feeling good...

Where do the days go??? I thought I had better let everyone know I am doing well. Chemo last Monday went smoothly, in fact Mom and I spend ALL of the next day shopping. Some of the post-chemo meds were changed and the nausea is under control and I have a pretty good appetite. My energy level is still low but I am trying to get the Christmas decorations up a little at a time. The next chemo is schedule for December 17th. Dan, Jack and Lauren are doing well and excited for the holidays. My continued gratitude to everyone for the calls, cards, prayers...and the caroling and cookie suprise!
I will leave you with this...
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9560973480

(Don't laugh too hard!)

here's the scoop...

Some changes were made at my appt. last Friday. My CAT scans showed some improvements but I am still have swelling in my right arm. We have decided to try a different drug "cocktail" and see where that takes us. I will be receiving it every three weeks x 3-4 treatments. The side effects are a bit different than what I was getting, more chance of nausea and fatigue. Although this means more total chemo treatments , I am glad we are switching to find one which is more effective for me. Overall, I am encouraged.
















Halloween was fun here in the new neighborhood. The kids really put on the miles trick or treating and got a ton of candy.

We were able to enjoy a fun weekend here despite me sneaking away for a nap now and then. My Brother and his kids came and visited
Lauren loves having Erica stay for sleep overs. My nephew Blake brought his Guitar Hero game alone and now Jack is HOOKED!!! He caught on quick and is really good at it. Speaking of Jack, his stitches came out last week and his knee looks great. Mom and Dad also visited yesterday. Knowing the kids were entertained and me being distracted from my "post -chemo" state made the weekend fun.

It was great to join Britton friends for breakfast and dinner last week. I continue to be overwhelmed by your concern and are grateful for all of the thoughts and prayers. They are working!
Enjoy your week!

Just me...

I guess there is a cumulative effect to chemotherapy...add on another day of not feeling so great for every treatment. It took me until last Thursday to finally come around after my tx on the 12th. Fortunately it was just in time for some wonderful visits with my DeGraff gal pals. It was great to catch up. We then decided since the weather was nice to have an informal open house for Dan's co-workers and our group of friends from Nationwide on Sunday. The turnout was great on a beautiful day. Jack's day didn't turn out so well. While playing football in the backyard attempted a heroic catch and ended up coming down on his knees...on the storm drain! A three hour wait at Children's Urgent Care and 3 stitches later he is fine. It did shut the party down rather quickly though. Lauren is doing great - came home yesterday with news that she was selected as a 2nd grade representative to student council. She had to write a speech and give it in front of her class who then voted. She was so excited.

I did have a chemo treatment yesterday but it was just one drug. I don't anticipate any real problems and look forward to a "normal" week. My continued thanks to all of you for your kind comments, calls, food, prayers and offers of help.

Overwhelmed and speechless

The past week has been filled with so many acts of love and thoughtfulness for me and our family. I am hoping to personally thank everyone but want you all to know how grateful we are for the delicious meals, gift cards, notes, books, and other special gifts. It has been so nice hearing from all of our friends and beloved teachers at Britton and Saddlebrook neighbors ...we miss you all. Our new neighbors and Washington Elem. friends and teachers have been wonderful also. The cards from dear friends in DeGraff are nonstop. And there is the "gang" that left the trail of pumpkins and "heart full of goodies" the other evening. That brought lots of smiles and giggles to everyone. I just want you to know how much we appreciate all of your generosity. It is helping to make this challenging time easier for all of us.

Now on to that "cancer stuff"...
I had a treatment yesterday - the works with a flu shot as a bonus. My lab work was good and I saw my oncologist. Our plan for now is to finish this cycle (#3) and get a CAT scan on the 31st to evaluate how the drugs are working. He may change some drugs according to the results of the scan. That may mean adding another cycle of chemo or two as long as I am tolerating it well. So I guess things are going as expected at this point. I am feeling fine now but anticipate this round hitting me tomorrow evening and keeping me down for Monday and Tuesday. My next treatment (the short one) will be a week from Monday...I changed the dates since the kids don't have school this Friday.

The kids are keeping busy with school and friends. Lauren finishes gymnastics this week and will be going to a Cheerleading Camp on her day off school next week. Jack just has 2 more soccer games. I am sure we will enjoy watching him today in the more fall-like weather that has finally appeared here. Dan has been busy with quarter-end at work, but it hasn't meant too many late nights so far (knock on wood). He has the flexibility of working from home which makes it nice on my post-chemo days...and he loves his new home office. We got to go on a date to the Blue Jacket's game this week which was alot of fun...they won! I am looking forward to visits with my bff's later in the week.

Thank you again for your gifts and keep the thoughts and prayers coming...I can feel them!

Look what I made!

Came across this fun make your own video site. http://animoto.com/play/55bbbb9325bf1957d7e2e3d9f675c144

Last Friday's treatment was uneventful...my white blood count (the one that helps fight infection) was really down so I was only given about 1/2 of the dose of chemo I should have gotten. We had a great weekend... the kids were really busy with sleepovers and playdates. The big news here is that Jack's new basketball hoop is up - he loves it and I will post some pictures soon. I have this week off of treatment so I am hoping I have enough energy to accomplish some long overdue "house stuff". Thanks for your continued thoughts, prayers and delicious treats that keep appearing!

I'm back!

It has been a rough couple of days but I think I have turned a corner today. Just feeling exhausted and very achy since the treatment last Friday. I was given the same drugs but I am sure they beat you down more every time. My lab work was good so I got a full dose. Just can't wait to go back on Friday for more :). Dan was able to take the day off yesterday. He got the kids too and from school, kept me company, got me some lunch and painted the den. He said it is much easier to go to work! His new office furniture arrives tomorrow so we are actually making some headway on the home decorating front.

I will check in again soon.

Hair today...

Another week has gone by...a week without any Dr. appointments, tests, or treatments. I felt pretty good but seem to be in need of a daily nap (or two). This coming Friday brings a check-up at the oncologist and another cocktail of Taxol and Gemzar. I anticipate feeling their effects next Monday and Tuesday. We will hopefully learn what the rest of the treatment schedule will be.

I had to also deal this week with that "other" side effect of chemo - hair loss. Yep, it started going on Wednesday and I ran to a darling little shop in Upper Arlington called Over My Head. There I met the owner Bethany who was put on this earth to help all of us dealing with hair loss. She helped me select what I think is a very cute wig...shorter than what I have been wearing but she matched the color perfectly. I have had it on most of the day today with many compliments from both those who know and those who didn't until I told them. Jack and Lauren are being good sports about it...Lauren loved trying on my new hair. I feel that the hair loss is almost harder for those who care for me than for myself. Yes, I wish it didn't happen but I am glad there are the drugs that I hope are knocking that C out of me. It's a small price to pay.

As a family we are doing very well. We have heard from so many family member and friends who are great about offering their support, meals, play dates, etc. We appreciate all of you and promise to take you up on your offers when needed. We closed on the Seattle Slew house on Friday which was quite bittersweet. We needed so much to sell, but it was difficult leaving that house for the last time. Lots of happy memories there. Now we can focus on our new home which we all just love.

Hello Friends and Family

Thank you all for your thoughtful words, continuing prayers and offers of help. It means so much to Dan and me.


I have told many that it is if a fast moving train stopped by about 2 weeks ago and I boarded for a long journey. The Drs. appointments, tests, and treatments have been nonstop and we are now just trying to digest all we have to face.


I began chemotherapy on Friday Aug. 31st. and seemed to tolerate it well. The first 48 hours post-tx were fairly normal and then the fatigue and aches and pains set in. That lasted for about another 48 hours and then I was pretty much back to normal. I returned last Friday Sept. 7th for just one of the 2 drugs I was given the week before. Yesterday was a bit of a rough day but I did manage to see Jack score 2 goals at his soccer game. He was on fire! I have felt much better today and have enjoyed visiting my family in DeGraff this afternoon. Tonight Dan and I celebrated our 12th Anniversary with a relaxing dinner (yes, there was football on in the background) while the kids were at a church activity. It was a great day.