One year ago

I tried to post this yesterday. But didn't get to it. So read it as if you were reading it on Thursday, March 27, 2009.

One year ago today, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

The last 365 days have been a huge eye opening, life reflecting, given-a-2nd-chance-at-life experience for me.

I cannot even begin to write about the things I have felt, compassion I have witnessed and patience I have learned.

A month ago, I read Randy Pausch's "The Last Lecture." If I were to write a book, that would be it. Too bad Mr. Pausch beat me to the punch.
If you get the opportunity to read it, please do. Just a warning. He dies. Don't worry. I am not giving anything away by telling you. He was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. Have a tissue nearby as you read it.

The first time I was to meet with my oncologist, I remember sitting in his waiting area. I picked up a cancer magazine and read a marvelous article on this Randy fellow. I was inspired then to read his words of wisdom. Unfortunately, everything caught up with me and I was't able to get to it until about 1 month ago.

I don't really know what I am trying to say that I haven't already said already. I know that when the news spread it was like the wild fires of California. I know so many prayers were said. So many people fasted and urged their beliefs of higher powers for me to heal.

Last December, I finally got the nerve to ask my doctor what my prognosis was when I was first diagnosed. He tried to persuade me into not wanting to know. It didn't work.
He finally crunched the number and came out with one devastating result. I was given a 6% chance of survival. I was a stage 3. I realize now the power of prayer - especially in numbers.

I know I have expressed my gratitude before, I really don't think I could ever say it enough. Here are my thank you's:

For all the people who donated diapers, wipes, formula and other baby needs.

For all the people that added my names to the prayer rolls at the many temples across the nation/world

For all the letters of empathy and love

For all the people who got down on there knees and prayed for me countless hours

For all the money that was donated and yard sales that helped us with our medical expenses

For the housecleaning that so many people did when I wasn't able to.

For all babysitting from friends, family, and the young women in our area.

For the young men coming to my house when I couldn't make it to church

For all the people that brought meals to me and fed my family

For all the people who visited me and cried with me

For the leaders of my church

For hair the hair on my head, eyelashes and eyebrows

For the remarkable Susan Doughmans Christin Olsons in the world (there are more but too many to mention).

For cancer support groups

For all the pink bracelets and pink objects people bought or wore on my behalf

For scripture

For all the hats, wigs and scarves I was able to wear

For my family

For Doctors that eagerly saved my life

For my dear friend, Karen Esplin

For my beautiful sweet children

And, last but certainly not least, my wonderful, magnificent husband, Josh. I love him more than life. I couldn't have gone through this without him. I know he probably won't read this but I thought I would publicly thank him anyway.

Here is to a wonderful (yes wonderful) last year and to many many more years to come...

All you couponers....

This is a shout out to all you couponers. Here is some useful information. For Utahn's, if you use the website http://www.grocerysmarts.com/, this applies to you mostly. However, this will still apply to anyone outside of Utah as well.

I have some friends that started a blog on great deals and coupons. It is called http://itshiptoclip.blogspot.com. I have found it extremely helpful. They will tell you what the really good deals are and how to exactly get them. It is like "coupons for dummies" for people like me. They don't just talk about grocery store coupons but also go into detail about some really good promotions and offers through different companies. I am putting a link to it under "Blogs I Stalk" column on the right hand side of this page. Feel free to follow it and post it on your blog.

Also, I will soon be putting some adsense on my blog. If you have a blog or webpage, I suggest you do it too. It is just a great way to earn a couple of extra dollars. You get payed "per click". Hey, who doesn't want a couple of extra dollars in today's economy?

Mission Aborted

Unfortunately, we have to cancel our big home show for this weekend. However, it is only postponed until the 1st weekend in April, so if you were planning on coming this weekend, just mark your calendars for April 3-4. We will definitely be there then. The location has also changed so I will update with addresses when it gets closer to the date.

Let me clarify a little of my last email. I was actually suppose to hear the wonderful "R" word about 3 months ago. Due to a CAT Scan that I had from a hospital visit, I was told I had 2 new nodules in my lungs. Of course, the doc's all assumed the worse, given my history and the likelihood. They told me to wait it out and see what the next scan would read. WAIT IT OUT??? REALLY? Well, I did. Not with much sleep, but I did. One doctor even said, "I know it's kind of like the 800 pound gorilla in the room..." Ya think? I secretely wanted to high five him in the face. Don't worry I didn't. After much pleading and prayers, the CAT scan I had before I left for Hawaii showed that the nodules were still there but that they hadn't grown. This just means that they are 99% sure that it is not cancer and more probably scar tissue due to radiation or inflammation from all the drugs I have been high on the past year or so. Whew! Finding out this news brings me so much peace and elation I just cannot even begin to tell you.

I have hundreds of Hawaii pictures, but I will spare your eyes and only put the ones I love later.

P.S., I tried to keep the nodule thing a secret but the news leaked out and several people knew. Don't worry. Those of you who knew, you don't have to pretend anymore that you don't think that I know what you know about what I know......: )

greatness!

I meet with my doctor today and I am officially all good. There were a few areas in my lungs in question last January, but after some tests and scans, it is confirmed that I am well. I cannot tell you how happy I am. I have been waiting for this day for a long time. Now if my hair would grow back and I could get reconstruction, I could put this all behind me like a bad dream.
Thank you again for all your support, prayers and love. I truly have felt them present in my life and the lives of my children and husband.

On another note, PaddiCakes is coming to Highland on March 20-21.
Friday open house from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday open house from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

We hope to see many of you there. I have included the instructions and to the location.

From I-15
1. Take exit for State Hwy 92 toward Alpine/Highland 0.3 mi

2.Turn left at W 11000 N/W 3500 N/UT-92 (signs for Alpine/Cedar Hills/Highland)3.7 mi

3.Turn left at Catch Basin Rd 0.3 mi

4. Slight right at N Highland Blvd 0.6 mi

5.Turn right at Bull River Rd 0.2 mi

6.Turn left at W Lone Rock Rd/North St 0.2 mi

7. Turn left at N Skyline Dr

Destination will be on the left

The address is 6346 W. Skyline Drive, Highland UT
If you enter this address into GoogleMaps.com it will give you exact directions and map from where you are traveling.

Hope to see you all there.

I am cancer free! Nah Nah!