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