Update - I know, it's about time!

Since my chemo treatment 2 weeks ago, things have gone about the same as the previous treatments. Maybe that is why it is so hard for me to get motivated to write on my blog.  Pretty boring, just the same old same old.  But those of you reading my blog don't know that, and maybe you wonder if I am sick and sleeping and throwing up!  (I am not) So I thought I had better give you an update.

Our anniversary is December 20th - 39 years this year!!  So we decided to take a road trip to Southern Utah and take photos in the National Parks.  I was a little hesitant since we left on the second day after treatment.  I try to gargle with salt and soda 3 or 4 times each day for the first few days and am very careful about what I eat.  So eating out and being in hotels had me a little concerned.  But things went fine.

Selfies are never very flattering!

We stayed the first night at Ruby's Inn outside of Bryce Canyon.  I thought it was cold enough when we went to take pictures on the afternoon we arrived, but Ken got up early to catch the sunrise the next morning.  And it was 7 degrees with a little breeze.  I stayed in the nice warm hotel and slept in.  Smart me!  But here are some of the photos that Ken took.  Amazingly beautiful place with the snow on the red rocks.  I wish I could have taken the hike that Ken did to get some of these photos.  I just don't have the energy to do hills right now. 

We left Bryce and drove to Zion's National Park that afternoon.  After the dramatic contrasts in Bryce, Zion just didn't have the vistas we had hoped for.  There wasn't much snow, and it was much warmer.  But I did take these photos with my phone.

We spent some time at our condo in St. George and just enjoyed being together with no work to interfere.  We did have a little excitement on Christmas Eve day.  We planned to get up early and leave for home.  I went to fill the car with gas while it was still dark and as I was almost to the station, I heard the car run over something.  And then as I was leaving the gas station, the low tire pressure light came on.  I wasn't too worried and when I got back to the condo, I got out to check the tires.  Well, one of the tires was flat!  Ken emptied the trunk and looked for the spare.  What?  No spare?  Just a kit to stop a leak and inflate the tire.  We knew we couldn't drive home with that temporary fix, so started calling around to find a replacement tire.  I tried 3 different places and no one had the brand and size we needed in stock.  They all said they would have to order it in and probably wouldn't get it until Monday.  We were thinking we might have to stay in St. George over Christmas!  

Then Ken remembered that he had the Hyundai Assistance plan with his car, so we called the dealership in town.  They had the tire in stock, but would only be open until noon.  Hyundai sent out a tow truck (they said, why use the kit when we could get towed!) and Ken went with the driver to the dealership.  They found a nail in the tire, repaired the tire and wouldn't charge us anything.  And with, "Have a Merry Christmas" Ken was on his way back to the condo.  We finished cleaning up and then left for Provo.  Thank you Hyundai!!

We had a quiet Christmas morning at home and then went to visit our local kids and grandkids in the afternoon.  I am thankful that everyone was well and that we could go visit and enjoy being with the kids as they showed us their new gifts.  So between being home and visiting with kids (either in person or by phone or by FaceTime), it was a very nice day.  

And now I am staying home for the 5 days that my immunity is at its lowest.  I have been catching up on some reading, trying some new recipes, and getting started with the year end things that we need to do for our stores.  

Things I am thankful for:

- The opportunity to celebrate our 39 year marriage.  I love Ken more than ever!

- Christmas at home and with some of the family.  We even had a white Christmas!

- The many friends who left Christmas treats and gifts on our front porch, and for Diane keeping them all safe till we got home.

- The huge blessing of feeling good, even after 5 chemo treatments.

- The time to read and reflect on the Savior and what He means in my life.  

One More Done!

Today was my fifth chemo treatment.  All went well and I am so grateful to have the love and support of this guy!

It was a good and busy week leading up to this treatment.  I dried some more apples, went to book group and support group, did some Christmas shopping, played 9 holes of golf (better than last time!), went on a date with Ken to see Miracle on 34th Street at BYU, and went visiting teaching.  We also had a family lunch at the country club with our kids that are here in Utah.  We look forward to that tradition every year!  It's so fun to have adult time together.  And then we came home to play with the grandkids.  Instead of a baking day this year (I didn't quite have the energy to pull that one off) we all made cookies and candy to have a cookie exchange.  We missed having everyone here to bake, but next year I will be back and ready to take that on again!  We all came away with plates of goodies to take to people on our Christmas list.  In fact, I took the last of our treats to share at the clinic today.  I needed to get them out of the house so I would stop eating them!

I am grateful for the thoughtfulness of friends.  These are some things that have shown up on our porch.  I am excited to grow the Amaryllis.  I have seen these, but never had one.  I'll have to post a photos of it when it blooms.  Thanks Sibyl!!

And I can't wait to try the jam from Anita.  The ornaments are from Diane D who always thinks of me on my chemo days - you are wonderful Diane.  The bread is from the Activity Day girls (ages 8-11) at church (I was a leader for them until this cancer slowed me down).  They came caroling to my door not 15 minutes after I got home from the clinic.  I am so glad I was here to listen to them sing!  And they made the bread!  Impressive, huh?  I miss being with them.  And then there is the friend that brought me some fresh juices to get through the next couple of days.  She also brought chips and salsa - she knows us!!  Thanks Krista.

Things I am thankful for:
- My white blood cell count actually went UP this time.  Back into the normal range.  Such good news.
- cute carolers who all gave me a big group hug.
- Ken giving me another priesthood blessing before going to chemo.  It is so comforting.
- At this time of year I am especially grateful for the birth of our Savior and what his teachings and his sacrifice mean to me.  I love Him.  If you haven't seen this, you need to watch this beautiful nativity song video.  Click here.
- All of you who send me such encouraging messages and keep me in your prayers.  Thank you, thank you!

Holidays with chemo

I have thought and thought about what I want to say in this post because I had a few days after chemo #4 where I let myself fall into a pity party.  And I have decided that it was because of my expectations and desires for the holidays.  But the reality is that this year is going to have to be different than I would like.

Physically this round has been about like the others.  I have been able to avoid mouth sores.  The digestive issues have passed.  My throat wanting to constrict lasted longer than the last few times and I have had more hot flashes than usual.  But I really let my emotions get the best of me for a few days there!   That made me tired and cranky and I didn't like it one bit.  One of the things I love about the holidays is that we are able to spend so much time with our family.  I was sad that we didn't have our regular Thanksgiving with our kids in Utah.  And it was sad to think about not having our Christmas baking day.  Or having our California kids come for the holidays since my immunity will be so low right around Christmas.  And sad that I don't have enough energy to decorate like I usually do.

I actually had a really neat experience with this though.  I was praying, and asking the Lord to help me get out of the funk that I was in.  You know how you have a thought and you know that it is an answer to your prayers?  Well, the thought that came to me was "remember, this is but for a small moment".  I knew that already.  That is why I chose that as the name for this blog.  But having that reminder helped me get back to being thankful for all my blessings again.  It is amazing what a difference a positive attitude makes in how you feel.  All of a sudden, I had my energy back (though still not enough to pull out all my Christmas decorations!).  And I was happy again.  So even though it will be a different holiday than I would have liked, I am not feeling sick and I am alive and fighting this cancer!

Since I didn't post for awhile, here is what has been going on with me.  I was able to play golf for the first time since August.  We have had such a mild couple of weeks.  It was nice to get out with friends in the sunshine.  I took a cart because I knew I would get tired if I tried to walk 18 holes.  I still got a little tired and it showed in my swing.  But I did make 2 pars!  But I sure had a high score : )

I was also able to go to the temple with a friend and feel the peace that is there.  I got our Christmas tree up and decorated.  I cleaned off my desk of the paperwork that had been piling up.  I taught a Sunday School class to the young single adults about marriage.  I tried some new recipes (the one for the hoisin glazed pork was really good!).  I made applesauce and dried a lot of apples.  

I love getting the cards and treats that get left on my front porch.  My visiting teacher gave me these

cute Christmas kitchen towels!  My friends are so thoughtful.

When I am at home, I don't always have a scarf or hat on.  I will put one on if I get cold, but I am often just going around bald-headed.  Ken thinks it is pretty funny when I put my reading glasses on the top of my bald head.  I have found that they don't stay up there very well on a bald head.  I will forget I have them there and bend over to do something and they slide right off!

Our granddaughter, Michaela, had surgery for SVT arrhythmia last week.  It is a pretty common surgery to correct arrhythmia, but any surgery is scary.  She is holding one of the 8 catheters that they used to get from her leg up to her heart.  We are grateful that all went well and that she has been able to recover quickly.  I am glad that we got to go visit her after she got home. She has such a great positive attitude and can make you laugh with her stories of what went on in the hospital. 

Here are some of the many things I am thankful for:

- Answers to prayer.  And knowing that the Lord hears and is aware of me.

- Family who are able to come visit and those that check up on me with phone calls.

- Christmas and the chance to celebrate the Saviors' birth and all that means to me.

- Feeling good and having enough energy to accomplish many things.

- Ken and his patience and understanding and hugs.

- All of you, for your thoughts and prayers and messages.

- That I am 2/3 the way through these chemo treatments!