I'm FREEEEEEEE!

After one of the longest weeks ever I am happy to say that I am free!!!  I talked to the nuclear medicine people up at the hospital and they said I have NO more restrictions!!! I can't tell you how happy that makes me.  I have been hugging my kids all morning!!  If only I had some energy to go with the excitement I feel. :)  My poor body has been through the ringer and doesn't want to do a whole lot yet.  We'll stick with bare necessities for now.

I go in for a full body scan on Wednesday, the 22nd to see if the radiation has done it's job.  I'll be glad to have the all clear and be able to start taking thyroid replacement medicine and get to feeling a little more normal.  My stomach is still not happy a lot of the time.  It's kinda been like having morning sickness--not my favorite.  On a happy note, I'm done with taking calcium supplements!! Happy day!  

Yesterday was our Christmas service at church and my kids did a lot on the program.  Charity and Emily spoke on Christmas traditions and the birth of Christ.  Jeremy, Matthew and Sam sang with the primary choir.  Then Charity, Emily and Zac sang with the ward choir and Jeremy played the bells with 2 other boys his age as another musical number.  I was very sad to have to miss it all, but my Dad recorded it for me (audio) so I could listen to it last night.  They were all awesome!!!  I am so happy that all of this yucky stuff has been surrounded by the joy and excitement of Christmas.  And now we have 5 more days till Christmas.  Five blessed days to be together as a family--just enjoying being together, playing and hugging and squeezing!!! (Can you tell I've missed my family?!?)

I want to share some thoughts I shared with a friend the other day about going through all of this--losing my mom this past year and then facing cancer without her by my side:

"While I wouldn't wish the challenge of losing a mother on anyone, there have been great blessings that have come, but mostly I have learned to turn to my Savior because He is the only one that can take that pain and anguish and bring comfort and peace.  I am SO grateful to know of the atonement and to have learned through all of this that there is SO much more to the atonement than just taking our sins away.  He has felt every pain!!! . . even the one that comes from wishing Mom was there to help you pick out the right curtains or wishing she was there to hold your hand when no one else can.  As trivial as it may seem to some, I have learned that my slightest pain can be eased by and through Him.  I don't know how people can go through adversities without that knowledge and blessing in their lives.

I, too, have had those moments where the Lord has used others when I needed to hear or feel that love from my mom.  There have been many times where I have needed a hug or to know that she loves me and someone has reached out with that hug or words of love from her.  Other times it has been bumping into an old friend that I haven't seen in years that offers that connection to her.  I appreciate the thought you shared of feeling those hugs as coming from the Savior and your mom.  Many times I haven't been able to differentiate--which is comforting to me, to know that the same love is shared by both.  It is such a strength to me!  I have definitely felt that strength over the past year and especially through these past few months.  I have felt their presence SO many times, lifting and supporting me.  I feel like I have nothing to complain about (though sometimes I still do) with the great blessings that have come through all of this.  When I look back, all of the bad has been lost amidst the numerous blessings and tender mercies.  His love is just amazing to me!!"

I do feel truly blessed through all of this and greatly appreciate all of the prayers that have been offered in my behalf.  I can feel the power of those prayers lifting me each day and I know I couldn't do it without them.  Thank you for your faith and love!!  I wish you all the merriest of Christmases and pray you will be able to feel the love of our Savior who came as a small babe to such a humble place so many years ago!

A light

I think I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. . . .after 3 days of headache and nausea I'm ready for a change. (I only threw up once-the first day, but the Dr's feel that my body had enough time to absorb enough radiation to do the trick) I haven't been able to eat and drink like I'm supposed to (lots of fluids to help flush out the excess radiation) and I was a little dehydrated. So, yesterday I took some anti-nausea meds which have helped a LOT. The only drawback is that it knocks me out. But, it seems to be doing the trick and I've been able to get some more fluids in me. My face/neck are a bit puffy this morning. The extra sleep has been good except that I've been having really bizarre, crazy dreams or nightmares. No fun. The kids have been really good about staying away and being good for Steve. I think Steve will be the most grateful when all of this is over. He's been working from home this week, trying to shuffle kids, deal with all the stresses of work, and take care of me. Poor guy is worn out!

A HUGE thank you to everyone who has helped us out with food and rides and kids. It has been such a relief to not have to worry about that on top of everything else. What would we do without friends and family? You guys are awesome!!! Thank you!

PS Steve just came in to tell me that we have a broken main pipe in the front yard. When it rains, it pours. . . One more thing to fix. Anyone know a good plumber?


PPS Thanks to Kathie for fixing up my blog to match the season! You did awesome!!

TGIF

After some drama with the lab I got my results back Thursday morning and we are set for radiation on Monday. The Dr's wanted my results to be above 50 and they are 109. So, I'm glad that we can move forward and get it over with. Each day I feel a little more run down, especially by the end of the day. (I'm glad there is an end in sight.) The Dr's changed my isolation period from 3 days to 8 days so I'll have lots of time to myself next week. I'm a little anxious about how I will feel and also about being away from everything for that long. Anyone that knows me well, knows I don't like being away from the chaos for too long. I love being around others, especially my family. I will miss their hugs and snuggles.

I'm trying to finish up Christmas preparations since the kids will be out of school by the time I'm out of isolation. We'll see how long this body of mine will hold up. I started with a little cold/flu bug yesterday as well, so I'm being forced to rest a little more. Oh well, what gets done will get done.

Thank you again for all the love and prayers and offers to help. I feel so very blessed to have such support for me and my family.