Tomorrow is the big day!!!

Today I went in for my final simulation for radiation. They set you up on the machine and make sure all the measurements are right and they have this thing with coloring on you with markers. :) Then they take pictures for my file. I will do 12 total treatments. So my last treatment will be on Valentine's Day!!!

I am a member of Kaiser Permanente and up until this point all my doctors have been Kaiser doctors. As far as radiation goes I got referred out of network to Prigge Radiation which honors my Kaiser insurance. Anyway, I can't begin to tell you how happy I am with Prigge Radiation. The whole staff is wonderful to work with. They have really made this experience for me a lot less stressful. I thought I would be more nervous about tomorrow but I'm not, I feel great!!!

I really feel that I have become a much stronger person from all of this. I have met so many wonderful people during my journey with cancer. I hope that I've touched their lives like they have touched mine. Thank you!!

xoxo

Radiation

I met with the Radiation Oncologist today and I have decided to go ahead with radiation. He is going to have me do a 2 1/2 week low dose plan. I've weighed my pros and cons to radiation and the pros are on top. I know that I have been extremely adamant about not doing radiation and I think a lot of that is because I was scared. After talking to the doctor I feel much more comfortable in doing the radiation.

I have another appointment on Tuesday to undergo a simulation. The simulation is a process of measuring my anatomy and marking my skin to help direct the beams of radiation safely and exactly to the intended locations. After the simulation is complete, I will be given tiny tatoos to help align me correctly for each treatment. The tatoos are permanent but I'm being told that they are unnoticeable to most people. Hey, what's one more marking...between the scars I've gotten from all the procedures I've had during cancer, what is three little dots going to matter :)

I will keep everyone posted as to when I start and all that fun stuff. I hope everyone is doing well.

xoxo

Easter and Idaho

My mom called me this morning and reminded me that the 23rd of March is Easter. March 23rd is when I told everyone we would be having a get together at my moms. Please know that we are still going to and you are still welcome. Feel free to stop by anytime. We understand if you already have plans for Easter Sunday.

The girls are very excited about the road trip. I think Hailey is planning on packing most of her room so she can show Lily. Hailey said she's bringing her bowling ball so she can bowl with Nana and Papa. It makes me so happy that they are excited for the road trip. I'm sure after the drive up, they won't be so happy about the drive home.

I hope all is well!! No school on Monday because of Martin Luther King Jr Day. Have a good one!

xoxo

Spring Break 08

I am so excited because we are planning a trip home to Idaho. I can't wait to see all my family and friends. The next two months are going to go by so slow for me. Josh, the girls and I plan on leaving either March 20th or the 21st. The girls are supposed to have school on the 21st (Hailey's Birthday), but we may pull them out a day early because we are driving. The last time we drove that far is when we moved down to California 8 years ago and then it was Josh and I in a big ass U-Haul with no kids. (Josh's sister; Rhiannon and Taylor flew down) I will be driving home to California with just the girls. Josh will fly home on the 24th, because of work and the animals.

On March 23rd, we are planning a big get together at my mom's. Everyone is welcome!!! Not exactly sure of the time but I will keep you all posted. If you think you can make it please let me know. It is going to be a mix of celebrations....the fact that we haven't been home since Christmas of 2006, the fact that I am cancer free and Hailey's 7th Birthday, I think that is a lot of good reasons to throw a PARTY!!!

XOXO

CANCER FREE

I am so excited!! I am officially cancer free and in remission. This has been hardest thing I have ever had to do. Fighting this cancer has gotten me to my lowest. At times, I wanted to stop fighting. My mind, body and soul were drained. I want to thank all those people who supported me during this fight. I couldn't have done this without you.

I am going to get myself focused on the next chapter of my life. Between the chemo and the fact I stopped smoking, I put on some extra weight over the last 8 months. So it's now time to start living a healthy lifestyle. I am going to loose the weight. This isn't a diet to me, it is a life change that the whole family will be a part of. Having cancer has made me change my whole outlook on life. I want to live life to the fullest and I want my children to live life to the fullest.

To a long healthy life!!

xoxo

STEELE FLOORS

I AM SO EXCITED. JOSH IS OFFICIALLY A LICENSED CONTRACTOR FOR THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA (AGAIN)!!!! STEELE FLOORS IS OFFICIALLY OPEN FOR BUSINESS!

This is such a big thing for us. I am so excited that 2008 is going to be our year. Our year for things to turn around!!

I hope that everyone is doing well and is enjoying the New Year!

xoxo

Happy New Year!!!

I hope everyone had an awesome New Years!!! Ours was nice and quiet. We stayed home and watched movies.

I had chemo on 12/28 and I don't think I recovered until yesterday morning. For some reason this treatment kicked my ass and now to make things worse....Josh has strep throat. He has been in bed for 2 days and has a 10 day supply of penicillin. He seems to be feeling a little better this afternoon. It's so cute, our new kitten Stuart has been keeping him company.

The weather has been pretty crazy around here lately. On Friday, the girls and I went to get my oil changed on my Jeep. Well instead of waiting at Speedee Oil Change, we walked over to Jack in the Box. It was raining a little on the walk over but on the way back it was raining so bad that the puddles were above my ankles. We were SOAKED!!! Gotta love the rain!!!

I better get going so I can get the girls some dinner. I hope everyone is doing well and is looking forward to 2008 like I am!!

xoxo