My Last Entry on THE LOVE LOOP!!


Hello to all my friends !! Today will be my last entry. As I reflect on the past 15 plus months from where I was to where I am I, i,m pretty much in disbelief. My life was so uncertain and completely upside down and today I'm living a normal life again.
I have learnt so many things...not sure I could begin to share them all.  I hold a new appreciation for life. I say thanks to God everyday for some special moment I enjoyed. I tell a lot of special people I  love them, I really don't rush the way I use too ,I truly don't sweat the small stuff. I put myself first. That's a real switch for me. As I sat many a day at Dr's appointments and chemo, etc  i did a lot of plea bargaining. I'm doing my best to keep up my end of the bargains.
To our heavenly father I give thanks,to my amazing husband I give thanks. To Amanda and Wes and boys and Kyle,you made the journey bearable. All those I love and that love me, each of you have made a difference and I say thanks from the bottom of my heart.
Ive been back to work for 3 weeks and I have learnt to smell the roses. I love my life and I'm healthy and I'm happy! I will be 8 months Cancer Free on the 24th and I promise to keep being first. Amen

thanks Donna

 
                                      THANKYOU,THANKYOU,THANKYOU


Hello everyone. Seems lots has happened since the last time I wrote on the blog. First and foremost, I am so excited, happy and proud to tell you I had a very good Dr's appointment today. My CA 125 was very good and all tests were normal. I cried and cried with such relief.
I'm feeling really good and hope to return to work in September. My biggest challenge continues to be my legs feeling very tired and weak but they assured me that this is a normal side effect from all the Chemo.
The Celebration turned out to be a great success. We had about 300 people come and we raised $5000.00. The money was donated to Cancer Care Brandon and The Murray House. Our family feels so proud to make this donation and pay it forward.
Our home has been busy and we have a few really exciting things happening. Kyle will be moving away to Kelowna next week and plans to go to university there to get his degree in Business. Its another 2 years and he will experience lots of new and exciting things. We look so forward to getting on a West Jet plane and going for a visit. Mandy is back to work after her year off and tomorrow we celebrate Frasers 1st birthday.
All in all, our family is loving life like never before. This bump in the road has made us all have an appreciation for the little things. We couldn't have gotten this far without all of you and your support.
I plan to do one more entry on my blog and then I will close it up and move forward with life.
    Keeping you in the loop always, Donna

Celebrating Health,Friends and Kindness

Hello! Life is becoming more and more normal each and every day and for that my family and I are forever grateful. I'm so proud to say I'm back to future planning and I can't even begin to tell you how great that feels. I lived in the moment for what seemed like forever.
I did something so very exciting and meaningful I must share it. I was able to attend the Relay for Life and I completed the survivors lap. WOW....certainly in the top 5 accomplishments of my life and I got to share it with some very special people in my life..first and foremost my soulmate Kelly and our family...grand kids and a few of my greatest supports...thanks ladies! It's a memory I will always cherish.
I'm proud to tell you some details of another celebration. Our family wishes to pay it forward therefore decided we would host a party. It will be Friday August 9 th at the Hydro Park. The Beatles will be playing and we will serve great food. Tickets and more information are available from Amanda at 5731210  Proceeds will be given to Cancer Care Bdn and The Murray House. Hope to see you there!  Keeping you in the loop   Always, Donna

                        5 MONTHS and ONE DAY CANCER FREE!!!!

 Life is beginning to go on in a more normal fashion...but its definitely a new normal but that's ok...I will take it and run with it!! I've just got home from my walk this morning and am sitting outside on the deck blogging....just loving my life.
Last week was exciting as Kyle graduated from his 2 year business program and we are very proud of him. He is busy working again this summer for a construction company and keeping busy. He will be moving out to try life on his own so we are happy for him. Cant wait till he invites us over for dinner!! Will be sure to tell you all about it.
Manda and Wes and our little boys are all doing great. Sawyer has been busy with pre school in the new YMCA building and also going to gymnastics. He's doing great at both and really showing signs of growing up. Little Fraser (nugget) is also doing great. He took 4 steps yesterday and is definitely getting ready to walk. Mandy and Wes are going to be keeping in shape running with and after their boys. We just love our time with them and are so glad we get to be with them so much.
We have all been going to the lake and sure are enjoying it. Last week we were out in the boat and we didn't just have to sit at the dock in it...it ran and we were able to cruise around the lake. hahhahahaha  That's for those of you that recall last years boating trip! I still have that same old sense of humor hey!
My health is generally good. My legs still give me trouble but we are trying to finds ways to reduce the discomfort they cause me. I continue to enjoy my afternoon naps and my green smoothie! I have lots of hair as its getting thicker all the time. I have not dyed it yet and not sure if I will. That seems pretty minor to me now! Well that's it for now. Enjoy your summer. Keeping you in the loop.
                
                                                   Always, Donna

         WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES!!!

Hello to all! Well the last week has been an emotional time for me as i have been doing lots of reflecting and been so thankful for many things in my life. It was a year ago May 30th  since i was diagnosed. I had so many uncertainties and so much fear then but I'm in a way better place now. I went to cancer care on Friday and delivered a card to them with a letter to share with them how I'm doing. I was so happy to see everyone and got and gave many hugs and shared a few happy tears. I walked out the front door and looked to the sky with much thanks. I felt so healthy and confident and so very very proud as i left the parking lot.

Been feeling fairly well. I had a couple tests in Brandon last week and the DR has informed me that my leg and hip pain is because i have gotten arthritis in my hips so that's been why my legs are bothering me so much. He suggests i keep active so I'm happy to say I'm heading back to the YMCA tomorrow morning and will enjoy swimming 3 mornings a week and doing some yoga. I will miss the healthy living centre and the friends i have made there but will see how i do at the Y.

We have been enjoying our yard and in our spare time Kelly gets out on that new motorcycle and I've been on my pedal bike. Trying to get my legs stronger.If you see me sitting on a corner I'm probably resting!!hahahha

Well think that's all for now. Thanks for the many cards,calls and kind thoughts of me especially this past week, I'm sure one lucky lady.   Keeping you in the loop  Always, Donna

A beautiful day

What a beautiful day! My doctors appointment went very well. We are so blessed.  Friday will mark four months cancer free.
My doctor asked me if I have been enjoying each day. I told him I have been like never before. I also said that I knew cancer did many things to people but didn't realize it took people's confidence. It sure took mine. I am happy to say I am on my way to having mine back. So proud of myself, my family, my grey hair and my life.
We spent last night celebrating with our family. We did some planning for the future, as I am ready to get living like never before.
Thank you all for your love.  I continue to get stronger and feeling better each day. Keeping you in the loop always, Donna

                           Spring Brings New Life!

Hello to all my blog freinds! Life has continued to be much the same for me and for that im so thankful. Most days i feel fairly well...just these darn legs of mine. They have not changed much..still very tired and fatigued. Wish i new what else to do about it but its on the top of my list to ask my Drs in Winnipeg on May 21st. I had my blood work done in Brandon this week and i found that very difficult as it just brought all those cancer worries back. I guess its the fear of the unknown....keep praying for me that all reports and tests will be good!! Generally i keep a positive mindset ...this is when my faith,family and freinds are so important to me!

Kyle is all done school and did very well. We sure are proud of him as he got his Business Administration diploma. Hes back to work and will try to figure out if he will head back to university in the fall. Mandy and Wes and the boys are great. They are busy as always doing things with the kids and we join in whenever we can.
Kelly is good and has gotten his motorcycle out just this week. Hes really enjoying it and i must say he sure looks good on it. I continue to go to the Healthy Living Center every weekday and have met lots of new freinds there.

I had my 2nd haircut this week. My hair sure is growing and Kelly says its getting darker at the roots. Will have to wait and see what color i end up. He might get his blond bomeshell yet!!!
I will be going to Regina with my sisters and my our daughters on Saturday for the night. We will meet our Aunt Eileen(our Moms sister) and her daughters and share some time together. Its so great to get to be together and share mothers day with them.
Will update again soon as i get home from my 3 month checkup in Winnipeg. Keeping you in the loop   Always, Donna

So long ME-ME

I continue to be feeling pretty good. Hard to believe a year ago this journey all began. It was April that i began to feel so tough and started seeing the Dr. I continue to be so thankful and enjoy the love of my family,friends and life in general. My legs seem to be the only thing that still bothers me. They are very stiff at times and hard for me to get moving when ive been sitting. They tell me its a side effect of the chemo...im not complaining i can put up with that.
                                                            
Kelly and i had a fun but busy week last week looking after our 2 little grandsons. Mandy and Wes went off to Mexico with thier good freinds Josh and Sheena and they all had a blast. We had a great time too but have to admit we were happy to see thier parents get home.

My hair continues to grow and this week i parted with my bff  Me Me!!(my wig) I went out on Tuesday for my daily walk at the Healthy Living Center,then off to the Drs office as i have had trouble getting my port site to heal, then over to see some friends and later to Walmart. As i was driving home i had to pull over and have a big meltdown as i found it stressful being out with out Me Me! Oh well,now its behind me and Me Me is in the bottom cupboard and i plan to pay it forward to whom ever shall need her.
On Friday i went to my dear friend and long time hairdresser Carol and had a real hairdoo!! Wash,condition and cut...then blowdry and curl!! Wow!! Was very exciting and i loved my hair doo! Thanks Carol for always making me feel so special.

Kelly and i have been enjoying our home as always. He just painted our room and Kyles room and the house is pretty much tip top. He wants to have all his work done as i bought him a motorcycle for Valentines day and he can pick it up early May so doesnt want me nagging him to do any thing as he will be out on his bike...  Keeping you in the loop  Donna

LOVING LIFE!!!

Been a long time since i updated my blog. Our family trip to Toronto was a great getaway. We did lots of touristy things including the Hockey Hall of Fame, CN Tower,Old Maple Leaf Gardens, Rodgers Center, an NHL game. We also got to go to China town and do some sight seeing and of course shopping!! The subway was a real experience as we used it a couple times so felt like real Torontotarians . The grand kids enjoyed the hotel pool and play room. They had a couple bunny rabbits there and they liked seeing them each day. We also got to share a few visits with Wes's family and they were so good to all of us making time to visit and show us around.

Since then ive continued to feel fairly good. My energy continues to improve each day. I have had some pain in my legs but they say thats a side effect to the chemo i was on. Im really happy to say my eyebrows are coming back and i have been able to use mascara again on my short but visible eyelashes. My hair also continues to grow and on Saturday i did my first outing in public without MEME!!!(the wig)  Guess where i went....WINNERS!! hahhaa  Many of you know i love Winners. I felt very nervous and insecure but i did it. My hair is fairly long(about 2 inches) but is very white. They say the Chemo kills your color pigment and i am not able to dye it for 4 months so i guess i best get use to going out with it the way it is.

I continue going to the Healthy Living Center 5 days a week and walk. I love it and say thanks to God at least once a day while im there. I continue to feel very blessed and appreciate each day with my good health,family and freinds.

I will be going to Winnipeg in May for my first 3 month check up! Im already looking forward to going and getting the reassurance i need. I sure do miss all the staff at the cancer care in Brandon. They truely became my extended family.
Well i will do a better job at keeping you all in the loop more often as i continue to get stronger Always Donna                                                                                                                                                                         

Up, Up and Away

Wow,  this is the first week since last May that I have not had some form of a medical appt. I sort of feel lost, but am certain this will pass. All in all, I am feeling pretty good. I joined the Healthy Living Centre and have been going walking Monday-Friday. I am treating the excersize as the next part of my treatment. Chemo and steroids were very hard on me so this is a way to get my energy and stamina back. Last week I was walking and felt a spring in my step for the first time in a long time. What a great feeling that was!

I had mentioned on my blog that I had been working on a celebration and to stay tuned for details. I was hoping to plan a splashy affair this spring,  but my body isn’t where my mind is in terms of being ready for this. Because of this, I am sad to say that this is not in the works at present. I am wishing to one day do this to thank many people who have been so good to me and our family but don’t feel I can at this point in my recovery. 

This Friday, our family is off to Toronto to spend some time together. We are looking forward to this time together. We plan to do skating at the Nathan Phillips Square, the Hockey Hall of Fame, Yuk Yuk’s comedy club, the waterslides at our hotel, and we are all pretty excited about going to the Leafs vs Devils game. (Thanks to Alex Urbom for getting us these tickets!) Wohooo. The trip will be a great way to have some fun together after this stressfull year. 

My latest docs apt went well. My port has been removed and my doctors sent me on my way and will check in with me three months down the road. I will be in touch again soon. 

Donna

journey

It sure is a Jorney!

This past week I have done lots of reflecting.... I am so grateful for so many things. Having that last chemo behind me seems pretty great thats forsure. Kelly and Wes were with me for the last round and that seems so fitting as they were with me the day we got the diagnosis. I did the happy dance as we left Cancer Care and Kelly and I had a very emotional ride home. Seems a long time ago and so many things have happened since last May. Promised myself no looking back only looking forward.
Im thinking one of my biggest challenges will be to get my stamina back. I tried to get on my treadmill this week. Monday i did 15 min, Tuesday 20 min, Wednesday 30 min,Thursday 20 min and then i have crashed since then. I thought maybe i could run 30 min by now...not so much. Walking at 3.2 mph is about as much as i can do. So I need some patience thats forsure.

Have been journaling lots and resting every day. Manda continues to visit me lots and bring those beautiful little boys over to see Grammie! Kyle is away this weekend looking at the university in Leithbridge. Hes just looking ahead at what he will do when he graduates from colledge.
Kelly is sanding down our kitchen cupboards and thats our last job for awhile. Seems he has had to keep so busy to get through this.

We are all looking forward to our little get away on March 1st to Toronto. Planning on a few fun things and will be so great to just be together as a family.
Well think thats all for now. I promise i will keep resting and not sign up to run a marathon quite yet...hahhahaha

 Keeping you in the loop
Always, Donna

Yahoo!

I can hardly believe we are here! Last chemo tomorrow. This week was Kyles 23rd birthday, so happy birthday to you son. I love you so much honey! Seems a very long time that I have wished for this time of the year to come...means I'm really close to my very last chemo day...our family is very excited to put this date Jan 24th. behind us all! It represents the completion of 18rounds of weekly chemo, so 21 chemo treatments in total.

 Last week I felt brave enough to say to my Dr so whats next..after chemo I mean. So the plan wll be to have my port out asap and that date will be Feb 12th in Brandon. Then meet with Winnipeg surgeon and drs on Feb 19th. I will be monitored closely and go between seeing Brandon and Winnipeg Drs.
For now,need to get this week behind us. Last chemo day,last calender,last set of steriods,last needles...oh man..Im emotional just thinking about putting this part of it all behind me and the family. Kelly is so excited to not have to give me needles anymore thats forsure!!


Im feeling ok...just really tired and they tell me I am going to need lots of resting for awhile. Not sure what I will do with all my time as I wont need to be at cancer care 2 days a week after this week. Im sure going to miss all those wonderful staff people that I consider my friends..they have become a big part of my support and my life since May. I will never forget thier caring and compasion.

Well think thats all..Kelly continues to be my rock and those little grandsons of our keep us smiling at the world.

Keeping you in the loop
Always, Donna

2 more...No more!

Well I can hardly believe that tomorrow morning will be my 2nd last chemo! What a long haul this has been for not only me but for our family. Kelly is excited as we only have 4 more needles he has to give me. I havent seen Kyle this excited for a long time...he was saying today Mom can u believe it..only 2 left. Amanda, shes rooting me on all the time... My wonderful son in law Wes gently hugs me and shares his admiration. My 2 beautiful grandsons are sitting under the finish line calling me all the time...of course I will keep going!!

The last round was sure a tough one for me. They increased the chemo dose so made it alot tougher to rebound. I slept most of Sunday, Monday and Tuesday and woke up just in time for yet another round of chemo tomorrow. My Dr and dear friend has been one of my biggest cheerleaders and I appreciate him and his support so much.

Kelly has been busy around the house as we have our kitchen pretty much all redone and hes done a great job. Hes sanding the cupboards now and will redo them next. I got my new bath tub in and I sure do like it!! I hopped in it for a quick sec to snap a pic for you! Cant wait to have a bath in it! You can see how relaxed I look!!! haha

Well I guess I best hit the bed and be well rested for tomorrow...number 17! Im feeling emotional over putting this part of the journey behind me. Thanks so much to the many of you who keep praying for me,phoning and stopping by and caring about me and our family. Its definetly a journey we couldnt get through without all of you.

Always keeping you in the loop Donna

Happy New Year

Happy New Year everyone!

Today, I had my 15th round of chemo. I now have 3 more to go. I am sure beat up but have enough gas left in the tank to get through the next few weeks. The chemo has given me a few new side effects over the last few weeks. I have a bit of a rash on my face and tingly feet. These are common and not suprising to the Cancer Care team. My hair is growing back, but is definately white. It may/may not get color again once I am done chemo. It also looks like it may have a bit of curl to it. Will share a recent pic again one day soon.

We enjoyed the holliday season and were lucky to enjoy a few nice visits with some great friends. New years was quiet, we spent the night at Amanda and Wes's place and had a nice dinner together.
 It was nice to say goodbye to 2012 and welcome a brand new year. Our family is full of optimism and hope that 2013 will be a year full of good health, happy days and a new appreciation for every day.

We have continued working at our party and will let you know the details very soon.
I will be in touch after the next round of chemo. The countdown is on! 3-2-1 wohoooo.

Thats all for now,
Keepin you in the loop-Donna