Hey! Get up! Get loud!

The Future Lancelle night at Layton High was a big smash! Here are all those cute cousins in order of pictures:
Ashton, showing all her spirit!
Gracie, giving her best cheesy grin.
Picture-perfect Chloe.
Noelle and her Lancelle buddy, posing and then walking out on the field.







Here is that ADORABLE video I promised you. Sorry, it's not very good because it's taken on my camera, held at arm's length for the closest picture. It's also not very LONG because my camera doesn't record video for very long. When I scrounge up the $300 it takes to fix our camcorder, you'll enjoy videos much more ;)

Good news!!!

Wow, I talked to my oncologist today to discuss the whole medication thing with him, and found out I might NOT have to do the radiation again in February!!! Happy day! They're just going to do a scan to see if those two hot spots have died out. If they haven't, THEN I'll do it again. The scan is only 4 millicuries of radiation where my treatment was 200, which means I won't have to do the whole isolation thing. SO, I'm going to eat even MORE berries and green leafy things that have anti-cancer properties, keep drinking the Essiac (aka Kill That Cancer!) tea my sis made for me and PRAY.

By the way, look for an uber-cute video post coming up on Saturday. Noelle and her girl cousins (along with like 40 girls between ages 3 and 8) are dancing at half-time at the football game on Friday night. You will be ROLLING!!!

I'm baaaaaack

Hello all! :) Soooo sorry I haven't posted in weeks. Life just doesn't seem to slow down no matter how much I want it to! In fact, I have to keep this uber short because I leave for work in 10 min. Update on me: Doing pretty well, still trying to balance out the meds so I'm not so tired in the mornings and afternoons. Struggling to lose the weight, but that's ALWAYS a struggle, isn't it? :P Update on Steve: He's as busy as ever with teaching and football. The sophomores are struggling a little this season, but he's a terrific coach and helps keep them positive. He gave a great season-opening speech about what it really means to be a LANCER! The varsity team is doing pretty well and won their Homecoming game against Davis. Woohoo! See you all at the Northridge game Friday night ;) Update on Noelle: SHE POOPED IN THE POTTY! HOOOOORAY! We are SOOO proud of her! I was tempted to take a picture, but we'll post this one instead. Doesn't the cat look thrilled? :D Love you all!

The envelope, please!

OK, my Dr. FINALLY got a hold of me yesterday. GOOD NEWS: The cancer has not traveled to other parts of the body. Yippeeee! This is REALLY good news. The not-so-good news: I still have two "hot spots" so I'm due for another round of radioactive iodine in 6 months. It's not too terrible, though, and he warned me this would probably happen. The stinky part is being gone again for a week, but Steve and Noelle managed pretty well without me last time. :) After everything, this is going to sound really stupid, but the metallic taste that STILL hasn't gone away is something I'm dreading most of all. Lame, I know, but imagine not being able to drink water because it tastes like sea water that's had a rusty nail sitting in it. YUCK! Not all food is too bad, but nothing tastes like it should. You'd THINK it was the world's best diet, but all I want to eat are comfort foods because they taste better than anything else does, lol. Ah well, this too shall pass!

Update on the fam: My sister Tiffany and her 2 year old son Dominic are in town. Yeah!!! It's been so much fun seeing them! She got strep throat just before she left, poor thing. She's a trooper, though! Noelle LOVES seeing her cousin and she's doing pretty well. Now if I can just get her to sleep through the night again...Layton High's first game is tonight, and everyone's on pins and needles (especially Steve and his brother Jim, the head coach). They had a FANTASTIC season last year, and we're sure they'll have another great one this year. Go Lancers!

Love you all!

Home Sweet Home

Hooray! I'm back home with my wonderful hubby and adorable daughter. I got home yesterday after my full-body scan (that I will know the results of on Monday). Noelle's huge smile and hug made me feel better than I have in a long time. It was GREAT just to sit and play with her, read to her and rock her to sleep that night. I know it doesn't seem possible, but she really seems to have gotten older in the last week. She and Steve have been SO strong through this whole thing, and I am so proud of them.

I'm feeling lots better since starting my medication on Saturday, though I am still weak and napping every day. I still have a funny metallic taste in my mouth (all food and even water tastes weird) but other than that I don't seem to have side effects from the radiation. And I will post new pics of my scar on Monday when I know the results of the body scan. My scar looks GREAT and voice is totally back to normal. Yes, I'm counting my many, many blessings. :D Love you all!

Quick update

I miss my two favorite people SOOOO much!!!

Hi all! Just wanted to let you all know that I'm really starting to feel better. I actually did my laundry today without my arms and legs burning like I'd just done lunges with arm weights! Happy day! I've been on thyroid meds for only 2 days, so I'm not ready to run a marathon with Rachel yet, but it sure beats the way I've been feeling for over a month. :D

Happy Anniversary, honey! I can't wait to stare at you from 6 feet across the table at dinner tonight! ;)

Help me, I'm glowing!

Well, folks, today was the day! I took the radioactive iodine pills around noon today and headed straight to Dad's house, where my wonderful family (thanks Jen, Dad and Matt!) took good care of me. So far, I don't feel too bad. My cheeks, jaw and under my chin have swelled up and are tender (I look like a chipmunk) but other than that, I can't complain. I've had lots of rest and water and already managed to watch 2 movies. :) By this time tomorrow, I'll be able to eat dairy and salt again. Happy day! I'm still exhausted and achy from no thyroid meds, but I get to take them on Saturday, so all really is good. Thanks to my wonderful family and friends who are praying for me and helping take care of Noelle. You guys are just the best!

Funny story: I hadn't realized that after they take the pills out of the lead box, everyone's susceptible. I guess I figured I'd need time for them to start working, like a pain pill or something. Silly me :P I pop the pills and start walking back to my doctors....who immediately backed away from me like I had the plague. I said, "Oh, they work that fast huh?" and they laughed. Guess I should've noticed they were all standing in doorways while I went to the middle of the room to take it, huh?!