Got an A-

Happy 19^th Anniversary to my great husband.  We have been together 20 years and been through a lot together.  Thanks for standing by my side, being the best dad and husband I could ask for and loving me as much as you do.  I can’t imagine my life without you.  Here are to 20+ more.  I love you!!

A few weeks ago we celebrated Grandma Rose's birthday.  I realized all the grand-daughters were there and took some photos.  WOW.  We have a lot of girls.

 

Doing more each week and doing things I have put off since I got sick. I am cleaning out drawers, closets, storage room etc.  Trying to decide the color of our bathroom and will work on that next week.  I will get Halloween decoration up next week!  EXCITED!  I have made it to more of McCall’s soccer games and even went to “parent lunch day” for Callie’s school.  It is so nice to get out and “be part of the world” again.

 

Last week clinic was good.  I was asked to meet Dr. Petersen (head of the oncology department and my favorite dr.) in the “conference room” to talk about my 100 day mark and test results. (I hate the conference room.)  We’ve only got bad news there so I jokingly requested we go somewhere else.)  We sat down and I got Jeff on speaker phone. All my numbers are great.  All my white counts, red counts, kidneys and platelet numbers are moving positive and Dr. Petersen is happy with my results.  He did mention that because of my unusual situation and how my cancer presented itself he is writing up my case for the medical journals.  They have never seen a case like mine and don’t know if they ever will.  He was impressed with all that I have been through and that I am still rather healthy and beat the odds.  I was given an A-.

But……and there is always a but.  (Seems like it never ends.) My liver has not happy the last month.  Liver counts are getting too high and Dr. Petersen is getting concerned.  He is now sending me back the Dr. Nielson (who helped me with stomach issues last year) to check and see what we can do to fix it.  It might be a mix of things such as a liver biopsy, GVH, medicine related, drawing out blood each week to clean the red cells etc.  I feel good and hope this is a quick fix.

GO UTES

             UTES 24    BYU 21

CRA 5K race

I DID IT!!  I walked about 2.6 miles of the Canyon Rim Academy 5K (took one short cut at the end).  Thank you Rachel and Anna for walking me.  Thanks Callie, McCall and Leslie for running the race.  Jeff took first place in his age division (5^th all around).  McCall took 2^nd place in her age division. Thanks to all my family for their 100% support.  To all of you awesome CRA friends who also gave me their support and screamed as I crossed the finish line.  THANKS!! 

Today I will take it easy and enjoy the day!  LET’S GO UTES!!!!

Getting a little normalcy again

Since my last post things have pretty much stayed the same.  I feel more energy and trying to get out a little more. (I still have to be careful of germs and really large crowds).  I only see the doctors every other Friday (but continue weekly blood draws).  Still have a friend fighting hard.  She wasn’t doing well for weeks and after getting her “last rights” Friday night she woke up Saturday a whole new person.   Whether you believe in miracles or not she is certainly showing me they are true.  I hope things are going to stay positive and she is out of the hospital soon.

 I still pick and choose what I want to do.  I’ve painted a wall downstairs, had COIT clean all the rugs, our large sectional and Jeff’s car professionally. I cleaned out the kids closets and got rid of TONS of stuff that doesn’t fit. (Damn kids growing too fast.) This Friday I am going to walk 2-2.5 miles of a 5K race to raise money for the school.  Actually excited about it…..cuz I know I can do it! 

Just last week my other cousin (wife) brought her new baby boy Noah over to the house on her way from San Jose.  Noah is 5 months old with the craziest hair you’ve ever seen.  It sticks up no matter what you try and do.  She and her family stayed for dinner and we caught up.  I am so lucky I got to see them.

McCall is still doing well with soccer.  She is an awesome forward and a great scorer.  I love watching her games again. Callie had her first gymnastics meet last Saturday and took 1^st place on floor, bars and vault.  Then she took 1^st place in all-around for her age division. (Considering the night before she stepped on a nail at a friend’s house and had to go to insta-care for a tetanus shot and have her foot wrapped up.) I was one proud mama and she smiled all day.  

Obviously I am excited for Halloween.  I’ve bought some new stuff and have some fun ideas I want to try to make. I really want to get my decorations out but I think I’ll wait a few more weeks. 

DAY 100

Day 100!!

Today’s weekly visit was great.  Numbers are up and doing great.  Lots of blood drawn and best of all I got my pic-line out of my arm.  I am so excited about it.  I will have to get poked each time I go to clinic but for now it is sweet relief. Awwwww! 

Still have a friend in clinic fighting hard.  My heart is breaking for her and hope she gets home soon.  The hospital used to be a scary, horrible place...but now I feel like I am with my second family when I am there.  LOTS of hugs, kisses, well wishes and hope.  I am grateful :)

My baby cousin Erica and her husband Trace (who currently live in Hawaii) flew home to show off their new baby Estelle.  The girls and I rushed over to play with her.  She is only 7 weeks old and so cute.  We gave her bath, lotioned her up and played with her all day.  My favorite stage with babies!
Congratulations to Trace for completing his dentistry license.  We are so proud of you.  Guess we'll have to fly to Hawaii to get a cleaning. :)  HINT

 

 Kids are back in school and it is sad they are gone all day.  I miss the house noisy sometimes.  Bindi and I hang out and play together.  McCall has been awesome at soccer the past few weeks. The game last week she scored 4 of the 7 goals for her team.  (They won 7-0). Their game against Murray on Tuesday they won 6-0 with McCall scoring 2 goals.  It is so much fun to watch her.  Currently they are undefeated.  Callie is getting ready for her first gymnastics competition.  She is so good and extremely flexible.  I love watching her too, but get so nervous.