Well another chemo treatment down. I am 1/3 of the way through. This has not been a good week for me. The new meds really helped with the nausea but it is not a miracle pill even though 18 pills were over $2000.00. Praise God for insurance. Ya, that is not a typo on the number of 0's! My sweet MIL took me to chemo this week and my blood platelets and white blood cells were lower then they like them to be but after a call to my Oncologist they decided to proceed. I felt so wiped out this week! I even had an episode of passing out, a combo of getting up to quickly and being weak and alittle hungry. I am ok but it scared Jim. I hope to feel better this coming week before I head into my 5th tx. My Oncologist wants to see me this week if I am not feeling better. I do feel like I have more energy then last week. I got out to the fields yesterday for the kids games. I had to leave alittle early at the last one because I started not feeling well again with stomach cramps, etc. I have spent alot of time in bed this go around. I hope that this is not going to continue to be soooo draining! For those that know my mom please keep her in your prayers. She has not been feeling well herself and is actually in the hospital as I type this. She should get out today with any luck. The Dr.'s are changing her meds and trying to get her feeling better. Kelly has been a big help this week with getting the little ones ready for school for me when I can't. She just turned 13. Thanks to Brandi, Kim, Erin and David for the meals this week! You guys are the Best!

Wow, I can't believe it's been over a week since I left an entry. Well let's get caught up. Last week was another really rough week, chemo then that time of the month...aauugghh! The roughest part of my chemo week actually comes after the pump is dc'd (disconnected). The nausea is at times unbearable even with all the anti-nausea drugs. The other side effects that are rough are the stomach cramping and at times the diarrhea. I cling to the verse Philippians 4:13 "I can do everything through him who gives me strength". I saw my Oncologist on Monday and he switched up my meds again. He was concerned about the side effects and the length of time I am sick when I have my chemo. I pray that these new ones will do the trick. The funny thing is when I read the side effects of the new anti-nausea drugs I will be taking next week, it stated that nausea was one of them. Go figure! Oh, also hair loss...let me see...nausea or hair loss???? I have been feeling alittle better everyday this week. I get tired easily and my appetite is not quite up to what it used to be. I am still at 14 lbs lost and I still have my hair (so far). Thanks again for all the help that we received from last week with meals , childcare and housework! We really love and appreciate you all! Brooke was awarded AB honor roll this morning at school during the award ceremony. We are very proud of her. Kelly almost made it but due to some bad choices when it came to completing some assignments she did not. Troy being in Kindergarten received all S's. Way to go Troy! Hard to believe school is out in 9 weeks.

Sunday was a great day. I got to go to church and see all my friends and catch up. After church my mom took the kids to her house and I was able to meet one of my best friends Kelly from GA for lunch. Sunday night the Student Choir put on an awesome concert and program at church. Kelly sang beautifully. The student choir are the 6th-12th graders. My friend Kelly took me to chemo on Monday and we watched a DVD and played Sorry. She won! We had a good time. So far this treatment is going as smooth as possible. The new meds are helping and I have learned how to help myself by keeping up with my fluids and eating small meals before I get hungry. I have a new side effect that started last night. I had a piece of ice in my hand that I picked up after it feel on the floor. Once in my hand it felt like I had a handful of stinging nettles or an electric eel. This is a normal side effect but not one I had experienced up to now. Love all my prayer partner! Thanks to the Clintron family for the meal that you lovingly prepared for our family-Luv Ya!

Fun,Fun,Fun! We got to go to the fair! It was raining most of the afternoon and early evening when we were going to go. After watching the news we decided to take our chance and make the trip. It rained some on the way but stopped prior to us getting to the fair. The sun even came out after we arrived. The kids had a blast riding all the rides. I got on the large ferris wheel with the kids but decided to not take a chance and ride any of the real rides due to the chemo side effects. A beautiful night out with the family! I really cherish the special time I can spent with the family when I feel good and relatively normal. I had an appointment with my surgeon today and all went well so I will not have to see him until August (6 month post surgery) when at that time he will scope me and check out the resection that he did. At one year from surgery I will have another colonoscopy. Thanks for taking time out of your busy day to check up on me. Please pray that Monday when I go in for my 3rd chemo treatment that my spirits stay up and the side effects stay at a minimum. Hugs!

Before I started my chemo I wanted to get a picture taken of myself for the kids to remember what I looked like before I got sick. I was unsure of the treatment side effects such as weight loss and hair loss. I am always the one behind the camera and rarely in the pics or video. My very talented friend and professional photographer Dana Michelle offered to photograph me. I have posted one of her pics on my blog. She is so talented! If you get a chance check out her website www.danamichellephotography.com . I have had people ask about my hair, etc. I am happy to report that I have not lost any hair (yet) but it is hard to not lose weight when going through chemo. I am down 13.5 lbs. Just to recap I am done with 2 of the 12 treatments. In terms of months I am one month down and 5 more to go. Thanks again for all the love, prayers and support. It would be so much harder to go through this without it!