Happy Holidays!

Well, it's December 26th and Christmas has come and gone; but, we're enjoying all the aftermath:

• guitar hero



• XBox 360



• new computer



• karoke machine



• much much more...

More Christmas fun later..............only a few more days until round FIVE of chemo......

Normal for Now

After a hellacious round 4 of chemo, I'm enjoying my two weeks of feeling good right now. My next treatment is Monday, Dec. 29th and then my FINAL round will be January 21st. I meet with my surgeon, Dr. Chow on January 7th to plan surgery, etc..........I know that I will continue with Herceptin treatments every three weeks for at least a year; but, THAT is the drug with no side effects, etc....so I can easily endure this regimen of treatment!!!

I am so glad to I got all of my shopping done and wrapped during my Thanksgiving break! When school is out on Friday, I don't have to worry about last minute shopping. It is all done!!!

I'm looking forward to a great holiday........especially seeing all the family............Christmas Eve should be a blast..........I think we're gonna play Bingo............and we're having soups!!!

At our house we'll have our traditional "country fat" breakfast (as Evan calls it) on Christmas morning after we've opened all that Santa has dropped off for us! Ma T, Papa, Nancy, and Jill usually join us for this..........

Speaking of Jill, photo below of her recent meeting/visit with President Clinton after being introduced to him by her boss, Governor Beebe of Arkansas................

And, below is a photo of Dustin with Grand Ole Opry regular, Jack Greene. Photo taken in the alley behind the Ryman auditorium (Dut's favorite hangout!!)

And, below, a photo of my niece, Kristin, who was having a fun day at work while sporting her Halloween costume back in October. Great Getup Sis!!

One last photo: click link to see Sam in action during last weekend's basketball tourney

http://xtremesportsshots.exposuremanager.com/p/mms_vs_imms_dec_13/_mg_830756

That's all the photos for now.........there'll be more later!!!

Happy Holidays!!!!!!

The Family Business

I guess it's appropriate that my daddy has worked in the freight industry for so many years because my mother is quite the DISPATCHER! While helping me deal with the past week of side effects, I have never seen anyone take so many phone calls; and, many of them involve moving people from one place to another or picking someone up, etc............

Over the course of one day Judy might be seen doing any of the following things:

• changing bed sheets
• taking kids to school/picking them up (at numerous campuses)
• taking items to school that were forgotten at home
• running to Walmart for just about EVERYTHING
• running someone to the doctor (lately, it's always me)
• running the vacuum just before the cleaning ladies arrive
• mixing up a quick batch of mac and cheese for the kids
• waiting patiently beside me at the oncologist for yet another treatment
• answering all the concerned phone calls from family and friends as to my health status
• worrying without ceasing about everything and everybody that make up her family.
• and primarily, you can see Judy EVERYDAY standing by in case one of the family needs her for some reason..............and, we always do.

Round four of chemo has been awful. Today is Wednesday and I feel better but not 100%. This chemo is not fun stuff. Two more rounds to go. Thanks for all the care and concern.

2/3 DONE!!

Round four is over.......and fluids have begun to ward off impending side effects. The best news though is that after examination, Dr. Jordan declared the tumor essentially non-existent! Amazing news! I meet with Dr. Chow January 7th to discuss surgery which will probably be the end of February. I will also stay on Herceptin once every three weeks for at least a year.......that's sounds so simple....the drug is quickly administered and has no side effects.

There is a possibility that I'll need a blood transfusion next week, but hopefully not. They'll check my blood on Monday to make this determination.

I arrived at school this morning after getting fluids to find a huge diet cherry sonic drink on my desk and some beautiful James Avery earrings............my friends on my hallway continue to amaze me with their support!!! There is no way I could've gotten through this without all of them..........Thank you is much too much an understatement!!!!

My kids are busy......Sam started school basketball this past Tuesday and has rec league practice and game Friday and Saturday. Polley has back to back parties on Sunday!

I'm crossing my fingers that the upcoming side effects will be minimal.................

Thanks to all for continued prayers and support!!!

As of today I am a survivor of 13 weeks and a day!!!

Time for Round FOUR!

Well, the Thanksgiving holidays have come and gone and it's about time for round four of chemo (coming up on Wednesday). I have to go in today at noon for some bloodwork.

The Thanksgiving week off was wonderful. As always, the meal on Thursday was delicious and all family members were present for at least part of the day! And, Dustin and I actually came close to winning a game of trivial pursuit........hats off to Adam and Tye for their remarkable come from behind victory!!

Shopping on Friday was quite an adventure. Jill and I walked into Walmart at precisely
3:42 AM!! Jill wasn't terribly happy to be there but was a great sport helping me secure my items in the midst of the mayhem. After stopping at a second Walmart, I was back home well before 8am. I took a brief nap, saw Evan and the kids off on their trip to Midland and I headed back out by myself to continue on my quest to get all the shopping done. I made several stops finishing at Target (where I came close to passing out due to fatigue)........I came home and wrapped all gifts. I AM DONE WITH ALL SHOPPING AND WRAPPING for my immediate household!!!! And, we all pitched in last night with Christmas decor....we're about 2/3 done with that!

On Saturday, I joined my mom and dad, Nancy, Jill, Missy, and Dustin in the motorhome for a jaunt to watch Dustin perform at the Cross Timbers Opry in Stephenville. This performance might have been his best (in my opinion)....click on the link below to see/hear him perform one of my all-time favorite country songs......he brought the house down!!!
http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=47490063

And, now I'm back at work................more later