Nausea!!!!

3-17-09

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! I am home trying to regain my strength after a trying week! Today I am grateful that I didn’t have any treatments, now my body should start to regain strength!

The downhill spiral began on Tuesday of last week after my last big chemo treatment on Monday the 9th. I became nauseated and couldn’t keep anything down, including water. After 3 days of this Ron was ready to take me to the emergency room! We opted to see the doctor after radiation on Friday morning. She sent us to the infusion center at the Huntsman Cancer Institute and I was given 3 liters of IV and some medicine to help with the nausea. This helped but I continued throwing up on Saturday, so we made another trip to the infusion center for 2 more liters of IV. On Sunday I began keeping some food down, but since I am limited to bland liquids I still don’t have much energy.

Yesterday was my final radiation YIPPY!!! Afterwards Ron and I met with the doctor again, things are going better but I continue to feel weak and it hurts to swallow solid foods (side effects of radiation on my throat)! I will have a few weeks off to recover before I meet with the doctors and move on to the next level, probably more scans.

During this trying time I have come to the conclusion that it takes a community to help a person battle cancer. I am so grateful to friends, neighbors, and family that have provided me and my family with meals, treats, cards, flowers, transportation, prayers, and endless support. I continue to be amazed at the love and support that is constantly extended to us on a daily basis.

I am also grateful to the Skyline Community for their support and donations to the Utah Cancer Society! They had a “Hat Day” to collect hats for Jay Gunderson, the choir teacher who is fighting cancer, and me. At a choir concert on Friday night they collected over $1200.00 to donate to the Cancer Society. It is wonderful to have such loving and supportive friends and students at my school! Even when times are tough I can draw on the support of my friends to get me through!

Ron has been amazing with being my “nurse”! He has gotten me up in the middle of the night to give me medications; he has taken time off from school to get me to doctors and the Huntsman Cancer Center. He has been there to cheer me on and encourage me when all I wanted to do was cry! I love him so much and cherish our marriage!

The girls have been supportive too during this hard week. They do whatever they can to make me comfortable and help to keep our home running smoothly. I look forward to seeing them participate in lacrosse games and other activities.

I hope that I will continue to regain my strength so that I can return to my normal life.

Thanks again to everyone for your prayers, thoughts, service, and concern! I truly am surrounded by angels.