Holiday Time Not as Planned !!

Hello everyone. Just wanted to update you folks on what has been going on. I started my drug holiday and felt good for about a week. Then I was feeling tough so went to the dr and found out I needed a blood transfusion. I had that and felt a little better but not great. After meeting WPG drs it was determined that the chemo I had been having was not very effective. I had to make a few decisions on what plan I felt was best for me. I decided to start a new drug called Tomoxifin that I take orally 2 x a day. This will replace chemo and will take it for 3 months then have a CT scan to see how things are. The goal right now is to get feeling better and enjoy the summer. I'm sure Winners must be looking for me so that's just one more reason to get feeling better. Keeping you in the loop. Always, Donna

Its Holiday Time!!

Hello to you all. Today I saw the Dr and we decided I would begin my drug holiday. I'm feeling very excited about not having chemo for a little while and just looking forward to enjoying each and every day. My plan is  to relax emotionally and physically, go to the lake, maybe do a little visiting and play with my monkies as much as I can.....oh ya and do a little shopping! WINNERS and CINNAMON TREE!!! Couple of my favorites. We go to Winnipeg and meet my oncologist on May 31st. She will help us determine the plan as to how long we will be away from chemo etc.
Kyle is good. Really enjoying his job and excited about moving on July 1st. Him and his girlfriend have bought a house so very fun time for them. Mandy is good too. She is one busy little momma. The boys love the parks, the lake and playing in their yard. Me and Grandpa get over there as much as we can. Well I hope u all enjoy your family and friends and the sunshine and I will keep you in the loop. Always, Donna

The Plan

Hello everyone! We at the Hamm House are all good and excited to be able to enjoy being outdoors a little. Just thought id give a quick update on what we decided. So I had chemo last week and was suppose to have it again today but my blood was not strong enough so will try again next week. Then we will do chemo again in May unless a certain hockey team is playing in the M Cup and we may forgo the chemo to support that unsaid team. You may note I'm nervous of the hockey Gods. hahhahaaha  Was a billet Mom long enough to learn about them   In saying all that, then I would plan to not have chemo in June and July. I feel comfortable with that decision and that length of time as does my family. I also decided I would have my blood done monthly just to stay on top of things. This is a far cry from what I was thinking a month ago but think its probably the best plan. I wish you all a happy spring. Enjoy each and every day and tell those you love just how much every chance you can. Keeping you in the loop.   Always, Donna

So Many Blessings!

Hello everyone. All is good at the Hamm House. I'm feeling pretty good again but the last few chemos had me laying pretty quiet for Easter holiday. We were together as a family on the Monday and the bunny visited our little monkies.
I had my CT scan and met with Winnipeg yesterday. It appears there is no growth to the cancer...its stable. This is good news. The chemo is keeping it at bay. The Drs are concerned about how hard the chemo is on me both mentally and physically and suggested I might be ready for a drug holiday. This means I would not have chemo for a period of time that I choose unless symptoms appeared. This also means I would have lots of time to visit you all and do a little shopping t Winners!!! I'm nervous to not have the chemo but sure would enjoy some time away from this cancer regime. I will do some soul searching and meet with my Dr in Brandon on Wednesday and decide on a plan.
Thanks for my dear friends and family who keep thinking of our family and helping us through this journey. Much love and thanks Keeping you in the loop Always Donna

Happy Spring!!

Hello to you all. Sorry I'm really slow blogging this time but I'm back!! So we had a happy and blessed Easter with our family. The boys were visited by the bunny again and loved the egg hunt. Its so fun to celebrate these occasions with them. Kyle is good. He is enjoying his new job and is looking very handsome each morning as he heads out in his business attire. Mandy is good also and started visiting her usual summertime spots already. You will find her and her boys at most of the local playgrounds from know till the snow flies.hahhaaha  Kelly is good. Always with a project in hand. He is a keeper. I'm loving my main floor laundry he made me. And me, you have probably heard via the grape vine there has been sighting of me in Winners and a few other local shops..hahahhaha
March has brought me a bad cold so I have been home lots resting but have also gotten out a little. I had chemo last Thursday and again tomorrow then a CT scan on the the 6th.  Will meet Winnipeg on the 15th and see how things are looking.
I try not to think to far ahead as seems easier to enjoy and appreciate each and every day. I continue walking at the healthy living center and really enjoy that outing. Thanks to you all for thinking of our family and keeping us in your prayers. Keeping you in the loop Always, Donna

So much GOOD NEWS!!

Hello everyone! Sorry I've taken so long to update the blog. Life has been really good. So much news  to share. Kelly and I have been on a holiday to Vancouver with our monkies. Oh boy, did they ever love it!!! The airplane ride, the aquarium and the science museum were a few of the highlights. We feel so blessed Amanda shared this experience with us. It was 5 days of memories that we will always cherish.
Celebrated Kellys birthday on Friday so the boys arrived with three different kinds of cake for papa as they couldn't decide....was a great party with lots of cake!
I had chemo on Thursday and it was ok. Ive been asleep for the past 3 days but this morning I'm finally feeling better. It was so great to have the 2 weeks off and between that and the holiday I got to forget about the chemo regime. Had a meltdown returning to cancer care and the schedule again but the dr told me CA 125 is down to 260 so we are making progress. This news helps me to keep on keeping on!! Our family is blessed with so much love and support and we are enjoying everyday. Keeping you in the loop                Always Donna

The New Plan

Goodmorning All!!! Everything is good at our house. I had chemo last Thursday and the goal is to have it again this week so will see how the blood work is tomorrow and go from there. The plan has been altered a little. I used to have scheduled chemo 3x per month on Thursdays with one Thursday off. For many various reasons, I was not able to have the chemo more than twice per month. I feel I can manage the 2 x a month much better and that gives me lots of recovery time also.  In conclusion, managing this disease, feeling as good as possible and enjoying everyday is what I wish for.  I embrace the new plan. PS  I will have lots of better days so will see you at Winners!!!

Celebrating Life!!!

Hello everyone!! Well I will get right to the news we received yesterday ....the chemo is effective and the cancer is shrinking!!!  Kelly and I sat in the telehealth yesterday and shared hugs and tears....feeling so blessed and grateful. We left there and called our family. There were high fives all around. We all went to the Keg last night and the monkies were all dressed up and brought me flowers. They were really excited to be at the party!!! hahahha  So many times in my journey its those 2 monkies that keep this Grammie going so I couldn't imagine a celebration without them.
The past few weeks have been tough again with cchemo side effects but that doesn't seem to matter anymore. The chemo will continue starting next week and we will discuss a new schedule that I can tolerate better.
Mandy and the boys are all good. Enjoying swimming lessons and skating with Grandpa . Uncle Kyle is happy and fine too. We celebrated his birthday this week and the monkies bought him his cake..they love cake! They picked him a smiling minion and we all enjoyed it. Kelly is good and keeps busy. He is like Bob the Builder...always doing something. We all keep living life and enjoying everyday. We appreciate all the love,support and prayers  shared with our family. Keeping you in the loop!    Always Donna  xo

Happy New Year Everyone!!

Hello everyone. Hope that your Christmas was wonderful and that the new year will bring you and yours much happiness,love,laughter and good health. Our family was all together for the holidays and we had lots of fun together. The monkies were so happy to finally get to open the presents and it sure was fun watching them open theirs and everyone else's. It was also really special that we shared the holidays with Ashley(Kyles girlfriend) Shes a wonderful addition to our family gatherings . I felt so truly blessed to be well and with my family and friends throughout the season. Ive been feeling really good so embraced the moments. I had chemo on this past Thursday....that was my new years eve cocktail!!! They put me on steroids this weekend as usually I am feeling pretty tough after chemo but so far so good!!! So the plan is like this..chemo again the next 2 Thursdays as long as blood etc is all good then  CT scan on the 18th and meet with Winnipeg via telehealth on the 22nd of January. The goal is that we beat up the CA 125(cancer tumor markers that has gone from 3000 to 6oo last report) even lower so I can have a break from chemo. That's what we are all wishing and praying for. This new chemo is hard  on me but its working so I will keep doing my part to win this fight. A very special thanks for the many cards, phone calls, flowers, baking and gifts shared with our family. The kindness never ends....we are truly blessed. Well think I will get out today for a car ride as the sun is shining nice.....maybe the car will take me to Winners!! Much love to you all. Keeping you in the loop Always, Donna