Incredible Support from Rocky Mountain Elementary!

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

This morning I went back to the school for the school wide assembly. They wanted to present the check to me again in front of the entire school and announce which classes raised the most money in the ‘Penny War” for Mrs. Jacobs. I had prepared some thoughts to share with the school after I was given the check:

"Good morning! It is so wonderful to see all of you. You are a sight for sore eyes! One of the hardest things that I had to change when I was diagnosed was to tell Mrs. Stephenson that I couldn’t come to school and work in the classroom with all of you wonderful students & teachers. I’ve missed you! I want you to know how much I appreciate all of your letters, your cards, and prayers and posters and positive thoughts that have been sent my way. I have felt that strength in my life and I want you to know that it is making a difference in my recovery.

A few weeks ago, I had an CT scan or x-ray of my chest to see how my body is doing in battling the cancer and the doctor told me the great news that the tumors are shrinking! Things are going well and I feel very at peace that I will win this battle. I look forward to the day that I will be cancer free. I know that there are many more people who are becoming cancer survivors these days than those who are not. There are wonderful things taking place as doctors continue to work hard to find a cure for this disease.

 I want to thank you for all of your efforts to raise this incredible amount of money for me & my family. You may just be elementary school students, but when you join together in a cause, you can do amazing things! Please always remember that. Words can’t express what this means to me. You are a very special group of people and I am truly blessed to have you in my life.

One thing I’ve learned recently is that “Happiness is a Choice.” No matter how old you are, whether you are in elementary school or a grown up, you will face challenges and hard things in your life. It may be trying to get along with a difficult person in your class or with a teacher; it may be something hard that is going on at home within your family. It doesn’t matter what that challenge is, but it does make a HUGE difference on your attitude as you go through that challenge. You can choose to focus on the bad & negative things or you can focus on the positive good things that are going on in your life.

Cancer isn’t easy, in fact sometimes it’s pretty hard. The day I was diagnosed, I decided right then and there that I would do my best to be happy & positive and to look for the good in my life. Every day I see wonderful blessings and tender mercies happening all around me. You too can do hard things and you can find joy in the journey and happiness as you work through those challenges.

Again, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you’ve done to strengthen me and make me feel so very loved. I truly am the luckiest girl around!”

It felt so good to see the kids and the teachers, and staff again. I have missed them all. One 5^th grade teacher, Mr. Alder, stopped to talk to me for a moment. I subbed in his class this past year many times. He told me that his class chose to vote on the number one news story of the year and they decided that “Mrs. Jacobs” was the number one story of the year. He said they really love me. I told him that I loved his class too and that I have every intention of getting better and coming back to teach at the school. He said he was going to hold me to that promise! J I made the office ladies promise that we’d get together after the wedding and go out to lunch and catch up on life. They agreed. I was sent home with the big ‘fake’ check. I still can hardly believe that the kids raised just under $3, 000 for me in about 4 days. Unbelievable!  What an a amazing community that I live in.

Me, Mrs. Willis & Mrs. Davis

'Penny War' Check

Later I went from being on ‘cloud 9’ to feeling sad and a emotional. The only thing that I can figure is that I have felt so good the last 2 weeks and now I’m getting ready to take my ‘pre chemo’ drugs tomorrow and will get my chemo and go through the yuck ‘post chemo’ week coming up. Today I saw the school community that I love and I realized how much I miss interacting with the people and kids down there. I don't want to do the chemo again. I don't want to feel sick again. I don’t cry sad tears very often, but tonight I did. 

Global Awareness Fair

Tuesday May 29, 2012

Today, I was invited to the elementary school to see a presentation that was being given to the 5^th & 6^th grade students and some parents about the PUSH program. They talked about the Global Awareness Fair that the students were involved in this Spring and what they learned about disease & cancer. They talked about raising money for me.  A representative of the American Cancer Institute was in attendance and spoke to the group and complimented the kids for their efforts in learning about cancer and raising funds for me to help me in my cancer journey. At the end the 6^th grade teacher went up front and talked about how hard the classes had worked to make a difference in my life as they earned money as a school to help me out. Then they revealed a GIGANTIC ‘faux’ check made out to me in the amount that the kids had donated. It was for an incredible $2, 937.10. I was astonished at that amount! I can’t believe that they raised so much. I truly believe it is a tribute to the amazing community in which we live and the example of terrific parents and encouragement of dedicated teachers. I had a chance to thank the children for all their effort, prayers, kindness, and goodness toward me and my family and how much we are feeling of their love and support.

It was wonderful to talk to some of the teachers and staff and see their faces again. The principal told me that it has been a great experience to see these kids come together in such a big way to rally around a common cause and make an impact for good in someone’s life . . . that would be my life! Words can’t express how much I appreciate all that they have done for me. I want to get better and get back to working at the school.

My friend Camiel, told me of one little boy who brought $100 dollars to the school to donate to the “Mrs. Jacobs Fund.” The teacher called the parent to let her know that she ought to be aware that her son brought that much money. The parent told the teacher that she was completely aware of that donation and that the little boy had emptied his piggy bank to bring the money to school and the parents agreed to let him do it. Wow! What a humbling story. It touches my heart to hear of these acts of kindness and service on my behalf. It is also a very humbling recipient to be on the receiving end of so much love and goodness. I am so very blessed.

Tender Feet

Wednesday May 23, 2012

Today was a beautiful day and for the most part I felt pretty good. I’m not complaining about my feet, but am simply documenting my journey and all the ups and downs that go along with it. I’m not sure why, but my emotions have been very close to the surface today.

Now my feet are even more tender and sore than yesterday. I called the patient care advocate and she told me that it is common for patients on the chemo drug taxotere to have an increased sensitivity in their hands and feet. I believe she called it neuropathy. My fingertips have been sensitive to heat and cold for the past 3 weeks or so. They feel like there’s a lot of pressure in the fingertips and I have a hard time opening packages like zip lock bags or opening bottles, etc. I also can’t handle taking frozen bags of food out of the freezer. It feels like it’s burning my fingers. I tried wearing my running shoes today that have a lot more padding and support and it helped cushion my feet more. I was told that this symptom is due to the accumulative effect of the chemo in my system. There’s not a lot to be done to alleviate this feeling, but to keep lots of heavy lotion on my hands and feet and keep out of the sun. If those tender spots turn into open sores then I need to get to the doctor immediately. I’m praying that it won’t get to that point. I guess this is just another reason to put my feet up and enjoy a little Netflix, tv, or a good book! Haha

Daughter becomes 'Mother'

Tuesday May 22, 2012

Today was another productive day getting ready for the wedding and taking care of things around the house. Ashley has been such tremendous help this summer getting ready for the wedding, taking care of things around the house, running errands, and YES, even reminding me to take it easy and to take care of myself. I had a few items to take of today and after doing a few things this morning, she gently reminded me that I needed to go lie down and  take nap before we determined if I'd be involved in the afternoon 'tasks'! Ha! What a great mother she is going to be and what a wonderful daughter she is right now. I’m so grateful for her help and willingness to serve. 

My beautiful daughter, Ashley

I noticed a strange new sensation starting today. My feet are feeling very tender and almost bruised. They don’t look like it, but they certainly feel like it. I've had it in my hands for a few weeks, but now it’s starting in my feet. Tyler & Andrea flew in from Ecuador late tonight. Their flights were delayed and they ended up arriving around 11pm. It was awesome to see them together and to know that they are home safe and sound. They had a marvelous time together. It was around 12:30am by the time we got home. It’s been a very long day. 

Andrea & Tyler in Ecuador

Feeding my Spirit

Sunday May 20, 2012

Chad left early this morning to fly out to Alaska for his summer job. I was sad to see him go. His friend spent the night and drove him to the airport. I’m grateful that we’ve been able to work it out and arrange for Chad to fly back for the two days of the wedding festivities. It will be wonderful to have him share that special time with our family.

This morning I felt really good again and I was excited to go to church. Because of my low immunity right now, Lincoln made a deal with me so I could go to church. He went early and saved us a bench to sit on. Then Lexy and I slipped in just before the meeting started and I was able to enjoy the spirit, hear the messages being shared and parktake of the Sacrament. At the end, I slipped out during the closing song so that afterwards I wouldn’t be exposed to a lot of people. Just being in church lifts my spirits and feeds my soul. I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Beauty of the Simple Life

Saturday May 19, 2012

I was feeling great this morning and I can tell my strength is beginning to return. It felt good to be able to be productive around the house and take care of such wonderfully mundane things as mopping the kitchen floor and getting a few loads of laundry done. I’m grateful to be able to take care of these simple things so that my family has a nice, clean place to live in.

I’m in the 7-10 day range right now on my chemo and that’s when my immune system is at its lowest point in my 21 day cycle. That means I need to be cautious about being around large crowds in enclosed places. This evening Lincoln took the girls to the National Rugby Championship at Rio Tinto Stadium. BYU made it to the championship game and they were excited to go. I needed to pass, but I was able to go over to our Bishop’s daughter’s wedding reception. It was outdoors and I went early so I could just express my love to them & their family and then quickly leave to come home. It was a beautiful reception and I’m excited for Tyler’s big event next month!

Ashley, Lincoln & Lexy

Go Cougars!

Friday May 18, 2012

Today I spent most of the day taking it easy at home and resting. This afternoon I had one appointment at the reception center to take another look at the kitchen prep area and to see if there’s any way possible that we might be able to find a 220 plug so we can use a soft serve ice cream machine to make Andrea’s dream of serving ice cream at the wedding reception come true. I know that there’s not one within the kitchen prep area, but that area is connected to a large kitchen area where another catering company owns the entire kitchen. I’ve been praying the last week that I might find a way that we can somehow work things out to make this take place.

My friend, Debbie came along with me so she could see the location and how everything is going to be set up. When we arrived at the reception center I was once again so happy that this is where we will have the reception. It’s a beautiful place and so much is already included in the event center. We spoke with the reception lady and she was extremely helpful to talk to about ideas for the wedding set up. As we entered the kitchen prep area, we could see that clearly there was no 220 plug in the area. I said a prayer and got the courage to ask if there was any way that we might be able to run an extension cord to the 220 plug in the other area of the kitchen. She called over the man in charge of the catering company and we explained the situation and talked with him for a few minutes. I offered to pay for the electricity that it would take and for his time and effort. He looked at his calendar, checked the time that we’d need the plug and then said that he would be done in his kitchen that evening by the reception time and that we would be fine to plug in to his plug and use what we needed. I held back the tears and expressed my gratitude for his kindness. Later I spoke with the reception lady and asked for her help in contacting the linen company. I shared that I’m going through chemo right now and need to finalize plans while I’m feeling good and can’t wait until just before the wedding. She said she’d contact her for me and we’d work things out.

Just before we left, the reception lady indicated that she had gone through her own cancer challenge five years ago and that she wished me the best and gave me a hug. What happened tonight was such a huge tender mercy in my life. Being able to move forward with the food for the reception is a HUGE weight off my shoulders. I’m so grateful to the Lord for his kindness and tender mercies in my life. I know He is aware of me and He’s there by my side.