Downs and Ups

This week was a roller coaster ride of downs and ups.  The beginning of the week was rough.  I was dealing with a lot of pain and weakness.  I felt like my legs weren't working right, and I had the always present pain and tightness in my chest.  I was scheduled to have a paracentesis to drain the excess fluid from my abdomen on Wednesday, but I was feeling so sick on Tuesday that we cancelled.

I had a surprise up when I found out my sister Stephanie and her daughter Syvanna were coming to visit for a couple of days.  They arrived Wednesday evening.

Thursday I greeted the day with lots of throwing up, pain and weakness, which didn't go over well with my doctor at the chemo visit.  We decided to hold off on the chemo until I was in better shape.  Instead, I got IV fluids and medicine, and we adjusted my daily medicines as well.  I felt pretty good Thursday night and enjoyed the sweet visit from my sister and niece.

Friday's chemo actually went pretty well, and I have been feeling decent since then.  The new medicine regime seems to be helping too.  I had another up with the visit from the doctor this week which I can't help but attribute to the increase in fasting and prayer.  My CA-125 (cancer number) was down significantly from 2500 to 1200!  It's not time to throw a dance party, but any decrease in the CA-125 is cause to celebrate!

I continue to sleep great, and I am eating okay too.  Thank you for all your faith and fasting this past week.  Thank you for your sacrifice which I know continues to bless me.  I continue to be blessed by many wonderful people!

Left to Right:  niece Syvanna, sister Melissa, yours truly, sister Stephanie

Fasting and Prayers

We'd like to invite all those in our family and friends that would like to join us in a group fast for Michelle this coming fast Sunday.  Extremely important decisions will need to be made by Michelle and her doctors at the culmination of the next series of chemo treatments at the end of this month, and we would like to petition Heavenly Father's spirit and help at this pivotal and sensitive time.  We know you have all been praying and fasting for Michelle all along.  We would just like us to bring our faith and prayers together at this time.

We love you!

Mom and Dad

Breaks and Bubbles

As per my treatment cycle, I had a break from chemotherapy a week ago Thursday.  I threw up more than normal the first week, but have done better over the last five days.  My appetite has improved as well in this past week.  I'm still drinking a couple of yucky drinks per day, but it's been augmented by noodles, an occasional tuna sandwich, and lots of ginger ale.  I even ate some roast beef and mashed potato over the last few days.  And some artichoke hearts!  Yum.

A fun group of my family came to visit over Memorial Day weekend.  They wanted to run in the Boise Bubble Race in honor of Rylan and come see me and help me.  They did a great job of all of it.  As I am putting my Meridian house on the market this week, they did a fabulous job of scrubbing down the outside of the house and the fence.  They scrubbed down all the last minute cupboards and walls in preparation for the sale.  That is a good bunch of hard workers!  The last of the bunch went home yesterday.  It was so great to have family here over Memorial Day weekend.

I start another round of chemotherapy this coming Thursday.  I will do three more Thursdays, and then we will scan again to see what's going on in there.  Thank you again for all your uplifting cards, phone calls, messages, thoughts, prayers, visits....they all help me so much!  I hope you're all enjoying this glorious spring.

Another Week

There's been a lot going on this week.  I've had a lot of pain, decreased mobility, and too much weakness for my liking, but my parents came up on Friday and stayed until yesterday.  I was able to go to my niece's district track meet.  It was nice to sit outside for a few hours. My parents do a good job of trying to feed me.  They must have done a decent job, because I was up over two pounds this week over last week at my chemo appointment.

I received a chemo treatment this afternoon and will now have a week off before my next one.  My friend Melodie came today from San Francisco to visit.  She will stay until Sunday.  It didn't take long to realize that Mindy had snuck some of her liquid gold into Melodie's suitcase!

I sure am getting a lot of help these days as we prepare to put my house on the market here in the next couple of weeks.  It would be impossible without the help of my sister and her husband who, with entirely full plates of their own, are also adding this project to their lives.

I continue to feel the power of so many prayers being offered in my behalf.  Thank you all so much for the help I am receiving from each of you.

Family Visits

Since my visit to the hospital, I've had some wonderful family visits.  First was my sister Mindy and beautiful baby Berrett.  Although their visit was very short, I was so glad they came because they do so much to help me.  I always feel bad because I am so sick that I don't bring any fun to the party, but it's so great to have them here.  Mindy brings oranges from the orange tree in her backyard in California.  Once you squeeze them, they make a delicious liquid gold that I think could cure almost anything!

Mindy left on Thursday, and by Friday night I had the wonderful combination of my niece Jessica, as well as my sister Stephanie and her family.  I had some nice time alone with Jessica on Friday; I was so glad she could come visit from Rexburg.  I didn't feel awful on Friday night, which was nice for a change.  The Simmons were all over on Saturday, and boy did they work hard!!  They went nuts on Jeanette's yard, as well as my yard.  It was so great to see Ronald and how hard he worked and how great he looks.  I felt well enough to go outside and sit on a recliner and watch them work.  I really did have a few decent hours on Saturday.   I am so glad the Simmons and Jessica could come.

I have been pretty sick since Sunday.  I almost made it to church, but then last minute felt so yucky I just couldn't pull it off.  I'm always grateful to the priesthood boys who bring me the sacrament when I can't go.  The Simmons and I and Jeanette went to the Johnsons for a nice Mother's Day dinner.  

Monday and Tuesday, yesterday and today, I have been quite weak and have done very little.  My appetite is slightly better, and I've enjoyed a little bit of spaghetti, chili verde, and orange juice over the last few days.  I am still sleeping great, for which I am extremely grateful.   I continue to receive so much needed help as I struggle with what should be easy day to day tasks.  I am so thankful!  

I have chemotherapy again on Thursday.  I don't know if it is doing anything to help me, but I do seem to be tolerating the side effects well.  

I have been told by a few people recently that I need to tone down the smiling in my photos a little bit, because the smiling makes me look like I feel a lot better than I actually do.  I think that's a good point.  I would have to say that the smiling in the photos is exactly how I feel being surrounded by my sweet family, so there's nothing phony about those smiles, but I really don't feel good most of the time.  

Thank you for always reaching out to me and for extending the help that I need so much.  Looking forward to more friends and family coming this next week.

Eventful Weekend

Well, friends, it was an eventful weekend....

Saturday morning I woke up with some unusual and severe pain.  It originated in my left hip and radiated down my leg.  My morning meds did little for it, and neither did walking, massaging, or changing positions.  By evening, I was feeling a little warm, and my temperature confirmed that I had a slight fever.  I knew that I would need to go get it checked if it spiked to 101.5, so at 101.3 we started packing for the ER.

The ER visit meant lots of questions, tests, fluids, and waiting.  By about midnight, the docs had determined that I had no new blood clots, but my bladder was distended and not emptying fully.  The solution to this involved a horrible procedure from which I will spare you the details, and the ensuing draining of 1.5 liters.

The team decided it was best to transfer me to St. Luke's downtown for additional tests and monitoring, so I got another fun ride in the paramedics van about 2 AM.  I may or may not have been so tired that I missed most of it.

I'm not going to lie -- I appreciate so much doctors, nurses, and hospital staff for their hard work and kindness -- but I just hate the hospital.  I had to stay the rest of Saturday, all of Sunday, and I was finally discharged about noon on Monday (today).  My temperature is back to normal and the pain in my leg is gone.  I am so happy to be home!  I brought home a new antibiotic to fight the infection that caused the fever.

I recognize and appreciate so much the fasting and prayers for me this weekend.   Thank you so much.

Hydration

Since I seem to be a genius at getting dehydrated, I am going in to the hospital a couple of times a week for fluid infusions.  They take a little over an hour, and I do think I feel better for another day or so.   I am still struggling with the throw-up piece of the puzzle and can't seem to get on top of the motion sickness.

I am curious to see what comes down the pipes next week, as I have this week off from chemotherapy.  Today was actually pretty decent, and I would love to see more of this type of day.

I'm often told about very specific prayers so many of you offer in my behalf.  They give me the faith to keep praying for miracles, because I know so many of you are still praying in that regard.  Thank you.    

 Getting my port accessed for my fluids...

 Accessed and ready to roll!

Congratulating one of the part-time workers on her new full-time job as a chaplain.  She is a wonderful lady, and I expect great things for her in her new assignment!