19 Wedding Cakes and Counting...

On the 19th of this month, Lisa and Troy, Lynn's brother allowed Lynn and myself to invade their kitchen at their home in Lindon Utah. We used their two ovens to bake 20 cakes. One cake crashed, so we had 19 done, and 4 left to bake by the end of the day.

Lisa had a 'Jenn-air' oven on top, which I fell in love with. The element would heat the oven up to the temperature, then a fan would come on and circulate the air around inside. It didn't matter how big the cake was, from 14" to 6" the cakes would all come out even. That was so nice...If I were younger and doing all the baking I use to do, I would ask to have a Jenn-air oven. It cost more, but it would be so worth it...

Again!....

My Port has been a little painful, and has developed redness on top of the skin. I was put on a antibiotic last Saturday. Today I was able to see my surgeon, Dr. Strinberg, who felt that my Port was infected, and since my Chemo had finished, we should remove the Port.

So its Surgery, TOMORROW......Again....

Believe it or not, its another Blessing.....I will be able to finish Jodie's and Will's Wedding Cake afterwards. (in about a week)....


UPDATE:
Nov. 3, 2011, I had a Dr. Appointment with Dr. Strindberg today. She told me that my port was not infected when she removed it. She said there was a sleeve on the port, that had cracked and caused a small leak. Dr. Strindberg reported it to the company that makes the Ports, but has not heard back from them yet.

Six Tattoos...Your Kidding....

Yesterday Lynn and I spent the day in SLC. Most of it was with Doctors. I met with two of my Doctors, both said I was finished with Chemo. I don't think I believed it inside until I heard them express it, then it became a reality for me.

Met with my Radiologist for the first time, Dr. William Sause. We set up a schedule for my radiation treatments. Two great things, I only have to go for five weeks, five days a week, instead of six. And He will let me start the Monday after Jodie's and Well's Wedding. He would have preferred I started a week earlier, but said I could wait until the tenth of Oct to be safe, but no longer.......That's what you call another Blessing being granted, working out timing.....We did all the stuff that was necessary for me to get started, Paper work, CAT scan, Warpaint, and Tattoos. I am serious!

After Dr. Sause and his Assistants marked me with their red and black markers, from my shoulder, to waist on the left side and even one on the right side at the waist. You would think I was ready for War! After the CAT scan, a machine that takes photos of you, like being sliced up in little pieces and put back together. (Its so they can see how to use the radiation, where its needed.) They came in and gave me six Tattoos!
They placed the ink, then stuck me with a needle, so the ink could go under the skin. Some of them hurt. I don't know how people get body Tattoos, I couldn't handle that much pain. These six tattoos will tell the radiation machine, where the areas are to shoot for.

I am physically ready for the radiation when its time. As I left the building, I realized that I had red and black war paint in the middle of my upper chest, where my blouse does not cover. There are so many people today that have body tattoos all over them, that I must fit right in. No matter what I did I could not cover it up.

After the Dr. Office, Lynn and I went to Pauli,s house, Michale's, a store to get more wedding supplies, The Olive Garden, for salad. I was starving. Penny's, to get white shirt and tie for Lynn, Looked at their suits they had on sale. Came home exhausted about 8:30 pm. Fed the Birds, ate a Dream sickle, a orange and ice cream bar, and went to bed.

Update:
Oct 17th. I found out from the nurse that my tattoos are called "Dragon Tattoos", That should make Pauli happy, as she loves Dragons....

4th Chemo...

Today was my 4th Chemo...Hopefully this was my last Chemo. I was surprised by the folks there who have been such great help for me. They have such a kindly spirit about them, knowing that most of us who come through their doors, were scared not knowing what was going to happen to us. They tried hard to make warm fuzzies for us, while we were there. Diane, Shelly, Holly, and Rick.. And of course the Dr. who was on call at the time.

Today they all made it special for me, this was the end of the Chemo, I had made it this far. When it was time to come home, they all reminded me to ring the golden bell hanging in the hall, signalling I had made it through. They also gave me a bottle of Martinelli,s Sparkling Apple Cider to take home and celebrate with.

I have 2 weeks to work through yet, I sure appreciate those folks, who helped me so much while going through this, even tho this was their jobs, they were very caring of each of us, and knew the feelings that were deep inside with fear.

I am also Grateful for the great help that the Ward members have done, to go out of their way to help us in our time of need, Both Myself, and Lynn.

I would also like to express my Appreciation for the Love and concern that my daughter and her husband have given us, going out of their way to help and keep in contact each day. And with extra help around the house, and with the birds, and yard work. It really gives you a feeling of Love. Thanks Pauli and James.

Choose a Straw...

What a crazy Month this has been, but next month will be more so...Sometimes I feel it would be better to draw a straw from a hat, and see what we should do first.

. Monday 29th, is 4th Chemo.... with a shot the following day.
. Blood draw following week, in SLC.
. Church calling to be done end of the month.
. I will be starting radiation, for 6 weeks, 5 days a week in SLC. after a short break.
. I don't know what will happen with Lynn's health. We should get the results of two more test back.
. He needs to make a trip to Ariz. to see Jennifer and Br.Maughan.
. The Walker Court cases will be going on.
. I will be making Jodie's Wedding Cakes, somewhere, sometime.
. Mailing out, or hand deliver our part of the Wedding announcements.
. Helping Pauli with the Bridal shower for Jodie.
. Lynn needs a new suit. But he has lost three pants sizes, recently. Picking a size for him will be hard to do.


Straw....Any one...

3rd Chemo...

Yesterday I had my 3rd Chemo treatment. Dr. Chandramouli always ask how the last Chemo period of time went?. All I could say was some of the side effects, such as weakness, pain, ect. was not worse but "lingered longer". ( a phrase someone from our ward used to described, staying after church, for refreshments, and getting to know each other better, as we were a fairly new ward. ) I don't think the Dr. had heard that phrase used quite like that before, and found it interesting.
I get another shot at the Hospital today, always one the next day after Chemo. Trying to keep the calcium up in my body.

This round gave me two, whole, real tuff days, where the mussels in my digestive system were on spasms. It was like I was filling up with gas, and then trying to squeeze everything out when there was nothing there. (I couldn't eat.) Dr. said it was spasms and was common to chemo. My mussels, and track were so sore that even a sneeze or cough was terribly painful. I now have a prescription for the next round, in case it happens again. Which Dr. thinks it will.

We found information concerning Lynn at this time too. We will not know complete details for two more weeks. When the last two genetic tests, from the bone marrow biopsy was done. Right now, its just a guess from the facts so far, but the Dr. said these two test could change the out come completely. So we wait...

Engagement...

Aug 2, 2011

Will gave Jodie her Engagement Ring, in the Celestral Room, in the Salt Lake Temple.