rain rain rain

I love the rain!  It has been raining here non stop for at least 4 days. It looks and smells so clean. I love kickin back with a cup of coffee and just watching it rain. Good time to think about my life. And that's all I have to say about that!

I have 2 new reactions to this new chemo drug. First, I have no appetite because I know that when I eat my stomach hurts and I can't keep it down. This is not good because I need to keep my calories up so I will be strong to fight the cancer. I may go back to protein drinks and anti-nausea pills. The next thing is insomnia. I just lay there at night and "Think about my life".  There are those words again. I am trying to focus on the present, taking it day by day. Things are good,  I have my family and friends. I couldn't adore my grandchildren more! All in all, life is good.  Everyone here is decorating the Christmas tree. The kids here, Thais and Tiago, are so excited.  I watch them and I just have to smile. The things they say and do are great, funny and sometimes shocking. They hold nothing back and say what they mean. It is great.

I received a package from London today.  It was August's school picture. She looks so grown up. There is also a picture of Jessica, Christian, Augi and Emmett. They all look great.  The Christmas card has a drawing of an angel drawn by August. She is quite the artist. It made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, really! I love those guys!!

I saw a genetics counselor Friday. He took saliva samples from me to get my genes tested. It should take about 2 weeks to get the results. I am doing this mainly for my daughter. If I have the gene for ovarian cancer then she can be tested. It can be helpful for my sisters also, if they want it to be. I may be able to give them some helpful information if they choose to pursue it farther. I talked with him for about an hour. We went over my family tree, as far as I could remember. He also talked about the risks of having this done. Its mainly concerning medical insurance and life insurance and the inability to get it once my results are on file. Marcos, the geneticist, said it was "like finding the needle in the haystack."  He was very nice and I enjoyed our visit. I will see him on January 5th to go over the results and discuss where to go from here.  I am not sure what that means but I am sure he will tell me.It should be interesting. I sincerely hope that this cancer is just a mutated gene on its own. We will see. 

 I want to express my thanks to all of you for your support this last year.  Just talking and laughing with each one of you has helped me through this, both emotionally and physically. Each and every one of you are my heros.  May you all have a fantastic christmas as well a fabulous 2011!!

chemo day

I had my chemo session on Tuesday and it went very well. The drug they are giving me is Doxel. It is suppose to effect my skin. I have 2 pages of things not to do in the first few days after treatment like no hot drinks, no tight fitting clothing, no leaning on my elbows, and my hands and feet are going to get rashes and blisters... what fun!!!  Anyway so far so good. I was very wired after my session and then very tired. I have done nothing for 2 days but sleep. I am feeling much better tonite. I have an appointment with a genetic doctor tomorrow. I am going to find out if I have the gene for ovarian cancer. This is mainly for Jessica. If I do have the gene she can have hers tested, should be interesting.  Still waiting on Home Depot to transfer me from SL to SD. They are really dragging thier feet on this. Ill call tomorrow again.  Maybe I will go down there tomorrow after my appointment. Good Idea.

I talked to my grandchildren today. August has the cutest english accent and Emmett is talking so good. I miss them very much. I sent them "The Night Before Christmas" book. It was one of those that you record your voice reading.  They seemed to enjoy it. It was good to talk to my daughter.  I miss her very much too.

I want to wish all of you a "Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year."  I am so thankful for all my family and friends. If not for you guys being there for me through this, I don't know what I would do!  I know, I am getting kinda muushy, but I am very sincere when I say this.

I am in paradise

I am sitting on the front porch enjoying the sun.  It is 10:00 in the morning, December 12Th and it is 82 degrees outside.  I wish I was younger. I would go to the beach and lay in the sun. I will miss the white Christmas though.

I have spoke to the Home Depot here and the one in Utah. The paperwork is in the works for me to transfer here.  I have my first Chemo on Tuesday. I am kinda nervous, but it should go OK.

I received a package from England yesterday. My grandchildren both sent me paintings. They are beautiful. I sure miss them.  I do not know when I will be able to go to England. I miss all of them immensely.

Well, I am otherwise very bored. My stomach hurts but I have pills for that.
Maybe I will go to the beach anyway!!  I miss all of you in Utah!!!

Day at the beach

Linda's twin sister Lydia and thier mom came to San Diego to  visit for a while so we all went to La Jolla Beach today. It was great. No wind, the beach was not crowded, just lots of birds, seals, sand, and good company. Very relaxing day.

I have been to two doctors and had all the tests done. I some spots of cancer that needs chemo so I start December 14th with a new chemo drug. It will only be every 4 weeks and will only take 2 hours.  I am scheduled thru February, then more testing to see how the cancer is reacting.  My tumor count has gone from 17 to 30. My doctor said that is not bad considering I was up above 500 at one time.  I am going to transfer to a home depot here and call san diego home for a while.  Tiago, Heathers son, is having his 4th birthday here this weekend. Should be fun!