Quick Update

Last week I went to the Homeopathic doctor in Irvine CA again. I have a whole new bunch of remedies to take. Let's hope they do some good! I'll be going to Huntsman this Friday (June 6th) for my monthly blood tests, IV meds, and shot. Pray that the tumor marker numbers are lowering--or at least stable!

I've been feeling pretty good overall--as long as I push away any fear that enters my mind.

Here's my team at the Race For the Cure in May:

Back from vacation--got test results

Last Friday I had a LONG day at Huntsman (from 7 am until 6 pm). I had a PET scan, doctor visit and IV medication--each taking a few hours, with waiting in between.
Saturday the 10th my mom's side of the family and I did the Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure--it was amazing!! THANKS EVERYONE!!
Sunday we left for San Diego--it was so great!! We just sat and played on the beach most of the time.

Photo thanks to our good friend Christy Johnson who took us to an awesome beach in Laguna area!

The results from my PET scan and bloodwork on Friday, May 9 are:
liver looks better than last scan
bones either have more cancer or are rebuilding--it's hard to tell (let's hope they're building)
my tumor marker number went up by about 1,000 (wow!!--that's not so great)

For now, we're just continuing treatment without changes. I'm taking my new homeopathic remedies--I'm on the third week now.

Feeling Good!!

The last week and a half:

Last Sunday my sister Suzanne came from Illinois to visit, on Tuesday a friend (Cory Alldredge) died of cancer, on Wednesday Suz and I flew to Irvine, CA to visit a Homeopathic Dr., Thursday and Friday Suz and I went to BYU Women's Conference , and on Saturday my sister left for home while I went to my friend Cory's funeral.
I was an emotional mess. I've been nauseous and my head, neck and shoulder muscles in painful knots.
I'm trying to pull myself together this week. Bry hasn't had a paycheck for a month and a half and we lose our health insurance by June. It's hard not to feel a bit of fear--but I'm confident things will work out.
I have a PET scan Friday at Huntsman to see where the cancer is. I'm also scheduled to get my blood tests, bone treatment and shot that day. It sounds like a long day--and I actually want to reschedule it for next week, because we're going on a little family trip Sunday, and if the test results are not so good, I'd rather hear about it after our vacation so I can enjoy myself.
Saturday is the Race for the Cure!! I'm looking forward to it!! My cousin Lindsay set up a team, "Jenn's Joggers" and it will be so fun to see everyone there. If you're interested, the link is www.komenslc.org and you click on the "Race for the Cure" link to register.

Happy Birthday to Me!

There's a little book that I like to read to give me a boost--

with quotes for each day of the year.

Last Nov. when I found out my cancer had returned, I opened the book to my birthday, looking for words to cheeer me up
(the first part isn't so bad, it's the second paragraph I have trouble with):
----------------------
Consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. (Mosiah 2:41)

What a wonderful thing is death, really, when all is said and done. It is the great reliever. It is a majestic, quiet passing on from this life to another life, a better life. We go to a place where we will not suffer as we have suffered here, but where we will continue to grow, accumulating knowledge and developing and being useful under the plan of the Almighty made possible through the atonement of the Son of God.
----------------------
It really is a good quote, but somehow it wasn't comforting. I'm sure it's meant for someone else--not me!

Overall it was a good day--and I enjoyed spending time with my family and talking with friends.

Good Times

This past weekend some creative (or crazy?) friends of mine had an Alias race. I hardly ever watch tv and wasn't familiar with the series. It sounded like a crazy idea, but I wasn't having a great day, and thought it might be nice to go do something to help me forget my life for a little while. I didn't have a great Alias costume to wear--so I just grabbed my wildest pants and went.
Our awesome team:

All the Aliases:

Mall security keeping us in line:

It was so much fun!! Thanks Kamille & Candace!!

I got a message last night from my oncologist that my tumor marker number has gone up again. This isn't good. Bummer. So we're going to do a PET scan in May to see what's going on with the cancer. Besides that--I'm feeling quite well. I'm thinking of trying to be vegan for a month to see if it does anything to the numbers. I may also check into alternative things or see if Huntsman is doing any clinical trials/studies that I could try out.

I just got home after having my feet zoned. This is like reflexology, exept much better and more involved. A very kind friend of mine, Tiffany Rhodes has been doing this for me about every week. It takes two hours (which fly by)--and it helps me to relax. I always sleep well and feel better after being zoned. It's like a full-body massage through the feet!

This is a business card I designed for her. It's one of the funnest design projects I've done.


I haven't written much in here because things have been relatively uneventful healthwise. There were a few days where I didn't feel so great, but I think it was because I exercised pretty hard those days. I go in for my next blood tests, bone strengthener and shots on Friday the 11th. I'm hoping the cancer markers in my blood have stayed down.