Monday, January 17, 2011

Chris had chemo Thursday. His white blood cell count was 1.5 very low for not having chemo for 3 weeks. We met with the doctor because Chris was having trouble breathing and a pain in his side (no, I'm not talking about me:). Chris believes that the clot dislodged from his lung and went into his back because - on Tuesday for my birthday we went to Boondocks and he exerted to much energy (possibly during laser tag or bowling, hee hee:) Doctor said that there wasn't anything that he could do. Just keep taking the lovenox shots and if he gets to a point where he can't breath then he needs to come to the hospital. Doctor also gave Chris a less potent dose of chemo. You would think that getting a less potent dose would make you less sick but Chris has been verry, verry sick. Very tired and throwing up. Chris got ready for church Sunday but just couldn't make it:( you know Chris is sick when he doesn't go to church. Chris will have his PET scan on the 27th - no chemo and then on the 3rd we will reevaluate. Doctor again suggested possibly one last treatment but it would be awful - Chris would loose his hair, have an acne like rash that would itch (they would give him medicine to try and stop the itch) and of course be more tired and sick. Doesn't sound fun to me. If it was a cure that would be different but it is just to prolong his life - possibly. Quality vs. Quantity.
Yesterday was Meg's 18th birthday. Ahhh!! Tomorrow for her bday party she is taking some friends to have a manicure/pedicure done and then we will take them to lunch. Not to exciting but she is happy:)
Found this in a friends bathroom (hee, hee) thought you might enjoy it - I did:) It's called Living Tree "Life is not a race-but indeed a journey. Be honest. Work hard. Be choosy. Say "thank you," "I love you," and "great job" to someone each day. Go to church, take time for prayer. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh. Let your handshake mean more than pen and paper. Love your life and what you've been given, it is not accidental - search for your purpose and do it as best you can. Dreaming does matter. It allows you to become that which you aspire to be. Laugh often. Appreciate the little things in life and enjoy them. Some of the best things really are free. Do not worry, less wrinkles are more becoming. Forgive, it frees the soul. Take time for yourself - plan for longevity. Recognize the special people you've been blessed to know. Live for today, enjoy the moment." by Bonnie Mohn
Love ya, Ricki

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Two blogs in one day?!!!:) Chris was suppose to have chemo today but his white blood cell count was at a 1 - to low to treat. We are stunned!! He hasn't had chemo for two weeks. Not sure what is going on. He will try again next Thursday. It's dumb but I feel like it's a blessing/birthday present from above;) that he didn't have chemo. The next few days are very busy and it's my birthday coming up (January 11th - #40 Ahhh). Now Chris won't be ill:) I told him for my birthday present I wanted to eat out 4 different nights:):) For a mother that's a big treat. Everyone is happy because they order what they want and NO mess to clean up. I wasn't sure how it was going to work (actually it probably wouldn't have worked. Chris is a trooper he would have tried but after working all day and being tired and sick - not fair to him). So yeah for me:)
I also now have the privilege of cleaning the Oquirrh Mountain Temple tomorrow night. We will also get the results of Katie's tests and make sure that the infection is gone. Saturday I have to be up at 6:30 am to get Taylor out the door so that he can go to his scout shindig event. My nephew is being baptised (now Chris can go:), 2 Jr. Jazz bball games and a party for a friend that evening. Sunday church and family get together to eat cake for my bday. Monday FHE, and eating out hee hee. Tuesday Tay Jr. Jazz practice and eating out:), Wednesday YM/YW, scouts for Taylor and Jacob and Jr. Jazz practice for Jacob annnndd eating out:). Thursday chemo and a very tired, sick husband:(
If any of you have any ideas for an 18 year old's bday let me know I'm at a loss. Meg says she doesn't want anything. Too bad!!!! You are only 18 once!! The other day she told me that she was thinking of attending community college (instead of BYU) so that she could stay home and help me. I told her "No way, you are only a kid once! and that I could handle it (I think:)" I didn't say what else I was thinking - What if she has the cancer gene? Will her life be cut short? Live life to the fullest. What a very kind girl - I'm lucky to have her.
Chris was telling me about a dream that he had the other day. He told me that he was sitting in a chair next to my bed and that I had gray hair. I asked him if he had gray hair. He said "no.":(
Earlier this evening Chris was going over all of the "dating rules" with Katie and he told her that he would be there in spirit in the Temple when she got married. He also told her that he would ask Heavenly Father if he could come and see her baptism. Katie said "but you'll be dead" and Chris told her how she wouldn't be able to see him but that she would feel his presence. Now, I have a headache (read previous quote-hee, hee). Sorry, but I mostly type these things for myself so that I can read them someday. It's hard thinking about losing your best friend.
It's r reality and every day things are said and done to prepare for the future. I'll stop writing before I give myself an even worse sinus infection. I just love having a red nose - call me Rudolph:):)
Love, Ricki
P.S. love the pictures:):) Obviously a mask isn't going to protect you from pink eye, but hey we had fun being rude to Ryan:) Oh, and are masks have Disney characters on them:)
We have been very busy keeping the doctors in business. Over Christmas break Rye had pink eye. I have had a sinus infection that just won't go away. Katie has had a bladder infection - doctor was worried that she might have Reflux just because four year old's don't usually get bladder infections so she had an ultrasound and other tests done to make sure that she is ok (we find out results tomorrow- when she is checked again to make sure infection is gone). She also received 4 shots for kindergarten and she had some warts frozen off (poor girl!!!) Then our family decided to go swimming on New Years Eve. A couple days later Taylor shows me his chest which is covered in a rash and he has open sores. Ahhh!! Take him to the doctor and he contracted a bug from the POOL! Doctor not sure why only Taylor got it but I have been thanking Taylor for "taking one for the team!":):):) He is now on medicine. At one point in time I had four people on medicine plus Chris. I had to make charts to keep up with all of them. Some were twice a day, others three times a day. Ohh and yesterday I was lucky enough to have 2 cavities filled:( We have been very blessed. I'm not sure how Chris has escaped getting any of these things (except bladder infection-hee, hee). We did ban Rye from Chris and the kitchen, and he had to carry around a box of sanitizing wipes which he used often.
Chris didn't have chemo last Thursday. We went to his appointment and he asked the doctor if he could skip so that he could feel well enough to hang out with his cousin from California (we had a great time - it was fun:) and have a nice New Year's. Doc said "sure" and he said that "he was very surprised that Chris was still alive" he "expected him to be dead by now." Chris and I just about hit the floor we were very shocked:) I told the doctor that Chris is a fighter and that he is afraid to leave his kids because he knows I'll screw them up:) hee, hee
So, today we have chemo. No getting out of it. Chris has a PET scan scheduled for January 27th.
We did have a wonderful Christmas. Chris took off 4 days during the break, it was fun having him around. And YIPEEEE Chris made it!!! He will receive his bonus:):) He now has a new goal. If he works til January 31st he will receive another bonus (one that he has been working toward for three years- don't understand all of it, but hey, it's another goal - oh, and more money).
Now it is time to get ready for Meg's 18th bday!!! Ahhh, where did the time go?!
I will try to write sooner so that you can be updated on Chris' chemo today. Taylor and Jacob are off track right now so they are going to come with us to chemo. We will play cards and afterwards go and get yogurt.
"The only way to get through life is to laugh your way through it. You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh. Crying gives me a headache." Marjorie Pay Hinkley:)
Love ya, Ricki