard about their move, heard about their holidays, and learned about Sis. Stacey's upcoming hand surgery. I dropped them off and then went DI shopping for a scout shirt. I hit two DI's and had no success. Ash and I met Travis for lunch and then we picked up the sisters from their appointment and took them to lunch at Albertos. This is where it got really interesting.
I'm driving home with the sisters and Ash in my car and I started to have a hot flash. I start unbuttoning my coat with one hand and steering with the other. I then am dialing all the controls on the dash and basically turning the air conditioner on to cool me off. This is so annoying! I then decided I better explain myself to these sisters. I told them I was having a hot flash and they said "really? aren't you kind of young for that ?" I then told them my whole story, the "readers digest" version. They asked about my recent surgery and how was I able to still take them places. I said that I always felt well enough to go. I also told them that I liked that they didn't know anything about me or my health. I was just a "normal" mom, trying to balance everything. I told them about how great it was to look normal while "battling" a scary disease. I kept glancing back while I was talking and both of them said at the same time, my mom has breast cancer too. What? How bizarre is that? Sis. Stacey told me about her mom first. Her mother had breast cancer a few years ago. Her doctor's recently have discovered something during a physical that wasn't right and have sent her in for a PET scan later this week. Her mom suffered a stroke a few years ago and has been in poor health ever since. Sis. Stacey explained her worries and I think it seemed good for her to see me look okay. Sis. Depew then explained her mom's breast cancer next. She has had several lumpectomies and radiation. She is doing well now. The feeling in my car was hope and love. I love those sisters. I dropped the sisters off at their new home and told them I loved them and can't wait for them to need a ride again.
I couldn't help but be reminded how we are all part of His Great Plan. We are all connected and we all have important roles to play in each others lives. There is nothing left to chance. I have been one of their many drivers for months, but never felt like I wanted to share this part of my life with them until today, and it was the day that sister Stacey needed me to share that you can still be a "survivor" and have a full life with breast cancer. Sis. Stacey text'd me tonight to tell me she loved me and that she was so glad to see that you can have a great life with cancer. Yes you can!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
Celebrating UTAH's Perfect season!!!! 1-16-09
Today we celebrated Utah's perfect football season 13-0!!! We went downtown for the Parade celebrating Utah's awesome win over Alabama's Crimson Tide in the Sugar Bowl. We met the Barnes, Coltons, Thatcher, Kays and Cameron's. We lined State Street between 3rd and 4th South and cheered as the band, coaches and finally team came by. We then made our way to Washington Square to hear Coach Whittingham, Brian Johnson and Louie Sakoda speak. We also heard from Sen. Bennett, Rep. Matheson, and Gov. Huntsman. We finished the evening with Hire's hamburgers and good news from my oncologist. The scan was clear!
Go Utes!!!
PET Scan is CLEAR!!!!!! 1-16-09
Oh my goodness. Honestly, how much more stress can one person take. I had my PET scan on Tuesday of this week, and my doctor just called to give me the report that all is still clear!!!! Yeah. This morning at 10:00 am I called UCS to get my results. You just leave your info on voice mail and then your doctor or PA calls you back with results. The later and later it got, the more stressed I became. All afternoon, my cell phone would ring and my heart would race, but it wouldn't be my doctor. Finally, at 6:30 this evening he called. He reported that the scan looked great and it was all clear. I'm still in remission. Yeah!!! I have my regular appointment next Friday, Jan. 23rd, but couldn't wait to get the results. I am so grateful for all the prayers offered. I shouldn't have to repeat this scan for six months now.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Lauren - Reflections Contest winner @ Jordan District
Last night Lauren was a winner at the Reflections Contest at the District level. She entered in musical composition. She wrote a musical piece played with her viola called "Prancer" under the Reflections theme - WOW! Lauren's entry has now been forwarded onto the Region level. She is super excited. She was awarded a medal, a friendship necklace to share with a friend, and a certificate. I'll see if I can attach the piece she wrote.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Health Update - January 6, 2008
For anyone following along, I've been horrible about "blogging" lately. I just can't decide what to include and what to exclude because my blog is read by a variety of people. Friends might just want health updates but not the "other" stuff and I now understand why I maybe should have done my blog through caring bridge - oh well. For now I'll just fly by the seat of my pants.
Surgery Update: (Dec. 9th) It went fine. We arrived at 7:00 am and got home about 6:45 pm. It all went as planned but my bladder didn't want to cooperate until late in the afternoon. It was fine though, because I just slept. I was told to rest for a week and then take it easy for 4 weeks. Nothing heavier than a gallon of milk to lift and no shoveling or vacuuming! Yeah! I was doing pretty good at following directions until I went to lift Ash into a cart at Wal-Mart. Habit. Anyways, we just had to turn around and leave. I literally felt like I had torn something inside. I called my doctor and just was told to take it easy and see how I felt in the morning. I'm still sore in one spot, but I have a 4 week follow up tomorrow.
Treatments: My every three week treatments are going fine too. I have been able to take Ash with me and we bring a portable DVD player and a movie. Herceptin takes about 1.5 hours + blood work etc. He has been a trooper. While in the chemo-waiting room these ladies were chatting with Ashton. They were asking how old he was and if he had brothers or sisters. He was sharing their ages and then said, "and my mom, she's 36." Everyone laughed. The next Herceptin treatment I didn't bring Ash because I had just had surgery and couldn't drive myself. Barb drove me and was my buddy again. Once seated in my chair, the same ladies who had been quizzing Ashton the treatment before were there. They asked about Ashton and then the one who I had noticed drove the nurses crazy with non-stop questions, turned to me and said she just couldn't get me off her mind because as she looked at Ash she said it just made her sick to think that I might not get to raise him. Yikes! Did she really say that? Help - what do you say when someone says what you worry about every day, but has no business saying that to you, especially a stranger. Well I couldn't do anything except sit in my recliner tethered to my IV pole and cry. We mentioned the crazy patient and friend to the nurses and they went ballistic. They said it was the last straw. Apparently, she had offended other patients, hit on male nurses and wreaked havoc in the waiting area. She now was officially banned to the "private" room. She and I are not allowed to be schedule together anymore. Last Friday, I had a herceptin and zometa treatment and brought Ashton with me. We watched Horton Hears a Who - very cute show! No crazy patients - just an easy treatment.
Scans: I have a PET scan scheduled for next week. I am already a basket case. I haven't even had the test, but I fear the worst - normal. It really is hard not to when you have rec'd such crappy news in the past. I really think I might need to go see a social worker again. Two years ago I was referred to a social worker at the hospital and she really helped me through a difficult patch. I really feel like I need to talk to someone, but who? Travis doesn't like to "go there" and lives with a whole set of his own fears that I'm so sad he has to live with. My Friends have a hard time knowing what to say, but I'm grateful for your loyalty and friendship. My biggest problem is I don't know what I really want to even hear other than, You are cured - you'll live a long life. I recently watched "A brand New Year" it is a DVD produced by the church to kick off the new year for the youth. The youth from our ward were part of the youth in the Conference Center when it was being filmed. A point of that video really hit home with me was where Elder Holland is recounting the story of Joan of Arc. In the play, She states, "One life is all we have, and we live it as we believe in living it, and then it is gone. But to surrender what you are and live without belief is more terrible than dying - even more terrible than dying young." I have thought about this a lot since I watched it. Elder Holland states there are 3 things worse than dying. They are to live without belief, to surrender what you are, and to live contrary to what you know to be true. It would be easy I mean easy to loose my faith over this illness. It is a daily effort to stay strong and keep my faith through all of this. But the gospel is true and I cling to the blessing I rec'd the night I was re diagnosed, and I tell myself over and over that Heavenly Father has made me "tight like a dish" (Ether 2:17). He knows that I'm strong enough to handle this trial.
Following the scan I need to decide whether to call and get results or wait until the 23rd of Jan. for my appt. with my doctor. Does it change anything knowing the results ahead of meeting with him, No, but I am someone who likes to know results. But will it be hard knowing "bad" news if it is, without meeting with him to come up with a new plan. Of course. See look at me I'm already preparing for bad news. I need to just relax - I know. It is just so hard. I can't quite explain how difficult this all is.
New Drug: Since I'm now Post-menopausal, I have been given a new drug called Femara. It is an estrogen blocker for Post Menopausal women who have a history of breast cancer or metastatic breast cancer. It blocks the remaining estrogen that my body produces in fat glands. It has numerous side effects. They are crummy, except that hopefully it works to help keep my cancer at bay. I've only been taking it for a 5 days now so I'll know more after about 30 days.
Thanks for your concern and prayers.
Surgery Update: (Dec. 9th) It went fine. We arrived at 7:00 am and got home about 6:45 pm. It all went as planned but my bladder didn't want to cooperate until late in the afternoon. It was fine though, because I just slept. I was told to rest for a week and then take it easy for 4 weeks. Nothing heavier than a gallon of milk to lift and no shoveling or vacuuming! Yeah! I was doing pretty good at following directions until I went to lift Ash into a cart at Wal-Mart. Habit. Anyways, we just had to turn around and leave. I literally felt like I had torn something inside. I called my doctor and just was told to take it easy and see how I felt in the morning. I'm still sore in one spot, but I have a 4 week follow up tomorrow.
Treatments: My every three week treatments are going fine too. I have been able to take Ash with me and we bring a portable DVD player and a movie. Herceptin takes about 1.5 hours + blood work etc. He has been a trooper. While in the chemo-waiting room these ladies were chatting with Ashton. They were asking how old he was and if he had brothers or sisters. He was sharing their ages and then said, "and my mom, she's 36." Everyone laughed. The next Herceptin treatment I didn't bring Ash because I had just had surgery and couldn't drive myself. Barb drove me and was my buddy again. Once seated in my chair, the same ladies who had been quizzing Ashton the treatment before were there. They asked about Ashton and then the one who I had noticed drove the nurses crazy with non-stop questions, turned to me and said she just couldn't get me off her mind because as she looked at Ash she said it just made her sick to think that I might not get to raise him. Yikes! Did she really say that? Help - what do you say when someone says what you worry about every day, but has no business saying that to you, especially a stranger. Well I couldn't do anything except sit in my recliner tethered to my IV pole and cry. We mentioned the crazy patient and friend to the nurses and they went ballistic. They said it was the last straw. Apparently, she had offended other patients, hit on male nurses and wreaked havoc in the waiting area. She now was officially banned to the "private" room. She and I are not allowed to be schedule together anymore. Last Friday, I had a herceptin and zometa treatment and brought Ashton with me. We watched Horton Hears a Who - very cute show! No crazy patients - just an easy treatment.
Scans: I have a PET scan scheduled for next week. I am already a basket case. I haven't even had the test, but I fear the worst - normal. It really is hard not to when you have rec'd such crappy news in the past. I really think I might need to go see a social worker again. Two years ago I was referred to a social worker at the hospital and she really helped me through a difficult patch. I really feel like I need to talk to someone, but who? Travis doesn't like to "go there" and lives with a whole set of his own fears that I'm so sad he has to live with. My Friends have a hard time knowing what to say, but I'm grateful for your loyalty and friendship. My biggest problem is I don't know what I really want to even hear other than, You are cured - you'll live a long life. I recently watched "A brand New Year" it is a DVD produced by the church to kick off the new year for the youth. The youth from our ward were part of the youth in the Conference Center when it was being filmed. A point of that video really hit home with me was where Elder Holland is recounting the story of Joan of Arc. In the play, She states, "One life is all we have, and we live it as we believe in living it, and then it is gone. But to surrender what you are and live without belief is more terrible than dying - even more terrible than dying young." I have thought about this a lot since I watched it. Elder Holland states there are 3 things worse than dying. They are to live without belief, to surrender what you are, and to live contrary to what you know to be true. It would be easy I mean easy to loose my faith over this illness. It is a daily effort to stay strong and keep my faith through all of this. But the gospel is true and I cling to the blessing I rec'd the night I was re diagnosed, and I tell myself over and over that Heavenly Father has made me "tight like a dish" (Ether 2:17). He knows that I'm strong enough to handle this trial.
Following the scan I need to decide whether to call and get results or wait until the 23rd of Jan. for my appt. with my doctor. Does it change anything knowing the results ahead of meeting with him, No, but I am someone who likes to know results. But will it be hard knowing "bad" news if it is, without meeting with him to come up with a new plan. Of course. See look at me I'm already preparing for bad news. I need to just relax - I know. It is just so hard. I can't quite explain how difficult this all is.
New Drug: Since I'm now Post-menopausal, I have been given a new drug called Femara. It is an estrogen blocker for Post Menopausal women who have a history of breast cancer or metastatic breast cancer. It blocks the remaining estrogen that my body produces in fat glands. It has numerous side effects. They are crummy, except that hopefully it works to help keep my cancer at bay. I've only been taking it for a 5 days now so I'll know more after about 30 days.
Thanks for your concern and prayers.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Christmas 2008
Merry Christmas! Our day began with Lauren waking up around 5 or 6 am. We don't know for sure because the power was out! We told her to go back to be until 7 am and hopefully the power would be on. All the kids came and got us around 7:30 am., but our power was still out. It was crazy because I could see the lights on at our backyard neighbor's home. Along with the power being out, a snow storm hit with a vengeance. We kicked on the fireplace and watched as the kids took down their stocking and uncovered what Santa had left behind. Lauren rec'd an ICLOK, and and I-dog for her inherited nano from Garrett. Santa left a weight bench for Garrett and left an Indiana Jones whip and hat and a clone wars helmet for Ashton. The kids found all kinds of candy, Itunes cards, movies, earrings, "chunky guys" and cd's in their stockings. We then moved downstairs to open gifts from each other. My dad received some new shirts, gift cards and a bonsai plant. Travis rec'd a retractable flag pole and Ute's flag to take to the stadium for Utah football games. He also rec'd a new razor and clothes. I rec'd new slippers, a book, a jogging outfit and a silver ring. Garrett rec'd a new game for the WII and some clothes. Lauren rec'd some new jeans, and Kirby for her DS and Ashton rec'd a new game for the WII and a couple of board games too. Our family gift this year was Rockband for the WII. It has been a blast. After unwrapping gifts, the power was still out and Christmas breakfast at our home was looking more bleak. I called Tammy my sis-in-law and we made plans to move breakfast to their home. Shortly after hanging up with her, our power came back on. Yeah! Breakfast was back on. My entire family, minus my cute sister, Shari and her family in Philadelphia, enjoyed Christmas morning together. We ate nummy pumpkin waffles with buttermilk syrup, a fabulous egg/hash brown casserole, and fresh fruit. We exchanged gifts, watched movies, played "A ticket to Ride - Europe", and played Rockband. Around 4pm we loaded up the car and headed to Tracie and Anthony's home for Christmas dinner. Our driveway and streets were buried with snow. However, when we got off Bangerter on 134th and headed west to their home, we realized they must have rec'd two feet of snow. Their neighborhood was buried. Thank goodness for snowplows. We were so glad we made it safely there. Once inside, we enjoyed dinner together with Trav's parents, sister Megan and Jeremiah, Tracie's next door neighbors who don't have family close and my dad. The kids opened a few more gifts and then we played Tracie and Anthony's new WII Fit. It was so much fun. I think I liked the ski jump and heading the soccer ball. My kids liked it so much that they used their Christmas money and bought one for our WII.
After a long but wonderful day, we headed home and crawled under our covers and stayed snowed in throughout the 26th. We played all day in and out of the snow and enjoyed all the fun presents the kids had rec'd on Christmas.
Merry Christmas 2008!
After a long but wonderful day, we headed home and crawled under our covers and stayed snowed in throughout the 26th. We played all day in and out of the snow and enjoyed all the fun presents the kids had rec'd on Christmas.
Merry Christmas 2008!
Christmas Eve 2008
In keeping with tradition, we celebrated Christmas Eve at Aunt Jane's house. We had traditional ham, yummy potatoes, green been casseroles, salads and birthday cake. Trav's dad has a Christmas eve birthday and we finished off dinner with cupcakes and ice cream. Following dinner we all headed downstairs and the program began. Our family was asked to provide the music, so Garrett played his trumpet and Lauren her viola. They played a couple of songs each. Following their music, Tracie and Anthony read a story about the symbols of Christmas and how they are symbols of Christ. It is easy to get caught up in shopping, food, and parties and to forget the real meaning of Christmas. While we have been studying scriptures as a family, we began reading Luke about a week before Christmas. It has been great to be studying the New Testament and focusing on Christ as a family. Following the story of Christmas symbols, Grandma Pat read "Twas the Night before Christmas" and gave each family their own copy. Finally, it was game time and it isn't a party with Jane unless there is a game. This game began with everyone drawing a card. It was a game of elimination and one adult one and one child. Brexton won the kids game and I won the adult game. I won $ 20! Following the game, several presents were passed out and pajamas unwrapped. We packed up kids and headed home. Lauren, Garrett and Ash assembled a plate with cupcakes from the party along with an unopened Coke on a Christmas plate for Santa. My dad had gone with Dave to Ogden to visit his parents grave and then out to play games at their home. We all headed to bed and awaited the morning.
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