Happy Halloween

This past week has been a good one with no problems associated with chemo.  I have been able to exercise and get things accomplished.  When you don't want to leave the house for 5 days to avoid catching anything, you start looking at things and getting ideas of projects.  That's what happened to me this week with my kitchen.

First, I saw this great spice organizer.  I wish I had taken a before picture of this cupboard, but this is the after pic and look - I can see every spice that I have!  I also found, as I was cleaning the shelf out, that I had some spices from at least 15 years ago.  They went in the trash!  I also found that I had two of some spices. I must not have been able to see them before I got so organized.

You know how you start one project and it inevitably leads to another?  As I cleaned out that cupboard, I realized how much all the cabinets needed cleaning inside and out.  So that is my next project.  I think it will take a good amount of time to empty everything out and put it back after cleaning.  I may save that job till my next self imposed quarantine!

I have also been wanting to update the look of my kitchen.  I thought about painting the cabinets, but that sounded like way too much work.  And I didn't want to spend a lot of money.  So I decided that new hardware on them would change the look.  So, I got new knobs (that match the new faucet I got a couple of months ago) and it really made a difference!

Our ward had a Halloween party on Wednesday and I really wanted to go.  I mean, how often will I be bald on Halloween (never again I hope!) and I had to take advantage of that!  Ken was hesitant because I was just ending my low immunity time and we knew that there would be lots of people and LOTS of kids there.  But he humored me.  (And I had hand sanitizer in my pocket that I used about 5 times in the 1/2 hour we were there.)  He even let me dress him in costume!  I had thought of several things I could do with a bald head.  Mr. Clean, a Magic 8 Ball, an awesome zombie, or even paint my head orange with black facial features and be a pumpkin.  But in the end, I thought this would be easy and effective.

Yeah, we were pretty awesome!

We are all set for the 5 or 6 trick-or-treaters that we get at our house.  The kids don't want to climb our steep hill and a lot of the houses have a full set of stairs to get to their front door.  So we just don't get many kids coming to our neighborhood.  I asked Ken to get some candy and we certainly are ready!  I think we are going to have lots of left over candy.  Anyone who wants some, just come on by!

And last, here is a cute gift my neighbor Diane made for me.  I had to take a picture so I can remember this for next year.

This week I am thankful for:
-A husband who is a good sport and lets me talk him into dressing up for Halloween.
-All the projects that I have been able to accomplish.
-The blessing of feeling so good for more than a week.
-Being able to get out again and visit with friends.

End of the Road Trip

It has been a good few days and Ken and I have really enjoyed this road trip.  It's a wonderful time to go to Yellowstone.  The park is so uncrowded!

We took several walks around the geyser areas and enjoyed all the colors in the pools and geysers.  The smell - not so much!

Ken carried the camera and tripod all over and I know that some of the photos he took are going to be spectacular.  These photos are just from my phone.

We left Yellowstone yesterday afternoon and drove to an area in Idaho near Craters of the Moon National Monument.  This morning we drove into the park and explored.  It has fascinating volcanic rock formations for miles and miles.  The visitors center was a good place to start.  We learned a lot about different types of volcanic rock before we drove the 7 mile loop where we could see examples of those rocks we had just learned about.  There were several places to stop and take a short hike.  The place we took this picture is at the top of what is called a spatter cone.  You could look down into the cone - it's kind of like a mini mouth of a volcano.

So, we are back home now and these next few days I am planning to stay home.  These are the days when the white blood cell count after chemo is at the lowest ebb, so I will be very careful to stay away from any chance of catching something!

Things I am thankful for:
- The incredible beauty and amazing variety of this world that God created for us.
- A husband who likes to take last minute road trips.
- Feeling good enough to take a road trip!

A Last Minute Road Trip

Ken and I decided to take a road trip before my immunity falls too low from this round of chemo.  So we took off on Monday to go to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.  It has been a great trip so far.  A little cold - but it is beautiful.  And not very many people visiting the parks this time of year.

One of the things that chemo drugs mess with in your body is the digestive system.  After both treatments, I have been very careful of what and how much I eat.  I decided on Tuesday that I was doing fine and would like to have some Mexican food.  Big mistake!!  I was pretty miserable all afternoon and stayed in the hotel room.  I think I learned my lesson.  Too much, too spicy, too soon!

We spent Monday afternoon and Tuesday in Grand Teton.  Then we spent all day today in Yellowstone.  Ken has taken some beautiful pictures of mountains, lakes, waterfalls, elk, and bison.  I'll have to post some of them when we get home.  I did take these pictures with my phone.  We were lucky when we got to Old Faithful.  We only had to wait about 5 minutes before it erupted.

I can really tell that I don't have the same amount of energy as usual.  I keep thinking I can do things as normal, then I take a short hike and realize that I get tired so fast.  The hike to the Lower Falls in that first picture was down 300 steps.  Going down was fine, but boy did I have to take my time going back up!

So Far, So Good

I have been feeling pretty good after this second round of chemo.  I took anti-nausea meds for 2 days and Claritin with Aleve for possible bone pain after the neulasta shot on Wednesday.  I'm on prednisone for 5 days following each treatment.  That one has caused sleep problems both times now.  I don't do well with caffeine and prednisone is like caffeine on steroids.  Oh wait, it IS steroids!!  One more day on that and I can stop taking it.

I keep a notebook of how I am feeling each day and what meds I take at what time.  I'm glad Jil gave me this tip because it is nice to be able to go back and look to see how I was doing on the same day after treatment as last time.

I have had sores in the back of my throat again, but nothing like the first time.  I have been rinsing with salt and soda water and that helps.  And I am able to eat better this time around.  Probably because of taking care of my throat.  Just a slight feeling of the throat closing up and not wanting to swallow.  I do have a more pronounced strange taste in my mouth, but it is not metallic.  It just makes food taste a little different.  Hopefully it will fade soon.

I am so thankful that I have had good days with enough energy to get things done that I want to accomplish.  Like going shopping and finding a really cute hat in a color I didn't have!

I am thankful for:
-Increased awareness of how the mind and body can work together to heal.
-Getting outside to enjoy the sunshine.
-Quiet evenings and reading scriptures with Ken.

MY STRONG WIFE

This has been a roller coaster ride from the morning we first went to the ER worried that Denise was having a heart attack.  From finding a tumor that I feared was very dangerous to being in the middle of chemotherapy fighting a known foe has been emotional.  However, through it all, Denise has maintained her positive attitude and that has inspired and strengthened me.  We are growing closer because of this battle and I have no doubt that we will look back on this experience as something that increased our love for one another.  The love and support Denise has received from family and friends has been uplifting.  We can't find words to thank you enough for your ongoing care and concerns.  Denise is handling the chemo well enough that we continue to be as active as possible.  The picture included with this post was taken in American Fork canyon a few days after she lost her hair.  She looks beautiful surrounded by her favorite fall colors.  Her positive attitude is catching and I am so thankful for her goodness.

Round 2

Yesterday was chemo treatment #2.  Same routine as last time.  We met with Dr. Wallentine first and talked some more about treatment options.  Often after chemo, they will also have you go through radiation treatments to make sure that they get all the cancer cells.  But with this tumor on my liver, the doctor didn't feel that it would be a good option.  He was concerned about damaging the liver with radiation.  He is going to talk to the radiation oncologist to see if he agrees.  So the outcome of all this is that he feels that having 6 chemo treatments would be better.  And that is fine with me.  It would really make sure there are no cancer cells left.  And that is what I want - so 6 treatments it is.

Here we go with round 2.  Some patients come in pajamas and just sleep.  Not me!  I want to look and feel good while I am there.  Besides, the Benadryl doesn't make me sleepy.  It just makes me really light headed and heavy tongued.  It's funny how hard that makes it to talk.  But it doesn't last too long.  This time I didn't have a reaction to the Rituxan.  They started it off really slow at first just to make sure it would be okay.

Ken and I ordered a chocolate cake from Magleby's to be delivered today.  It was so fun to meet more of the staff as they came in to thank us.

Look who came to visit me!  It's my neighbor and chemo coach, Jil.  She helped the time go by so quickly.  She has had surgery, 18 rounds of chemo and a bunch of radiation treatments for breast cancer.  She is definitely a survivor and a fighter.  A source of inspiration and information.

There are so many companies out there that support chemo patients.  The American Cancer Society sponsors a class for women called Look Good - Feel Better.  My case nurse had signed me up for the class last night and it was nice to attend.  There were 3 presenters and 3 chemo patients there.  The presenters are beauticians and estheticians.  They spent 2 hours with us demonstrating makeup, wigs, hats and tying scarves in different ways.  Cosmetic companies supply each patient with a bag of products.  I figure there was at least $100 worth of product in that bag!  And it was nice to spend time with other chemo patients.  We were able to share experiences and ideas.  

So how am I feeling today?  Well, I'm on prednisone again for the next 5 days and it makes me feel pretty good.  My appetite is still good and I don't have any soreness in my mouth or throat.  I am taking anti-nausea meds today and have had no problem with that either.   So, today has been a good day. 

Things I am grateful for:

- I still have my eyebrows and eyelashes.  I know, a little vain, but I'm grateful still the same!

- Ken, who supports me totally.  And makes me happy.

- Feeling good while fighting this cancer.

- The support and comfort I am feeling from the Lord and from all the prayers being said in my behalf. 

So Much Kindness!

Oh my goodness!  My family and friends are amazing.  I have felt so much love and support from everyone and am so thankful for it.  I can't even begin to thank everyone!  Here are a few of the things that have made me smile and feel so loved this last week.

From my sweet friend in South Carolina.  They are so beautiful and I love the vase.

From 3 different friends thinking about me.

Just some of the cards and letters coming my way.  The pictures from the grandkids are priceless.

 This scarf, and another one, was in a package with some goodies from Trader Joe's (love that store) from Alisa in California.

And this hat was from Jamie.  I feel like someone out of Downton Abbey!

Two of my sweet golf friends brought these over.  I have to tell you about the hats.  My friend, Jody Ross, crochets these and sells them - and other cute items on her Etsy store here.  She can crochet faster than anyone I have ever seen!

So you can see why I am feeling so loved and supported!  Thank you, thank you friends and family.

I have been feeling so good the last week that I felt there wasn't much to keep updated.  I have enjoyed rides up the canyon with Ken to see the colors, the opportunity to go to church and enjoy the spirit felt there, and phone calls and visits.

The Big 6-0

Yep, I turned 60 today!  I was able to go to my book group today and it was so nice to get out of the house and to see my wonderful friends.

I have enjoyed calls from my family and I love all the cards that friends have dropped by for me.  And all the text messages and good wishes on Facebook. Another friend dropped by with some homemade freezer jam, some new books and for a nice visit.

I got a sweet message from my nephew, Justin.  He shaved his head to show support!  My sister, Jolene shaved it for him, so one photo with both of them and one where you can see Justin better. Thanks Justin!  You are awesome.  And the beard/bald head looks good on you.

Ken brought me dinner and sweets and some new books to read.  Now, just a relaxing evening at home.  60 is not too bad!

Today I am grateful for:
-Another birthday.
-Family and friends sending good wishes.
-Good books.

A New Look

Well, it has happened.  Saturday night I ran my fingers through my hair and came away with a fist full of hair.  So the time had come to shave it off.  Better that than having to clean it up all over the house!  Even though I knew it was coming, it was still a bit of a reality check when it happened.  I have been feeling so good and normal, that it was just a reminder that I am fighting cancer and that my body is going to do strange things - like loose all my hair.  I imagine that the eyebrows, eyelashes, and peach fuzz left on my head will fall out within a few days.

Yesterday I asked our neighbor, Diane, to come take pictures while Ken acted as my hairdresser - or "dehairdresser" as the case may be!

Ken now has more hair than I do!

Feeling Grateful

Well, it is 10 days past my first chemo treatment and I am feeling incredibly grateful.  I expected to feel much worse and have many more side effects.  But for the most part, I have felt quite good.  My appetite has returned, I have the energy to exercise, and life is good right now.  I even ate enchiladas yesterday!

These next few days are when my immunity is supposed to be at it's lowest ebb, so I am being very careful about staying away from crowds and always, always washing my hands.  We have a container of hand sanitizer by the front door to be used by anyone coming by.  But I can still enjoy the outdoors.  Yesterday I walked the loop in our neighborhood (and if you know the hill we live on, you will understand what a workout that can be!) and also went to the golf course to watch Ken play golf.  I'm sure the bag boys were wondering what I was doing as I took anti-bacterial wipes and wiped down every surface on the golf cart!

I am so looking forward to this weekend.  It is the General Conference broadcast for our church.  I love listening to the prophet and other leaders of the church.  I appreciate their counsel, guidance and encouragement.  They inspire me to want to live more like my Savior.  I encourage you all to watch, and if you want to know more about this conference, you can find out here.

I am grateful for:
-Beautiful Fall weather
-Feeling good

I has been an interesting two days.  So many good things and one crazy thing.

One good thing is that I am still feeling pretty good.  And eating is getting easier, though I really have to think about what sounds good.

I am continually touched by the kindness of friends.  I keep finding things left on my front porch and have received so many cards and notes.

I have been missing my Tuesday golf days with my friends and yesterday they were having a luncheon after their golf.  I'm so glad I got to go and visit with the fun ladies I have gotten to know through playing golf.  They totally surprised me with a beautiful gift bag full of things to help get through these chemo treatments.  They obviously know something about what is needed as you can see from the gifts!  I have to laugh about the sudoku book.  I know that one of the things that combats chemo brain is brain games.  I have done a few sudoku puzzles, but I am definitely a word game person.  So that book will certainly be a challenge.

Another kindness that happened yesterday was this delicious delivery - from our bank of all places!  The fruit has tasted so good when many other things have not.

The crazy thing that happened yesterday was that my lower back muscles started going into spasms.  I have never had back problems before and it was so painful.  There was not one way I could stand, sit or lay that they did not hurt.  I finally took 2 Aleve and that calmed the muscles.  I could move without pain and was able to get comfortable and sleep.  When I talked to the nurse this morning, she had never heard of that being a side effect.  It is just one more strange thing my body is doing to cope with all that is going on with me.

It is so easy to get caught up in your own struggles and not think about what is going on around you.  Yesterday as I visited with friends, it made me realize how blessed I really am.  There is a treatment for this cancer and I will come out of it at the end with renewed health.  I think of my sister who is the long-term caregiver for her diabetic husband.  And my friend whose husband is battling Parkinson's disease for which there is no cure.  Or another friend whose husband suffers mini-strokes that affect his brain function.  Perspective is an interesting thing that can change from one moment to the next.  I hope I can maintain the proper perspective!

This quote was in the little book of inspirational thoughts that was in my gift bag.

"Life is not the way it's supposed to be.  It's the way it is.  The way you cope with it is what makes the difference."   Virginia Satir

So I am grateful for these things today.

-Drugs that can kill cancer and drugs that help fight the side effects.

-Prayer and blessings. I am so grateful that Ken uses his priesthood to bless me.

-Foods that taste good!

-Renewed perspective.