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

Loving the Holidays!!!

Hello to you all!! Well I best give you all the latest updates. I have been feeling really tough. This darn chemo seems to beat me up pretty bad. I spent most of the past few weeks sleeping. I seen the Dr on Tuesday and my blood counts were really low, so I received a blood transfusion on Wednesday. I could not have chemo on Thursday as I need to get stronger and next Thursday is my week off, so its a great break for me and I'm feeling very thankful for that.  I feel much better and think my energy is coming back. Might try the gym later as I have missed it while I've been sleeping.hahhaha  I think Kelly will be so surprised this Christmas when he sees what santa brings him....he will get to go to the gym too!!! Not sure he will love that or not.hahha
The good news is that the CA 125 was 3000 when I started this new chemo and it was 600 the last report....yahooooo!! Its working again. The plan is to have one more round of chemo and then a CT scan on January 18th.
The family is all well. We are all looking forward to being together for the holidays. The monkies are so excited. Everyday they ask if santa is coming..they have had to be good for a looooong time!!!
So from The Hamm House we wish you all a very merry Christmas and all the best in 2016!!! Much love to you all...keeping you in the loop  Always, Donna and Family  xo

Feeling Realy Good!!

Hello everyone. Just wanted to share that I'm feeling really good. Thankful to have November behind me. We saw the Dr today and blood work was good so chemo is a go for tomorrow. Feeling thankful tonight and so looking forward to the holidays. Kyle and his special lady will be sharing the holidays with us and Manda and the monkies. I couldn't ask for more.
Kelly is fine. Has the outside of our house all decorated...kids call us the Griswold's!!! To funny. I've been busy shopping for Christmas and enjoying Winners as often as I can!!! hhahahaha Think that's all for now. Keeping you in the loop. Always Donna

Feeling The Love!

Hello everyone. Well I got the first round of the new chemo in me last week and seems I did ok with that. I have continued to not feel great so went back to emergency on Sunday and  the phenomena hasn't cleared up yet so they gave me more antibiotics. That should do the trick. The other challenge I have had  is my foot has been so sore and swollen and fairly discoloured ....seems I have gout. All in all ,we all keep smiling. We will climb over this hill and be stronger for it.  My family and I are still feeling the love with lots of our friends and family sharing their kindness with us. We appreciate the food deliveries, cards, texts, emails and continued prayers. Think that's all for now. Keeping you in the loop   Always Donna

Many Ups and Downs !!!

Hello to you all. Well where to start? The holiday with our kids was perfect. We were so lucky to make a 4 day weekend and share some much needed family fun. Our time was fast so we needed a plan.... the girls had plans to shop and we even found Winners there!! The boys wish list included beers and shopping to buy ball jerseys and that's about it. Everyone was buying Blue Jays everything. You could feel the excitement. Then we did a day to Niagara and then to Niagara on the Lake and ended the day at a winery. It was all GOOD!
Since arriving home I have not felt well...seems I have pneumonia. Its kept me very quiet(no shopping) and hardly talking....never thought that would happen.hhahahaha
Well the tele health was a bit of a tough go this time. Seems the chemo that I have been taking for the past 9 months is no longer doing its job. They know this because CT scan and numbers(CA125) show. After a discussion of what we might like to do next, I decided I want to try another chemo drug. My job at the moment is to get well and be strong and ready to go next week....so me and the dog will be on the couch again. I see my Dr on Tuesday with the goal to start the new chemo on Thursday.
I am certain the new drug will be just what we need to beat up this darn cancer and keep me feeling well and enjoying each and everyday. Thanks for all your love and support and prayers. Keeping you in the loop. Always, Donna

Feeling Fine!!

Hello everyone! We have been enjoying the beautiful fall weather. Kelly been busy in our yard getting trees trimmed and plant pots put away etc. Hard to believe summer is over and we look ahead to winter.
Our family is going to have a little get away and we are so excited about it. We will go late October for 4 days and enjoy some family time.
We saw the DR yesterday and chemo is  go for Monday. I continue to tolerate the treatments well so im very grateful for that. We discussed how I continue to crash after I go off the steroids and this is quiet normal. We will attempt to taper off slower and longer and try to avoid this again.
Mandy and the monkies are good and busy as ever. They are back to gymnastics, swimming and playing outside at the park whenever the weather is good. Kyle still busy working with GVC and looking for a career in his field.
Not much else to share. I will keep on keeping on ....one day at a time and enjoying each and every moment. Keeping you in the loop Always, Donna

Holidays so good for the Soul!!!

Hello everyone. Just home from a little getaway with my honey. Kelly and I went out to Saskatoon and spent a few days with my Aunt and many of my cousins. Had a great visit and enjoyed the car ride and different scenery. Always fun to get spoiled and treated like a kid...special thanks to my Aunt. We stopped in Regina on our way home and hugged some more special people. Could feel so much love and support....so blessed we are.
Well I got through the last chemo and felt good till I came off the steroids, then had the same crash hit me. Guess we will see what they think is going on at my next visit Oct 2nd. Chemo is planned for Oct 5th followed by a CT scan on the 19th and Wpg on the 23rd to see whats next. In between all that stuff I will be walking outside enjoying the beautiful fall weather or else at Winners!!!
Keeping you in the loop...always Donna

Here We Go Again!!!

Hello to all our blog readers. Not much new around the Hamm house these days. I've been doing pretty good as of late so enjoying each and everyday. The past few chemo's have been tough for me when I come off the steroids. The Dr suspects that I am sort of crashing so this time they will wean me off them slowly and hopefully that will make the difference. Chemo is a go again for Tuesday so enjoying this long weekend before its back at the grind...hahhahaha!! Things seem stable so its all worth it that's for sure.
Manda and the monkies are good. They have had a great summer and have loved going to the many parks,going swimming,riding their bikes and loved, loved going to the lake. Pappie and I love doing anything we can as long as we are with the boys.
Kyle is great. He has enjoyed his summer at home with family and friends and his job that he has worked at for the past 5 summers. He is trying to find something in his field so we are keeping our fingers crossed for him.
Kelly is doing pretty good. He has had a couple tough weeks as he has nose surgery in Winnipeg and hasn't been a lot of fun. Man between the two of us we keep our kids busy looking after us.
We have enjoyed lots of car rides in the new wheels and really enjoying it. Problem is with car rides comes ice cream and sometimes Winners!!!  hahahha

Hello to all you supporters of ours! Well Friday was a pretty darn good day for our family. It began at 8:15 am with blood work at cancer care and then tele-health at 9 am with WPG. The news was favorable. The CT scan showed that the cancer has not grown....so I cried, then they said the CA 125(cancer tumor markers)continue to be going down....then I cried again.....so in conclusion they said they believe the cancer is stable...so I cried again!!! Hard to believe I was over the moon happy with all those tears. We also have been told the cancer will grow again if I don't have chemo.so the plan is 3 more rounds and then CT scans and WPG again. In the meantime its just good old living everyday.
I'm feeling pretty good and very blessed as I continue learning to live managing cancer. Its no easy feat but with the love and support shown to me and my family,we are able to continue the fight. For some time, perhaps since the 2nd surgery when they told us they couldn't remove the cancer as it was wrapped around the bowel and bladder, I believe a part of me lived to die....but recently in the past 2 months something has sparked me to live to live.....what a gift!! I'm feeling positive and happy and very at peace.
Our family is good and we continue to be very close spending lots of time together both at home and the lake. We found more angels in our lives that share their very beautiful and comfortable summer home with us...just one more of our many blessings. My monkies continue to hug me daily and their love gives me strength. Just had the best birthday cake ever from them...Buzz Light Year!! hahha
I'm going to share a little news...well as you blog readers are aware my husband has been my strength and so I've been wishing to show my appreciation in a real special way...so guess what I did. I cashed in all our beer bottles and rolled up all the loose change and boycotted Winners and bought him a sports car. I surprised him with a BMW hard top convertible. If you ever thought he looked good before, just wait till you see him now!!!
Thanks to you all for letting me brag today about my health, my family and my hubby. Keeping you in the loop as you keep us in your prayers. Till the next time. Much Love  Always, Donna

Chemo #39 Behind Me!!

Hello everyone. Sorry I've been so slow writing on my blog. The last chemo I had laid me down for a couple weeks but so far , so good from the chemo I had on Monday. The numbers keep coming down and generally I am doing ok. Gotta be honest, I am getting real tired but the results are what we are all wishing for so no stopping now. Next step, CT scan on July 30th then meet Winnipeg August 7th for the plan. Keep the prayers and well wishes coming!!!
Mandy sent me the most inspiring text on my way to chemo Monday...thinking of you this morning mom!!Chemo # 39-warrior gramma.#super hero!  Kyle is a little more silent but always telling me to drink lots of water and go rest and worries if I stay up late etc. Sort of funny how the roles reverse. Kelly, well he just keeps me smiling, house clean, yard looking great, groceries in the fridge  and loving me no matter what. And last but not least my little monkeys Sawyer and Frazer sing to me always..four hugs a day not the maximum four hugs a day not the minimum......  and we hug like crazzzy!! Not giving up...life is too good for me and my family. All you beautiful friends of mine keep enjoying everyday and thanks for your support to me and mine. Love you all!  Keeping you in the loop Donna

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