Me, Shanda, Emily, & Allison. (My OB girls I used to work with.Oh, the fun we used to have on night shift!) I love you guys!!!!



Jessi popping out!

Above;our anniversary night out at La Piazza

Above right; Zack, me, & Tyler when we met Laura for lunch.

Ok, so I hate computers! ugh!!! It took me 3 days to get these pictures on here, and I have accidentally deleted several...multiple times. Then last night I saw Jess on her baby blog, editing away! She was able to move stuff all around & add captions to her pictures! I am going to have to get lessons from her, because my template is horrible!!! So, there's a picture of Levi and me missing, as well as Laura and me. And I am done trying! lol.

Paul and I had an awesome anniversary! I had to do it big this year (because I'm tired of hearing about how I forgot our 1st anniversary, lol). So, I arranged for a massage at our house for him one night, the next we went out to our favorite restaurant. I also arranged for 3 future dates; next Thurs we are supposed to go to Wildwood Inn Suites in Florence KY, and fri night is a surprise 2nd over-nighter. Then I got gift certificates for Ye Old Tavern in Yellow Springs- so we can spend a day hiking at Clifton Gorge & then go to the tavern to eat. Ummm, I can't remember the 3rd date right now, but I will! Lol, typical me... I also have CRS! Can't remember shit! haha. Oh, and I bought Paul a new leather recliner for his man-room and made him a photo album via shutterfly with every picture ever taken of the 2 of us, it tells our love story.I loooove it, it is beautiful!(All thanks to Tommy's Sarah for helping me!!! I owe you BIG) I did good, heeheehee.

Cancer update; the chemo I got has made my histo levels rise again (because of the steroids). And I couldn't get chemo this week because my platelets are too low. So, my doctor wanted to switch me to a different drug (the same one, but it's made differently so there's no need for steroids) but insurance denied it initially, and it takes 30 days to appeal them. And then if they deny it again we can request the drug company to donate it, which basically gives them a free clinical trial, but again, we are talking another 30 days. So the whole situation just sucks because I have to just continue with the chemo w/steroids and if I get sick with full blown histo, chemo is out all together, to treat the histo again. And we all know that no chemo= cancer growing like crazy. Not good! So I have been very sad and overwhelmed, knowing there's a drug out there that works, that I need, and I can't get it right now. I have been sooooo frustrated... because this is potentially my life we are talking about. And it is a bunch of crap that they won't pay for it now, and that could kill me. So yesterday I called and said I will just put it on my credit card & pay for the drug myself, $5,500. And then the most wonderful thing happened! A nurse there (my angel!) took it into her hands, contacted insurance and did not take no for an answer, demanding an expedited review/request. She worked so hard on this, talking on the phone, filling out & faxing needed paperwork, etc. She declared it a medical emergency and insurance is now going to have an answer within 72 hrs.! And if they say no, she is going to do the same thing with the drug co.When I found this out I just started sobbing-very happy tears of joy and relief. I feel like for the past 4 years I have endured a ridiculous string of bad luck & complications. It was very, very overwhelming to feel like there was nothing I could do to get the treatment I need, and to know that this one situation could possibly change everything in a bad way- quite possibly be the catalyst to the beginning of the end. FINALLY... something good was happening! I felt like a mountain was literally, instantly lifted off of my shoulders! Thank you God!!!! Thank you God!!! So this morning I am one extremely happy girl! Lesson learned (again, lol)... "trust in the Lord with ALL of your heart" prov 3:5. I have to remember I am not alone in this, even when it feels like it... I know He is here, totally in control of every single thing :)

And then yesterday had a perfect ending to the day... I got to see my sweet, beautiful, little baby Wyatt on ultrasound! Oh my gosh, he is PRECIOUS!!! He is almost 2 pounds, and has the fattest cheeks, little puggy button nose, and big lips! I can't wait to kiss them!!!!! I cannot wait for that little guy to get here. He is so funny, every U/S he has his little legs crossed at the ankles and always has his arms over his head. It looks like he is just lying there chillin out. hahaha. But he isn't... he does flips all the time.We need a little ray of sunshine so bad! Levi is going to be the bestest little uncle! And Ty too, who is going to be home from college for the summer-YAY! I have a feeling he is going to be the light of our lives :) June can't get here fast enough! lol.

I Remember you Today

One year ago today
we had to let you go...
say goodbye, tears in our eyes...
life without you we didn't want to know.

But I remember you today
with a joyful song inside my heart,
for I know it's only a little while
that we will be apart.

My beautiful sister, Terry,
I know you didn't die...
you've just moved on without us
and are waiting in the sky.

You've come to me in dreams,
and allowed for me to see
that where we go is amazing,
abounding with love and peace.

All the things about you
that we love and miss so much...
your big, brown eyes and laughter,
your ever gentle touch...

All these things live on
so deep inside my soul,
I take your spirit with me
everywhere I go.

So I remember you today-
as you live on as part of me.
I miss your hands, your touch,
miss you so much...
but I'm happy that you're free.

I will look for you in the stars,
in rainbows and butterflies,
at the edge of rolling waters,
in God's beauty in my life.

I will look for you in an embrace,
or when someone holds my hand,
in a gentle kiss upon my cheek,
in the laughter of my man.

Stronger than the pain
of having to set you free-
is the love you showed,
the way you glowed,
life's lessons you have taught me!

And soon enough, sweet soul-
I will hold you once again...
so dance and run and sing and play
until we meet in the promised land.

So I remember you today,
as every day I will...
with utter joy and thankfulness
for the life in us you filled!

I love and miss you Terry!!!

It is beeeeautiful outside!!! That's all I've got today. Thank you God for warm weather!!! Makes me so happy :) I love my life!

and a happy new year!

Jessi with Little baby Wyatt!!! Ty and me @ Findlay meet, I miss my baby boy so so much!

Laura came b4 chemo!!!! Thank God!

After a few margarita's we had a "janet joplin" concert, it was awesome! just us & bobbie magee! hahaha

Anne rocked her banana mike! lol





I played a mean broom!

Good food,
Good friends,
Good times,
A hot tub, good drinks,

Love, laughter, sledding, and Taboo... what more can u ask for? Me, Paulie, Anne, & Tim!

YOU HAVE TO visit Metamora, Indiana come May! It is the coolest canal town fron the 1800's with over 50 shops, train ride, horseback riding, canoeing, kayaking nearby.Canal boat still pulled by horses. Soooo very cool! Can't wait to go back when it's open! lol. And Brookville Lake is like 3 miles away!!

After I got rid of the 'ol eye herps....
Back in the chair again...shoot me up baby! Let's roll! (btw, i love love love 50 mg IV benadryl with chemo! hahaha)

Hi everyone! Well, treatment #1 down, yay! And, finally, I think I have caught a break. This one is nothing (so far) compared to last summer. A walk in the park! I was a little nauseated yesterday during infusion, but not anymore. The roids have kicked in and I am eating like crazy! Last night I ate a huge bowl of icecream with waffles and tortillas/queso dip. Then had turkey, cheese, an orange, almonds, & a banana for a snack, lol. This is a really good thing, I can't seem to get above 112 lbs. Maybe Paul will be able to call me his Plumpkin again, jk, I hated that nickname! And I really hope I don't get fat cheeks back again! The only problem I am having is the sharts. So all you OB girls- and many others- are , I know, thanking God for that. Can't toot anymore. lol. I'm sure once the steroids wear off I will nap alot, but I just feel so much better this time.Just feels like a have a touch of the flu. And mentally I am better prepared. The first time was so horrible and after watching Terry die, it was the biggest mind f#*@ ever! So now I am mentally in a much better place. Now I know chemo is just physical, just medicine thats making me feel bad, its not me dying. So, fuck you cancer!!! Get outa here!!!! Sorry I'm dropping the f- bomb, but really, I think I've earned the right when its used in the same sentence with cancer! So, how bout... I fucking hate you cancer! Get the fuck outa my body and our lives!!!! Wow, that feels good, no great! hahahaha.

I want to thank EVERY SINGLE ONE of you for your prayers, messages on my posts-help soooo much, visits, acts of love. I seriously feel overwhelming love, and it is an amazing feeling. This whole thing sucks so bad, but if I didn't have cancer I wouldn't have had the opportunity to really know I am so, so loved. Makes my heart sing with happiness :) My bff Laura came in town this weekend, so happy! Levi and her son, Connor, set traps and caught their first racoon! Connor is a city boy, so I think he thought that was pretty cool. Levi was mad I wouldn't let him kill it for it's fur to make money. lol. And Connor said we are hillbillies. (but he wanted a picture carrying the BB gun!) I told him we are country folk! hahaha. Laura and I were preggers together with those two... funny how 2 kids can be so different! Connor is younger, but huge! He looks like Levi's dad. But Levi is the one with no fear, makes me laugh to watch them. Oh, and I want to especially thank Connor for my beautiful oragamy(?) flower, blue is my favorite color and I love it! It is on my kitchen window sill so I see it every time I am at the sink, makes me smile ear to ear, sweet boy! Also, Andrew, I have Laura Ingalls Wilder right on my fridge! LOVE HER! And finally, Sara- you wrote me the most profound, beautiful letter. I treasure it so deep in my heart. Makes me feel like I can keep going, keep fighting, keep winning! I am glad my battles inspire you in some way. That makes it worth it baby girl! It is on my fridge too, so when I dont feel so strong I just read your words and remember how far I've come.

Love to you all!

I haven't posted for a long time... January was really rough. I had a case of eye shingles that was horrible. And by horrible, I mean the worst thing I have been through... EVER! And I've meant to write for the last week because I have been feeling so good, but I have had so much to do after being in a narcotic coma for a month... so yesterday I was really excited to blog after my doctor appt. But, that didn't go as expected. There I was.... feeling the best I have in the past 9 months, dressed up, hair done, makeup on. Happy from our weekend at a cabin with Tim and Anne, excited to get my PET scan results and start chemo next week. Knowing they got all of the liver tumors out and this was just to kill off any floaters. Wellll, wrong-o! We learned yesterday that my cancer is back, and not just a little. It's bad, real bad. Dr. M started with the new tumor on my liver, and in my head I was thinking, ok...makes sense because I haven't had any chemo for 5 months, let's go!!! And then he continued to list more and more new tumors & body parts. It was very surreal. Very numb, in utter disbelief. Because I feel fantastic! I have been telling my family, it's like I just woke up from a bad nightmare and I feel like me again! It feels like I never had cancer. So, I now have 1 in my liver, a questionable mass in my right abdominal wall muscle, 2 in my right lung base, 1 in my left lung base, 5 in my left pleural space, something in my diaphragm (might just be inflammation), and in the right side of my skull base (very close to brain stem) theres "something". I am having an MRI of my head today to see what that "something" involves. Maybe I am desperately reaching, but I am praying that it just has something to do with the shingles. Because brain stem controls heart rate, breathing,. etc. If it's that fucking cancer this is not good. Not good at all. Seriously????? How can this be? I mean, I know this is a hiddeous cancer & I'm not dumb, I knew it would come back eventually. But so soon? And EVERYWHERE??? Wow, this really sucks. I was not, am not prepared for this. I am trying super hard to look at the good side... they are all really small, just new little sprouts. And THANK GOD they were able to do tests on those tumors and found 6 chemo drugs that kill my cancer. So that is all good stuff to focus on... except I can't focus. I have an ache in the pit of my stomach. Feel like I could throw up. Before, I had hope for cure, hope for alot of time. I feel so sad right now. All I can think about are my children, Paul, my grandson (It's a boy!) THIS SUCKS!!!! There is an ache in my soul. I have such a heavy heart. Oh, and any locals reading this... PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE keep this on the down low, I absolutley DO NOT want Levi to know any of this. That is really the only thing that matters to me right now!!! He's been really happy lately, and he doesn't need to know it has spread all over. Wanna wait to see how I respond to chemo. I will tell him it's really bad if & when he needs to know it's getting really bad. This is a small town, so I'm begging you to shhh! Please don't tell your kids!Please just give me that. God give me strength, His footprints are def in the sand right now.

Happy New Year! We are so excited for a new year, we celebrated the night away! I had part of my liver removed the day before, and thanks to morphine was feeling no pain! Paul, Tyler, Levi and I went to Sarah and Eric's. We played games, did a photo shoot, and totally trashed her living room at midnight with confetti and silly string. Then we danced in a train through the house, out the door, and to the park. It was crazy fun. We laughed so much and were all so happy. I was so full of joy that night...the cancer was removed, they got it all FO SHO! Thank God...2010 was over!!! I am cancer free and ready to start a very happy new year. It's funny, people just say, "happy new year!" But for me, it isn't a mere cliche statement, I was saying and FEELING it with all of my heart and soul! lol.
I have so very much to write and post.
I am so far behind. I will explain with

my next post. This draft has been on my computer for about 3 weeks now and I finally have the time/energy to finish it and get it out there to you.

That's enough for tonight, my pain pills are kicking in. I am happy I finally finished this post! From the bottom of my heart HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY New Year to you :)

Well, I was the life of the party all right! 1 glass of wine and I fell asleep. hahha. Guess radiation is starting to kick my butt. I am so tired all of the time. So I have a medical update: I now have 2 metastatic tumors in my liver. It was quite a shocker. I had a liver biopsy a couple of weeks ago, assumed it would just be fungus/histo again since that is where they found it 3 years ago. lol. We didn't tell anyone so we could have a joyful Christmas...which we did! Jessie got engaged last Thursday at the Clifton Mill lights display. Awwww, how romantic! I am sooooo happy for them, they were made for eachother. Zack is already my son anyway! Marriage will just be a formality. I have no doubt that my baby girl will always be taken care of and adored by him. And same for him. So anyway, I think these liver tumors are a blessing in disguise, because they are encapsulated and they can for sure get them totally out and the blessing is that they are going to test them with different chemos to see which one/s work. Hallelujah! No more guessing game. Watch out thymic cells, I am going to kill you off for good this time! I have joy in my heart that they found a surgical oncologist to do the operation so quickly. Guess it was good I worked there for 10 years. Actually, all the credit goes to AMAZING Dr. M! He was on vacation through all of this and came in on his days off to see me and handle all of this. He personally spoke with other physicians and made this happen. I love that man!!! He is my angel, and I pray often for God to bless his mind & heart and to work through his hands. Enough on all the cancer crap! I have to get to bed, I am being admitted to the hospital tomorrow early am and surgery is Thursday at 2:30 pm. So if you happen to think of me at that time please say a little prayer for no complications. I am a little nervous because my blood is thin right now, so I hope I don't have any bleeding issues. I try really hard to cast my cares on God (psalm 55:22) but I know too much as a nurse. lol.