Cautiously Optimistic

As some of you may have guessed I had more scans recently, this was to see how the tumors are doing. We also had the meeting with the doctor to let us know the results of the scans. Let me preface this by saying we will be going back every three months for follow up scans. The tumors have shrunk by 30%. The doctor told us this is the best that we could have expected. He also warned us that we are not out of the woods yet. But to enjoy the good news. So, HOORAY!!!!.

We are busy getting ready for the fundraiser in two weeks, and I almost forgot. Peggy officially passed her math class. Another big HOORAY!!!!! We are excited and exhausted with this new bit of information. I have also been able to stop taking several medicines because my endocrine system is functioning on its own, and has recovered from the Ipilimumab treatment. While this is good, my pleurisy is back and it is messing with my sleep patterns. The Dr. said it will take a couple of weeks to get out of my system.
Anyway, good news, and happiness for at least 3 months. So Party time, and we will hopefully see you at the dinner on the 13th.
Merry Christmas and have a lovely day.
Andy.

What a week!

While Andy was laughing silly at a kid stuck in a car with is brother and sister, I was stuck in Ogden taking my last final for the semester. I think I would have rather been the kid. This week was a roller coaster of insanity. It started with my math final, continued with soccor, guitar auditions, guitar lessons, a dinner at chuck-a-rama, scans, and ended with another final. I really don't know where to start explaining. I guess with the exciting and glorious news that I passed my math final and the class itself. NO MORE MATH CLASSES!! My stress level didn't lessen, however, Shaeli had an audition for the high school jazz band. I think I was more a mess on that day than with my final. Having your child go through things is way more difficult to endure than going through it yourself. She doesn't feel as though she made the cut. That's okay, she tried something that was new and out of her normal things. It is good stretching yourself and seeing how far you can go. I am so proud of her, she even said she would try out again next year. We had a great time on Thursday after Shae's lessons. We decided to take the kids to Chuck-a-rama in Logan. We were stuffed full and having a great time laughing at everything. On Friday, Andy went down to SLC for scans. Hey, did I mention no more math classes. These scans should give us a good understanding of how the radiation treatments affected the tumors. I have to admit Andy and I have reservations about getting the results. We have been doing quite well lately. Nothing will be normal or back to what it was, but it has been good. Lately, I have had to explain to people that life is possible between death and remission when dealing with cancer. Andy may never see a true remission from his cancer, however, until his heart and lungs no longer function, there is life. You modify it to the best you can and enjoy every moment you can. That doesn't mean you don't feel overwhelmed and frustrated. It also doesn't mean you can't laugh and play. I really wish everyone was able to look through my eyes for a week. Then maybe you would see that cancer doesn't have to take away good things. Did I tell you that I passed my math class? You do mourn for the life you had visualized in your head and even somethings that are now really not possible, but you value the time and love you share around you. Well, to end this week I had another final. So I am completely worn out. I have a two week break from WSU then summer semester starts. I don't have to take a math class, I might actually enjoy college(I won't hold my breath). I end this chaotic blog post with I PASSED MATH!!! Miracles do happen, you just have to have faith. That really goes for more than math. We love you all. Happy Easter.

Quick Trip to Logan

Ok, I haven't posted in a while, thanks Peg for taking up the slack. I have been working on the fundraiser and working, and doing other stuff, boy this sounded a lot better in my head.
Anyway, I took the girls with me to Logan today to get some donations for the fundraiser and get some stuff they needed to make some bookmarks. while I was waiting for them in the parking lot of Micheal's, a car a few stalls over had some kids in it with the windows down. When all of the sudden one of the kids in the back started screaming bloody murder, the older one (maybe 10) asked what was wrong, but the smaller sibling just kept crying. He asked if the little one was hurt, they said no, asked if he was hungry, the little one said no. The older brother kept asking questions to see what the problems was, then finally asked, well whats wrong then? And the little one screamed at him, and his sister, THEY LEFT ME WITH BOTH OF YOU!!!!! and proceeded to let out more crying screams. I almost laughed myself silly. This is stuff you just can't make up. When the mom came back the little one started saying how mean his brother and sister were to him, she didn't buy into it. But it was entertaining for me.

We have been getting some really cool donations. Both Utah State and BYU have donated basketballs signed by the 2010-2011 teams, USU also donated a ball signed by "Wild Bill." Along with various other items, and more coming everyday. We will soon have them up on the previously posted website so you can look the items over.
I am really grateful to all the people who are helping and making this happen. I have to look at it as one task at a time or it is really overwhelming. But with all the support, love, and encouragement this will be a function to remember. We will be having a couple of bands come and perform at the dinner, so if you are feeling in the mood, if there is room we will put a place for dancers, no table dancers though, the ceiling is too low.

Thanks for all the prayers, assistance, and support. We pray for you all daily.
Merry Christmas and have a lovely day.
Love, Andy

New Website

We have a new website for the fundraiser. It is under development but there is some stuff there now. If you get a chance check it out.
www.fightagainstmelanoma.com

Math,math,math...no more math please!

I have to let you in on a little secret. When you do so much math practice when studying for a math final, you start to dream about math problems. I guess it's more of a nightmare. I am actually writing this to avoid doing more math. My final for the class is coming up next week. I admit that I don't really have a lot of confidence in this class. I read the chapters and do the examples, yet I don't feel as though it is sinking in well enough. My professor is allowing us to take one 3x5 card in for a cheat sheet. One little puny card is not enough help to cover all 8 units we have done through the semester. I know I sound whinny. Sorry. I am not giving up. I just want the torture to end. What is worse I need to pass this class really badly. This would be my last math class. What a thought, can you imagine, a semester without math. I can see it now...reading textbooks that have don't contain a quadratic function or the number e (e? seriously did they run out of numbers? I thought number are eternal with no end), or why the r-controlled value affects the x-value negatively and find the least square with the standard deviation. What a glorious day. Can you see it, can you? Share the vision. Ahh...

Ahh family...(peggy)

This blog is dedicated to my mom, who is always saying I need to write down funny things that happen to the kids to preserve the memory. So, I begin with Morgan. While Morgan and I drive to school every morning, we talk about things that are happening at school, home, friends etc. One morning, we were talking about how when he is in the older grades, Andy and I expect him to be involved with extra curricular things (band, sports,etc.). I bring up the topic of sports and let him know that we would support him if he would like to do football (I love football). He replies with, "I don't want to play football. I don't wanna mess up all of this." (he was pointing toward his face) What...I was speechless, then laughed hysterical. He was serious. How do you respond? Next, Shaeli, she is always pointing out the obvious. While going to girls camp with her leaders and fellow Young Women, she exclaims as she looks at the scenery around them, "wow look at that tree. It's sticking out of the ground!!" Oh, Shaeli. In her defense the tree was horizontal to the ground. The others didn't see the tree at first. Good laugh. Now for Caity, she was the lovely child who asked my mother, "If I count all your wrinkles will I know your age?". Sweet child. But, I digress, my real story for this funny blog happened on Sunday morning to my mom. As my nephew's chickens run around outside on the loose and not wanting to coroporate. Amy, my sister, was attempting to catch a run-away chicken in her pj's that showed more than what my mom was comfortable with. So, she insists that my sister take her robe to cover up. Now let me explain they are all outside in the wide, wide world during this escapade. That isn't the funny part. What is funny is my mom gave up her robe while wearing nothing but her undies underneath. Yes, that is right, mom streaked across the yard. My religous, well behaved, upstanding citizen mom showed her stuff to the neighborhood. Right on mom!! I hope one day she will forgive me for writing down these funny yet embarrising moment, but I have to remind her that she told me to write things down. She just never said where. LOVE YOU MOM!!

Fundraiser Flyer

Everyone is welcome, Family friendly, good times, and me! No really, come and eat and enjoy yourselfs and the next day we can run off what we ate.

More info on Fundraiser

The fundraiser is set for the weekend of May 13th and 14th. On Friday the 13th, we will be having a dinner/silent auction at the Tremonton Senior Center, time will be announced later. On the following morning there will be a 5k walk/run at the Heritage Center in Cache Valley. Starting at 8am. Registration information will be posted as soon as it is available.