Sparkling

Rick, Brent, Dad and I dug some serious razor clams. They were awesome!!

When I was in high school there was this creepy kid that said my eyes sparkled and Marisa and Lisa haven't let me forget it. Just when I'm feeling pretty good, they tell me my eyes sparkle with as much sarcasm as they can muster. Assholes. Makes me laugh every time. Anyway, this weekend my dad said the sparkle is back in my eyes. He didn't mean it like the creepy kid did though. I'm feeling good, I'm living a normal life, I have energy, I'm myself again, not a shadow of myself, its good.

I went back to the oncologist the other day and she kind of told me what to be aware of, and what to check for, but she also told me not to let it consume me. She wants me to check areas around my neck for swelling and lumps, but she said do not do it everyday, because then you'll be thinking about it and worrying about it everyday. She emphasized that its her job to worry about it and think about it, so give that to her. That was really good to hear.

She also checked my vitamin D levels when they took my blood. They check for other proteins that indicate cancer too, but the vitamin D level was intriguing to me. There was a study from last December that showed a direct correlation between breast cancer and vitamin D deficiency. They are now conducting studies that relate vitamin D deficiency to other cancers. She also said that 80% of the US is vitamin D deficient. Crazy. I just got my results back and I have a certain amount to take daily, so I should be in good shape. My students asked if they could work outside the other day, so I told them they could, but first made them listen to my vitamin D speech.

I have my last surgery scheduled for July 7th. I go home the same day. I'm excited to get that one over and done with. I'm not excited to be in pain again and not be able to lift my kids again, but it won't be as painful or as intensive, plus it's the last one!

The Bowling Party

Here are some pictures from the party. Rick was in charge of pictures, and I'm totally impressed. He got two pictures of Lisa, which is really hard to do, and two pictures of my Aunt Linda. These are two people who will avoid pictures like you wouldn't believe, but who can say no to Rick?



Ready to bowl dude...


Says it all


My grandparents are awesome


New Bff - Liam & Max


Ava - star bowler


Debbie and her sisters, they just kind of look alike


I love my sister inlaws!!


Dad, Mom, her two brothers and our friend Melody. This is the genetic reason I now have gray hair. Its not chemo, its Cannons. Seriously, check it out, all white haired, then there's my dad, "The Dude" at a bowling alley.


Aunt Linda, creator of "Mr. Poopy" and the cute kid is of course, Brent


Randy & Nell - big blog commenters and supporters!! Also Jerrad, Brent's brother who came all the way from Montana.


I never thought I looked like my brother until I shaved my head... Lisa told a few people to wear their pink shirts to the party, but then everyone decided not to. Nobody told Amos they decided not to. Ha ha, he's not bitter. He was also complete with the acid wash jeans to match the blog pic. Classy.


Sorry if you're tired of pictures. I love them. Cannon and both grandpas.


One last picture of some of my friends. Justin King, Lisa, Melodie, DeAnn, & Nolan. See, I told you I had the biggest support group ever. There are still tons more pics of family and friends, plus those that couldn't make it. I'm so flattered, and loved, and wow. Thanks!

Positive Thinking

Doctors and nurses (and family and friends, etc) kept telling me not to underestimate the power of positive thinking. Do you realize how much easier it is to think positively when the weather is beautiful outside!? There are days I get freaked out about "what if the cancer comes back!?" I can get pretty worked up when my mind really goes for it. Days like Saturday, Sunday and today when its beautiful, we're weeding in the yard, we're playing soccer (some version of it) with Max & Cannon, there are NO negative cancer thoughts in mind. Days like today I think "cancer? no problem, kicked its butt." Overall, there are more 'sunshine' days in my head then there are 'rainy' days, so that's a start!! Bob & Donna - enjoy the sunshine in Hawaii!!

60 years!

Woo hoo sunshine! It was gorgeous over here today. Granted, I still had long pants and a sweatshirt on because I'm so tough, but the sun was out, and my nose looks a little Rudolph like. Fabulous! What this means is that Brent will bust out the fan in our bedroom in the next week or so because "its too damn hot!" Then he'll fart right in front of it, let it waft in my face and laugh like its the funniest thing ever. I don't think the cancer card is going to be very effective with this one... Married life is nothing but glamorous!!

My grandparents are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary this week. Check that out! I don't know how you tolerate anyone for 60 years!? I get annoyed with myself after too long. Brent and his fan for 60 years... oh dear. :)

Surprise!

Cannon does surprised way better than I do. I was totally surprised, and totally embarrassed. For those of you who didn't know, (and I'm guessing by cards, texts, letters, calls, most of you already know), but Sam threw me a surprise "no more cancer" party. Planned it all, made invitations, the whole deal. She's amazing. I am very, very, flattered and humbled by how many of you have been so helpful and supportive. I can't believe how many of you drove all the way to Portland for us. Thank you. More tears of joy when I think about it. I really wish I could have sat and talked with everyone there, but it didn't seem to work out that way. I would try to express how much I love and care for all of you, but I'm not very good at the sentimental, the sarcasm is more my comfort zone.

People keep asking me if I'll keep up the blog now that the cancer stuff is done. I don't know. I don't know that my life is very eventful. It sounds like a lot of pressure to keep you all entertained. :) I have a few more check ups and one more surgery, so I'll at least keep venting until then.

THANK YOU SAM!!!! YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH THAT MEANT TO ME.

Kid pics

I don't realize how much Cannon understands. I had a scarf on to go to school the other day, so Max wanted a scarf. So he grabs one, and as I'm putting it on Max, Cannon walks over and gets himself one too. Put Cannon's scarf on, tell Max to go get his coat. As I put Max's coat on, Cannon brings me his coat. Holy crap, I have two genius children who can totally take care of themselves, but will scam me into doing everything for them. Brilliant!



For some reason, when I put pictures on here, they all end up at the top, but I'll try to space them out again. Cannon has a look that he gets on his face that we call "the furrowed brow." Its sort of a "what the hell is the matter with you look." Brent got a good picture of it the other day.




We had a birthday party for Max because he's turning three this week. He had a great day. Joy (our phenomenal babysitter and friend) started telling Max that he couldn't wear diapers anymore once he turned three because it was illegal. Between that and my mom refusing to put a diaper on him, Max is now a potty kid. I don't know if I'm happier to be cancer free or to have Max use the toilet. :) We took a picture of him sitting on it, which made him really mad, someday he'll hate us for things like this. This is a picture of Max with his cake that Debbie made. He's staring at people singing to him a little unsure of how to handle it. :)



The port removal spot is a little sore still, but not bad. I took a nap today, did some weeding, went for a walk with the fam, had a normal day. It was awesome!
Here are Max, Cannon and I reading a book. What a cool life I have.

Yeeee!

I was in the regular office for the "procedure," but I was in the back creepy room. I walk in to a room that has the windows boarded up, a dental chair, and all the tools laid out ready to go. Seeing this is not comforting. I got a little shaky to be honest, and the shaky didn't really stop until about an hour after I left.
The during wasn't painful, and the assistant, who I love, totally distracted me by talking about anything and everything. It was helpful, but when you can see the "thread" being tightened about two feet above you, its kind of hard to ignore. Why that much thread was required, I have no idea. The doctor cut out the old scar since it was huge. He is hoping that the new scar will form better since my body isn't going through chemo, I should be more prepared to handle it. When the numbing stuff wore off I was definitely sore last night. I took some good drugs and went to bed early. I feel much better today, but still definitely achy. I again am not supposed to lift my kids, throw a softball, or swing a bat. I suppose I should have thought of this before I got it taken out, but I stupidly thought I would be fine. I wish they would have realized that I am an idiot when they scheduled it and talked to me more about what I wouldn't be able to do after the fact. I started helping the JV softball coach on Monday, then Tuesday I got to show up and tell her I can't really do anything. How helpful am I!?
The good news, the very good news is that ITS OUT! One more thing to cross of the list.