Team Jenny!

Round 3 has come and gone and was quite uneventful…so far. Feeling the fatigue tonight, but am praying that like the last 2 rounds it will subside over the next couple of days.  I’m starting to get to know the nurses pretty well at the Infusion center. Which ones place my IV’s best, which ones are good for a pep talk, which ones are especially kind and caring. I love them all. They are good at what they do💗 thank a nurse today;)  So glad we are getting some “spring like” weather here in Utah. It’s good for my spirits! And I’m thankful for the things I’ve had to look forward to this spring for sure…which is watching my kids do what they love. So far I have been able to be present at most games and dance competitions.  Gabe, thanks for playing soccer and Ruby thanks for lighting up that stage! Your mama needed something to look foreword to. My mom took me to chemo on Wednesday (she’s such a trooper! Thanks ma!) Brandon on Thursday and today Brandon and Gracie both took me....

Hi all! Short update. I had the PET scan yesterday and just got done meeting with Dr. Low. I guess I shouldn’t say it’s good news and bad news…because it’s really not bad in our opinion:) it’s more “inconclusive news”  The good news is that the tumors/cancer has not spread any further.  Hooray!  The “kind of bad news inconclusive news” is that the tumors and spots are not getting smaller. And some have had minuscule growth since my first scan and before I started chemo. Basically it’s inconclusive as to whether it’s working or not and he says we need to do at least 2 more rounds then scan again and compare and possibly do 2 more rounds after that if it has in fact worked and I’m tolerating it ok.  An explanation: my first PET scan was on January 19. Because of stupid insurance hoop jumping I did not start chemo until February 22…over a month later. He said that during that time he would have expected it to continue growing, so his thought is that they grew larger and...

 I think round 2 hit me a wee bit harder than round 1 (no surprise)! I definitely felt a little more fatigued. And the chemo brain/brain fog returned. But after a few days I was feeling much better. If the chemo is working…the bad days will all be worth it!  I had to get a daily shot of a drug called “granix” starting the day after round 2 ended that boosted my white blood cell count. But a lab draw on Wednesday showed that my counts looked great so I stopped the shots for now. They’ll check labs again Wednesday.  Up this week: a PET scan on Tuesday and then an appt with my doc on Wednesday to see what progress (if any) is being made. If we need to change course…I guess he will let us know on Wednesday.  It’s been a good week! I had a visit from one of my first roommates at Ricks College, Angie who was here from Boise. (Pictured above) She is a breast cancer survivor and has been such a sweet friend to walk me through some of the feelings I have had and what to expec...

Just sitting here finishing up the the last of the bag of chemo for this round. While we watch a nice spring blizzard out the window.  It’s nice to have it over and then rest for 3 weeks.  I’m feeling it today…wishing I didn’t have to do this. Tired of it all. But I also know this too shall pass. That’s the good thing…the feelings don’t last forever. I think a big fat nap this afternoon might help;)  The anxiety is high today things like “is this poison even working in me? I haven’t had a lot of the side effects yet which I’m so thankful for…but does that mean it’s not working?”  I have to get a scan in another 3 weeks (before the next round starts) to check the progress of the tumors…I hope and pray they’ve shrunk some.  Yesterday my sweet friend Chaundra brought me to treatment! She’s always good to tell me stories, make me laugh and such to get my mind off of things! The time flew by. She is a loyal friend that would do anything for anyone❤️ She is the face b...

 My labs were good today…white blood cell count was back up and so that means round 2 is under way. The poison is flowing as I type this. If can feel as good or even almost as good as I did the first round I will be so happy! And if not…I’ll deal. I can’t believe how far cancer treatment has come…the things they can do to help you feel decent, etc…it’s amazing.  Today my cute mama brought me to treatment. I’m so glad she would come with me to keep me company. Sometimes I feel sad for my parents. It feels like I should be “taking care of them” at this point in life (even though they are still self sufficient) they shouldn’t have to be worried about me. They’ve been amazing though….spreading my bracelets around and asking people to pray for miracles as well as just being so very supportive and helpful.  Same with my in-laws. Brandon and I are so grateful and know that in the “parent department” we’ve both been very blessed. And we appreciate every kind thing they’ve ever do...

We had planned a trip to Disneyland for Isaac months ago...way before the diagnosis. It worked out perfectly in between my treatments so we went ahead with it because I was feeling fine! We have taken Ike to Disney about every 3-5 years…but let’s just say it may have been his last trip there. It was so hard. In case you didn’t know, Autism and unpredictability do not go hand in hand. As he has gotten older he has gotten more rigid with his schedule and what he “thinks” should be happening. So it was hard to explain to him why Radiator Springs Racers was closed for half of the day. (He eventually got to) And how do you explain to someone like him why the airplane has been delayed for hours and you can’t go to the airport yet. Waiting in long lines is excruciating and Disney was pretty busy on Monday! Even with the disability pass they offer it was just too much.  Don’t get me wrong any day in Disneyland is a happy day! Feeling the warm sunshine was heavenly. And we found moments of ...

  It’s been a week since I finished my first round of chemo. I’m feeling pretty good. Mostly just more tired than usual and have also had chemo brain (brain fog) on a few occasions, which I really dislike. I hate not feeling like myself. I’m trying to take advantage of feeling good, because I’m sure with each round the symptoms will become worse. The mental toll is still the hardest part for me. One moment I’m happy and feeling good and then the next I’m sad and crying and just wanting my old life back. My poor therapist has go over the same coping tools each time I see her! And poor Brandon has to talk me down way too often lately.  I will start the next round on March 15 and do just like last time….Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and then a 3 week break.  We have been well taken care of by our family, friends and neighbors! They’ve been bringing meals and doing such kind acts of service. We are truly so thankful. A few people have asked how I even knew somethin...