NASCAR and the ER

Hi Everyone! Just wanted you to know we had an exciting weekend. Chris and I went to Charlottesville, NC so that he could do the "Nascar Experience" there. I purchased for his 50th birthday present. After some instruction on how to drive the car and some safety information and of course the legal waivers, they put him in the car and he was on his own. I guess this is a total dream come true for men. He was able to drive the car on the track completely on his own. They did have a driver who talked in his ear to give instructions and guidance when needed. He did about 5 or 6 laps and went 140 mph. There was no speedometer in the car only something that told him rpm's. Of course, just as he got a good feel for it they told him he only had one more lap so he is ready to do it again and top his speed. He said the hardest part was not the turns but coming out of them. There is no power steering so you have to have some muscle to straighten out. He LOVED it! Anyway, on our way home we were about 25 min. out of Lynchburg when we got a call that Kelly was at the emergency room. She went to a school talent show with some friends of ours and got up to use the restroom and passed out in the foyer twice. She had also vomited a few times. Someone called an ambulance and they announced her name from the stage so that our friends could ride with her to the hospital. When we arrived she was doing well but very tired. After all the tests, we were told it was most likely vasovagal syncope. Apparently it is not uncommon but the doctor did hear and extra sound when he listened to her heart so we are going to a pediatric cardiologist to check on that. Nothing showed up on the EKG so that was good news. Anyway, it was very scary for everyone and just goes to show you that if mom and dad take time to play they will have to pay! We were just glad it was not something more serious. She has been very tired the last 3 weeks or so. Hopefully they can find out if there are any problems......I am feeling great and completed training for Hospice so I can start doing some volunteer work. I hope to start after the holidays. HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE. There is so much to be thankful for!

LIFE IS GOOD

I guess it is time to update! I had a bone scan on Monday and my regular check up on Tuesday. Unlike last time, I felt good about this one. My doctor says that the bone scan showed significant healing in the bone marrow and that my blood counts were the best they have ever been! I figured it would be good news since I was feeling so good. Chris, Kelly and I all celebrated our birthdays this month with a big party last Saturday. We had barbecue and a huge cake. Kelly had about 12 kids over and we had about 40. Jordin and Jeff came down from Williamsburg. It was a lot of fun and a good way to celebrate everything all at once. Jordin will be attending graduate school at Willliam and Mary along with her husband. She will be taking classes in the evening while working. She plans to study special education. Steven had good news. He competed in Dance Sport at BYU against 200 other dance couples and him and his partner came in top 25. I hope to post some pictures he sent me. Chris is in New Orleans for a meeting and will be back on Thursday. I just hate it when he is gone! Kelly is trying out for a travel volleyball team and is looking forward to getting back in to some regular practices. She turned 17 yesterday......can you believe it? I am going to a training session today in order to volunteer for Hospice. I need to fill my days up with more volunteer work and feel this is a worthy cause. I think it is time for me to give something back at this point in my life. The blessings keep coming and the prayers keep working so life is GOOD!

Re-connecting

Ok, I admit, I have been horrible about letting everyone know how I am. My last Oncologist visit was nerve racking as I had not been feeling like myself and had had a few more aches and pains than usual. I was terrified I would be getting some bad news. Chris went with me and we were both overjoyed to hear that my blood work was all completely normal. My doctor is so impressed that he wants another bone scan before my next appointment so that he can compare it to the first one. I lit that one up like a Christmas tree! I am not sure I really want to do it since no news is sometimes the best news. He has taken good care of me so far so I will just do what he says.
Jeanette Willes (my cousin Johns wife)came to visit me on the one year anniversary of my diagnosis and we had a wonderful time. We went and had manicures and massages and ate gourmet cupcakes. Then, the next day, I took her to a service project. A member of our stake is dying of cancer and wanted to be buried in a family cemetery on his land that he is clearing. I had her hauling tree branches and moving logs........I hope she has forgiven me. If you know Jeanette, this was a true sacrifice for her and she was a trooper. We were also able to see the play Oklahoma. It was wonderful having her here and letting her get to know Kelly better too. They really enjoyed each other and Kelly is wearing the "hoodie" with San Diego on it, that she bought for her.We are hoping Kelly can spend some time with them this summer and get to know her cousins better.
The same week that Jeanette left, I flew to Utah to see my son and visit with family. I started off the week by having dinner with Chris's sister Becca and her husband Dennis and their wonderful kids. I stayed at my brother Danny's home and was able to catch up with his family and got to carve pumpkins with his kids. What a great group they are! I was also able to spoil my son and his roommates and attend church at BYU and do a session at the Provo temple. We also attended a football game. It was pouring down rain 20 minutes before the game and we were running around trying to find rain ponchos. We finally gave up and left his apartment to walk to the stadium and it immediately clearing up and did not start raining again until we got back to the apartment. It was a blessing. Oh yeah, we also won the game. We ran into several people that we knew from Florida and it was good to see them as a bonus. Steven is doing well and enjoying the "Y" much more than his freshmen year. I was also able to see my parents and Aunt and uncle. All in all it was a great trip!
We just got back from Williamsburg visiting our daughter and her husband. They were living in a wonderful townhouse but had 3 broken pipes in 2 months and the last one flooded them out. They are staying in temporary housing until renovations are completed. The entire place was gutted and all pipes are being replaced. They are anxious to move back in as the place they are staying is not that great. They caught two mice while Kelly was there. They went to Bush Gardens and had a wonderful time together. We are hoping they can spend more time together as sisters! As you can see we are very busy and it is sometimes hard to keep up with it all. We pray every night for our friends and family and are thankful for yours. I am blessed and I hope I never take it for granted!