Good News

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 2010

Good News

When I get labs taken I usually have to wait at Mayo Clinic for an hour and a half to get the results to my doctor before my appointment. When that happens the last couple of times I like to journal about what I see and how I am feeling. 

I went to the cafeteria and purchased a salad and water bottle, I pulled out my debit card and for some reason, it was declined twice, the little old man working at the register looked at me and said "no problem, just take your food, I don't like to see people go without food" at this point I'm thinking "is he serious?" Then he said it again I thanked him and off I went to my usual seat in the corner where I can see the clock and watch everyone who comes in and out. 

I'm really restless and nervous today about not only the lab results but also about my life. Today when I entered the Mayo Clinic building the smell of sickness hit me when I stepped off the elevator onto the chemo floor. I can still smell it here in the lunchroom too. It makes my stomach turn, seriously? I often think, what am I doing here? I drink my water but throw away the salad, it was not as good as I thought it would be.

Everyone in this room is 70 or more years old, with the exception of one guy who is sitting close to me, his entire face is red, when he turns to look at me he has a huge and I mean huge (the entire right side of his face)tumor on his face, he is probably in his 20's, he is alone, where is his mother?

I thought to myself "I wonder if he looks at me and thinks, "Boy I'm glad I have all my hair?" because when I looked at him I thought "geez, I'm grateful I don't have to deal with that" My thoughts go to my own son who is serving a mission in the Dominican Republic, he is about this boys age. Oh how I miss Blake, I am looking forward to Mothers Day when I can hear his voice. I'm sure being away from his family right now has been really hard on him. In every email I receive he says he prays for me all day long, and today I am wanting to cash in on all the prayers that have gone out for me.

Now I am staring at the clock it moves so slow, 20 more minutes until I check in to see Dr. Northfelt. Sometimes it feels like my life is in slow motion, I have always lived fast pace something to do or someone to take care of every day.

When I am in public I look around at all people who are healthy and wonder if I remember what it feels like to NOT be sick, I'm jealous. I head to the oncology department to check in.
The nurse called my name and I went with her.

1st blood pressure perfect; 

2nd weigh-in I lost 8 pounds (good) 

3rd waiting again in the room for my oncologist Dr. Northfelt. It's freezing in here the nurse brings me a warmed blanket. The doctor comes in with a big smile:
Dr, Northfelt: "your labs came back NORMAL"
me: "what does that mean"
dr: "it means something you are doing is working. I had a whole new regimen lined up for you to start this week, I have never seen anyone go from the lowest white blood counts and platelets to normal that quickly, we are very pleased" I left his office knowing exactly "what I was doing" relying on prayers and fasting, it works! The 1st phone call I made was to Eric, we both cried happy tears.

My sister Sonya told me earlier today that her family was fasting and praying today for me. The faith of so many people is a powerful thing, I know I have a long road still but today I am celebrating good news. Eric came home from work picked me up and we ate a salad at WILDFLOWER BREAD CO. I think it was perfect, especially since my salad at Mayo was not as good as I thought it would be.

Oh yeah, and today was email day, Blake is doing incredible, six months out yesterday.

Mexico Spring Break

 

SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2010

Mexico Spring Break 2010

Mysti and I downtown

Me with the local culture

Mysti Ivy and Eric

Eric and I shared a drink.

Anthony Gruninger, Ivy Bryton, Maddy Taylor Haleigh, and Emily are all in the back seat of Eric's truck.

Mysti, Taylor, Maddy, Bryton, Ivy, Me, Kaitlyn, Haleigh, and Emily


Kaitlyn and Brian

Me, Haleigh, and Eric

Maddy Haleigh Taylor Emily

Kaitlyn and Brian, Eric and I

This week for me, has been the most relaxing wonderful spring break I can ever remember having. Eric and I invited Mysti Brown and her 4 girls to join us at our condos in Mexico. Saturday morning at 4 am, we left. Eric told Mysti to be on time, or if she was to arrive at our house at 4:01, we would be gone. We have an ongoing joke with Mysti about being on time (she is notorious for being late). We wanted to go early to have an extra day to enjoy Kaitlyn and Brian. They had to leave Tuesday to make their flight home. I was so happy that they could come from Utah to be with us and really sad that Kayla, Jeremy, and Recker could not come because Jeremy had to work. I miss my little grandson Recker and can't wait to see him when we get home.
This has honestly been the best therapy. My goal was to get away from the VILLAIN or distract myself for a week, long enough to laugh and enjoy my family and friends. Every day has been a distraction, fun-filled, good food, and incredibly relaxing. 

The VILLAIN is next to impossible to stop thinking about (especially when I am the only one on the beach or at the pool with no hair). I spent a lot of time in the condo relaxing. I was at the beach with everyone one day, and the Mexican vendors were walking the beach. One of them approached us and asked us if we wanted our hair braided, and I took off my hat and said, "how much?" we laughed. It was so therapeutic that even the vendor laughed.

Before we left, I was worried about whether or not Mysti and her girls would be "weirded out" if I walked around the condo with no hat. Exposing my bald head is something I am sensitive about. I know I have posted pictures of myself on my blog but seeing it in person is different from seeing it alive, walking around talking. I asked Mysti if it would be ok or if she thought her girls would be affected by it. Mysti being the sweet, wonderful friend that she is, looked at me and said, "of course, it will be ok" Still, even with her support, I felt like taking my hat off and walking into a room of people would be extremely difficult. I now have lost all my eyelashes, so I look even balder, but I did it. I took off the hat, and Mysti and her cute girls made me feel like nothing was wrong like I was just an average person, and for one week, I felt like I was one of the girls. I have not had that much fun or laughed so hard in over 8 months. It felt so good to know that part of my personality was back that I could not think about the VILLAIN and, for 7 days, enjoy my life.

Mysti and her girls, Emily Holicky, Eric, and Haleigh, were fun. Mysti and I have been friends for over 20 years. I love her so much. We have been through many things with our children, many, many trips for dance with the girls, and her son Wyley I love like my own son, he and Blake have been friends for years. We have laughed and indeed cried together. We have shared experiences that have bonded us together as friends for eternity. She is always willing to serve other people. I love that about her. During this time of my VILLAIN experience, I have appreciated her so much for her service to my family. She brings out the silliness in me, and I was so glad she was there for this trip especially.

The week before we left for the trip, I had a doctor's appointment with my oncologist. I was told that my white blood counts were extremely low, and the doctor said to me that they were concerned that the chemo did not work as they had hoped. I came home and cried to Eric about it but decided not to post anything about it until we got home from the trip and had time to tell our children and family. I was upset when the doctor told me I cried, and she actually cried with me, which is unusual because she has never shown any emotion. (she is  my oncologists assistant) We were hoping not to have to see any doctors in March, but so far, it looks like I will only have last week off. I need to go back this week for more blood work, then we will know more. I am hopeful that the results this week will be better. I continue to pray and ask the Lord to bless my family and help me understand his plan for me.

POSTED BY UNKNOWN AT 10:35 pm 3 COMMENTS 

My Smile Experiment

TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2010

My Smile Experiment

Mayo Clinic rebooked my appointment that they canceled last week at the last minute. I went by myself today. I decided when I woke up that today I would make eye contact with as many people as I could and just simply smile at them.

This is what I saw today at Mayo Clinic a blind man with his seeing-eye dog getting into the elevator with me, I did smile but instead of eye contact I said "hello, how are you today?" He replied, "Good, thank you for asking." 

As I waited in the beautifully decorated waiting room I looked around and saw so many sick people, everyone in their own world. I wondered what each person was there for. I overheard the lady sitting next to me telling her friend that this is the end, she does not have much time left, and she is dying. My eyes filled with tears as I listened to her heartfelt worry for her life. The nurse called her name for chemo, and off she went. I looked into the eyes of a lady in a pink breast cancer baseball hat, her hair was gone just like mine, I smiled and she smiled back with a nod of her head as if to say "I understand" and then they called my name. Off I went for my lab work, I smiled at Liz who was my nurse today she smiled and said "how are you, and why are you walking so slow?" I explained to her about the neuropathy and she hugged me with a sincere strong hug, I teared up again. ( I do that a lot now) Today because I know the people at ayo are in my world they understand what it means, I don't have to explain.

I had an hour and 40 minutes until my next appointment so I went to the Mayo Clinic cafeteria to grab some lunch. I watched a lady yell at the person working at the grill, she was upset with him because he forgot to give her a pickle, she looked at me and shrugged her shoulders wanting me to agree with her disgust. I just smiled and she looked away. As I walked to my seat I saw a man and woman sitting together, she was in a wheelchair and very crippled, she could not hold her head up. I smiled at him and he smiled back. I watched as many couples or friends discussed their medical issues over lunch, one couple I watched never talked or even looked at each other.

In that room, there was not one person who was my age or younger. I watched an older couple sharing lunch, he was careful to split the cheesecake right down the middle and give her 1/2 then he made sure not to start his lunch until he knew she was comfortable and happy, they laughed and enjoyed their time together. I watched Mayo Clinic volunteers walking around to each table asking if they could help take trays, or if anyone needed water. Then a man walked by who distracted me, he had a ponytail down the middle of his back, I wondered when mine would be that long again, and why his was... haha. I saw angry people, sad people, tears, some with hair, and some without.

My experiment today came to the conclusion that most people smiled at me no matter what their condition some even indulged in conversation with me. The ones who didn't quickly look away as if I had just injected them with some deadly disease. I'm not sure what makes people happy or sad, but I do know it's curable because it's a choice.

I decided today to be happy I was not the lady in the wheelchair who will never walk again, the woman who will never hold her head up to see the beautiful blue sky, or the man who walks with a seeing-eye dog because he is blind. Be grateful you can comb your hair every day ---even on a bad hair day, be glad you have hair, never take for granted your legs if you can walk or run with no pain you are lucky, if you can hold a baby in your arms or write to a missionary...you are blessed to have hands and arms that work. If you have a mouth you can smile, and maybe your smile will save the life of someone who is feeling depressed or lonely, thinking they have nothing to live for. Every day we all make a choice when we wake up...am I going to be happy and serve someone else today, or will I waste the day doing insignificant things, being angry at things that in the eternal scheme of things really do not matter, at the end of the day can we say "I made a difference today?" I want to make a difference, be it even within the walls of my own home, don't look back, look to tomorrow to make those changes wake up in the morning, and do something worthwhile, close each night knowing you made a difference. Never let your knees tire of bending and asking for the help you need, ask HIM to guide you to those who need help.

LABELS: CANCER, JOURNALING, MAYO FRIENDS,  

Recker

 

SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 2010

Recker

I am now 'The' official babysitter for the most beautiful little boy in the world. Kayla had to go back to work last week, and she brings Recker over around 6 in the morning. 

Papa Eric plays with Recker and loves the time he spends with him in the mornings. Usually, around 8:00 AM, Papa brings Recker to me so he can get off to work. 

It is a perfect match, Recker and me. He still sleeps a lot, and I still sleep a lot, so we do it together. He is a really easy baby to take care of. Heavenly Father knew I needed this little guy to help me get through the "junk" in my life. I love every minute I spend with him. He recognizes us now and loves to have his clothes off. Recker loves when bonbon gives him a bubble bath, I sing his songs favorite song, and he always perks up at one particular part f the music. When we make funny noises, Recker smiles. I love when he sticks his tongue out when he smiles, and he has a little dimple next to his right lip...so cute.

Can you tell I am a proud bonbon?

Last day of Chemo

 

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2010

Last Day of Chemo

Today was my last chemo treatment....the significance of this milestone is overwhelming to me. I am not feeling well today, but I know I need to get my feelings down on my blog as it usually goes through the week of chemo. I get sicker as the days go on, and it makes it difficult for me to concentrate (primarily because of the drugs)
My day started with Tamy picking me up at 9 am, and we checked in at 9:40. We sat in the waiting area, visiting each other and having a spiritual talk that I will not soon forget. I love Tamy. I explained how much I've felt unprepared spiritually for this trial.
I am really far from being done with this journey. As I look back on the past 6-7 months, it is such a blur, and in some ways, it has burst my eyes and heart wide open. I have so much to be grateful for, and I am looking forward to 6 months from now when I can say "I am cancer-free."

I did not want to go to chemo. It is grueling and makes me sick, but I knew it would be my last, and I was ready to conquer it today. It was a rainy day, and after hours of the chemo being pumped into me, the nurse came to say I was done. The chemo was done draining. Tamy looked out the window and said, "look at the beautiful rainbow."
Tears filled my eyes because I knew it was the Lord giving me a sign. It was like the rainbow I saw with Haleigh in Hawaii, just 2 weeks before I found out I had the VILLAIN in me, except for one thing we could not see the end of the rainbow this time. The VILLAIN is still lingering over our house, but I am still here, trying to survive. I believe the end is in sight, but I have more work.
The nurses came in and celebrated with me. I cried as I hugged each one of them and Tamy. Now I have the month of March off, only 2 doctor appointments, and they will do the mapping to get me ready for radiation in April. I am so looking forward to being with my family, we are going away from here for spring break, and I am going to enjoy every minute of it.

Not Ready To Say Goodbye

 

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2010

Not Ready to Say Goodbye

Lately, I have been thinking about what it would be like to say "goodbye" to my children and husband. Have I done everything I can to be a good mom and wife? NO, is the answer !! How can I look in their eyes and say goodbye? I have so much to do and still so much to accomplish. Kayla just became a mom for the 1st time. Although she is an amazing mommy, I think she needs my help. She teaches me so much every day about motherhood, patience, kindness, and unconditional love.
Life with Kayla has always been easy; she has been a wonderful daughter to me. As a small child, she graced us with her smile and contagious laughter. When I look at her now, I see a daughter of God who is strong and ready for the life that she and Jeremy will have together. No, I am not prepared to say goodbye to her.
Blake, my sweet Blake, I love him so much. He is my only son, and the day he was born, I knew he would be a valiant servant of our Heavenly Father. He was a big baby, 9 lbs 5 oz and 21 inches long. He came out big and has the biggest heart of any young man I know. He could melt my heart with his big blue eyes as a small boy. He was a mischievous little boy curious about the world around him, definitely loved being in the outdoors, and still does. Heavenly Father knows him... he knew the mission he sent him on would not only give him joy but growth. He has become a wise and faithful soldier of the Lord and continues to want to give more of who he is to the Lord and to us. NO, I'm not ready to say goodbye to that boy.
Kaitlyn has been deemed the most like me, and she is. She has my personality, my looks (sorry about that one), and my strength. I love everything about her yet doubt myself as a mother so often. When my best was not enough, she had always lifted me up with just a smile or a "reality check" She rolled over before she was 2 months old. She ran around the church by 7 months, and we could not keep up with her. Her personality was and is outgoing, the room would light up when she came in, but we always wondered what mess we were going to have to clean up. She has always made us happy, she has a strong testimony, and now as a wife, she teaches me how to do it right. I have so much to learn from her. She was spiritually prepared and ready when the Lord introduced her to Brian. Now they are building their marriage with the strength and love of the Lord together; they will be able to listen when he whispers to their souls to answer their prayers. YES, I want to watch them grow together, so NO, I'm not ready to say goodbye, not yet.
Haleigh is my baby and will always be my baby. Eric and I planned for her. We were so excited when she was born. Her personality was quiet and reserved. I remember looking at her one day when she was about 9 months old and thinking she would be a leader. Haleigh will be a strong daughter of God who will always be an example of what a young woman should be. Over the years, I have seen her become faithful and steady, pure and holy, a compassionate young woman. I know our Heavenly Father looks down on her and surrounds her with his spirit. I see in her what Heaven sees in her, and I am not ready to say goodbye to my baby who has so much more to give the world; I want to be here when she chooses her eternal companion and is married in the Temple. I want to see her become a mother and share her spirit with her children.
Eric, what can I say? He has seen me through so much in my life. I love him eternally. I could not look him in the face and tell him I was ready to leave, leave you here with the mess after I'm gone. I want to take it back whenever I am angry or upset with him. Does it really matter if the closet is not cleaned or the bed is not made? Why did I get mad at the garage not being cleaned out unless I did it (I've always thought that was a man's job)? Why couldn't we do it together? Do we really need a new car or the best of everything? No, we don't.

I remember Eric's mom telling me one time before she died, "If Eric comes home from work and wants to just sit and talk or go for a drive, you don't want to because there are dishes in the sink. You go because the dishes will be there when you get home, but you do not know if tomorrow You or Eric will be there" This is so true; we never know what obstacles will be put in our path along the way. We have had a few in our marriage, and I have stayed home to do the dishes. I'm sorry I did.... the dishes are still there....who cares? 

If anyone really cares that my house is a mess, they need to face a life or death journey. This journey I am on is teaching me. I am learning to leave the dishes and enjoy the moment. So on this late night, I finish this entry by saying a prayer. Kneeling and pleading again with my Heavenly Father to help through this fight. My peace is in your hands. Please calm these storms that I am in, please give me another chance to feel strong and faithful, forgive me for being "in the world" instead of listening to your whispers in my ear when you said so many times, "Be still and know that I am God" or the last few months when you have said to me "dear daughter of mine, let's fight this together. It is a mountain, but we can climb it together" I just want another chance; please let me rise up from this; I will do better next time, I promise; I am a child of God who wants another chance.

Kaitlyn & Brian Visit

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2010

Kaitlyn & Brian Visit

I miss Kaitlyn so much, and I was so excited when she and Brian told me they would be able to visit this weekend. It has been months since I've seen Brian. Seeing them together, here with the family, made me miss them even more. I wish so badly that they lived closer. I tried so hard to be up to par with them while they were here, I made sugar cookies for Kaitlyn because I know how much she loves them, and she asked me to make them since it was Valentine's Day weekend. Even though my body was in pain, my heart was happy because they were here.
We had a lot of fun just staying at home and enjoying each other. Brian and Kaitlyn are so cute, and I know why Kaitlyn married him. He is perfect for her in every way. Today they went back to their home in Utah, and I am sad again. Having all of my family in one place simultaneously will be a dream come true; the next time that will happen is when Blake gets home from his mission, and speaking of Blake, I miss him and have shed more than one tear over that boy lately. Even as I feel the aching in my body, I am so grateful to be a mom, not only a mom but also to be Kayla, Blake, Kaitlyn, and Haleigh's mom.
Being a mom is easy when you know they make wise choices and include the Lord in their lives.

Pain

 

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2010

Pain

The last 2 nights have been the most uncomfortable and painful nights of my life. My legs, back, arms and feet are throbbing, I feel like I can't get any relief. I have taken all the drugs prescribed to me, and nothing seems to help. My bones and muscles are in so much pain, that it's difficult to describe. Have you ever overexercised your muscles and the next day they ache? I have too, but this is much worse. Eric held me in the fetal position and listened to me cry while telling him I don't want to do this anymore, I wish it was over, I said it so much he did not know how to respond, and he rubbed my legs until I fell asleep. Thank goodness for him and Haleigh, they both rubbed and held me not knowing what to say. I love you

Preach My Gospel

 

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2010

Preach My Gospel

About a month ago, I wrote to Blake and told him I wanted to study the Preach My Gospel book (this is the book that the missionaries of the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latterday Saints learn). He wrote me and said, "mom, just study chapter 3 and chapter 6; the rest is just missionary stuff, and you would be bored with it," SO I got out my book and read chapter 3 twice. I am now studying chapter 6, entitled How do I develop Christlike Attributes. I am totally obsessed with this chapter. When Jesus says "Follow Me," he is talking to all who believe in Him. What better example for us who are trying to be more like him in our lives, striving to become wiser in our choices. Choice in our words, selection of thoughts, we can all become more like Him we believe in the Atonement of Christ. We know that none of us is perfect, but through the Atonement of Christ, we all can try every day to achieve this goal.
The Christlike Attributes included in this chapter are:
Faith in Jesus Christ
Hope
Charity and Love
Knowledge
Patience
Humility
Diligence
and Obedience
There are scriptures to study and an Attribute activity to help you develop your goal for each attribute.
I have decided to take one at a time and work on it, and when I fail at it, I will work on it again and again. Life is full of ups and downs, and as we all try to achieve these attributes, maybe together, we can make the world a better place to live in.

PINK OUT

 

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2010

PINK OUT

Last night Highland Highschool had a basketball game. Haleigh is the President of ONE IMAGE dance team at Highland, she told me they were having a Pink Out for breast cancer. All the team players wore pink socks and a pink shirt to support the cause, there was also a silent auction and raffles to raise money. The ONE IMAGE dance team danced at halftime and they all wore hot pink, I was so grateful that this was not a chemo week so that I could go. I loved it and I love watching Haleigh dance.

Marathon Dreams

 

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2010

Marathon Dreams

I thought as I watched Brothers and Sisters with my daughter the other day, I wish my life was like this TV show. One of the girls on the show found out 2 months ago she has cancer; she has already gone through chemo, lost all her hair, radiation, and is now running for a Senate spot; oh yeah, and her hair is back ............. wait what??????? I wish it was that easy and fast !!!! Actually, I take that back. I am glad my life is genuine. I have to feel something, learn something, and HOLLYWOOD is not where I want to learn it.

The last 2 nights, I woke up from dreams of me running. It felt so good. I know to some that would be a nightmare, haha. I am so determined to fight this VILLAIN and be able to exercise again. I was not in a race; I was just running in a park, happy with all my hair in a ponytail. I was keeping up the pace and enjoying the scenery around me. The trees were beautifully green, and along the path were flowers. I could see some weeds ahead of me, like tumbleweeds, and I remember wondering how I would get around them because they were utterly covering my path. I tried to run straight through them, but they were so thick, and the thorns were cutting my legs up. The next thing I knew, the tumbleweeds were starting to disappear, and the path was clear again. I continued to run, back on pace. The sky was as blue and as remarkable as I had ever seen before. Up ahead was the giant mountain, and again, I wondered if I could make it without being pushed from behind. As I started to conquer the hill, tears began to run down my face. I could feel the pain and wanted to give up, my legs were burning, and my mind started to say, "you can't do this" just when I thought I couldn't do it, I woke up. I was so mad. I tried to go back to sleep but could not get the dream back.

Until last night,,,,, I was at the top of that mountain looking down, knowing and appreciating where I had been but looking ahead, knowing the road was still long and hard, but I continued to run. I remember stepping up my pace and smiling at the road ahead of me. I couldn't see the finish line but knew if I continued at the rate I was at, I would finish; I said to myself, "it's not how you start the race, it's how you finish it" this is the famous saying I give to all my kids when they are facing something hard in their life.

Tonight as I ponder this dream, it means so much to me. I know I am not at the top of the mountain yet; I am still fighting the VILLAIN. I'm running "my marathon" there have been tumbleweeds along the way, and I've kicked them to the curb with the help of prayers and fasting from so many people. I am on the uphill with the Lord picking me up and carrying me on those days when I think I cannot finish. When I finish this race, my family will be at the finish line cheering me on, along with so many good friends, old and new.