ONWARD & UPWARD!!

Hello everyone. I was to the DR on Friday and I got good news. The CA 125 has come down again and all seems good. This means chemo is a go again and I will have it tomorrow. The plan is chemo again in July followed by a CT scan and see how things are.
We had family pics taken this week and they turned out so good. Even with my new look I love, love ,love the finished product. I think what I love sooo much is all those in the pictures.
I participated in Relay for Life yesterday and was as proud as can be to complete the survivors lap. Its a very emotional walk as I had my family present cheering for me and many other cancer survivors. Its a journey I couldn't complete without the love and support of all of you. xx oo  The journey is not an easy one but one that has changed me. I look after myself as best as I can, ,i rest lots and pray often and say thanks each and every day.
Keeping you in  the loop   Always Donna

Time of Reflection and Gratitude

Hello everyone! Have been doing lots of reflecting and feeling very blessed. Its been 3 years today since I heard those unforgettable words...." Donna you have Cancer".  Boy oh  boy, so much has happened since that day. I hardly remember life without carrying this sometimes heavy, sometimes not, backpack. With this journey we have  been on, there has been some really tough times but there has been some really happy times...... along with many gifts. I refer to them as my " cancer gifts." Who would have ever thought that I would find goodness in all of this.....certainly not me!! My Mom used to always say to me "honey slow down and smell the roses" cause I was always on the go and usually in a hurry .My response always was "MOM your a long time dead....I can rest when im dead." Well I hear my mom now in a way I never imagined I could have. .I  live very differently tthan I use too..... I embrace each day and give thanks. I share and spend time for the moments not for things. I hug lots and say I love you whenever I feel like I want to. I don't worry about money and stuff....I smell the flowers and I see the beauty in many things and people. Im not in a hurry and I rest lots and take naps... Im so thankful and im so grateful...and im happy and feel blessed.....and all of you have made these gifts possible to me.  I will keep up the fight and enjoy my life. xxooxxoo  Keeping you in the loop Always Donna 

Chemo it is!!!

Hello everyone. I met with Winnipeg yesterday and it was decided that we will continue with chemo. That decision was based on me and that my mind and body are willing to have more chemo and that the CA 125 has come down. Oh dear lord I cant even tell you how scared I was waiting to hear and was overwhelmed with emotion when the Dr shared this news. There seemed to be some confusion with the CT scan so there was no accurate report from it. The  radiologist compared the new CT scan with the one from February of  2014 instead of the one from February 2015, so they will re look at it and share the report asap. For now, im taking the good from this and running with it. Going to enjoy the long weekend with my family and some friends and be ready to kick cancers ass with chemo on Tuesday..... Thanks for all your love, support and prayers.   Keeping you in the loop Always, Donna

FULL OF HOPE!!!

Hello to you all. I had my CT scan and hope and pray that its a good one. The staff in that department are so good to me and even shared a few hugs as they wish me well. So many great people I have met on this journey. On Tuesday I meet with the  Winnipeg team via tela health and get the results of both the scan and my CA 125. They will decide if the chemo is doing what we need it to and if so, continue chemo (this is what im praying for) or make a new plan. We are all going with option number 1
Our family is good. Lots of excitement around here. Kyle has livened up the house and I just love, love, love that hes home. Mandy is great. Happy and smiling and loving her little boys. Our family is so blessed despite the F... EN" C "word....
Kelly continues to feel and look great. So glad hes getting back to his normal self.
Years ago(like 15) we had a international student from Mexico live with our family. His name is Jose and we have always kept in touch with him. He is now 32 and a DR in Mexico and when I was first diagnosed he offered for us to come to his city and he would operate immediately at no charge and care for me. I passed on the offer but it meant the world to us. Monday night we were visiting at  Mandys house and who should open the door and come in but Jose.....wow...what a gift....we are catching up and sharing lots of love and laughter.
Life is good...keeping you in the loop always Donna

TEARS,TEARS & more TEARS.....but all HAPPY ONES!!!

Hello all! Wishing to share some good news. Chemo went well on Monday and ive had a good week. Didn't rest as much as I should have but im going to catch up on some rest this weekend. Since I started the new chemo drug, we had not seen the CA125 tumor markers go down but this time they were down. This would indicate that the chemo is doing its job. yahoooo and thanks be to GOD
This brought on many happy tears. The other part to the tear fest was the arriveal of Kyle home with his degree completed. As many of you know I prayed very hard and made many wishes to be well and welcome my son home with the biggest happiest hug ever....well all this happened at the Hamm House. That's all for now. Keeping you in the loop Always Donna

Chemo a go for Tomorrow!

Hello everyone. I saw the Dr on Friday and chemo is a go for tomorrow. This is the 3rd round with this new drug and I pray its doing the trick. Chemo puts me down for  3-4 days on the couch but somehow I find the strength to get up and keep going. I believe its with the help of my parents and many other angels in heaven and on earth that give me the strength and of course my desire to get back to Winners and see whats on sale..hahahhaahah
Mandy and the monkies are good. They love the outdoors and are on the go to many of the local parks. Grandpa bought them ball gloves and that's become a favorite pastime.
Kyle is very busy with exams and wrapping things up after his 2 years in Kelowna. He will head for home Thursday with lots of memories and his degree in Business with his major in Human Resources. YAHOOOOO  The party begins Friday night after he pulls in with cheering on the Wheat Kings and christening Browns Social House. Cant wait!!
Kelly is feeling great, He reminded me the other day he has been working with Caring Companions for 1 year now. I said to him hard to believe that time has gone so fast. He replied with wondering if he could get a raise....I just laughed.  We really are having fun with the business and am grateful he's doing such a great job running it.
A very special thanks to many of our friends who continue to think of our family with visits, cards, flowers ,hugs, food and   prayers. We are so  blessed to have so much love and support. 
Happy Spring! Keeping you in the loop Always, Donna

Happy Easter

Hello to you all. Not much new around the Hamm house but that's ok. I got through round 2 of chemo with no extra excitement. I'm beginning to feel much better again so that's always nice. I will be returning to WINNERS asap!!!! hahhha   The 3rd chemo will be April 20th so I have lots of time to enjoy before then and work on feeling stronger. After that, its a scan to see if this new treatment is helping.  I spoke of the CA 125 last time and hoped and prayed the number was down. Well because they had taken the blood work 12 days before my first chemo began, they didn't have a true starting point number. Will have a much more accurate reading next time. I'm grateful for so many things and continue to feel so blessed. Tomorrow my daughter  and best friend will be 28!! I still feel 28 sometimes and appreciate her love and friendship soooo much. The presents have been bought and the boys are so excited about their mommies party!!! Hope it turns out better than Grandpas did!!!hahhaha  
Kyle is on the home stretch of his schooling. Oh man im excited to have my son home.....remind me I said that after hes been home partying like crazy for about  week!! hahhaha Im so proud of him for sticking this school commitment out...I know its been so hard for him to be away from us all but soon we are all together again! My hubby is doing good. He is always close by me supporting whatever it is I need. Hard to believe he's been working with our company for a year this month. We are doing pretty good with all that. When things get stressful I remind him im the boss! hahhahha
We are all good. Thanks for your love and support. Happy Easter to you and those you love the most. Keeping you in the loop Always, Donna