Relay For Life

Several months ago I was asked by two friends to participate in two different American Cancer Society Relays for Life (this week I was asked to participate in another) plus to send a picture of my self to my cousin Karen Ellington to display at the Hilmar Relay for life. (Sorry Karen I messed up on the picture).
Yesterday was the first one that was asked to participate in. It was held at Union Middle School. As we gathered for the opening ceremonies. I notice a luminary with a familiar name of Martha Hall. I knew she was going through chemo. I looked a little to my right and there was Martha. She spotted me and I went over to her and we visited a little bit. They start the relay by inviting all cancer survives to walk a lap the track, then they ask the caregivers to walk a lap. As I was walking the survivor lap I saw a good friend from work Shaun Kershman. I had forgotten that he lives in the area.
One of the other things that happens during the walk is the luminary lap. One of the ways to support the walk is to purchase a luminary in someones honor. They use white bags with sand to weight them down. Everyone gathers and quietly walks around the track and as they walk someone drops in large glow sticks that light the luminary. I joined the end of the group and looked at the luminary. It is quite sobering to see all the people that have been touched by cancer.
I'm not sure what I was expecting the cancer walk to be like but it was a wonderful experience. I so appreciate the honor to go and witness and participate in it. There is sadness at the loss. Joy at survival and even bonding and friendship made. I met several people who knew my doctors and was able to discuss our experiences with cancer. It had a very festive feel also. I would invite any of you who would like to experience some of this that I have shared with you to go to Leland High School next weekend. It starts at 10:00 am Saturday and goes to 10:00 am Sunday. There will also be booths that will sell food and other things if you would like. I am looking forward to next weekend. Come join us.

The First Week Is Over

Last Monday was my first day back to work since October 26th of last year. Monday was pretty rough but it got easier as the week progressed. It was fun trying to log on since all the passwords had expired.

Yesterday was the Ward Easter Celebration at a park. It was a fun event and a lot of people came. It was interesting when it started. Not all the food was there when it started and there was some concern there would be enough. When I finally got in line to get my food, some were going for seconds there was enough for me to serve myself.  It was a modern loaves and fishes miracle. It was so nice to be able to feel up to going yesterday.

I Have Survived Two Days

This past weekend was the churches semi-annual conference. It does happen to be 2 days but conference is not something you have to survive. It was a wonderful conference. In October I felt that so many messages were just for me. This one I felt had important messages to me also but not as many of them were as specific as the October talks.

The title refers to the fact that I returned to work yesterday and I actually survived and I went back today. Although it was a lot harder getting up this morning then yesterday. I received lots of hugs and welcome backs yesterday it was so nice and appreciated.

While I was at work the cinnamon roll fairy came by and made a delivery (thanks Nancy Jensen)

This Week Has Been A Bummer

I've been trying to walk daily to get my stamina built up. My goal was to walk twice a day but I didn't make it this week week. I was looking forward to  going to see Leigh High Schools production of Fiddler On The Roof and to the Relief Society's Anniversary celebration.

Last week mom had a head cold and then this week it went into her chest.

Thursday I went to visit my friend Daisy and her mom Sascha. I was able to help Sascha with a project the she was working for Leitz Elementary school. It felt good to help. Well I got mom's chest cold. So needless to say we did not go and see Jeremy. Mom's boy by another mother. I also did not feel up to going to the Relief Society celebration. I actually spent Saturday in bed. I'm feeling better but not back to where I was before I got seek Thursday.

Another Early Call

This morning before 8:00 Dr Song called. Apparently my counts from the blood test Tuesday were low. She called to tell me that rather then postpone the treatment another week that last weeks treatment would be my last. She restated that the PET/CT scan was so good and my CA-125 count was so good that she did not see a reason to do the last treatment. Of course it was my choice. I agreed with her. So now I will have my port flushed every three weeks and regular blood tests. So........

I AM FINISHED WITH CHEMO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have been so blessed and I am so grateful for the blessings I have received!!

A Great Aunt !

I like to think I'm a pretty great aunt. (I know that sounds a little prideful) My niece Candalyn Marble Winder called yesterday to tell us that she is expecting her first child in September so I'm going to be a great aunt. I'm so excited for her!

Thursday I had my first treatment for my last cycle. If all goes well by this time next week I will have completed my chemo. I received the results for the CA-125 blood test. It is a test to track some types of cancers. The preferred range is 0-35 my result is 13. Once again the treatment has affected my feet but they don't seem to be as bad as before.

This afternoon I had a visit for a lady who has been coming to church. I met her the Sunday I went and taught the Gospel Essentials class. We really seemed to connect. Sabrina brought me flowers and dinner. We asked her if she knew much about computers. I'm having problems with my wireless printer. She spent a couple of hours trying to get it to work we had no success :( .

I so appreciate her help!

Visitors

Saturday evening mom received a call. When it came up on caller id it was a Washington phone number. She debated on whether or not to answer it. She went ahead and answered and it was Sheila Murdock. She and her husband were in town an wanted to know if they could come for a visit on Sunday. Mom told her of course they could come. They came by on Sunday afternoon. It was so good to see Sheila and Rich again and to reminisce.

When I was in my teens mom had a small catering business. She used to cater wedding receptions. She did the decorating, flowers, food, cake, favors and such. She hired various teenagers to help. Rich Murdock was one of them. He took a lot of that knowledge that he learned working with mom and has catered weeding receptions where he lives. He said every time he does one he thinks of the times he worked with mom.

As we were visiting he brought up something that he and I did together. When I was a teenager the church used to have dance festivals every other year. The year I was a freshman and he was a senior  was a dance festival year. We went to the same high school. Some how he arranged for me to get out of study hall and we had our own dance festival practice. We went to the cafeteria and practice the Charleston that was performed to Sweet Georgia Brown. We were in a corner of the cafeteria facing the corner. At the end of the dance the guy is to lift the girl up and the girl is to kick her leg up. Well when we finished the run thorough we heard all this applause. Rich turned around and we had an audience. It was a bit embarrassing but is now a fun memory. I wasn't sure if Rich remembered as we were visiting he brought it up so I guess he hasn't forgotten.  It was wonderful to see them again.