July 29

7 down – 1 to go! YEAH!!!

Sorry it’s been so long since I’ve updated my blog. I could give a list of excuses, but that’s really all they would be.

I had my 2nd Taxol treatment on July 11th. My doctor and tech were able to give me a different kind of pain killer and – honestly – it made all of the difference in the world. My weeks between my last treatments – as far as the pain went – were so much better. Also, the medication didn’t make me sick. I didn’t hurl once between treatments 6 and 7 – a record.

I have still been going to work and have been able to take care of most of the things at the office. Some of my great co-workers have been going on press checks occasionally for me when I am really having a difficult time. Standing around is hard for me right now. I’m done after about a half hour. Everyone at work has been really great to me during this whole trial. I appreciate them all so much.

Last week, I was able to go to Marian Decker’s for a visit with Roz and friends. It was so good to see everyone. I just love Roz and I’m so happy to see that she is so happy. I also got to see Shellly, Karen, Susan Frost, several girls I haven’t seen in a while. And, Marian made the most amazing lemon zucchini cookies. They are honestly so good. And, Connie Kitchen’s rubbed my neck and back for me. Now, she has the magic touch. I suppose that shouldn’t be a surprise since she is a certified massage therapist.

I was also able to have some people over to grill and celebrate the 24th. It was so nice to socialize and mingle. One of the hardest things over the last few months has been feeling a little isolated and not being able to be as social as I usually am. It is really nice for me when I get to see some friends or someone just stops in to say Hi!

On the 24th – I started feeling like I was coming down with a cold or something. My sinuses and eyes have been watery and runny throughout my entire treatment – so it’s hard to say when it’s something other than just dealing with the effects of the chemo. Friday – I woke up with killer sinuses that were so sore and my throat was getting sore. I would have had my chemo treatment that day on my usual schedule, but my doctor’s office took the day off and gave their employees a long weekend and scheduled me to have chemo yesterday on the 28th. I called the answering service on Friday and got Dr. Morgan’s associate – Dr. Prystas – and she called in a Z-pac for me. I felt quite rotten all weekend.

Frankly, I was really bummed that I didn’t feel well this past weekend. I thought that since I had 2 weekends in a row with no treatment that I would be feeling up to actually going out and doing something. I was really hopeful I could go kayaking on the Weber with some friends on Saturday. As it was, I stayed home and rested pretty much all weekend. Sunday, I went to a different ward to hear Bart and Liz Warner speak – they are back from serving in Dallas, TX as Mr. and Mrs. Mission President. They seemed great. It was really good to see them. Afterward, I went home and rested some more.

On Sunday, I had a great visit and prayer with my visiting teachers – Catherine Nelson and Stephanie Skaggs. Later that night, Bishop Foster and Brother Knowlton – thanks to Catherine for asking them – came over and gave me another blessing. I have to admit that the Priesthood Blessings I have received during this trial have made such a difference for me. I have had a blessing when I was going through an especially difficult time or there seemed to be a hurdle to get over. They have meant so much to me and I know that I have received so many tangible blessings from these worthy Priesthood holders laying there hands on my head and calling on the powers of heaven on my behalf. The blessing Bishop Foster gave me on Sunday was simply awesome. I will never forget it.

Sunday night, we had a pretty decent storm come through that knocked down some branches in my back yard and blew over my arched bench. It took off the top of my little Japanese maple. It still looks sort of okay – but made me sad. Poor little tree.

I was a little worried that they wouldn’t give me my chemo treatment yesterday. I wasn’t sure how sick you could be and have them give it to you. I felt somewhat better, but was still a little iffy when I went to my appointment. They checked my blood count and told me I should be good to go. So, I had my treatment. Yeah!!!! It’s interesting that you can actually really hope they will give you a treatment. I just SO want to stay on schedule.

I’m feeling pretty well today and am at work. I’m even getting caught-up on some filing I have been putting off for a month or so. I usually have pretty good energy the day after my treatments from the steroids they give me in the drip. Tomorrow – I will start feeling like pooh on toast again for a few days.

I’m down to about 3 eyelashes on each eye and am learning some great techniques to make me look like I have some eyebrows. I actually tried some fake eyelashes the other day and I just felt that I looked like a huge tranny. I probably won’t go that route.

Liz Hale still keeps bringing me meals and treats on a weekly basis. Thanks so much to her. What a doll. Also, Donna Hill brought me some great eats a couple of weeks ago and Marian, Connie and Karen Hunter are bringing me some this week. You’re all so sweet. Thanks a bunch. I haven’t had a problem feeding myself, but it is nice to not have to worry about it. I had to cancel on my friend Scott because of a work thing. Hopefully, we will make it another time.

Shawna is still checking on me daily and I can highly recommend her as the best lawn boy that is a girl that you could possibly have. She does so much for me. And, Michael and Bruce are on water heater patrol this week. What would I do without you guys?

Thanks so much to all of you that have offered and keep offering to help me. It’s hard to know what to ask for and, frankly, it’s just hard to ask, period. But thanks for the offers. And, know that it still goes that your prayers on my behalf are the thing I need the most.

I know I have mentioned this before, but it is hard on the really bad days to feel that I am being blessed and remember all of the blessings I have received. Luckily, there are not too many of those days and, for the most part, I have felt so blessed and comforted during this trial. I am so grateful that things have gone as well as they have. I know there is still some road ahead – it may be quite a while before I am feeling up to par – but there haven’t been as many bumps as there could have been and I have been truly blessed on the journey so far. I will have another mammogram after I fnish chemo and will start radiation treatments in the middle of September sometime. They will last about 4 or 5 weeks - every day Monday through Friday. After that, I will be on some type of hormone therapy and will be in maitenance mode.

My friends in the know are telling me I should have some hair for Christmas. What a nice gift that will be.

I know that I will continue to be blessed and Bishop Foster, along with others, has assured me that after this trial of my faith – other blessings will be in store. I’m hoping for that. In fact, I’m counting on that.

Thanks again to everyone for their love and concern. I wouldn’t get through this without you.

And – drum roll please – I have my last chemo treatment a week from this Friday. I can’t believe it! The Chinese picked 08/08/08 to begin the Olympics because it is supposed to be a very lucky day. I can tell you, it will certainly be a very lucky – or as the Chinese would say – a vely rucky day for me.

Cyn