God is AMAZNG!!!

The ups and downs in life….one day we’re all happy and healthy and the next – heartbreak.

On May 25, 2007 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Then on May 29, 2007 I had the PET/CT scan to see if the cancer had spread. The results came back immediately indicating it had. I have Stage IV Breast Cancer - Breast Metastasis – which means, it has traveled to other organs, 5 spots in my liver and 1 spot on my 3rd spinal bone. I started chemotherapy treatments right away.

When it rains it pours – on July 18th I went to see the doctor because I was having horrible sinus problems and migraines. So he sent me over to Mercy Hospital for a MRI of my head. I learned I have massive nasal sinus disease, as well 2 more spots of breast cancer on my brain (cerebellum). Talk about another kick in the shin. I was devastated.

I just kept praying to God and asking him to give me strength and hope. And He spoke to me. On Monday, July 30th I had my second PET/CT scan to see how my chemotherapy had been working. My scan revealed the intensity of my breast has dropped significantly (about 50%) and the 5 spots in my liver are “barely visible” anymore and the one spot in my bone on my spine, there is no evidence it was there! So excellent news!!! I was so excited and tears of joy were streaming down my face!

Chemotherapy will not treat tumors on your brain, so on August 14th I had the targeted radiation treatment done at the University of Iowa Hospital. We were there all day and they did 32 different radiation treatments on me, but I am now done with that! The success rate of that type of treatment is 80% so I am feeling very good and confident. I will go back to them in 3 months to have another MRI to make sure everything is okay.

But I’ll tell you, over the past 4 months my emotions have been running. I am so glad I have the strength of the Lord with me. Along with many others – family, friends, co-workers, church members, neighbors and even strangers! I feel as though I’ve been given another chance. I asked God directly for my 4th miracle and I know he has blessed me with it. I still have a long way ahead and will be on some form of treatment for the rest of my life, but I am living the life and I am loving the life!

Thank you to everyone for your support and continued prayers for our family.

Swimming at Grandma and Grandpas

Using Walking Toys

As I've said before, the babies love playing and riding on their walking toys. They can each get on them themselves. And they love pushing eachother around on them. (Ava, Skyler - gray, Connor - yellow).

13 months old

So it’s been a while since I’ve posted an update on what everyone is doing…so here goes… All three babies are very active these days. They know they can get around the fastest by crawling, although each will walk with a walker toy. They boys do really well with the walker toys, but little Miss Ava is stiff legged yet. I keep saying it’s only a matter of time before the boys take off on their own. They enjoy the freedom of the house (since we have an open floor plan) and they enjoy exploring. If they see we’ve left a bedroom door open they are very quick to get in there. And when they see you are coming after them they pick up speed and go even faster and laugh. They love getting into the kitchen cupboards and drawers. Just last week Ava crawled into the bottom of the lazy susan while the boys pulled canned goods off the top shelf. As soon as you open the refrigerator they are crawling inside pulling out all the condiments and trying to climb the shelves. They’re eating mostly all table food now. If we have something spicy or something that might upset their stomach we will give them some jar food, but for the most part it’s all adult food. Recently we’ve noticed that once they get something they really like – they won’t take anything else. So we have to feed them the main dish and veggies and stuff like that before they get their cookies, etc. They are smart little cookies! Brian and I are so happy with our little family. Neither of us can imagine life without them. They are so much fun and bring so many smiles to our faces. We are truly blessed.