She Made It

 

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2010

She Made It

About a month ago, my daughter Haleigh auditioned for the Easter Pageant. Last night she found out she had made it and would be one of the ten virgins. It was held at the Mesa Arizona Temple Grounds in April 2011. I love You, Hales, and I am so proud of you and your accomplishments in life.
Click Here to find out more about the Pageant.

Mayo Monday

 

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2010

Mayo Monday

Today when I arrived at the Mayo Clinic Scottsdale Campus, I realized it had been a few months since I had been at this campus. I walked in to hear Anne Monte, an elderly woman playing the piano. It reminded me of a year ago, Tamy and I were at the Mayo for a chemo appointment, and Anne Monte was playing the piano, a familiar tune to Tamy, so she and I walked up and said hi to her, and Tamy sang along with the music. Today I watched her play the piano beautifully as I waited for the nurse to call my name. I watched Anne as someone came and lifted her into a wheelchair; she smiled and said Hi to me as she passed. What a cute woman, and how wonderful she volunteers to cheer people up with her music. Another one of those Angels !!


I'm ready for my 2nd appointment. I notice I have labs and want to get the numbing cream on my PORT and mentally prepare myself for stepping off the elevator onto the 3rd floor, breast clinic, and chemo lab. I don't want to smell it today, I don't want to see the people waiting, and I don't want to sit in those all too familiar reclining chairs---WAIT, looking at my itinerary, I know that they have scheduled me for labs on the lower level, I have never been there before. I go check it out; I step off the elevator...no smell, lots of people, and they called me back quickly with no reclining chairs; this time, the blood is coming out of my arm instead of my PORT?? The lady had to stick me several times to get a good vein; I was upset because I know my veins are iffy .... this is why I have a PORT, so I won't have to get my veins collapsed. When I left there, I felt I had been given tender mercy, though I didn't have to go to the 3rd floor today. My last appointment was on the concourse level.... yay no anxiety today, no smells, no worry, no fear. Do you see me dancing? I'm doing the dance right now, arms in the air, a smile on my face. Thanks to my sweet Angel Trystan for calling and walking me through part of Mayo today. I Love You.

Angels Among Us

 

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2010

Angels Among Us

Today is Thanksgiving 2010. I have so much to be thankful for; we all have so much to be grateful for. As I prepared the meal, I could not stop thinking about Ray Williams/. Dad,/ Grandad/ We all loved him so much, and Thanksgiving was a fun time with him. He loved to eat and enjoy his family. I always called him earlier in the week of Thanksgiving and would take his "PIE ORDER" he would always ask for Pecan but loved anything I made; in fact, he would take a sliver of each PIE and try them all, oh how his eyes would light up. This year we have so much food left over; I wish he was here to take some home with him like he always did. I love Ray and think of him often, always with a smile on his face, a pass-along card in his pocket, and a hug for anyone and everyone. What I would give for one of his hugs today.

I believe angels are among us. Some have passed on and frequent our lives with their spirit every once in a while.

Tamy was an angel who took me to every one of my chemo appointments and then back the next day for my "day after shot of Neulasta" I will eternally be grateful for her example of compassion and service. Eric is my eternal angel; he has saved me more than I can. The angels who brought dinner to my family for months and months will never know how much that meant to me; those angels are still helping us out. The silent angels who serve are the ones who amaze me; how is it that our lives can be blessed by those who choose to be invisible? It's that feeling of service I want my children to understand. I have angels who leave me messages of HOPE with cards, letters, and comments on my blog. I can't help but think that all of the angels that touch our lives are not random; they are placed in our path by the Lord for a reason; it's up to us to recognize it and be in tune enough to feel it. It makes me wonder how often I haven't been in tune, caught up in too many worldly "things," and not acknowledged the many other angels who have tried to embrace me.

Some angels are strangers to us, you know, the lady who smiles at you on a day when you really really needed it, some of the most influential angels in my life I have never even met, yet I know the connection is eternal. Opening my circle of comfort and allowing others to bless my life with what they know has not been as difficult as I thought it would be; my life is richly blessed. Hopefully, I can give back in my life and be an angel to someone in need.

Thanksgiving in the Dominican Republic

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2010

Thanksgiving in the Dominican Republic

Companions

Thanksgiving with the Zone

Thanksgiving Feast

Gross

Gettin' Turkey's Ready

Blake and Shelley

Hand in mouth

Flippin the french toast

French Toast for Breakfast

Popcorn and Papaya Juice (the best juice in the world)

Carolina FHE

This week has been pretty good besides the fact that we didn't have any investigatigators at church, but it was good. Hermano Santana went to church. He is a stud. I love that guy so much. He was telling us how he wants only the best for his family, especially for his son Junior, who is also less active. We told him that he wanted to come back to church and wanted him to be blessed. I felt so happy. He is incredible. 

I ordered this picture of the Temple in Santo Domingo. I'm going to try and frame it and give it to them for Christmas cuz I would love to see them get sealed as a family and go to the temple, so they can really enjoy all the blessings the Lord has waiting for them. We have this one investigator, a security guard, who said that after we had an appointment with him, all of his problems were sold and that he really believes that he needs to follow this path in his life. He told us Adios Jahova Witnesses, Adios Catolicos, Adios whatever religion isn't the Mormons. Because I AM GOING WITH THE MORMONS, haha (adios means Bye) haha, but it was cool and awesome. I hope he is willing to change and to start going to church every week, he has only gone once, but we will see this week how it goes...
But as for Thanksgiving, it was awesome. We took our PDAY today on Thanksgiving so that our whole zone (28missionaries) could do a big feast and cook. It was excellent; all the sister missionaries cooked well; a few of us helped, but they did about everything, and it was as if I was in my backyard with all of my family, but mom cooked a lot better. The only thing that we didn't have was pies and yams, but it was actually delicious and can't wait to eat some more of it cuz there were a lot of leftovers, and since we live the closest to the chapel, we got to bring all of the food to our house haha.

Blake in the Dominican Republic

 

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2010

Blake in the Dominican Republic

All the Elders helping out


Mormon Hands that Help

Blake and Daniel, his companion

In this week's email from Blake, he sent these pictures of the Mormon Hands that Help Project clean up.

well this week has been really wet and we have been arriving at the house and houses of members soaking wet as if we jumped in a swimming pool ha but we have been trying hard, i finished the Book of Mormon (en spanish) this week and wow i have learned so much from that book and i really have been able to understand the things that i need to change in my life, but i started to read Doctrine and Covanents this last monday and now i am in seccion 21 i need to finish to seccion 30 by sunday, but the area is progressing a little by little the investigators we have are sweet but no one wants to assist the church on sundays so its hard they are really smart and we are really trying all that we can to help them understand and learn..........but this week it should be a lot better they say that its ot going to rain as much this week but who knows, we met the family of a baseball player Luis Pelonia, or where he lives its nuts hes got a Lion, yea a real lion in his house its soo crazy haha theres another one that lives right by us named Carlos Pena his home is sweet hes got a little basebal field at his house and like 15 cars of every kind haha.........but this week is going to be a lot more successful cuz there wont me as much rain and bad weather, i love you guys i will talk to you later

les quiero mucho

Thankful

 

November 9, 2010

Thankful

In this month of Thanksgiving, I am thankful for these random things that come into my head ... haha

●cooler weather●green grass●blue skies●
●hugs from recker● emails from the DominicanReoublic●people who smile●
●mysti●clean fresh sheets●cute boots●open roads from Utah to arizona●
●december 18th●haleigh●my body●hair●cute notes left on my bedroom door●
●grapefruit●AJ'S refillable cup●choices●good VT'S●LOVE●
●Dr Kreymerman●Heather Lucas his assistant●
●medicne that works●pumpkin pie●ERIC●doorbell ditchers who leave yummy stuff●testimony●kayla and Jeremy●music●
●people that inspire me●Blake●good books●google searches● cinnamon smells●answered prayers●warm fuzzier●Kaitlyn and Brian●Haleigh
●laughter●mayo clinic●tamy scheurn●mickey mouse●organic apple slices●going the extra mile●christmas movies●THANKSGIVING●

try to think in 2 minutes or less of all the things you are thankful for.....I'm sure I forgot a few, and some of these are random huh?

Breast Self Exams (BSE)

 

Breast Self Exam (BSE)

step 1


step 2

step 3

step 4

step 5

step 6

Today is November 1st, on the 1st day of every month I remind women to do their BSE Breast Self Exam. All women over the age of 20 should be examining their breasts for lumps every month. I truly believe that early detection is crucial and truly does save lives. I wish I had been more proactive and done this every month. Every woman including me always thinks "that won't happen to me, or I don't have time" I said those things, I always thought that breast cancer was something that unhealthy, OLD people got diagnosed with. I was just about as healthy as a woman my age could be when I was diagnosed I was training for a marathon, all my life have been a runner and a gym member spending at least 2 hours a day at the gym 6 days a week for about 13 years that was my life, and it was never a chore it was something I truly loved. The diagnosis came as a complete surprise to not only me but anyone who knows me, I am HEALTHY and I am not OLD. Please if you are reading this blog promise me you will take your BSE every month and avoid the terror of hearing "you have breast cancer"

If you need to know how to do your BSE please copy this for your records. The pictures are numbered to go along with each step. I could not get them to enter next to each step sorry.

Breast self-examination (BSE) is to be performed each month in addition to an annual mammogram or a clinical exam. Knowing your cyclical changes, what is normal for you, and what regular monthly changes in the breast feel like is the best way to keep an eye on your breast health. Breast tissue extends from under your nipple and areola up toward your armpit.
Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: 15 minutes a month

What You Need:

A mirror that lets you see both breasts
A pillow for your head and shoulders
Privacy

1. Make a regular date for your BSE --- I always do it on the 1st of every month

If you are pre-menopausal: Set a regular time to examine your breasts a few days after your period ends, when hormone levels are relatively stable and breasts are less tender.
If you are already menopausal (have not had a period for a year or more): Pick a particular day of the month to do the exam, and then repeat your BSE on that day each month.

2. Visual Exam - Hands-on Hips

In the privacy of your bathroom, strip to the waist and stand before a mirror. You will need to see both breasts at the same time. Stand with your hands on your hips and check the appearance of your breasts. Look at size, shape, and contour. Note changes, if any, in the skin color or texture. Look at the nipples and areolas, to see how healthy they look.

3. Visual Exam - Arms Over Your Head

Still standing in front of the mirror, raise your arms over your head and see if your breasts move in the same way, and note any differences. Look at size, shape, and drape, checking for symmetry. Pay attention to your nipples and areolas, to see if you have any dimples, bumps, or retraction (indentation). Look up toward your armpits and note if there is any swelling where your lymph nodes are (lower armpit area).

4. Manual Exam - Stand and Stroke

Raise your left arm overhead, and use your right-hand fingers to apply gentle pressure to the left breast. Stroke from the top to the bottom of the breast, moving across from the inside of the breast all the way into your armpit area. You can also use a circular motion, being sure to cover the entire breast area. Take note of any changes in texture, color, or size. Switch sides and repeat. This is best done in the shower, as wet skin will have the least resistance to the friction of your fingers.

5. Manual Exam - Check Your Nipples

Still facing the mirror, lower both arms. With your right hand's index and middle fingers, gently squeeze the left nipple and pull forward. Does the nipple spring back into place? Does it pull back into the breast? Note whether or not any fluid leaks out. Reverse your hands and check the right nipple in the same way.
6. Manual Exam - Recline and Stroke


This is best done in your bedroom, where you can lie down. Place a pillow on the bed so that you can lie with both your head and shoulders on the pillow. Lie down and put your left hand behind your head. Use your right hand to stroke the breast and underarm, as you did in step 4. Take note of any changes in texture, color, or size. Switch sides and repeat.

7. Tips For Doing Your BSE
Mark, your calendar to remind yourself to do your BSE regularly. This is a good way to prevent worry if find a normal cyclic change.
Stay relaxed and breathe normally as you do your BSE. Becoming tense will produce some knots that you may mistake for something worrisome.
Report any changes or unusual pain to your doctor or nurse practitioner. Keep a log of changes, if that helps you remember.
Remember to have an annual clinical exam and a mammogram.

Aunt Naydine

 

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2010

Aunt Naydine

This morning my Aunt Naydine Passed away, she suffered for years with Multiple MIaloma, Cancer of the bones. People in our family have always said that I look a lot like Aunt Naydine. I really never saw the resemblance. Naydine is one of the sisters of my birth father Colby Belshe who passed away a couple of years ago. I'm so grateful for the knowledge I have that my family will live together forever, this life here on earth is just a test for us, a test to see how well we treat others, and how we serve and give to others. We know that Naydine is no longer in pain, and is in a much better place, her family will miss her though.

It's a Good Day

 

Monday, NOVEMBER 5, 2010

It's a Good Day

I cannot believe how good I feel; today was a good day. My hips did not hurt much, I am having some cramping, and I'm not sure why since I am done with that monthly stuff, but these cramps feel like menstrual cramps. Still, it's a good day; I got to hug and kiss Recker this morning; I still cannot pick him up per Dr. Peter Kreymerman, but I get to see Dr. Kreymerman next week, and hopefully,, he will say I can pick up more than 3 lbs. Have you ever tried to NOT pick up anything over 3 lbs? It's more complicated than I thought it would be.
Ok, the best news is that Kaitlyn and Brian are moving to Arizona ... NEXT MONTH ... I know Brians's family will miss them so much, and Eric and I have been grateful to them for welcoming Kaitlyn into their family with open arms. Brian said he and Kaitlyn prayed about this decision and know they need to make this move right now, so how do you argue with that? We are thrilled to be having them back in Arizona. All the details are being worked out, but today, I have a massive smile on my face, and today has been a good day. I am thankful right now for small tender mercies like being able to walk up and down my stairs still, for lunch with friends, and for the fact that my hair can get messed up in the wind ...... finally.

Just ASK

 

November 3, 2010

JUST ASK

It's 2:21 am, and I cannot sleep. Last night my legs were in so much pain it was penetrating all the way to my bones; I could not keep my legs still. Eric asked me what was wrong, and I told him my legs had not ached like this since chemo, and the headaches were back. Still, I'm grateful that the horrible pain I have been feeling in my breasts for over a year is now gone, and this takes the thoughts of wanting to rip my bra off away...haha I almost forgot I had one on.
I hate nights like this; my mind gets occupied with thoughts of recurrence, I know I'm strong, but if I was told that the evil VILLAIN has come back, I'm not sure I have it in me to fight again. My thoughts are going to my younger years as a teenager, when I constantly had a prayer in my heart, when I promised the Lord that if he got me out of this situation of abuse and neglect, I would be good, I would obey the rules and give my all to HIM. I knew without a doubt the eyes of God were watching over me. This morning I want to return to that place I once knew; I don't want to be in the dark; my mind is playing games with me; I wonder if I have done all I can to be a good servant, have I kept my promises? I go into Blakes's room and sit on his bed, hoping for some inspiration; maybe I will put on one of his shirts; I take one out of the closet and smell it hoping to get a whiff of him, but there is nothing, it's been too long now. I put on the shirt, kneel down next to his bed, and thank Heavenly Father for my family, my life, and what he has taught me, then ask what I am supposed to be learning right now? I ask what else I can do to become a little more like Him. Have I blown all my chances to redeem myself? I plead with the Lord to help me feel his spirit; tonight, my heart is burdened, and I need to know He is here. I just want to see that He is still aware of me and remembers me. Help me to know His will for me. Then I listen ... I listen for a very long time... the answers come, Be Still My Soul The Lord Is On Your Side peace is in my soul now, I know HE has not forgotten me and that He is aware of my needs and my prayers are not going unheard. I know He lives. He lives in each of us and wants to lift burdens, grief, and pain. When the waves and winds of life come, He will not leave us alone; I know this to be true, but sometimes we have to ask and, most importantly, wait and listen for the answers to come. I love that even a restless soul like myself can find some relief in the dark of night or the light of the day, JUST ASK. I'm so grateful this morning for the knowledge of prayer in my life. It's now 4:51 am; maybe I can get some sleep.... cross your fingers.