Wednesday I had my second to last chemotherapy treatment! (hopefully- if all looks well, that is the current plan!) I have one more on Aug 13th. Today is a beautiful summer day here in Texas- hot but blue skies and lots of sun AND I am feeling pretty good, not 100% but able to get out and run some errands, orthodontist and school registration stuff.
Pat is also feeling pretty good. We did a little shopping last night at the bookstore and got our favorite soup, salad and breadsticks from Olive Garden for dinner. Yum! I was so happy to be able to eat a little. The boys did a little yard work- unfortunately Derek inadvertantly ran over the cord to the pool filter so we are on a mission to get that remedied ASAP before the pool turns green! Other very exciting things we have planned is to replace our porch swing, which finally broke and to get the Durango's safety inspection sticker updated now that it is August and I procrastinated for the entire month of July! The girls are cleaning the house today- hooray for slave maid service! haha Actually I told all the kids that if the boys did the yard and the girls did the house then we'd go to Marble Slab for icecream tonight. (bribery works well sometimes!)
We still need to get some school clothes and school supply shopping done. Every year it seems that the supply lists get longer and more involved. Meri actually needs to provide 100 sharpened pencils! Who has time to sit and sharpen pencils at home. I don't even have a decent sharpener! Copy paper, dry erase markers, book covers, hand sanitizer...the list goes on and on.
At least they provided the lists early in this school district so that we have time to collect everything we need. Even the high school kids will get their lists when they have Prep Day. It is 2 wks before school starts and they will get their schedule, ID cards, lockers, books and supply lists. I think that is a much better idea than to wait until the first day of school and have to rush at the last minute.
My parents are coming for a visit on Sunday and then my sister and her family are coming next Thursday so we will have a nice group for Wil's 1st Birthday Party. We are doing a monkey pirate theme. I know he will not be so into it but since he is our last baby we wanted to do a nice party, even though Wil has no actual baby friends in attendance- mostly family and friends coming for food and cake- but it should be fun.
We have only 20 some days left unti school is back in full swing. At least Kelsey and Derek are doing good learning to drive (even stick shift!) and we will hopefully have licensed drivers before we know it! They also have the teen ACTS retreat coming up next week with church and are both looking forward to that. Derek has been on the music ministry team playing guitar and is having a great time.
I guess that is all for now. I hope you are all enjoying the rest of your summer vacations. Hug someone you love today!
Today's Glass Half Full: In our whole life melody the music is broken off here and there by rests and we foolishly think we have come to the end of time. God sends a time of forced leisure, a time of sickness and disappointed plans, and makes a sudden pause in the hymns of our lives. Be it ours to learn the time and not be dismayed at the rests.-- John Ruskin
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Rain Rain
Got quite a few emails and calls lately from everyone wondering how we are doing here in Texas with Hurricane Dolly. Other than a lot of rain- all is well, and actually the rain was sorely needed so it is a good thing! Hopefully the grass with green up and not feel 'crunchy' !
Otherwise, not much new. I am starting my no chemo week so I am feeling pretty good. Pat gets his chemo pump removed tomorrow and will pretty much be wiped out for the weekend. I am doing lots of exciting things like catching up on laundry, cleaning out the refrigerator and planning some easy meals for next week when I'll be feeling blah.
Derek is almost finished driver's ed. Kelsey cleaned out her closet today. Kevin organized all his clothes to get ready for school (he likes to be prepared ahead of time!) and Meri just returned from spending almost 4 days at her friend's house (she had a great time and I think would rather be there than at our house- now she is completely bored!). Wil is starting to walk more and more- he still crawls faster and prefers crawling, but he'll be walking everywhere soon!
Mostly we are just staying low key, hanging out at home and relaxing as best we can. Next week starts school registration, orientation..etc so we will have a lot to do. Then before we know it, family and friends will be arriving for Wil's first birthday! It is hard to believe that he is already turning one. These past 18 months, since Pat was first diagnosed with cancer, have been such a rollercoaster. Then with my diagnosis in April, all our tests, scans and treatments...etc...having a new baby in the house to focus on, cuddle and love has been such a blessing and has brought so much joy to our entire family. It is difficult to feel stress or worry when that adorable little guy looks up at you and smiles with his toothy grin! To him, we are just the family who loves him- he has no worries or any idea of all that we are going through around him- and that is just how it should be. Knowing that keeps the rest of us grounded! God sure knew what he was doing when he sent Wil to us!
We hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Today's Glass Half-Full: "Children are the reward of life." - Congolese Proverb
Otherwise, not much new. I am starting my no chemo week so I am feeling pretty good. Pat gets his chemo pump removed tomorrow and will pretty much be wiped out for the weekend. I am doing lots of exciting things like catching up on laundry, cleaning out the refrigerator and planning some easy meals for next week when I'll be feeling blah.
Derek is almost finished driver's ed. Kelsey cleaned out her closet today. Kevin organized all his clothes to get ready for school (he likes to be prepared ahead of time!) and Meri just returned from spending almost 4 days at her friend's house (she had a great time and I think would rather be there than at our house- now she is completely bored!). Wil is starting to walk more and more- he still crawls faster and prefers crawling, but he'll be walking everywhere soon!
Mostly we are just staying low key, hanging out at home and relaxing as best we can. Next week starts school registration, orientation..etc so we will have a lot to do. Then before we know it, family and friends will be arriving for Wil's first birthday! It is hard to believe that he is already turning one. These past 18 months, since Pat was first diagnosed with cancer, have been such a rollercoaster. Then with my diagnosis in April, all our tests, scans and treatments...etc...having a new baby in the house to focus on, cuddle and love has been such a blessing and has brought so much joy to our entire family. It is difficult to feel stress or worry when that adorable little guy looks up at you and smiles with his toothy grin! To him, we are just the family who loves him- he has no worries or any idea of all that we are going through around him- and that is just how it should be. Knowing that keeps the rest of us grounded! God sure knew what he was doing when he sent Wil to us!
We hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Today's Glass Half-Full: "Children are the reward of life." - Congolese Proverb
Thursday, July 17, 2008
How You Can Help
I debated and debated about writing a blog requesting any kind of 'help' but darn if you guys aren't continually asking "do you need anything?" "can I help you guys out?"...etc.
Truthfully, we have been doing pretty good. It has been easier going through cancer treatment with all the older kids home from school so that we have help around the house and with babysitting. I've also gotten a wide array of head gear- a bunch of super cool handmade scarves from my mom (with matching earrings too!) and cool knitted hats from my dear friend Julie's mother-in-law and also from one of her friends too. I've now become obsessed with finding shirts to coordinate with all my scarves and hats!
Back in February we received a wonderfully generous gift certificate for a local Super Suppers store from our friends and supporters of the SP Corps (gosh how we love you guys!). We have finally used it all up and have been blessed with a wide variety of ready to cook meals every month.
That being said, meals are our biggest need right now. Having both Pat and I getting chemo at the same time has left a burden of neither of us wanting to eat or cook. My sense of taste is completely off- I need to over-salt everything, even put salt on a hot dog! Pat's chemo is giving his a sore mouth and throat- he has become a fruit Popsicle eating maniac, sometimes going through a whole box in a day or two! One thing about the weird chemo side effect of food aversions is that eating food is not so much an issue- it's the cooking and smelling it cook that is a bit unsettling.
The kids have done great trying to fill the gap by making frozen pizzas, Hot Pockets, burritos and some casseroles. Unfortunately, they still need to eat lunch and dinner at home and the variety is getting a bit monotonous. We have mostly been getting restaurant take home and fast food but to be honest- with the added price of gas costs going back and forth to the hospital (a 45 min ride from our new house!)- it is killing our budget!
So, if anyone has the desire to help out...we would really appreciate assistance in that area. A few ways to help would of course be to drop a meal off to us if you live in our area. We are open to anything- our kids are good eaters. If you don't live near us, a gift card to a popular restaurant (we have most of them nearby) would be a welcome treat. Many days it gets to be 5pm and we have no idea what to make or we don't feel well enough to put anything together.
I am also out of inspiration when it comes to making something fast so another great way to help (and it's the FREE option!) is to share with us some of your recipes for making quick and easy meals. We have a large deep freezer and I am hoping to try and do a one day cooking extravaganza where I can make ahead a bunch of easy to heat up meals for the days we are feeling to sick to cook or drive to pick up dinner.
Cards, emails and phone calls--as always, MUCH appreciated. Even if we are not up to chatting or don't get your email reply out for a few weeks, it is a nice treat to know that we are remembered and thought of by our friends and family. It is a great spirit booster for us, especially when Pat hears from one of the 'guys' - you know who you are old Army buddies, pick up a phone- best time to get a hold of Pat is in the evenings. He hasn't done real Army stuff in over a year and is tired of discussing his cancer all the time. Get busy--hint hint!
Do you scrapbook? Have any old supplies you aren't going to use and might like to pass along? I am trying to find things to keep me busy when I am not feeling good so that I don't just lay on the couch and watch the Discovery Channel all day. I have five years worth of photos to catch up on and the movers dumped my supply of paper and stickers into a box where everything ended up crinkled and wrinkled and not looking so good. I could use some replacements but haven't felt too much like heading out to Michaels or Hobby Lobby to shop- plus I am limited on going out in public when my cell counts are low- I have to try and avoid contact with germas or sick people. Also, if you have any good photos of Pat, me or the kids- email me a copy so I can put them in an album!
Of course, another great way to help is to keep our family in your thoughts and prayers as we spend our ENTIRE summer vacation at home while both Pat and I get pumped full of cancer killing poisons...does that sound pathetic enough to warrant a little sympathy? haha!
Seriously, this will be the second year in a row we have not been able to take any kind of family vacation--dumb cancer--anything you can do to keep our spirits up and alleviate summer break boredom would be immensely appreciated! (thanks to whoever signed us up for some magazine subscriptions-besides my mom- super idea!) Oh, and the books- loved them! We are such huge readers!
We love you guys! {{{HUGS}} from our family to yours!
Today's Glass Half-Full:
"There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up."
- John Andrew Holmes Jr., American writer and minister
Truthfully, we have been doing pretty good. It has been easier going through cancer treatment with all the older kids home from school so that we have help around the house and with babysitting. I've also gotten a wide array of head gear- a bunch of super cool handmade scarves from my mom (with matching earrings too!) and cool knitted hats from my dear friend Julie's mother-in-law and also from one of her friends too. I've now become obsessed with finding shirts to coordinate with all my scarves and hats!
Back in February we received a wonderfully generous gift certificate for a local Super Suppers store from our friends and supporters of the SP Corps (gosh how we love you guys!). We have finally used it all up and have been blessed with a wide variety of ready to cook meals every month.
That being said, meals are our biggest need right now. Having both Pat and I getting chemo at the same time has left a burden of neither of us wanting to eat or cook. My sense of taste is completely off- I need to over-salt everything, even put salt on a hot dog! Pat's chemo is giving his a sore mouth and throat- he has become a fruit Popsicle eating maniac, sometimes going through a whole box in a day or two! One thing about the weird chemo side effect of food aversions is that eating food is not so much an issue- it's the cooking and smelling it cook that is a bit unsettling.
The kids have done great trying to fill the gap by making frozen pizzas, Hot Pockets, burritos and some casseroles. Unfortunately, they still need to eat lunch and dinner at home and the variety is getting a bit monotonous. We have mostly been getting restaurant take home and fast food but to be honest- with the added price of gas costs going back and forth to the hospital (a 45 min ride from our new house!)- it is killing our budget!
So, if anyone has the desire to help out...we would really appreciate assistance in that area. A few ways to help would of course be to drop a meal off to us if you live in our area. We are open to anything- our kids are good eaters. If you don't live near us, a gift card to a popular restaurant (we have most of them nearby) would be a welcome treat. Many days it gets to be 5pm and we have no idea what to make or we don't feel well enough to put anything together.
I am also out of inspiration when it comes to making something fast so another great way to help (and it's the FREE option!) is to share with us some of your recipes for making quick and easy meals. We have a large deep freezer and I am hoping to try and do a one day cooking extravaganza where I can make ahead a bunch of easy to heat up meals for the days we are feeling to sick to cook or drive to pick up dinner.
Cards, emails and phone calls--as always, MUCH appreciated. Even if we are not up to chatting or don't get your email reply out for a few weeks, it is a nice treat to know that we are remembered and thought of by our friends and family. It is a great spirit booster for us, especially when Pat hears from one of the 'guys' - you know who you are old Army buddies, pick up a phone- best time to get a hold of Pat is in the evenings. He hasn't done real Army stuff in over a year and is tired of discussing his cancer all the time. Get busy--hint hint!
Do you scrapbook? Have any old supplies you aren't going to use and might like to pass along? I am trying to find things to keep me busy when I am not feeling good so that I don't just lay on the couch and watch the Discovery Channel all day. I have five years worth of photos to catch up on and the movers dumped my supply of paper and stickers into a box where everything ended up crinkled and wrinkled and not looking so good. I could use some replacements but haven't felt too much like heading out to Michaels or Hobby Lobby to shop- plus I am limited on going out in public when my cell counts are low- I have to try and avoid contact with germas or sick people. Also, if you have any good photos of Pat, me or the kids- email me a copy so I can put them in an album!
Of course, another great way to help is to keep our family in your thoughts and prayers as we spend our ENTIRE summer vacation at home while both Pat and I get pumped full of cancer killing poisons...does that sound pathetic enough to warrant a little sympathy? haha!
Seriously, this will be the second year in a row we have not been able to take any kind of family vacation--dumb cancer--anything you can do to keep our spirits up and alleviate summer break boredom would be immensely appreciated! (thanks to whoever signed us up for some magazine subscriptions-besides my mom- super idea!) Oh, and the books- loved them! We are such huge readers!
We love you guys! {{{HUGS}} from our family to yours!
Today's Glass Half-Full:
"There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up."
- John Andrew Holmes Jr., American writer and minister
Long Time No Blog
Well, I started working on a blog but got sidetracked by not feeling so well. I just got another round of chemo yesterday and am feeling okay at the moment so I decided I better blog away while I can!
At yesterday's chemo session I got to visit with a nice lady and her husband who I met several rounds ago. She is being treated for breast cancer- she actually has two different kinds of cancer at the same time, not very common from my understanding. When I first met her she was just starting her treatment and was quite scared. I am happy to report that she is now plugging along wearing cool scarves on her shiny bald head and both her and her husband are determined to kick cancer's butt- my attitude as well- I like to see it rubbing off! I also got to visit a little bit with one of Kelsey's friend's mom who also has breast cancer. She is married to one of the top commander's here and I imagine it must be very difficult for her to continue all of her social and military obligations while battling cancer. She looked extrememly tired but was happy to be celebrating her last chemo treatment! Hooray for her!
I have had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people while getting chemo. We all have different kinds of cancer and different treatment schedules so some people I may only meet up with once. It is very rewarding to share our stories, whine about our side effects to people who have been there and the praise some of the good side effects- a favorite of all the ladies is not having to shave our legs! We compare head gear and share websites where we can buy funny cancer related tshirts, stickers and buttons. It is a nice benefit to cancer treatment.
I am hoping that this round of chemo is a bit easier than my last two. I just hate feeling blah and tired and aching for days. No fun!
Driver's Ed is going well for Derek. He is a very conscientious driver and he doesn't scare me too much! ("brake! brake") haha :) The summer job hunt continues for Kelsey, although she is starting to use her time at home a little wiser by working on her driver's ed online and getting college applications and essays done. She is also busy with her AP English summer assignment.
We have school registration coming up in the next few weeks. With everyone starting new schools this year, I have lots of paperwork to fill out but at least in this school district I am able to pick up the registration packets early so I can get a head start.
We've been able to have a little social time with some of our friends in the past week- Pat and I were actually feeling good for a few days at the same time so we had to squeeze it in when we can. We are also getting ready for Wil's first birthday coming up on Aug 10th. We can hardly believe it has been a whole year already! Hopefully we will all be feeling good for his party.
Both Pat and I were very sad to hear about the death of former White House press secretary and Fox News host, the amazing Tony Snow. He has been such an inspiration to us as he has battled his colon cancer. His attitude and outlook on life really made an impact on how we are handling our cancer diagnosis and treatment. He will be truly missed and our prayers are with both him and his wonderful family.
On a lighter note, we are enjoying following Pope Benedict's participation in World Youth Day taking place this week in Australia. We have actually been staying up WAY too late at night to watch the live coverage on EWTN. It is so moving and uplifting to see so many young people from all over the world celebrating being Catholic. It reminds Pat and I of our visit to Rome in 2006 when we were able to attend Palm Sunday Mass at the Vatican. It was amazing and such a wonderful experience to be able to have taken part in that! it is something we will never forget.
Well, we are hanging in there and moving right along as usual. I will try and post my saved blog that I was working on last week after this one. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Give an extra hug to someone you love today!
Today's Glass Half-Full: "Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful." -Joshua J. Marine
At yesterday's chemo session I got to visit with a nice lady and her husband who I met several rounds ago. She is being treated for breast cancer- she actually has two different kinds of cancer at the same time, not very common from my understanding. When I first met her she was just starting her treatment and was quite scared. I am happy to report that she is now plugging along wearing cool scarves on her shiny bald head and both her and her husband are determined to kick cancer's butt- my attitude as well- I like to see it rubbing off! I also got to visit a little bit with one of Kelsey's friend's mom who also has breast cancer. She is married to one of the top commander's here and I imagine it must be very difficult for her to continue all of her social and military obligations while battling cancer. She looked extrememly tired but was happy to be celebrating her last chemo treatment! Hooray for her!
I have had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people while getting chemo. We all have different kinds of cancer and different treatment schedules so some people I may only meet up with once. It is very rewarding to share our stories, whine about our side effects to people who have been there and the praise some of the good side effects- a favorite of all the ladies is not having to shave our legs! We compare head gear and share websites where we can buy funny cancer related tshirts, stickers and buttons. It is a nice benefit to cancer treatment.
I am hoping that this round of chemo is a bit easier than my last two. I just hate feeling blah and tired and aching for days. No fun!
Driver's Ed is going well for Derek. He is a very conscientious driver and he doesn't scare me too much! ("brake! brake") haha :) The summer job hunt continues for Kelsey, although she is starting to use her time at home a little wiser by working on her driver's ed online and getting college applications and essays done. She is also busy with her AP English summer assignment.
We have school registration coming up in the next few weeks. With everyone starting new schools this year, I have lots of paperwork to fill out but at least in this school district I am able to pick up the registration packets early so I can get a head start.
We've been able to have a little social time with some of our friends in the past week- Pat and I were actually feeling good for a few days at the same time so we had to squeeze it in when we can. We are also getting ready for Wil's first birthday coming up on Aug 10th. We can hardly believe it has been a whole year already! Hopefully we will all be feeling good for his party.
Both Pat and I were very sad to hear about the death of former White House press secretary and Fox News host, the amazing Tony Snow. He has been such an inspiration to us as he has battled his colon cancer. His attitude and outlook on life really made an impact on how we are handling our cancer diagnosis and treatment. He will be truly missed and our prayers are with both him and his wonderful family.
On a lighter note, we are enjoying following Pope Benedict's participation in World Youth Day taking place this week in Australia. We have actually been staying up WAY too late at night to watch the live coverage on EWTN. It is so moving and uplifting to see so many young people from all over the world celebrating being Catholic. It reminds Pat and I of our visit to Rome in 2006 when we were able to attend Palm Sunday Mass at the Vatican. It was amazing and such a wonderful experience to be able to have taken part in that! it is something we will never forget.
Well, we are hanging in there and moving right along as usual. I will try and post my saved blog that I was working on last week after this one. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Give an extra hug to someone you love today!
Today's Glass Half-Full: "Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful." -Joshua J. Marine
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