Round 3

Monday was round 3 and we got some great news!  The doctor said the mass was about 1/3 the size that it was month ago.  It is working and that makes it so much more bearable to go through!  My lab work came back good and Dr. Tauer told me this is about the toughest type of chemo they use.  He said I was handling it great and it was nice to hear.  I only have 1 more round like this and my last 12 rounds are supposed to be much easier to tolerate.  Woo hoo!
  My friend Kelly took all 3 kids and kept them overnight so we could rest.  I was so hesitant to let her, but they had a great time and it was so appreciated.  I slept, slept, slept.  The shot made me achy again for a few days, but it wasn't too bad.  The hardest thing is being so tired.  Taking a nap isn't optional, it is a must for a few days. 
  My next round is the kids first day of school.  Should be interesting.  A sweet friend at church told me yesterday that for this short season I might not be able to do everything I am used to doing, and that is ok.  She is right....this is just a season and we are just going to do the best we can.

Redbirds Exhibition!

Saturday Maddie had an exhibition before the game.  It worked out great because our Sunday School class had already scheduled a social for the game.  So we got to spend time with friends and watch Maddie do her thing.
  I prayed all day I would make it in the heat.  I was so worried I would get down there and get sick.  It was hot....and I felt great the entire time!!  Another answered prayer!!
  Everyone had a great time and I have lots of pics to share!

Good Days!

Last week was a good one!!  Felt better most of the week and had more energy.  We had some fun with the kids.  Monday, we went skating with the church.  Mo took a friend from school and Kev kept Harper at home.  The big kids had a great time!
  We also went to Savannah for a quick overnight trip.  The kids loved seeing Nonna and swam with cousins for a few hours.  I am so glad we went. 
  We went swimming at the neighbors pool one morning, had a family lunch date at Genghis Grill, did some school shopping for Mo, and had a family movie night. We also had a play date at Tina's house for lunch and a swim. The weather prevented the swim, but we all were able to visit anyway!  We met the Gaines boys at the new Splash Park Friday afternoon.  We ended the week with a Redbirds game and gymnastics exhibition.  I will do a separate post for that. 
  Countdown to school is on and I am so thankful we are getting some fun in before the craziness begins!
  I still receive sweet cards in the mail often with people letting me know they are praying.  I also had a sweet lady stop by and bring me a blessing box.  There are gifts in there for me to open after each treatment.  How thoughtful!!!  A Sunday school class from church dropped a package off on our porch Friday evening.  They gave me so many goodies that my head was spinning.  My kids said it was the best gift I have ever been given:) 
  Friends, family, acquaintances have really rallied behind us and we can feel the love.  God is good and we are blessed!
 

Last Week

Wasn't for the weary!  While I didn't feel bad Monday after chemo, I felt pretty terrible the rest of the week.  Tired, sick to my stomach, headaches, blah, blah, blah.  I don't want to complain too much on here, but I do want to be able to look back and remember.  This was a hard week.
  Wednesday was shave day.  It was coming out quite a bit and I was ready to be done.  The kids weren't real impressed and thankfully aren't bothered by it.  Boy, I sure am.  I always thought I had a healthy dose of confidence in myself....take my hair away and that all changed quickly.  I even sleep wearing something to cover my head.  I have a few wigs and am accumulating quite the collection of head coverings.  No thanks to Mimi- she tried to help me out, I wish I had a pic of the things she bought me.  You will never see me wearing them:)
  Mo had a great time at camp and I was able to go out there to pick her up Friday.  So glad she went.  Harper and Turner had a pretty uneventful week.  We went to Costco one day with Mimi and Boo Boo while Daddy was at football...I think that was about it.  But Daddy is still being a super dad, and we are all just trucking along.
  We did receive several meals last week which were huge blessings.  We also had a few people stop in with goodies and to check on us.  So, even though this isn't a whole lot of fun, we are being blessed by many.  We are still praising him during this storm!!
  This week is starting out better and my next post will be more upbeat;)

Round 2!

Gonna be short and sweet!  Kelly took me to chemo yesterday and I loved having her there.  She asked questions I wasn't thinking about and was given a pat on the back from the geneticist for asking them:)  We had blood drawn and will know the results in a few weeks.
  While waiting a sweet lady from church stopped to see me.  She went through the same thing a few years ago and has been very encouraging.  She brought me a sweet book of encouraging scriptures that she used on her journey and a necklace and bracelet to pass down to someone else once I am a survivor like her:)
  We let the nausea meds drip slower this time is hopes to help with nausea.  I also took 2 Adivan when I got some.  Doctor said the nausea might be coming from anxiety as well as the chemo.  What a difference it has made.  I slept from about 5 pm yesterday to 7 am.  Got ready to get shot, was home by 10 and slept till noon.  I have NOT gotten sick nor had the headaches like last time.
My patents swing by to break up our party, but they brought us lunch and it was good to have them there.  My lab work came back great too!  God is really hearing and answering prayers.
  Maddie left for church camp yesterday.  She had to be at the church by 3.  I just had to be done to see her off.  I was...I made it....and I think I even acted normal and not drugged up.  God is Good, God is Faithful, and God is getting our family through this one day at a time.
  Pray for her this week.  She was struggling about being away from us and not sure she wanted to go.  I think this all stems from me being sick, and I am just praying she has the best time and sticks it out!

Fun Week!

We have had a good busy week!  I have felt good, gotten most of my energy back, and we are taking advantage of it when we can!
  We went back to Jumping World Monday with a bunch of friends.  Mom's and kids had a great time.  We had a play date at the Ferrell's, where all 3 kids have a friend their age.  Score!  Harper and Tyler might have stripped down together and helped each other go potty while us mom's were chatting.  The toilet might have gotten clogged...we definitely shared a few laughs:) 
  The kids also came to read to my class one day.  They had been begging all summer and this was the last week.  The kiddos loved having them and mine did a great job.  I was proud of them and glad they stopped by!
  After church Wednesday I texted Tina to tell her we were going to Sonic and asked if she wanted to join us.  She had just pulled in!  So we, along with half the youth from church, hung out and had a little dessert.  Harper really loves Gabbey and it is sweet watching them interact.
  Maddie has had gymnastics camp the past few days so I took Turner and Harper to the new Splash Park in Bartlett.  We met some friends there and Harper could have stayed all day!  Turner wasn't sure at first because it is kind of small- he loved it too!  Nothing better than cold water on these hot summer days!
  Kev worked a lot of the week, which is why he isn't mentioned much.  We missed him though!  Today Mo went to see Minions with her gym friends after camp and I took T and H for ice cream.  After that we headed to a friend's house we haven't seen in a bit.  She and another friends gave me a craft box filled with things for the kids to do on days I don't feel well!  It was so sweet and thoughtful.  We have just been blessed over and over again through this yucky cancer!  We had meals brought to us 3 different nights this week and breakfast this morning.  Getting a little spoiled, but so very thankful. 
  After all that, we ended the night by swimming at the neighbors.  The kids had such a full day and fell asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillows.  I am about to do the same.  I don't have pictures of a lot of this, but will share a few.  Monday starts round 2 and I am not looking forward to it.  Kind of stinks knowing to expect.  Thankful we had such a good week!!

Celebrating the 4th!

Thursday after work we headed to Savannah for a few days.  Let me say...this past year has been a hard one for our Savannah family.  Lots of life has been put on hold while Nonna and Big Da take care of her parents pretty much around the clock.  They don't complain, and they are some of the most selfless people I know.  That being said, we have missed them and were excited to spend a few days there when Da was home and Nonna was able to spend most of her time with us at the house.  The kids love being in Savannah, love playing with their cousins, and visiting all the family!
  We went bowling on Friday and the kids swam every day we were there.  Saturday we had a huge fish fry and the whole family came to eat and do fireworks.  Aunt Marcy is the most fun aunt ever, and always has lots of treats for the kiddos.  She didnt disappoint and the kids loved playing with her. It was a great time!!  This was another trip that ended with Maddie crying most of the way home and even into Monday about having to leave.  She has turned into a sensitive kiddo all of a sudden.
  I felt pretty good the whole time, just stayed tired.  I was glad Kev had some help for a few days where it had been a long crazy week.  Pretty blessed to have in laws that love me like their own and are such great grandparents.  We are so glad we were able to visit and hope it isn't too long before we make it back!