Carry On

I just spent a week in Phoenix and St. Johns with my kids and grandkids. They had swimming lessons and have become quite the little fish.

I'm back home now because school starts tomorrow. I'll be taking two Organizational Behavior classes this term. Should be lots of fun.

I feel good and continue to carry on.

Another Supporter

Handsome Jared joined the Colton Cue Ball Clan. Thank you very much for your support Jared. I'm not sure if, now I know how you feel when you shave your head or now you know how I'm feeling with a bald head. At least I know we're all there for each other. Thank you for your support.

Who Needs It Anyway?

It's been one month since I have started my third (and newest) chemotherapy treatment. I feel really good and have experienced no side effects EXCEPT for the grand daddy of all side effects... the infamous hair loss. Yep! I look as cute as a cue ball. I'm saving you all the agony of looking at a picture of that beautiful shot. Suffice it to say it saves me a lot of getting ready time in the morning when all I have to do is throw on a hat.

I had my weekly visit with the doctor yesterday to receive my treatment, however, no treatment for me because my white blood cell count was low.

One nice thing about having cancer is, there are several organizations around the city and state who make hats, quilts, scarves, etc and donate them to the cancer center, just for the taking. I've picked up my share of cute items and thanks to all those generous organizations for all their hard work.

My Hair Hurts

I just had my third treatment of the new chemotherapy yesterday. So far so good. The only side effect I have encountered is the top of my head feels sensitive. It feels like my hair hurts but I know that's not possible. It just hurts my scalp whenever my hair moves. Weird sensation... Watch out for the windy days.

No treatment next Wednesday because the doctor wants my immune system to build back up. They told me not to be around anyone who is sick. Which seemed a little strange when I went straight to the Pharmacy to fill my prescription and I'm sitting in the waiting area with people all around me coughing and sneezing. Where's my bubble?

I continue my dance classes every Thursday evening. I'm looking forward to it tonight, last week we didn't have class because the group was in L.A. performing for the L.A. Clippers halftime. One gal pal calls me a "cheerleader". I call it "fun"!

Thanks to all of your donations in my behalf for the cancer walk that I'll be doing this November. I love you all.

Fun In Phoenix

Having just spent the past week in Phoenix I have to say we couldn't have had more fun.

On the way we stopped to see my nephew's new baby. Justin and Heather recently added baby Hudson to the family. He couldn't be more handsome... looks like his dad!



After arriving in Phoenix the first celebration was the blessing of our seventh grandbaby, Maggie. She looked absolutely beautiful and as always it was fun to have all seven grandchildren together.







We spent a day at the zoo.







We spent time at a great park with fun rides for the kids.







My girls and I and five of the grandkids had lunch with my cousin Terri and her daughter Corinne.



And of course an enjoyable afternoon at my niece's lacross game.
See Jane run...





And just plain fun in Dan and Holly's backyard.









The finale was the homecoming of my nephew Scott from his mission to Chile... sorry I didn't get a picture of that one.

Not to mention all of my kids now have their hair cut short (girls) and/or shaven (boys). I do have a tremendous support group in my family and friends. And thank you to those who have donated to the cancer walk, I now have over $1,500. I can't even begin to thank you and tell you how much I appreciate all your support.

My new chemotherapy starts on Wednesday...

Love ya Mom!

Unfortunately, unlike my sisters, my hair wasn't long enough to donate to locks of love. Love you Mom!

The Addition of Annie

Annie, Amanda's daughter, has decided to join the fan club as well. After she saw Amanda cutting her hair she decided that she wanted to cut her own hair as well. She's super cute and sassy now! THANKS Annie!

Add me as a (visual) supporter.

I like to think of this as a "reverse-mullet," in a split personality sort of way -- supportive in the back and selfish in the front. Sure love you Mom, in the front and in the back. My hair that was cut is going to Locks of Love. Locks of Love = Lots of Love. Love you!

The Winner Is... YOU!

Now you too can be a winner like me! Lucky you!
The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you.
This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2- What I create will be just for you.
3- It'll be done this year. (might be December 31st, but you WILL get something)
4- You have no clue what it's going to be. It may be a story. It may be poetry or an article on properly cleaning your face before a masque. I may draw or paint something. I may bake you something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!
5- I reserve the right to do something extremely strange :)
The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment will win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me!
Happy commenting :)

The Third Member of The "I'm Supporting Darla" Fan Club

Amanda, what a sweetheart you are. The cut looks adorable. I love it and I love you. Thank you so much for all your support, you are a wonderful friend.

Amanda also donated her hair to Locks of Love.

For everyone else, if you shave your head, or for the women if you get a short haircut. Please send me a picture and I'll post it. You are all such terrific friends. What would I do without you?

i tried...

but i couldn't quite commit to the full shave (i still love you though mom) and i wanted to be supportive in the hair cut arena so here's my sacrifice.
and so you know the hair that got cut was donated to Locks of Love...

{ Nathan }

the first member of the "I'm supporting Darla" fan club... who's next?

We're In This Together

The warm weather today is refreshing. The tulips are starting to break through the ground. And I'm enjoying spring in the air.

I have finished the current radiation on my rib and the rib feels quite a bit better. I will be starting a new chemotherapy on March 11 called Abraxane. My son offered to shave his head as a support and my daughters both offered to donate their hair for a fun wig. That would give me a beautiful brunette/auburn look.

This is the fourth series of radiation I have completed in the past eleven months. After each completion I receive a 'certificate of completion' and a bottle of Martinelli's. I guess that means I'm supposed to celebrate. Anyone ready to come celebrate with me?

I did have a moment of emotion today as I went back to the hospital for the third appointment of the day. I think it was just a moment of frustration realizing this is starting to run my life. Maybe "starting" isn't the right word, since I've had this cancer for three years now. Maybe it's more because the day is beautiful and I would rather be outside enjoying the sun on my face instead of inside seeing doctors day after day. My doctors are great and I know they care about me and are providing the best treatment possible.

I have had two chances to participate in research treatments for which I am grateful. I know if it weren't for wonderful people who have donated money to help find a cure for cancer that these various types of research wouldn't be available. For me, for my daughters, for my daughters daughters, and for all those who I know and love, and not to mention hundreds of thousands of women (and men) who will, in one way or another, be touched by cancer. Either for themselves or those they love. I know my own family has been on an emotional roller coaster and have been greatly educated with cancer and all it's repercussions. They have been a wonderful support to me and I love them dearly.

As you know I will be walking 60 miles again this November to help raise money for the Susan G. Komen cancer walk for the cure for breast cancer. When it comes to asking people for donations such as this, it is always hard for me. Especially since my daughters and I walked last year and now I'm back again trying to raise money for cancer research again this year. It's hard for me but it's worthwhile for all of us. So if you can and would be willing to help; I can't tell you how much I would appreciate your support this year. Click on the link at the top of the page and it will lead you to the donation page. THANK YOU so very much for all your support, not only for this but especially for all your prayers, love, kindness, and support on my behalf.

This is a picture of my daughters and I from last year's walk. Also see my post from November 17, 2008.



Together we will all carry on, one day at a time.

Take The Good With The Bad

A few months ago my cousin, Daneen, and I decided to join a performance dance team. It's called the Golden Girls and it's for women about my age and older. We talked about it for months and even went to a half-time show the Golden Girls were performing at, we could hardly wait until January when we could join the group. We would be attending the dance practices 1 - 3 times a week, getting great exercise, traveling with the team to not only shows in the state but also out of state, but mostly being with each other, laughing, and having a good time. I was out of town during the month of January so Daneen attended without me, started learning the dance steps, and took good notes for me so I could pick right up as soon as I got back into town.

The long awaited day finally arrived. I got back home and promptly rode off with Daneen to my first practice. What a great time we had, we laughed, got great exercise, and talked about how much fun we would have traveling with the other dancers to parades, half-time shows, and various performances.

It wasn't that strenuous of a workout but to my surprise I fractured a rib. I had cracked that same rib about a year ago, yet painful, there isn't a lot you can do with a fractured rib, but just be careful with it. However this time, within two days I found I had a hard time breathing and the pain continued to elevate. By Thursday morning I had my daughter take me into the emergency room because it seemed so much different then the time before.

Thus, you do get the good with the bad... As much fun as I was having with my new found dance team, I also found more cancer. Now with cancer in my ribs I will be starting more radiation tomorrow. And by the end of the week my oncologist will probably be switching me to another type of chemotherapy.

I do feel great otherwise. The rib is painful but I am starting to breath easier.