Wicked the Musical

Thurs. Aug. 2, 2012

Wahoo! Today is the day we’ve been eagerly awaiting for the past 18 months! We got to take the girls to see the musical ‘Wicked’ playing at the Capitol Theater in Salt Lake City. It was unbelievable! We all dressed in black and green in honor of the musical. Lincoln was a good sport and dressed in the theme colors as well. We met Lincoln at work and took the girls out to dinner first. Then it was off to the theater! We played the musical sound track in the car and the girls knew every single word of every song. There was such a great energy in the air!

The songs were wonderful, the costumes incredible, and sharing it with my girls and Lincoln was priceless. I love this show! I’ve seen it 3 times in 3 different places: Chicago, Los Angeles, and now Salt Lake City. Every time I see it, I walk away with a smile on my face and warm feeling in my heart. Life is worth living and I plan on defying gravity as I fight this battle against cancer. I’m not going to let it keep me down or beat me. I plan on flying. J

Lexy & Ashley

The Tickets!

Enjoying the evening with my guy

Outdoor Movie

Tues. July 31, 2012

Today I had high hopes of being able to go walking again for a little exercise, but my feet had a different idea. Instead I took it easy reading, working on family history, watching Olympics, and doing a little laundry.

On the other hand, my daughter Lexy and her friend, Jessi, had bigger plans. They organized an outdoor movie party in our backyard for the kids that were in their drama class the past year. At 3:00 this afternoon, they popped homemade popcorn, baked cookies, made signs and set up the backyard with blankets for people to sit on. They hung up a sheet on the fence to project the movie on and got the speakers, laptop and movie set up. They had about 13 or 14 friends show up to enjoy the evening as the sun went down. They ended up having a blast. 

I was very impressed how organized they were with everything involved. It’s nice to know that even though my life is ‘on hold’ for the time being, my children’s lives are moving forward filled with fun, adventure, and opportunities, just as they should be.

When we're working were happy!

Mon. July 30, 2012

This morning Ashley and I had to run some errands. I also made another large batch of zucchini muffins. It’s getting hard trying to keep up with the 2 zucchini plants that we have in our garden. Next year, we may need to just plant one!

This evening it was our family’s turn to help clean at the church. Linc suggested I stay home but I wanted to go and do what I could. My feet continue to be quite tender, so I volunteered to wash the glass on the foyer doors. Everyone else ran around emptying garbage cans, vacuuming the carpet and scrubbing toilets and bathroom floors. I enjoyed being able to be a part of cleaning the church and visiting with the other ward members who were there to serve as well. I’m grateful for the beautiful chapel that we have to meet in each week. 

Hanging out with the hubby!

Sat. July 28, 2012

Today Lincoln and I ran a few errands together. He was so patient walking with me through the stores. I’m such a little turtle some days, but it felt so good to get out and do something productive. The neuropathy in my feet seems to be getting worse and I just have to be patient with my feet. Some people say, “Just sit down and put your feet up!” Well, I can only do that for so long and then I tend to get a little stir-crazy and need to get out of the house! We ran into quite a few people at Wal-Mart and it ended up filling my ‘social’ needs for the day. Later at home, I kicked up my feet and watch a little Olympics.

This evening, our neighbor’s daughter had a wedding reception and another friend’s son had a missionary farewell ‘open house’ in their back yard. Lincoln and I attended both of those and again had our spirits lifted by rubbing shoulders with so many amazing people that live in our neighborhood. 

Olympics - London 2012

Fri. July 27, 2012

Today I felt like an 8 again (Lincoln has a rating scale to determine how good I’m feeling. Its a scale of 1-10 with 10 being “Let’s go skiing.”) I got dressed and took care of things around the house like laundry and some light cleaning. I still got my afternoon nap in, but when Lincoln came home I wanted to attend a friend’s wedding reception. I was so glad I was able to make it there and my friend was thrilled and surprised that I actually made it! After having gone through my son’s wedding recently, I have a much deeper appreciation for others’ weddings and wanting to celebrate with them on their children's special day.

Today is also the opening ceremonies of the Summer Olympics London 2012 and I have been so excited to watch the games. I made Lincoln take me to get Fish n chips for dinner so that I could bring them home and celebrate watching the opening ceremony ‘in true English style.’  It was a lot of fun and I’m so excited to root on Team USA for all of the upcoming events. It’s going to be awesome!

Gotta love those English Fish 'n Chips

Go Team USA!

Did You Say Chunky Cinnamon Bread?

Thurs. July 26, 2012

Every day getting better than the day before. Today Ashley & I made about 100 yummy zucchini muffins. We froze some for our family reunion at Bear Lake coming up in the next week. Others we made to share, and still some we kept to enjoy ourselves. We love having a garden with all the wonderful bounty that Mother Nature is blessing us with.

This evening a sweet friend came by to visit with me and Lincoln. She was my troop guide at Wood Badge and I just look up to her so much. She has such a quiet, peaceful, sweet spirit about her in all that she says and does. She brought me a yummy loaf of chunky cinnamon bread wrapped in a darling kitchen towel. It made me happy. I’m so grateful for good friends who continually lift me and bless my life.

Yummy Chunky Cinnamon Bread

Zucchini Sticks

Wed. July 25, 2012

Feeling good this morning, a little short of breath, but that’s normal for now. Feeling well enough to get showered and dressed for the day is a huge improvement from the way the last two days have gone. That meant I was ready for a nap by 10am, but at least it’s an improvement! J

Our garden has been going crazy with all kinds of yummy vegetables like cucumbers, zucchini, green peppers, tomatoes and onions. It’s wonderful. Ashley found a recipe for breaded zucchini sticks on Pinterest and she tried it out this afternoon. I sat in the kitchen and gave her morale support. It was quite a long process, but the end result was delicious! 

My girl cookin' up some 

delicious zucchini bread sticks!

Pioneer Day

Tues. July 24, 2012 Pioneer Day

It’s Day 5 and I’m still taking it easy. This morning my girls and I kicked off the day watching the Days of 47 Parade on tv. It was fun to feel like a little kid again watching the floats and cheering for the marching bands. Just another day of pajamas and napping, on and off. 

Ashley made me some yummy frozen berry smoothies to soothe my sore throat. Lexy checks on me every so often to fill my water bottle and get me a Popsicle. I’m so grateful for my girls and the love and service they show me.

Tonight several ladies from the ward came by with homemade soups for me to keep in the freezer for our family. They are wonderful ladies and our family is so grateful for their acts of kindness and service. I love my neighborhood.

Thank you, pioneers!

Another Day 4

Mon. July 23, 2012

Day 4. Today I was feeling yucky, but that is to be expected on Day 4. I was content to let myself hang out in my pj’s all day long and just watch movies with my girls in my bedroom. There’s a great feeling of freedom in allowing myself to be patient with my body and just let it heal. My sweet visiting teacher brought by some delicious homemade soup, and fruit for dinner tonight. It was exactly what I needed! 

Sunday Sunday

Sun. July 22, 2012

Today was a wonderful, full day of serving and feeling the spirit! Lincoln and I attended the Council Meeting with the Bishopric from the young single adult ward and then attended their Sacrament Meeting. I love rubbing shoulders with the leaders down there and with the incredible young adults that attend there as well. They lift my spirits and make me want to be a better person. I came home for a little nap and then was up again to help make dinner for our family. I so appreciate everyone jumping in and helping to make Sunday dinners happen at our place. Tyler & Andrea came and ate with us and it was fun to have them over.

Some sweet neighbors also brought by some food for us tonight. I feel so very blessed and I love my family and the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Round #6 of Chemo

Fri. July, 20, 2012

Things went as planned today. Lincoln & Ashley came. We met with the doctor first and talked about what lies ahead. At this point, I’ll do chemo today and then in 3 weeks, I’ll go in for a PET Scan to evaluate, in detail, the progress of my treatments. That will help us determine what kind of chemo and how many more Ill need from here. 

I met two new patients today at the cancer center. One was a lady who was there for her first time. she has breast cancer. Her husband was there lending support. I could tell she was scared. We talked a while. She's on some of the same chemo drugs that I am on. I shared with her some of my experiences and some of the things that I've learned along the way. She was busy taking notes about where to buy wigs, how to ward off headaches from the anti-nausea medicine and other tips that I shared with her. She's scheduled for 4 rounds of chemo. I wished her luck.

After that a man in his late 20's or 30's came in with his young wife and sat in the same chair next to me. We talked a bit and learned that he has stage 4 cancer and a big battle ahead of them. They have 3 young children about 10, 8 and 4 years old. We talked about the incredible value of a positive attitude, no matter what. He said that they are trying to put their lives in order and enjoy their time together. He also expressed a desire to trust in the Lord's will and to have the strength for whatever that may include. My heart went out to them. 

The 'unknown' in the cancer journey is the worst part of all. Not knowing how your body will react to the chemo, how long you will have to undergo the treatments, how it will affect your family and relationships with others, and how it will affect your day to day quality of life, and so much more. I’m trying to keep positive and focus on getting better. I'm finding that there's a fine balance to believing in miracles and 'waiting patiently on the Lord's will and timing." I choose to move forward in faith.