Hi friends...

Hello friends:)

Its been a week since chemo and just started getting feeling better again in the last day or so. This round was a bit harder on me, as chemo is accumulative.

None the less, I had a pretty good weekend. I attended a wedding, a bridal shower, went for breakfast with friends and had Amanda, Wes and Sawyer for supper on Sunday night. Monday and Tuesday were pretty much spent on the couch as I was coming down off the steriods again and found those days to be tough.

I received some fantastic news about my bloodwork we were waiting on and am pleased to say I seem to be responding "fabulously" to the first round of chemo. I am so thankful for the good results as were a major emotional boost. Many thanks to you for all your prayers, positive thoughts, and well wishes. I know I have some wonderful angels watching over me and helping me every day.

I have been walking each day and eating well, and I plan to get to the gym within the next day or 2. I have been doing my best to look after myself and have great support from my family. We are hoping to go to the lake on Saturday for some fun. I am sure looking forward to this:)

Thats all for now. Will keep you in the loop. Love Donna

chemo round 2!

Just got home from my second round of chemo. Kelly and I started the day with a shake made with our new Healthmaster that was sent to us as a gift from our good friends the Lowes. The thing has a ton of power and will sure get a workout in our house. Kelly and I will be learning to emulsify greens in order to sneak as many as possible into our daily diet.  Then, we were off to check in at CancerCare. The day went quickly as I got to have my brother and sister, Marilyn there with me.  I was pleased that everything was good with my bloodwork, as that allowed me to have this second round of chemo. 

My next chemo date has changed slightly and will take place on August 9^th. It will also now start at 8:30, which is good for me so I can wake up and get right to it. It also allows me to celebrate my 29^th birthday on August 10^th, anyway I wish.

Over the next few days, I plan to do what I can, but my main priority will be lots of rest. I know my Kelly will have all sorts of healthy foods ready for me as we know that good nutrition helps the chemo work well!

I am especially proud of Kyle today, as he is giving the toast at a friends wedding. He and Curtis Brolund have been working on it this week and I know they will do a great job. Especially if they can manage to  enjoy drinks in moderation, at least until after the speech!

Amanda is doing fine. Happy that each day that passes, is another day closer to meeting baby. The heat has been tough on her, so will be nice in a short while, when she is done work.

Next week, I plan to join the gym. I am going to partake in some yoga, and do a bit of working out with weights. My doctor has okayed this and told me that it is healthy for my mind and body. It will also get me out of the house, which is great. While I am out, I might have to take a detour to Winners and Walmart, to get caught up on the deals. 

Thanks again everyone,  will keep you in the loop!

Donna

july 13th

Hi everyone,

Mom has been feeling fantastic this week and looks and feels a million times better than she has in a long time. She has been out and about visiting friends , shopping, doing starbucks and playing with Sawyer.  Mom has been doing her part to get healthy; she has been eating lots of greens, going for walks, and trying to get in lots of time to rest.  Mom has also been enjoying shooters. However, these shooters are a little different than what she used to enjoy! She has been taking wheat grass shots from Booster Juice after finding out that they are jam packed with awesome stuff!  She still has a great head of hair that she is being very nice too, but has her wig she’s lovingly nicknamed “Meme” on standby.

Our whole family appreciates so much the support from all of you. We have enjoyed many delicious, healthy meals, as well as flowers and other thoughtful gestures.

The next step in terms of treatment is on Wednesday of next week. Mom will have blood work done to ensure she is  responding well and ready for round 2 of chemo. Her next chemo is scheduled for Friday, July 20^th. For those of you who have been praying for mom, please be sure to pray for good news and good results with Wednesday’s bloodwork.

Mom’s birthday is coming up, and if all goes well, shell be spending her 29^th birthday having chemo. Her 3^rd round of chemo is set for August 10^th.

Lately, we have been enjoying time together at the lake, as well as in my parents yard. Sawyer has been having fun with Fabulous Friday’s (Friday’s with Grammie, Sawyer and Pappy too when he can finish up his workweek a bit early.) Mom is excited to meet Grandbaby number 2  who is scheduled to meet us mid-late August.  Dad has successfully quit smoking (as far as I know!) and loves his ecigarette and gum! All of us are doing well and looking forward to seeing mom over the next hurdles she has ahead of her next week.

Thanks again!
Amanda

Chemo Cycle 1 Underway!

It has been an eventful week. Kelly and I have met our Brandon Chemo Team and are happy to say what wonderful, caring, professional  people we have helping us. We met with them on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Amanda and I went to the Look Good, Feel Better program at Cancer care to learn about skin care during treatment as well as make up tips. I got some great stuff to bring home and use and was lucky to have Amanda there with me to be my make up artist.

Thursday was a very long day. I got my port inserted. It is a small device they insert under the skin on my chest so they have easy access to bloodstream for iv treatments like chemo and bloodwork. The port was inserted with a quick surgery but the day was very long and tiring. I am glad I chose to get it as now there is no need to feel like a pin cushion. It seems to be healing well.

Friday was my first chemo day. I was a bit nerved up but the nurses at Cancer Care put me at ease. The day was somewhat long with about 5 hours of chemo meds. I had a few visitors over the day and of course my wingman Kelly was there as well. Over the weekend, I have felt pretty good. Not knowing what to expect was probably the worst part. The chemo is off to a good start and I am well on my way to finding that six pack in my abdomen. My belly sure has went down as they said it would, which makes me happy:)

Yesterday was Wes's birthday so today, we are celebrating together. I am sure lucky to have a son in law like him. We love him very much and think of him more as a son than a son in law.

Thanks for the encouragement guys and I will continue to keep you in the loop.

Donna