It's OVER!!!!

Just wanted to let you all know we made it!!! I couldn't have done it without all the prayers and support from so many of you. We all went through this together. Now, we head into the last few days I'll have to feel bad and then it's really over! I thought you might want to celebrate with me and hear the "Last Chemo Day Song" sung by the amazing nurses at SCOA. Thank you for your prayers the next few days. God bless.

Perseverance

First, I have to say Happy Birthday to my husband, Joel. You are an amazing man. You keep me laughing and you stand by my side to help keep me strong. You are an incredible father and your walk with God is inspiring. You are an excellent provider for your family and your positive attitude is contagious. I am so blessed to have you in my life. I love you!

Ella and I made our TV debut this morning on "Live with Lucas." We had a blast. It was great to meet Lucas and so many other wonderful people associated with Relay for Life. Of course, we met more inspiring cancer survivors. I feel honored to be a part of this elite group. I hope you all will join me in the Relay for Life this year. If your not local, there should be a Relay for Life event in your area. It is a great way to not only raise money for the American Cancer Society, but also to raise awareness about cancer.

We were able to celebrate Joel's birthday a little early this past weekend. We visited our friends, the Guthrie's, in Murrel's Inlet. It is always so wonderful to be around their family. Ella had a blast being with the girls. It was just nice to decompress. We needed it before we headed into this last big week!

My last chemo treatment is tomorrow. After this week, my visits to SCOA will not have to be as frequent. It is bittersweet going into this last treatment. I'm so excited I'll be done but I'm not looking forward to the bad days after treatment. Although, this is the last time I have to go through it. My mom will be coming to stay with Ella and I on Thursday and my Dad will be joining us on Friday. I can't tell you how wonderful it is to know that Ella is in such good hands while I rest.

This past week Joel and I were inspired by the bird feeders at my oncologist office and we decided to put up a few of our own. We now have 3 bird feeders in different locations in our back yard. I was worried the birds wouldn't find the food but they have. We have seen cardinals, blue jays, finches, and a few pigeons (and a squirrels too). It is so nice to walk outside in the mornings and hear all the birds singing. The dogs love it and the true hound has come out in them. We are also trying to get the yard ready for spring. I'll be planting a few more bulbs and getting the soil ready for my organic garden. I can't wait to have all those wonderful tomatoes like I had 2 summers ago!

The last thing today is I want to say CONGRATULATIONS to my sister-in-law Katie. She got engaged last week and we are so happy for them. We are so excited to make a trip to Washington in August to see everyone!

Please keep my in your prayers this week as we finish up with chemo. I was dwelling on these scriptures today and thought I would share:

James 1:2-6, 12

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

Yes...I am almost done with my chemo! I apologize to those who check frequently for updates. My last big chemo on Feb. 2nd really got me good and I was down for about a week. I got some help this week when I went for my weekly infusion. Medicine and IV fluids are amazing!! This last big chemo was a little rough on my body and my hemoglobin (iron level) dropped significantly. (It was 7.7 for all my nurse friends)!!!! That is pretty low. No wonder I felt so drained! The nurses gave me a great shot of some hemoglobin boosting medicine and this week it was back up to 11.1. (Still a little low but much, much better).

I have one more to go on February 27th and the bad chemo will be done. Believe me when I say, I AM READY TO BE FINISHED!!!!! I will then start a medicine called Tamoxifen and continue to recieve Herceptin until November. I'd love some suggestions from anyone who has taken Tamoxifen. I'm a little nervous about taking it. The Tamoxifen is taken for 5 years and greatly reduces the chance of a recurrence of cancer. Of course, there will continue to be frequent visits with the oncologist, scans and blood work, but NO MORE CHEMO!!!!!

All is well with Ella and Joel. Ella's battling a cold this week and teething. She hasn't skipped a beat though. She has started climbing on everything which is interesting because she isn't walking yet. I found her sitting in the rocking chair last night. I guess she was ready for bed! We had a wonderful Valentine's Day. Joel had the past few days off and we just relaxed. It was great. Next weekend we are headed off to the beach for a little R&R and to celebrate Joel's birthday.

For all the local Columbia people, Ella and I are going to be on TV! We have been invited by the American Cancer Society to help promote Relay for Life on a local morning show "Live with Lucas." I am very honored they would ask me to share my story and bring Ella. We will be on the show Tuesday, February 26th on the 6:15 AM segment. I know....it's early!!

By the way, I loved hear from some you. I'm going a little stir crazy. You can only vaccum the floor so many times!!!

Rejoice!!!!

I want to begin this post by saying....ELLA IS SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT!!!!!!! Joel and I have dreamed of this day and it is finally here!!! She just started sleeping in her crib, in her nursery and all night long last Saturday. I don't even know what to do. She is so much happier and rested. It is amazing! She is also taking great naps. I've been able to get so much done and even exercise everyday! YEAH!!!!!

Yesterday, I had a visit from one of my very good friends from college Kathy (Ross) Garvin. We had such an awesome visit. Her little boy, Luke, is precious. We caught up on the last 10 years. We had a lot to talk about!! Thanks for coming Kathy!

I also wanted to share a really neat opportunity I had this week. My chemo nurse, Dusty, asked me a few weeks ago if I would be willing to go with her to a Relay for Life meeting and share my story. The Relay for Life is sponsored by the American Cancer Society. They wanted to have someone who was going through treatment now share their experience. I was honored that out of all the patients she sees on a weekly basis, she asked me. I shared briefly what it's like to have cancer and recieve chemo. It was wonderful and the group responded so well. I also had the privelage of meeting several amazing cancer survivors. After the meeting, I met one of the VP's from the hospital where I work and he asked if I would be willing to share my story with employees of Palmetto Health. Of course I responded, "Yes!!!!" After he spoke with me, a regional employee for the ACS asked me if I would be willing to share at other Relay for Life meetings in the area! I'm so honored that people would want to hear my story and that I truly could make a difference in the fight of cancer. Oprah here I come!!!!!!