Some Good News

Today I went to see my doctor. She shared with me that the CA 125 count has gone down 2/3's.(still has a ways to go though) She is very pleased. So the plan right now is I will have the next cycle starting next week on the 8th that will be Gemstar & Carbo. Then the following Thursday will be the Carbo (that is the heavy duty drug). On the 27th I will have the PET/CT scan. Then I see her on Jan 3rd. That is when she will give me the results from the scan. (she doesn't like to give scan results during the holidays)

After my appointment I drove out to work to deliver Cathy's gingerbread boys. She has been included in getting the cookies for several years. I went ahead and stayed for lunch it was good to see everybody at work. There were a few that I missed seeing.

After that I went to Walmart to do some Christmas shopping. It has wiped me out but it was nice to be outside the house for a little while.

We Have A Great Bishopric

This evening Mom and I had a visit from part of the Bishopric. For those of you who are not familiar with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints each congregation (Ward) has a Bishop, 2 counselors and an executive secretary.(of course there are more callings but at this time not important to go into) These men have full time jobs and families and also keep the ward functioning. The Bishop's 2 counselors Terry Stanley and Warren Davis and the executive secretary Kevin Issacson came by for a visit this evening. We had a nice visit. We all caught up on the goings on in the ward etc. I so appreciate these men taking time this evening to come and see how we are doing. I'm so grateful for the blessings of church membership.

Christmas Tree

Well the Christmas tree is up and decorated. It actually looks pretty good.  Keith has spent most of the day wrapping presents. I haven't even started to shop yet. I will have to do that SOON. I really have no idea what to get mom  and Keith.

My good friends Sascha and Daisy came by today and Sascha cut my hair. It has been about 8 weeks since I had it cut and was driving me crazy. It is nice to have it cut. My hair has not fallen out but it is thinning. When I shower in the morning I have hair all over my hands. Oh well.

Thanksgiving Memories

This past Thanksgiving was a little different but very nice. My sister Merri Lea and her husband Rich and daughter Ella and son Bryan brought over all the makings for a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner. They cooked it and even left the left overs. We had turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, seven-up salad, a green salad, rolls, stuffing, homemade cranberries, pumpkin pie from scratch and persimmon steamed pudding. It was WONDERFUL!!

One thing I have to share is that I am a TURKEY lover. We eat them several times a year. My father's father raised turkey's and as a child I have memories of going to the brooder  house and helping to feed the baby turkeys. I also have memories of the turkeys out in the field, I must share though that turkeys are mean. When  we were little we used to beg mom not to buy us red tennis shoes (we used to wear Keds). Turkeys will peck at anything that is red. We did not wanted to get pecked by the turkeys.

I so appreciate my family and all they do for me.

We also watched a couple of DVD's. The Home Teachers and 17 Miracles (which was given to me by my neighbors Karen and Jon.)

I love this time of year and all the memories and reminders of the blessings we have.

I'm so grateful for the blessing of the gospel, for my family and friends.

I'm Still Here

I didn't realize that it's been Friday since I wrote. Not much happening and haven't been on the computer much. Because Thanksgiving is this week my next scheduled chemo appointment us for Wed. I went yesterday to have blood drawn. Kaiser called today and my white blood count is too low so my next treatment will be
Dec 8th. While I was resting this afternoon Michelle Sundstrom came by and brought some yummy muffins.

Sleepless Night

Last night was one of those long nights. I was up until 1:30 am watching TV. Then I went to bed and was still not sleepy. I was wake till about 6:00 am and then went to sleep till about 11:00 am. My brother-in-law Rich (who lives in Modesto) called and said the he would be by in about 10 minutes. I had driven his mother to the San Jose airport and stopped by for a visit. We had a nice visit.

Last night when I was signing off Keith brought mom and I hot chocolate and a dessert from Starbucks called Cranberry Bliss. (I see evidence of the same treat this evening in the kitchen) I really like cranberries and this dessert.  So I searched on line for the recipe for this dessert. I will post it below. I haven't made it yet but I hope to try it. If anyone wants to try it and needs a taste tester I volunteer.

Cranberry Bliss

Total Time:1 hrs 20 mins

Prep Time:40 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Ingredients:

Servings:16

Cake

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/4 cups light brown sugar, packed
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla or 1 1/2 teaspoons orange extract
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup diced dried cranberries
• 6 ounces white chocolate, cut into chunks

Frosting

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 4 teaspoons lemon juice or 2 teaspoons orange extract
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup diced dried cranberries

Drizzled Icing

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 2 teaspoons vegetable shortening
• orange zest, garnish (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Beat butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer until smooth. Add eggs, vanilla, ginger, and salt; beat well.
3. Gradually mix in flour until smooth.
4. Mix 3/4 cup diced dried cranberries and white chocolate into the batter by hand.
5. Pour batter into a well-greased 9x13-inch baking pan and spread evenly.
6. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until cake is light brown on the edges.
7. Let cool.
8. Frosting: combine cream cheese, powdered sugar, lemon juice and vanilla with an electric mixer until smooth.
9. When the cake has cooled, spread frosting over the top of cake.
10. Sprinkle top with diced cranberries.
11. Icing: Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and shortening.
12. Drizzle icing over cranberries in a sweeping motion or use a pastry bag with a fine tip.
13. Allow cake to sit for several hours, then slice the cake lengthwise (the long way) through the middle.
14. Slice the cake across the width three times making a total of eight rectangular slices.
15. Slice each of those rectangles diagonally creating 16 triangular slices.

Second Cycle Has Started

The other day I called to change the time of my blood draw for today's treatment. I have to go two days before the treatment to have my blood tested to see if we will move forward with the treatment. I had originally scheduled it for 5:30 when I thought I would be stopping on my way home from work. The next two were changed to 3:30. Since I have a port I have to go to the infusion center to have the blood drawn.Each time is easier.  When I called I also mentioned that they needed to add time for the fluids. Today's was changed to 9:00 am. A little earlier then I've been getting up. It went smoothly which is great.

Rose Adams and Darla brought a delicious dinner. Creamed chicken sauce, biscuits, snicker doodle cookies (my favorite) and fruit. I'm so grateful for such kind friends.

A Nice Surprise

This morning as I was laying in bed deciding if I wanted to get up yet there was a knock at the door. I answered the door and woman was standing there with a bouquet of flowers. She asked for me and handed the flowers. I opened the attached card and it there was a nice well wishes message from Jeannie Lewis and Connie Cherry. What a wonderful surprise. Thanks Jeannie and Connie.

I had blood drawn this morning and I've received a  message from my doctor telling me my kidney function is stable and that my blood count is a little low but that we will go a head and have the chemo tomorrow. Which is the first step in the second cycle.

Thanks for thoughts and prayers!

Not Much Today

Last night when Keith was at Walmart he bought some homemade tamales which we had for dinner. They were sure yummy.

Had blood work done today to prepare for Thursday's chemo. The nurse had an easier time today. It only took about 10 mins to draw three tubes of blood.

Mom is getting stronger every day. She can now sit in a dinning room chair and stand straight up with out having to use the walker of push up with her hands. She can't quite do that from the recliner. She does it 10 times in a row. Yeah mom!!!

I Have A Wonderful Brother

It does not matter how old I get there are still times when little brothers can be very annoying. But I must also say that I have a wonderful and thoughtful brother. He has been pretty much the care giver since Lisa left and has done a very good job. He does the laundry and makes homemade bread on Mondays. He does all the shopping and cooking. Yesterday I mentioned that spaghetti sounded good. Guess what we had for dinner tonight. I'm so grateful for Keith and all that he does for mom and I. I think I will keep him.

Wonderful Sabbath!

I actually made it to church today! A blessing of not having a treatment this week. It was wonderful to be able to be amongst so great people. There were wonderful talks today. James Zinn spoke about gratitude. I appreciate being reminded of the importance of gratitude and how it can impact our happiness.

Jennifer Williams spoke about Charity. Her talk was based on two talks, both were from the Women's Broadcast prior to October General Conferences. The first was from President Monson 2010 Charity Never Faileth and the other Sister Bonnie D Parkin from the 2003 Choosing Charity: That Good Part. She talked about how when we think of Charity we think of giving to others and serving. President Monson shared " I consider charity—or “the pure love of Christ”—to be the opposite of criticism and judging. In speaking of charity, I do not at this moment have in mind the relief of the suffering through the giving of our substance. That, of course, is necessary and proper. Tonight, however, I have in mind the charity that manifests itself when we are tolerant of others and lenient toward their actions, the kind of charity that forgives, the kind of charity that is patient."  It really is hard to share what was said. Jen certainly put some ideas of how to think of Charity in a different light. Thanks Jen. I would invite you to read these talks and expand your view of Charity.

We also so had a high counselor speaker and reminded us how we need to strengthen each other and share the gospel so that all may enjoy the blessing of the gospel.

It was wonderful to attend Relief Society and to be with the sisters of the ward.

We had visitors this afternoon the Corcoan's. I always enjoy their visits. They also brought yummy cake. (I hope they don't think that we expect this each time they come}

What Will Tomorrow Bring?

I'm really liking my mail man today. Another package came in the mail today. This one also came from Colorado. In the package was a homemade bookmark made especially for me from Dorothy and lemon drops. Something was also included for Mom. It was a recent picture of Dorothy's little guy Asher he is getting so big.

Thanks Dorothy, Nate and Asher. It is wonderful to be remembered.

Mom went to see her surgeon today. He said she is doing great! Only another couple of weeks and she can start to sleep on her sides. She does not have to see her for a year. She has been using her cane in the house and getting around pretty well.

Ooops I Let Two Days Pass

Ok so I let two days pass. I had a doctor's appointment today. 8:50 this morning...what was I thinking? I left the house a little before 8 and was still 5 min late. One complaint I have about the Santa Clara Lawrence facility is that parking is the pits.

The visit went well. The doctor was a little concerned about some blood results about the liver. She said it could be from the chemo and just messing with my liver. I did tell her that before I started chemo that I had a lot of pain in my liver, felt like I'd been punched and sometimes couldn't catch my breath but since I'd started chemo I had not felt that pain. She stated that that sounded good to her.

I asked her how could ovarian cancer be in my liver. She said that a common way for cancer cells to travel is through the blood stream and that the liver filters every thing and that is more then likely how it got there.

On my way home I stopped at the Corcoran's to borrow their fax machine. We had a nice visit while I used the fax machine. They invited me to lunch, so Pat, Sascha, Daisy and I went to a Sushi place. Pat had Sushi and Sascha and I had Terriayki chicken. When I was weighed today I've lost 6 lbs. Doctor wants me to keep eating protein, so chicken was good.

When I got home there was a package waiting for me. I opened it up and inside was a lemon yellow stocking cap, 2 knitted lemons, and a yellow bracelet. Thanks Bev. I can't wait to wear the them.

Visitors Always Welcome

This afternoon we had visitors. It was nice to be thought of and to have some company. Sascha and her children Emma, Nolan, Amanda and Daisy came by for a visit. When Sascha called to see it it was ok to come by, we told her to come and we would have a little party and she could bring the refreshments. They came and brought some yummy apples to share. We had a wonderful visit. I feel bad that I upset Daisy. Poor thing she has been up since 5:00 am and was ready for the day to be over.

We also had a visit from Bishop Wallace, Lisa and Sara. They came with a treat in hand also. (When you come for a visit please don't feel like you have to bring something to share) It was nice to visit with them and to get caught up with some of the goings on in the ward.

Where Did Today Go?

I spent ALL DAY in bed today .I didn't feel bad, my bed would not let go of me! I did not expect that to happen today. Got up about 5:00 for dinner...pizza! Then Keith came home with a delicious  gingerbread latte (non decaffeinated) drink from Starbucks. yum yum! Our neighbors brought over a plant and a DVD for me this afternoon. 17 Miracles. Now need to get the DVD player to work. I've wanted to see this movie.

Fun Night Last Night.....Not !

Well when I signed off last night things were going well. Was not tired when it was time to go bed at the usual time. So I stayed up till 1:00 am. Tried to go to sleep again. No luck....up at 2:00 and watched TV till 4:00. As I'm laying there I started getting a craving for doughnuts....not just any doughnuts I wanted a maple bar, and old fashioned glazed. The ones that are still round but are sort of divided into four sections. I also wanted a cake doughnut that had the raspberry frosting. Really weird that I wanted that many because I really haven't had much of an appetite.  I knew that the doughnut shops were not open yet.I was sort of getting desperate I even thought of waking Keith up to get me some but I thought I would be pushing my luck...he has been good to me. I even wondered if there would be doughnuts at seminary since usually goodies are there on Friday morning. When I told Keith he asked me why I was having cravings...I have no idea.

Treatment # 2

Well treatment # 2 is over and done. Feeling ok today. The treatment took a little longer then I thought it would. The nurse had a little challenge getting the needle into the correct spot in the port. There is still a little swollen but it has only been a week and a day. Still have not gone back to work yet.

I had great company today. My good friend Lisa Zamora went with me today. It was nice to spend time with her and visit. If you ever need a chauffeur and some one to keep you company I suggest her.

A great dinner was brought in tonight! A perfect night for squash soup, salad, french bread and rocky road ice cream. Thanks Heather Judd and Sarah Haman.

Well since I was only given one drug this time....lets see how it goes!

The End Of The Gingerbread Era

My dad used to work at the Lockheed test base in the Santa Cruz mountains. Everyday on his way to work he passed the Crest Christmas Tree ranch. I believe it was my first Christmas we got our first of many Christmas  trees from there. The tree was bigger then the amount of ornaments mom had so a family tradition was started. Mom made gingerbread cookies and decorated them and hung them on the tree by ornament hooks.  The fun thing was as the cookies would get moist the hole in the cookie would break and the cookie would fall to the floor. Over the years mom would bag and tie them with a ribbon. Over the years of collecting ornaments the amount cookies mom made was greatly reduced and eventually they were only gingerbread boys.

A gingerbread boy was made for every member of the family and other non family members. The rule was that the cookies could not be eaten until Christmas day. Who ever wanted their cookie would take it and what was left I would enjoy. I usually doled them out to myself and enjoyed them for several months.

While my sister Lisa was here it was decided that last year was the last year the gingerbread boys would be made. So brown felt was bought and fabric paints bought. The actual cookie cutter that mom used for years was used as the pattern. They were sewn and decorated using the paint. A slit was cut in the back and a commemorative note slipped in the back. A cookie for each member of the family was made to be hung on our tree and one for each person to have for themselves to keep for their tree. One cookie was left from last year which happens to be Keith's.

I am going to miss my gingerbread cookies.

Today was a better day but still not much energy. My appetite was better!! Keith made a delicious meat pie for dinner.

The physical therapist came to see mom today. This is probably her last visit. She is very pleased with mom's progress. She had mom show her her canes and she adjusted them. She suggested that if mom is comfortable that she try using a cane in the house. When she went into the kitchen for dinner she used her cane and did very well.

Not Sure What Title To Use

Today was another lazy day. As you can tell I missed yesterday's post so I did not meet my goal.

We did not have one trick or treater last night.....although I would never know I slept through the evening. I remember the days on this street when neighbors would run out of candy.

I did receive a post card from Australia from a former missionary companion, thanks Cheryl.

Two days before a chemo treatment I have to have blood drawn and tested to make sure the counts are good so I can have the treatment. I thought having a port was supposed to make it easier.First she had to remove the steri strips had to be removed and then it had to be flushed, blood thinner inserted, 3 tubes of blood drawn, 2 tubes of saline solution. It seems like more but I can't remember what else. The ordeal wiped me out for several hours. Sounds like this is going to be normal for a while.