Responding

Awesome news on the home front. I AM RESPONDING TO TREATMENT! Wahoo...

We are excited to possibly see an end in sight. Two more chemos to go (we hope) just for good measure.

Keep up the good thoughts its working. Wahoo!

Love Apey

Happy Birthday Kira!

Kira is 10!

She got her ears pierced along with tons of presents!

The Big One!

OK, so I didn't want to celebrate a monumental birthday this year. At least not yet. Today is my 40th birthday and so far it has not been the best of years. I wanted to celebrate my birthday this summer when I am all finished with chemo. That way I can celebrate both, the big 40 and cancer free (we are hoping).

My family had other ideas. Emily came down to take me to chemo. Leigh and Maci made and brought awesome brownies for all the chemo patients. My dad and mums came down to spend the day. Bens parents and Charlynny came to see me. Ben took Kira out of school early (she was so excited) to visit. Even my friend Julie who is going through chemo too came on her non-chemo day. I received 3 vases of flowers, 2 sets of balloons, some sweet presents and lots of love.
Ben also took me to eat at the Training Table. When I was working, my lunch tradition was always Training Table. I haven't been in 3 years. It was great, I missed it.

After dinner Ben took me to get a new phone. I lost a very nice new phone at the hospital in January before chemo. It wasn't turned in so we canceled the phone. Someone found it and downloaded tons of music until Verizon stopped it a month later. So now someone has a nice music player with no phone capabilities. I activated my old phone and it finally died today. I ended up getting a great deal on a new phone. Hopefully I won't lose this one.

Then Ben took me to Chili's for take out. One of the best desserts on the planet is Molten Lava Cake. To my surprise he bought 3 cakes. We took them home to celebrate with the girls and Leigh. I opened my other presents and tucked the girls into bed. What could be better?

I had such a good day with people I love and cherish. The only thing I need to celebrate now is finishing chemo.

I am a very lucky girl, YES I'M STILL A GIRL. I have a wonderful husband, girls and family. I could not ask for more, except for one little thing. Give me more time...

Cup of Happy

I recently read an interesting phrase in "Cross" by James Patterson. "Here's a cup of sadness, and here's a cup of joy, which do you choose?"

I changed the phrase a little. I choose the Cup of Happy. I am usually a half empty glass kind of person. Although I love to laugh. I plan for the worst, then I am pleasantly surprised if I'm wrong.

I love the idea of Cup of Happy. It gives me the courage to relax even when there are circumstances I can't control. That is a very hard thing for me to do when I have tried to control everything. I used to be such a black and white person no gray area. Now I swim in the gray area. I would love to move from the gray area into a yellow area. Thus my conscientious choice of Cup of Happy!

I know there will be days when I drift toward the sadness cup but now I'm trying to choose the Cup of Happy.

So which do you choose cup of sadness or Cup of Happy?

Mrs. Teller's talented 4th grade class

Yesterday Ben, Kira, Avery, Maci & I went to Lees Market in North Ogden for Green Acres Elementary 4th grade "Recorder Recital". Kira is in the third row, first on the right side in a brown coat next to Miss Averie. The entire 4th grade played 5 songs and they did a very good job.

I got a huge surprise today. Kira brought home this amazing poster from Mrs. Teller's entire 4th grade class. Mrs. Teller has been so supportive during the last few months. She keeps me informed on Kira's well being during school. Mrs. Teller is a wonderful teacher and we are so grateful that Kira has an excellent example everyday.

Here is the fine print. THANKS TO MRS. TELLER'S 4th GRADE CLASS! YOU ARE AWESOME KIDS AND HAVE AN INCREDIBLE TEACHER.

March Madness

March is a time for madness, basketball madness. I am feeling a little madness of my own, I'm starting to feel cooped up. I try to get out of the house and help Leigh more but obviously not enough. I have been to more movies in the last 3 weeks than in 6 months. I get tired easy and try not to over do it. I am very fortunate the chemo doesn't make me sick to my stomach. The day after chemo I get a shot called Nuelasta which makes my bones ache. I get other weird side effects but nothing that is debilitating just irritating.

Somewhere in my head though things are not moving fast enough. Ben says I have chemo brain which makes me somewhat slow witted. My brain doesn't react to things normally, my knee jerk reactions are not what they used to be. In some cases that is good, as in my short temperament but not so good with my overall functions. I guess a little madness is expected when chemo is a supplement to my diet.

Hopefully, the next few weeks the sun will start to warm things up. I look forward to its warmth since I can not seem to stay warm anymore. I also need to tan my bald head. I have not ever seen my skin so white!

Thanks again to everyone and your warm wishes, I need all the warmth I can get right now.

Love Apey

Spring Forward

I have decided that it's time to "Spring Forward". I know its not for another month or so but I am thinking positive. Spring is a nice time of year when rain melts the snow, the sun starts to peek through the clouds, trees start to bud and flowers start to bloom. How positive is that!

I have had two chemo treatments and can't wait for the other six to be a distant memory, hence the "Spring Forward". At my last chemo treatment my oncologist gave me some good news. The tumor has shrunk from the first chemo to the second. So, I think "Springing Forward" with a positive attitude is appropriate.

I have lost 90% of my hair which is a downer, especially for the girls. They ask me to wear a hat most of the time, which is totally understandable from a kids perspective. Ben and the girls have been the best through all of this. I couldn't survive without each of them and their unique way to make me laugh.

Ben, the girls and I have been very fortunate to have a great family and friends for support during the last several months. I will continue to think positive as the weather slowly gets warmer which always brightens my day. Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers, we are grateful.