Our Family at the Temple

Alden chose to go to the Bountiful Temple in preparation to serve his mission.  It was an amazing experience.  All of our family was able to be there.  It was a fabulous night.

Derek, Alden, Theresa, Shane, Britney, and Chantel = An Eternal Family

Garrett, Kason, Alden, Cody

Alden had several of his friends go with him.  What a great bunch of good looking young men.

My Projects

I can finally reveal the projects that we have been working on for Christmas.  I wanted to make a quilt for each of my children.  It is a fun quilt made of jeans.  I want them to take it with them in their cars.  They can use it for picnics, soccer games, or anything fun.

Thanks to everyone that helped me with this especially my sister Tammy!

Christmas 2010

Here is our Christmas card.

Another Christmas Tradition

We will do almost anything for a chance to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert.  Last Year I drove around Salt Lake City in a snow storm looking for a parking spot.  We saw Natalie Cole with the Choir, Orchestra and Dancers.

This year we waited for two hours in the rain for a chance to get a seat in the conference center.  It paid off!  At 9:25 they allowed us in to see David Archeletta with the Choir and Orchestra.  It was beautiful!  It was well worth the effort.

Besides you can't beat the great company of my friend Sandy,  she is the best!

Great Sister Visit and a Baker Christmas

My sister, Tammy, came from Wyoming for some doctor's appointments.  She arrived Tuesday night just in time to miss the big snow storm that hit Wyoming.  She brought her daughter Courtney with her.

It was a fantastic visit.  She went to her appointments in Salt Lake and I went to physical therapy.  Her appointments were successful.  Her thyroid appointment showed everything is normal.  She had an appointment at St Marks with a Neurologist.  She has a herniated disk  She will have surgery on Monday to correct that. 

Thursday we spent the day finishing some of my projects and shopping.  I taught Courtney how to make English Toffee.  It was a fun day!  That evening "the kids" had a game night.  Drew (Courtney's husband) Courtney, Derek, Jessica, Alden and Cody played several games.  It was fun to watch them all interact together.

Shane was in charge of a Stake Blood Drive on Thursday.  He convinced or bribed Alden and his friend to give blood.  It was their first time.  Cody has good veins and was done in about 10 minutes.  Poor Alden has my type of veins.  After finally finding a vein, his blood just dripped.  They did all they could to make it flow faster but he was not going to do it.  It took him and hour.  I am not sure he will ever try it again.

Friday, Tammy, Drew and Courtney left for a wedding, luncheon and then went home to Wyoming.

The boys and I got ready to go to our family party at Grandma Bakers.  
It is one of our family traditions to visit Grandma Baker and celebrate Christmas.  Our entire family was there minus Luke who needed to work in southern Utah.  We opened gifts, ate wonderful food, played fun games and watched BYU win their bowl game.  We had a great time and here are pictures to prove it.

How Much More?

Can this body handle more?  Port A Cath Replacement

Shane and I made our way to the U of U Hospital.  I am going to have my port a cath replaced.   We arrived  at 11 am, we waited 20 minutes to get checked in.  We waited 45 minutes to be taken back to a room.  We waited two hours to be taken to surgery. 
When I met the doctor he asked why I wanted to replace my port.  I explained I needed something that worked. (see last weeks difficult day post)  He agreed to do it, he would put it on the same side but put the catheter into a different vein.

I met the anesthesiologist.  He was a fun guy,  he numbed my arm up really well to get the IV started, I didn't feel a thing until he started the fluids and it stung pretty bad. He slowed the drip and it felt better. I asked him if he was going to put me to sleep and he said "do you want to sleep?"  Without hesitation I said YES!

I didn't sleep, I relaxed and heard everything that went on.  They covered my face, probably so that it stayed clean and I would not try to see what they were doing.  Several times they ask me how I was doing.  I was awake!  I didn't feel anything until they started stitching me up.  I finally said, "I can feel that."  They quickly gave me a more local block. The surgery was fast I think less than 30 minutes.  They took me to a holding area and took an X ray to make sure the placement was good.  Shane met me there and then we went to a recovery room.
I asked them to leave the IV in so that I could go back to radiology a have the CT scan done.  They discharged me, I got dressed and they took me by wheelchair to radiology.  They were able to do the scans and inject the dye.  I am so glad to be finished with that.

Thankfully I do not need to go to Salt Lake for doctors until after the new year.
My body is telling me that it is not happy with all I have done to it.  My neck is stiff and swollen where they have accessed the vein.  The port site is tender.  My right arm is not happy.   I am going to give myself a break and not go to physical therapy tomorrow.  Happy resting and relaxing! 

A Fun Packed Saturday

I got an email from my friend Gwen a few days ago inviting me to brunch at Taggarts and a surprise for Saturday morning.  I quickly jump on the opportunity to spend some time with her and the surprise made me very curious!  Later I realize that I had a Saturday afternoon engagement with Britney and her husband's family (all the girls) to the Nutcracker.  I hadn't overbooked, just tightly booked!

Saturday morning Derek took me to Morgan, I met Gwen at her house and we drove to a home in Morgan where we met Gwen's mother.  The man, Larry, that owns this home, decorates the inside with hundreds of nativities and theme Christmas trees.  Larry's mother passed away several years ago from cancer, he takes a donation for viewing his home and gives the collection to cancer research. 

His home and decorations are incredible.  I was amazed by the hundreds of different nativities that were displayed,  large and small, some hung on the wall. others were puzzles that fit together. 
The kitchen was decorated with Coke memorabilia and Santa.  There were as many as 30 trees decorated in different themes, all flat ornaments, Rudolf, chickens and dogs, to name a few. 
Larry owns the "Chicken Inn"  a nice restaurant in Morgan.  One of the bedrooms was decorated with chickens.  There was even a nativity with chicken angels, and a baby chick coming out of it's shell. 
The bathroom was even decorated,  Frosty the snowman was in the bathtub with snowball to keep him from melting.  This was an experience to remember, my mind is still trying to wrap around the incredible work that has gone into all of these decorations.  Oh I wish I had taken more pictures so I could remember a few more details

Gwen and I had a bowl of chicken and artichoke heart soup with yummy roll while sitting by the fireplace at Taggerts.  I have not eaten at Taggarts before,  it was a marvelous meal.

Gwen drove me back to Ogden to meet Britney. 

We picked up Geni, my sister in law and we headed to the Capitol Theater in Salt Lake.  

It is a Nattress tradition that all the girls see the Nutcracker at Christmas time.  They are so loving and generous to invite me. 

 I am stunned each year by the beautiful scenery.  I am more astounded by the dancing.  I remember taking a ballet class in college.  They make it look so easy. 

We finished off the day with dinner overlooking the lights on temple square. This has been a lovely afternoon and evening.  Thanks you Nattress family!

Today is a Better Day!

I am thankful for all the good days.  Physical therapy was good.  I feel that I am able to stretch farther and have a little more movement and control.  I just have to keep working on it.  The therapist is great and stretches me more each visit. 

This afternoon I answered the door and received an unexpected vase of flowers.  They brightened my day and make me smile each time I see them.  I don't know who sent them.  I thank you, who ever you are.  The note is the best it reads "YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION TO EVERYONE AROUND YOU, LOVE YOU"  I am so bless to have such good friends and family, they keep me going!

We attended a Christmas party tonight.  The food was Delicious, the program was inspiring and spiritual.  It was a perfect evening.

A difficult day

There are days that I would like to forget about.  Today is one of them.  I had two appointments at the U hospital.  ( am for a CT scan and 10 for a Echo Cardiogram.  I usually have my CTs done at Huntsman.  However because of the other test they scheduled both at the U.

I called the U yesterday to be sure that I was going to have to have contrast, which requires an IV.  I asked if I should have my port accessed at Huntsman before going to the U.  The person said I needed lab work done. I asked if I  could do that at Huntsman.  He said that he would call and ask the technician. I did explain that I have not been able to get blood from my port so I would probably have to give the blood from my arm.  This person talked to the tech and then told me they could do it all there.

I arrived on time ready for the scan.  The tech tried to start an IV in my hand after searching my left arm for a decent vein. She debated on which vein to use, one that she could not see, or one she could see in the boney part by my finger.  She chose the one that she couldn't see and dug around to get a poor connection.  The manager looked at it and was not sure he wanted to use it.

They called a nurse in that could access my port.  I asked if they needed labs because they would not be able to draw blood from my port.  They said that they did not need blood for labs.  The nurse then refused to access the port because it would not give a blood return.  I tried to tell them that I have been using it even without that.  During and after surgery it was used for fluids and blood transfusion.  I used it at the beginning of the year for chemo.  I used it in July for a ct with contrast.
They would not budge and did not access my port. 

The nurse then tried to put in an IV on the inside of my arm.  After digging around she quit.  I asked them if they could do the CT without contrast.  They could do the chest but needed the contrast for the neck CT.  I asked them to call the dr to see if they could do it without, they didn't.  Frustration had set in and so had the tears.  I told them to forget it.  I would reschedule with Huntsman.

As I walked out the manager followed and asked what he could do.   He followed me to where Alden was waiting.  Poor Alden wondered what was going on, I am walking towards him with two bandages on my arm, tears falling down my cheeks and a man following me.  All I could say is they couldn't do it.  The man asked me a few more questions and gave me his number if I needed to make another appointment.  I left for my next appointment.

This has bothered me all day.  Derek called me later in the day and cheerfully asked me how my day was,  again I broke down and cried.  I cried to Shane,  I didn't go to a RS activity for fear someone would ask me how I was and I would cry again. 

Tomorrow will be a better day, (after the pain of physical therapy) I will be smiling! 

Ring The Bell

Today was my last radiation treatment on my arm.  We celebrated and rang the bell.

The cancer center at Ogden Regional has a bell with a plaque that reads:
"Ring this bell,
Three times well,
It's toll to clearly say,
My treatment's done,
Its course is run,
And I am on my way."

As I signed my final paperwork I was given a beautiful handknit shawl.

The note on this reads:
May god's grace be upon this shawl..warming, comforting, enfolding and embracing.
May this mantle be a safe haven...A sacred place of security and well being..sustained and embracing in good times as well as difficult ones.
May the one who recieves this shawl be cradled in hope, kept in joy, graced with peace, and wrapped in love.
On this date, 8-10-10 and around our gather circle this shawl has passed through our praying hands and blessed by our loving hearts.

Our Chtistmas Tradition

It started twelve years ago, Chantel and Britney knew that I loved to listen to the "Forgotten Carols" story on cassette.  The play by Michael McLean was being preformed at the Dee Events Center in Ogden and they bought tickets for the three of us to attend.  It was their Christmas present to me. We sat in the very top row and laughed, cried, sang and were touched by the spirit.  We loved it.

The next year we took the boys, we got to sit a little closer, we laughed, cried, sang and were touched by the spirit. Surprisingly the boys loved it so much that we decided we needed to every year.

One year we decided to invite our neighbor.  He loved it and has been going ever since.  Sharing it with him brought on a new tradition.  Each year we would invite someone that had not been and share it with them.  It has been a special experience to see their reaction to this wonderful story.  This year was no exception,  we had an exceptional time with many friends.

When Chantel and Luke got married and were in Saint George we bought tickets for them to see it there.  I always looked forward to a phone call from them afterwards, thanking us and telling us how wonderful it was.  When Britney and Joe moved to Arizona, We bought tickets for them.  Even though we were not all together we still had the same great experience.

For the last two Christmases Derek has been in Peru and his way of experiencing this was by listening to the music. 

This year we are able to attend as a whole family.  Chantel and Luke came from St. George.  It has been about seven years since we have been altogether at Forgotten Carols.  It was a night to remember. We laughed, cried, sang and felt the spirit.

Busy Day

After radiation I saw the Dr.  He was not sure why my arm was swollen and did not think it was from radiation.  It is most likely from having it out of the sling and being more active.  He feels that the treatments are going well.  I explained that I am having some pain in my  back and showed him where.  He reviewed the CT report and thought it could be the tumor near my rib.  We talked about giving it some radiation.  We will discuss it again at our next visit.

I spent the rest of the day cooking and cleaning for book club.  Wow the house looks great and smells delicious.  We had a great pot luck meal with cream cheese chicken, green beans, rolls, chips and salsa, and cheesecake.  We each brought a couple of books to present for next year, we voted and chose ten books to read. 
Our choices are:
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
First, Do No Harm by Lisa Belkin
All things Bright and Beautiful by James Herriot
If I Live to be 100 by Neenah Ellis
The Stranger by Albert Camus
Life Strategies by Phil Mcgraw
Animal Vegetable Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver
The Unthinkable by Amanda Ripley
The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury
The Guesnsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

It was a fun night, Thanks ladies!

Let's Get Physical

Today was my first day of physical therapy.  I am going to Grand View Ogden Clinic in Roy.  It is very close to home.  I went to this therapist back in May when I did not know why I was having pain and thought that it would help me.  At the time it did bring me some relief, later when the pain became worse I just thought that I needed to do my exercises.

We start by putting heat on my shoulder, followed by swinging my arm in circles while bending over and hanging my arm to the floor.  I do shoulder shrugs and pinch my shoulder blades together.   When I was asked to hold a rolled up towel to the wall with my fist I could barely keep it there without letting it fall.  This will take some practice.  I also use a pulley to pull my arm up as far as I can above my head.  Another exercise is letting my fingers do the walking across the table to stretch the arm forward as far as it will go.

All of these are followed by a series of stretches done by the physical therapist.  I finished by being hooked up to a machine that ices my shoulder and arm. 

My arm became quit swollen today both above and below the elbow.

Derek Nearly Passes Out

When Derek has a day off he gets to be my driver, giving Alden a break.  Today he took me to radiation, then we did some shopping.  By the time that  we got home my arm was really hurting.  I sat in the chair to relax and hope that my arm would feel better.  As Derek walked over to check on me he said " mom you are bleeding."  I looked down and sure enough it looked like blood running down the sides of my arm.

It took me a minute to realize that it was the lines that they drew on me at radiation.  They made an outline of the treated area and took a picture of it for their records.   Derek thinks they should use a different color than red.  Red made him a little weak in the knees.

I May Need a Personal Secretary...

My schedule is getting busier.  It all started with a busy day.  Shane and I went to Ogden Regional Hospital.  He gave blood and I had a radiation treatment.  We made our way two Huntsman for two doctor appointments.
I had a x-ray taken of my arm then went to see Dr Randall.  He said everything looks great and I am ready for physical therapy.  He moved my arm around and asked me how much I could do on my own.  I have been really good to keep my arm in the sling so my muscles are really tight and sore.  I am not to move my hand away from my body in a 90 degree angle.  This will dislocate my shoulder.  My tennis days are over with my left hand.
We also saw Dr. Gouw, my oncologist.  He feels it is OK to wait until after Christmas and the new year to start chemotherapy.  I will try a different chemo that I have not used before.  It is one that is commonly used for Leiomyosarcoma.  It will require me to stay in the hospital for three to four days with a constant drip of the drug and an IV.  The cycle is for three week, so about four days on the drug and two and a half weeks off.  The drugs are Ifosfamide and doxorubicin,  I do need to get a new port put in.  The one I have will not allow blood to be drawn from it.  They will put a new one in that has two access points so that I can have two IVs in at once.  That is great because I have bad veins that do not like to cooperate with needles.

So here is what my new schedule will be like.
Continue radiation every day until next Wednesday.
Start physical therapy this Wednesday, three times a week for six weeks.
Next week I will have a CT Scan and Echo Cardio Gram to make sure my heart will handle this chemo.
I will be scheduled for a new Port a Cath in two weeks.
I will begin Chemotherapy at the beginning of next year.

I am thankful for my family and friends that are so willing to help me get where I need to be.
I am thankful for smart and compassionate doctors.

 

Seven Years Ago..

It was seven years ago today that we received the phone call from the Doctor, telling us that I had cancer and he wanted to see me the next day.

What is the first thing that you do when you are told that you have cancer?  I remember after hanging up the phone and telling Shane, I said "I don't want to have cancer." almost in disbelief.

The first thing that we did was to go to the church and get a blessing from our bishop. I remember that being a great comfort.

As we did research about Leiomyosarcoma we found that the prognosis was not good.  One thing that Shane and I promised each other that we would not talk about the "what ifs".

We have faith that our Heavenly Father knows us and our needs.  He know the desires of our hearts.  He swhat is best for each of us.  Even at times of setback I feel His love.  I know that my life is in His hands,  I am trying to do all that I can and He is doing the rest.  I am thankful for blessings I have received and the countless prayers given in my behalf.  I know our prayers are heard and answered.  I am here today because of them.

Happy Thanksgiving

We have had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  My sister was planning on coming from Wyoming but with the snow and bad roads her family needed to stay close to home.  We missed them.
Shane went out to find some good deals.
The boys tried to find a turkey bowl game to play but the cold kept most people away so they settled for a basketball game with friends.
I tried to put some of the dinner together.

Britney's family came over. Shane and Brit finished dinner,  We tried some new things this year.  We cooked a prime rib, this was the first time we have ever tried to cook one.  We did good!  We had sherbet and sprite in fancy glasses.  We had a great meal and we have many blessings to thankful for.
 
We went to the movie "Tangled".  We all enjoyed the movie.  The little ones stayed interested and entertained.

Of course we watched football and followed our scores for fantasy football.

Another Wonderful Thanksgiving!

Almost Half Way Through Radiation

Today marks the seventh treatment of 15 total,

I have not felt much different.  So I think it is all gong well.

It is weird to think that something that you can't see or feel is actually damaging cells, both good and bad.  I trust that for that minute that I hear the machine working it is taking care of any stray cancer cells.

I am thankful for a good friend and her four wheel drive that got us through the snowy roads today!

The Trip is Longer than the Treatnent

It takes about 20 minutes to drive from our home to the hospital where I have my radiation treatments.  It takes me five minutes to get my brace off and changed into a robe.  It takes less than five minutes to get in the mold and get a dose of radiation.  I am glad I am not driving to Salt Lake every day for what takes less than five minutes

After Thursday's treatment I was very tired so I came home and rested for most of the afternoon.  I am not sure if it was because of the treatment or from getting up early and not being able to go back to sleep.

Friday's treatment went well,  I did not feel bad at all.  Three down twelve to go.

First Day of Radiation

The first day of radiation was the most difficult.   They had my mold on the table where they helped me settle down into it.  I can feel the indents for my head, shoulder, elbow and hand.  The table is not very wide, I had to hold my left arm on my belly so that it would not fall off the side.  I ended up grasping the waistband of my pants to help hold my arm in place and hold very still.

The technicians moved me around on the table and moved it up and down to get all of the coordinates correct.  They took x rays, marked on my arm, moved me again, made some more marks  and took some more x rays.  This process took about 45 minutes.  During that time I could not move at all, except to breath.  My arm began to ache and I had to really work at relaxing to get through the process.

They got me lined up and did the first radiation treatment.  Then I was tattooed, a drop of ink was placed on three places then a poke of the needle made each mark permanent.  They use the marks to line me up with the machine.

Radiation Day One

The day has finally come, I begin radiation.  This first appointment will last an hour because they need to make sure that the computer, machine and my markings are coordinated correctly.  The actual treatment will last for 15 minutes.  The future appointments will not take as long.  I have two more treatments this week and next week I will have four treatments Sunday to Wednesday because of Thanksgiving.  They explained they rarely schedule on Sunday but they realize this will be some of their patients last Thanksgiving.

Clean Fridge

We have an extra refrigerator that often gets neglected.  With Derek's prompting and help, we took it apart and washed it  I am thankful for a helpful son and a clean fridge.

Radiation Treatment Planning

I went to the Cancer Center at Ogden Regional Hospital.  A mold was made for me.  This was done by me laying down on a mat filled with beads on the cat scan bed.  They positioned my arm how it needed to be during the radiation treatments,  They pushed the bag around me then sucked the air out of the bag.  This made it hard and solid.  They made some markings on my arm and put a bb on three spots.  I had a scan taken while in the mold and with the bbs on.  After the scan the bbs were removed and replaced with a dot and circle  made with a permanent marker.  A piece of clear adhesive was put on the markings as they need to stay there until my next appointment.  They will coordinate the images with the computer and the radiation machine and then I will be ready for the treatments.

I am thankful for modern technology,

Something to Think About

Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come.
You wait and watch and work: You don't give up.
Anne Lamott

Three Weeks Down Three To Go in this Brace

I have hit the half way mark.  In three more weeks I will see Dr Randall again and I am hoping to be able to move and have more freedom with my right arm. 
I have become somewhat attached to this brace.  I take it off twice a day for exercises, by the time I am finished I am ready for it to be back on.  It helps me feel more stable and I am able to relax it without as much pain.
RADIATION
Monday I went to Huntsman and visited with the radiation oncologist.  She was ready to get me started until she said I would need to come every day for at least three weeks.  I asked if I could have it done closer to home because it would be one hour verses three hours a day.  The drive down and back would be a killer for three weeks.  She quickly referred me to a Dr at Ogden Regional Hospital.
Today I saw the new Dr.  He was very thorough and gave me some very good options.  However he was just filling in for the week.  He will have another Dr look at my case and I will meet with him next week.   I am OK with this.  It will give me more time to heal and they may come up with a plan that would take care of the tumors in my back at the same time.  I am hoping for better treatment overall!

I am Thankful for our Home

I am thankful for the ability we have to own a home.  We have lived here for 15 years.   There is always something to do to keep us busy with this home.  We have fullfilled some woderful dreams and hope to have more dreams come true in our home.


It is big enough to have several families stay at one time.  We love to have our families come visit.  In years past we have had huge gardens, fruit trees and even chickens.  In recent years we have added an above ground swim pool, basketball court and Alden is working on a miniature golf course.  
I am grateful for our home and the neighborhood we live in.

I am Thankful for My Super Siblings,

Here are just a few reasons........
I have always (had to) look up at my big brother Joe.  He has always been a good example to me   He paved the way for the rest of us.  This summer 2009, after our visit he gave me one of his big bear hugs and told me he loved me.  He may appear rough and gruff, but he is a softy on the inside.  I love my big bro!'

                                          Summer 2007

My sister Tammy and I have always been close, maybe because we are only 14 months apart, 
She is so willing and always looking for ways to help me out.  Most recently she brought me clothes from her closet that I could wear cause I did not have any I could war with my brace.  I loved spending time with her this summer.  We put on an open house for her son and new wife.  We went to California together.  She helped me start a quilting project and now she is finishing it for me,  When she visits she looks for ways to help me.  We have spent several Thanksgivings together.  She (we) will be cooking the turkey this year.  We will always be the best of friends, I love my barely younger sister.

When I called and told Darrell that I would be fighting this cancer again he was genuinely concerned and wished the best for me.  We I texted everyone got out of surgery and told them that I was doing ok,  his reply was "Awesome!!  You are as bad as a teenager texting as soon as you possibly can! haha"  I love my brother Darrell.

My brother Lynn would do just about anything for me.  He generously helped us get a timeshare for our families' vacation to Disneyland.  Lynn manufactures motorcycle parts.  His company is Pro Moto Billet   So when I told him I was going to have a bone replaced he asked what they were going to replace it with a  "Bionic Woman Bone?'

I told him I thought he could build me a new bone,  His response was "I would build you anything you asked for."  I am going to keep this loving brother.

Gordon's family is very special to us.  They have spent a lot of time with us.  Their children have built strong relationships with us. When I told Gordon of the spread of cancer to my bone, this was his response.  "Sister you cease to amaze us.  You are an example of so many attributes we strive to have in our lives.  Your positive attitude and endurance a just incredible.  Our family has so much love for you and your family.  We have been talking a lot with the kids about your situation.  They each took our family fast very seriously and are exercising their faith on your behalf.  We  love you very much and our thoughts and prayers will be with you for a successful surgery and speedy recovery." 

My sister Kendra  an incredible young mother of three little children under the age of five.  Her two girls are just 13 months apart.  I know she has her hands full but still has time to check in on me and give me words of encouragement.  This summer Kendra came to my house and we bottles 35 quarts of tomatoes for her food storage.  What a joy it was to work side by side with her.

I am thankful for my super siblings.  I know that our relationships are eternal! 

 

My Magnificent Man

There isn't enough room on the internet to tell all that Shane means to me.  I am grateful for the day we met.  I know that we were meant to be together.  I knew the day of our first date that we would be together forever.
May 31, 1982++ We went on a double date to Flaming Gorge Wyoming.  We walked below the dam and Shane picked up a rock.  He said to me write something on this rock...I wrote "Friends Forever".  He took the rock and skipped it across the river.
He has been there for me in the toughest of times.  We have made many good memories.  I am so thankful for his love and friendship.

November, A Month of Gratitude_____I am Grateful for My Parents

I am grateful every day for the blessing that I have received.  For the month of November I would like to share one of my blessings for each day of the month.

I was born to very good parents that have loved me and did their very best to raise me.  They taught me right from wrong.  My dad taught me to work hard.  He was always busy with work, work at home or work at church.  My mom taught me how to have a positive outlook on life.  She taught me how to handle disappointments.  She helped me learn responsibility by giving me things to do that helped her.  I cooked dinner for my family often.  We  grew a garden, harvested and canned together.  I am who I am today because of my parents.

I love them and I am very grateful for the love and support that they give to me.

Happy Halloween

We had a fun Halloween weekend!

Friday Britney picked me up and we took the kids to Derek's work.  They had a Halloween Carnival and trick or treating.  Derek loved seeing his niece and nephew and they enjoyed playing the games.

Saturday we went to the movie " Sorcerer's Apprentice" We all enjoyed the show and would recommend it.

Sunday we had Britney's  family and Cameron and Kristi over for dinner.  We watched the Jazz beat Oklahoma City! 

We had a fun Halloween Weekend!

A Night to Remember

Two weeeks ago, Alden finished all his paperwork for his  mission.  They were submitted the day before my surgery.  Alden has done this without me pushing him.  He asked me to sign some paperwork and make his medical appointment.  I asked if he wanted me to review the answers to his questions but he felt confident with them.

We figured it would be two weeks to recieve his call.  I put mail in the mailbox today so that I could watch for the flag to go down.  At three o'clock the flag was down.  I calmly went to the mailbox and found the big white envelope address to "Elder Alden Hyde".  I sat it on the piano and sent a text to everyone that it had come.

Alden had spent the night deer hunting with his friends so he was not home yet.  We made arrangements to open it at 7pm.    Here is a video of how it all happened.

I am so pleased with the decision that Alden has made to serve the Lord on a mission.  Austraila, Adelaide will be blessed to have such a great young man serve them.

My Two Right Arms

I am not able to use my right arm, but  I do have two really strong right arms.  Derek and Alden have really stepped up and don't mind doing extra to help me out.  For example:  One day they got up early and canned tomatoes,  they have swept the floor, cleaned out the dishwasher, washed dishes, laundry and helped me do my daily arm exercises.  Derek is already gearing up to make the traditional holiday candy.

I don't know what I would do if they weren't around.  I would be a mess without Shane also.  He has done so much for me.  He has been working really hard all day long.

I am so grateful for my boys.

My Sister

A sister is a gift to the heart,
a friend to the spirit,
a golden thread to the meaning of life.
Isadora James

Tammy, my sister, came to visit from Wyoming.  She stayed Sunday night and had an appointment Monday afternoon before going back home.  It was fun to visit with her.

She also did a lot for me.  She cleaned the Sunday dishes.  She cut fabric for one of my projects.   She took me to the craft store. She lifted my spirits.  I am grateful for my sisters!

Fabulous Friday

My fabulous Friday was spent with my fantastic friend Gwen.   I met Gwen through the Internet when our son Derek received his mission call to Peru two and a half years ago.   I signed up on this website LDS Missionary Moms to connect with other moms who had sons in Peru.  Immediately  I heard from Gwen and Bonnie.  We met for lunch where I was able to listen to them talk with complete excitement about their missionaries.  I loved being able to ask them questions and get help with what I needed to do to prepare for Derek's mission.  I have learned so much from these ladies and we will be forever friends.

Gwen quickly offered to come help me with whatever I needed.  I had started a project this summer that I am going to have a difficult time finishing.   Gwen jumped in with both hands at the sewing machine!

Later she picked up some Chinese food for lunch.  This is my fortune from my cookie, it couldn't be more true.

      "Good things come to those who wait.  Be Patient."

Shane's parents, Doyle and Hazel came by to visit today on their way to Logan.  They were surprised to see me up and moving around.  I am feeling really well,  I just can't do anything with my right arm.

One Week Down

It has been one week since Surgery, five more weeks until I see the doctor and hope to get out of the brace.
Today was a fantastic day.  My friend Kathy came over to sweep and vacuum my floors.  The best part of her visit was when she pulled out her guitar.  My spirit was lifted as she played and sang.  What a beautiful talent!

As Kathy left, Brianna came and we visited for a couple of hours  We walk to the garden and she picked tomatoes and peppers to take home.  The weather is  warm and there are still a lot of tomatoes.

In the evening Elaine brought over dinner and we  got to visit awhile.  I am grateful for the wonderful friends that have fed us this week!  Michelle, Carla, Jill, Natalie you are all wonderful cooks.  Thank you for blessing our lives.

How Do You Keep a Good Woman Down?

For me, I have to be strapped.  Here is a look at my brace/sling.

Twice a day we take it off to do exercises.  The exercise work out my wrist and elbow.  I also feel it in my bicep and triceps.

We changed the dressing and this is what is underneath it.

Another war wound in this battle to join the other scars.  (hysterectomy, left thoracotomy, port a cath, right thorocotomy.  and many RFA sites)

Cute Kids at the Corn Maze

All the kids went to the corn maze on Saturday.  I didn't miss much because they brought me these pictures.

My First Full Day at Home Sunday October 17, 2010

I have had  a wonderful first full day at home.  My pain was very manageable with Ibuprofen.

Shane made dinner for 13 of us.  Chantel and her kids, Britney's family, my nephew, Cameron and his wife, our boys and us.  The company was great, the food was fabulous!  Joe made his traditional Sunday night cookies and we watched "How to Train Your Dragon".

It was a fun day.

Shane and the gradkids looking at a book of pictures from our Disneyland trip.

I am a hard stick.

Which means that my veins will do anything to avoid being stuck by a needle!  They roll, move, disappear and then if they are found the person with the needle ends up blowing the vein.  As a result my left arm looks worse than my right arm.

Luckily I have a port a cath in the left side of my chest that connects to an artery.  This gives direct access to a vein.  Before surgery they started an iv through my port.  After they put me out they accessed an artery in my wrist and put in a catheter for monitoring my blood pressure and oxygen level.  They also put another iv in the top of my left hand. 
The bruise at my wrist is from the access of the artery.

The bruise by my elbow is from a blood draw before surgery. 
The bruise in the middle is from a failed blood draw on Thursday morning.  He was able to get blood from my hand in between my thumb and pointer finger.  (no bruise)

Friday morning when they want more blood, my awesome nurse Janis tried to get some from my port and my iv.  This did not work, I tried to convince them that I did not have blood.  The person taking the blood pulled up a chair and took her time to find a vein.  She got one right above the last successful stick.  This blood sample showed that my red blood counts were low and I received two units of donor blood.

Saturday morning was the last blood draw.  I was not looking forward to it.  The guy came in and started preparing things.  I asked if he was using his smallest needle.  He did.  I told him to pull up a chair.  He did.  He looked and felt all over my arm.  I showed him were the last two successful sticks were.  He did do it right above the last draw. 
No more blood draws for a while.

My Surgery October 13, 2010

We arrived at the Huntsman Hospital at 7 am.  We checked in on the third floor and they took us right back to a room. I changed into a gown and they took care of my belongings.  They got me a pretty pink bracelet with my name on it and  started an iv by accessing my port, so far pain free.

We met the anesthesiologist team.  They explained what hey would do.   They promised to not leave my side and take good care of me. We met the surgery nurse, she would call Shane and give him updates.  Dr Randall's team came in, he greeted me by calling me beautiful.  H e looked at my arm, noticing the protruding tumor and said, " we will not miss this one."  He marked an X on my arm.  H explained what He would do. They gave me a drug through the iv and I don't remember anything else.  Shane says that I got goofy.  I asked if we were on time as they wheeled me out, it was 8:36, just a few minutes behind.

It was just after two o'clock that I woke up in the recovery room.  I was not in a lot of pain.  I was breathing well. My arm was in a sling that holds it close to my body and does not allow the new bone to move away from the shoulder joint.  They came in and took X rays.  That was my first challenge, He removed my arm from the sling and slide the big screen under my back. I had to hold it in position while he took the x-ray.

The anesthesia team came in and gave me a nerve block.  They used ultrasound to find the nerves to my arm.  they inserted a catheter into the area and attached a baby bottle to the end of it. In side what looked like a baby bottle was a balloon filled with medication that would numb my nerves.  This nerve block was a life saver for me.  I felt very little pain and did not have to take narcotics.  By four o'clock I was taken to my room where I was joined by Shane and Britney. 

Later Dr Randall came in, again calling me beautiful.  H explained that the surgery went well.  They were not able to get all of the tumor out because of how involved it was with the muscle, blood vessels and nerve.  I ask how much he thought he got.  He explained about 98 to 99 percent but by not having wide margins it will require follow up treatment of radiation and chemotherapy.   He asked if I had a post op x-ray and if they took me out of the sling.  He was very upset that they had moved my arm.  He has lectured on the reasons they cannot do that.  He ordered another x-ray to be sure that the new bone had not been moved out of position.   I love Dr Randall for his passion and that he calls me beautiful,  He has given me quality of life!

Hospital Update

Theresa is doing well.  They took her nerve block (pain killer that was directly in her shoulder) out and she is feeling good.  She is on ibuprofen alone and feels fine.  She was released from the hospital this afternoon and made it home.  She enjoyed having lots of visitors while she was in the hospital including her grand kids.  More pictures to come: