MY FAVORITE VET!

Don enjoyed going over to the Veteran's Cemetery for a special Memorial Day's tribute to all Veteran's.
I love this day when we think of all those brave men and women who have served in our military..........
especially those that have given their lives for our freedoms.

Of course, Don is my favorite Vet and I'm so proud of his 4 years in the Marine Corps. We met right after
he got out of the Marine Corps and began dating before he left on a 2 1/2 year mission to Japan. WHAT A
GUY!!

A NEW PEEP HOLE!

Jeff wanted to come over to put in a new peep hole on our frontroom door.
He thought we would be safer being able to see who was knocking on our door before we opened it.

The first thing he did was measure where it should be according to my heighth.

It's a good thing he did this because we had a knock on our door and a very scary looking guy was in the
peep hole. I was too scared to let him in until I realized it was DON!!

It's always fun to have Tami and Jeff over. We enjoyed being together and we love how they take such good care of
us.

GETTING PREPARED FOR RADIATION TREATMENTS

I was so surprised to find Tami and Jeff waiting for me in the radiation lobby area yesterday.
Tami had been in Washington DC this past week, taking classes for her job, and she just got home this afternoon. I didn't expect them to be at the treatment center.

Last week was a simulation for my radiation treatments and today was a dry run.
I begin my 25 treatments on June 1st.

Having Tami and Jeff there was wonderful I have so much support from my family and
friends!! I'm very grateful for this.

Jeff is great....and I appreciate his sense of humor and love that he shows to Don and I.

This is the man that is going to give me my treatments. His name is Jim and I feel like I'm in good hands.

MIRACLES HAPPEN!

We are going on the CRUISE after all. Lara and Tasha thought that maybe we could go a little later in July since my radiation is over the first week of July. Everything had to fall into place for this to happen. The cruise lines schedule, time off from work, airline tickets changed, doctors OK, etc. All these things were changed one by one and we couldn't believe that we can now go from July l6-July 23,
on our Alaskan Cruise. Tami was the only one that couldn't get away at this time since 2 of her employees had those dates off already.

I now have this to look forward to before my chemo treatments begin in full force. This has given me a real boast and I'm so looking forward to this week! Thought you might like to know the good news.

The picture I posted is one of my favorite spots. It was taken at Martin's Cove in Wyoming. This is Devil's Gate where the saints would often enjoy the water after their long journey west. They still had 300 miles to go to get to the Salt Lake Valley, but it would often boast their moral.

It also is the area where Martin's Handcart Company was rescued and given hope to carry on in the early winter of l856.

This place represents a lifting of the spirits for the early Saints and it's an inspiration to me.

When I look at it, it lifts my spirit and gives me hope too.

WANTED TO ADD THIS PICTURE FROM DON'S TRIP TO THE EAST COAST

The family had a lovely dinner after Lara's graduation. This is the whole group!

GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS

Don had a wonderful trip to the East Coast to see Lara get her Master's Degree. Since I couldn't go, he was my eyes and ears.

Tasha, J and Coldon were able to drive down for this event too and they all treated Don like royalty and he loved every minute of his visit with all of them.

Everyone was very proud of Lara and her accomplishment. It's taken 5 years of hard work and SHE DID IT!

The bad news came today when I went to two Oncologists. My treatments begins June lst and I face 6 months of 25 rediation treatments and then Chemo. Then I was told that I couldn't go on our family reunion cruise to Alaska since it would be right in the middle of my treatments. I found myself tearing up and couldn't help but cry. I was so looking forward to being with my family again and this was more than I could take.

I could take the news of facing 6 months of treatments but not being with my family was more than I could handle. I already had missed out going to Lara's graduation and now NO CRUISE!! Oh well, life goes on and after this is over I will spend some time with my East Coast families.

LIFE GOES ON EVEN THOUGH I DIDN'T GET TO GO TO THE EAST COAST

Yes, Don had to go to the East Coast without me since my doctor wouldn't let me travel. I was so disappointed I couldn't go to Lara's Master's graduation. She had worked so hard these past 5 years and finally achieved this goal. Don comes home today (May 17) and I can't wait to see the pictures that he took. He promised to be my eyes and ears on this trip.

Teresa and Tami both took turns in coming and spending time with me while Don was gone. I'm feeling really good and we were able to eat out, go shopping, watch movies and yes, make cookies. It was nice having the company.

This is a big week seeing 3 doctors. I will know more what is ahead of me as far as treatments go. I'll keep you all posted.

NEWS FROM MY DOCTOR'S OFFICE

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I have been waiting to hear from my doctor since I had the Petscan. I finally got the report over the phone. They couldn't find any evidence of any cancer through out my body. It's news that we all wanted to hear!!

I have felt all your thoughts and prayers for me each day. I thank the Lord that we were able to find this tumor in time before it did any more damage. I see two Oncologists on Tuesday and we will decide the next treatment. My doctor did say that if it were members of his family he would still treat the cancer agressively no matter what the results. I tend to agree with him since I don't want any problems down the road.

We are very excited and relieved that there's no sign of cancer. My "bump in the road" is going to be OK! Love you all!!

A WONDERFUL MOTHER'S DAY

On Saturday, Tami and Jeff took Don and I out to dinner to celebrate Mother's Day. I picked Conchitas for our meal. We had a good time eating and visiting. I love having them live so close so that we can celebrate these special occasions with them.

Jeff went and saw a friend that had just had his shoulder operated on and Tami came home with us for a couple of hours. Tami takes such good care of her Dad and I and I credit her for saving my life by making me go to the doctor the day that they found the tumor.
She made the appointment and came and picked me up because I really didn't want to go back to the doctor again after having seen her three times already.

I had brother Frame take our picture at Church today since it was Mother's Day. Potted plants were given out to all the Mother's after Sacrament Meeting. Yes, I was able to stay for all 3 meetings.

I wore the beautiful top that Tami and Jeff bought me and I had many comments on how good I looked. It's amazing that it has only been 2 weeks since I was operated on. I feel so good and feel blessed that I have recovered so quickly.

Tomorrow I have a Petscan so we will soon find out the schedule for my radiation and chemo.

I've heard from two of our daughters so far today and will soon hear from the other two daughters. I feel so blessed to have such a loving family! I count my blessings every day.

NEWS ABOUT MY BUMP IN THE ROAD

Don, Tami and I were very relieved when we came home from the doctors visit. The cancer hadn't gone into any other organs and this is a blessing. My next step to recovery is to have a Pet Scan to see if there are any cancer cells in my other lymph nodes. Then I will be set up for chemo and radiation.

I feel good and my health and strengths coming back. It's been only 2 weeks since the tumor was removed and I feel so blessed to feel this good. Thanks for all your thoughts, prayers, cards, phone calls, and flowers. They kept my spirits up through out all this. I've had such great help too. Just today, Tami and Jeff brought over 2 casserols before work. Jeff is a great cook and wanted to do this. This is to keep us eating healthy for a few days.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TOMORROW!!

LIFE IS NEVER DULL!

I've had a little bump in the road in my life. Since the holidays, I've had some stomach problems. I went to the doctor 3 times to find out why I haven't felt very good and was so tired. Finally, a little over a week ago they found a tumor in my colon and I had a emergency operation to have it removed. I spent the first day in the hospital getting 3 blood transfusions, liquids and nourishment to build up my body. Then the next day the cancerous tumor was removed. It was as big as a grapefruit.

Here I am at the hospital with my sister Teresa that first day.

Dadra and my 2 grandchildren flew in that evening for a planned two weeks vacation and visited me in the hospital. It was so good to see them but I felt so bad that I would be in the hospital during their stay.

It was such a blessing to have Dadra, Abby and Landon here for Don. It would have been so hard on Don to go home to an empty house since he was so worried about me. Dadra took very good care of him by fixing great meals and keeping him company. She has been such a blessing along with my sisters Teresa, Clarissa , Tami and all my friends from the Third Ward and the pool.

Tami and Jeff have also been wonderful. Tami saved my life by making me go to the doctor again to get the Cat Scan. If the tumor had grown much larger, they wouldn't have been able to operate. Tami, Don and Teresa also helped Dadra and the children have a good time while I was in the hospital by going to Moon Farm, making cookies, etc.

I'm now home and feeling better each day. I will have to have chemotherapy and radiation. I'll keep you all posted.