Life Doesn't Always Go Your Way......

I saw the GREAT Dr. Goswami on my birthday for a checkup. Basically just a talk and he listens to my heart, takes BP, weight, etc. All sounds good on the heart end. He will see me again in 6 months. Dr.G also named a couple of top notch doctors that work at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield that mainly run a scope down the ole' food pipe all day long. They are looking to see why I was spitting up the blood although the last episode was mid-December. Hopefully it was just a sore but I have a feeling (as do the doctors) that it is esophageal varices. A little more serious but they would laser zap them and stop any bleeding that might happen later. My portal vein is being squeezed a little tighter all the time (by the mass) so the blood is looking for a way to get out....therefore, it is coming out small like vericose veins in my throat. When I have an appointment, I would like to discuss a stent to open up the portal vein to maybe relieve some pressure. They are also talking about putting me on a blood pressure medicine to keep my bp low, although it is in perfect range right now. This all kind of has me freaked a bit but my cancer is stable....that's what they keep saying. It is all the bumps that seem to always come at one time.

Here is an updated picture of Dr. G and I, as he shaved his head recently.
We both had to take a picture of "the baldies".

I am getting away for the weekend with my four girls and two grandaughters. Saturday, we will go to Indy and spend the night. We will see Disney on Ice Saturday afternoon. There was suppose to be 8 adults or kids over 2 that needed a ticket.....things change and a few people backed out  BUT thank you Alicia Haberlin for buying the 3 extra tickets. I couldn't have asked for a better family to sit with. Alicia taught with Amy at Newton and we even met several times in Newton at the state park to walk. She is just a sweet girl from Oblong, Illinois and has a 2 year old girl.

The girls and I will drive to a nearby hotel and spend the night so we can shop a bit and drive home casually when we are ready. It will be nice to have that alone time with the girls and maybe it was  meant for people to back out so it is just us as a family. Alicia is either driving back home or staying with a friend in Indy.

I received chemo Monday and Dr. Dy is amazed, along with Dr. Javle in Houston, that this chemo is working so well for me, and I'm getting the chemo at a reduced rate as it was lowering my white count. They are both very happy my cancer markers are dropping, dropping, and dropping a bit more. Don't get me wrong, I still have a mass that is cancerous....it is staying stable which hopefully gives me added time on this earth to enjoy not only my family and friends, but also the beautiful sunsets I have seen this past week that God has painted for all of us to look at. I hope I wasn't the ONLY person who saw them. It made me stop and thank God for all the wonders he gives us. Another thing I am thankful for is The Annointing of the Sick at Mass one day a month (I think....). I never know when it is, but if I am at church, I go up to the front (Pat also goes to put his hand on my shoulder). It is the most calming feeling I get and then tears as I head back to the pew. Father Jerry asks God for healing to happen within me and he also asks the congregation to pray for me. It is just so powerful for me....words do not describe it. I went wig-less/hat-less to church since it was warm. I wanted to ask Fr. Jerry not to get the oil in my hair but figured I better not. It is a very serious and serene moment. Believe it or not....Patty Corcoran refrained from opening her mouth!! Take that!!!!

God is leading me and teaching me daily in ways I never knew could happen. Sometimes I hear people talking or cursing and it makes me shutter.......Two years ago...it wouldn't have bothered me a bit and I even said the words myself....some of them. Now I will say "HEY....do you gotta talk like that"?  If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all!!

I was not going to paint Spring cards sets but due to popular demand, I AM doing Spring/Easter cards. I hope to have them ready by mid-February. We probably won't print as many (~100 to 150) so get your name to me if you are interested and you will be contacted when they are ready. There are bunnies, poppies (my favorite), a hyacinth, daffodils, tulips, maybe a sheep, maybe a birds nest with four eggs but it is not looking so pretty yet....  Probably 15-16 cards for $15.

I have added a few pics of the trip to Houston with Bill & Debbie Weiler.

 

Debbie and I

Bill and Debbie

Me and Pat

Bill, Debbie, Me, and Pat

We celebrated my 48th birthday at Jenn and Bart's house on Friday evening. Here are some photos:

My daughter, Amy, with her daughter, Braeda, and her nephew, Kinnick

Kinnick

McKenna helping me open a gift from Debbie

Braeda

Braeda and Debbie

Braeda

Debbie and McKenna

More birthday celebrations:

My sister, Lisa, and I

Lisa and her husband, Richie

Pat and I

My brother (Larry), his wife (Sheila), my sister (Sarah), me, my mom, and Pat after lunch