Happy Thanksgiving

We had a blessed Thanksgiving with so many of our family present...I think 35, but every time I recount I get a different number. We sure missed those that were not there, the Yetter family in NY and Ashley McComb in AR.

Now, for the Thanksgiving photo album. If I am missing any of the 35, please understand. They were probably outside! I stayed in the warm house most of the day. It was a blustery day in Texas, with sleet and then later, the most beautiful snow!! It did not stick at all, but it made for an amazing, pretty drive home that night.

Aunt Pam and baby Jace!


Katelyn and cousin Corbin


Aunt Diane and Grandma


Cousin Jeremy and Grandpa


Shawn and his girlfriend Janalee (sp?)


Jake and my brother Garett trying to pose like manly men!


Garett and Jess


Katelyn and my mom, Judy


Jace and Jess


Aunt Diane and her daughter (my cousin) Mandy


Aunt Sandy with Katelyn and cousins Carter and Kaylee


Grandpa gave all the little girls a bear they loved: Kaylee, Jadyn, Bryn and Kacey (sp?) Kacey is Janalee's little girl.


Uncle Mike and my cousin Molly


Molly's boyfriend Billy and baby Aiden!



My sister Hope and baby Ella!



Yesterday was Black Friday, where crazy people wake up to get a must have purchase for Christmas. I was one of the crazies in line with my family to get a Nintendo Wii. It was actually a lot of fun to be with my mom, and aunts: Sandy, Jacque, and Diane. Then, they all headed to Target and Wal-Mart for great deals. I headed to Dallas with some friends to the Galleria and the American Girl store. The girls are asking Santa for American Girl dolls and I went to check them out for him. I got a lot checked off my list already! Those of you who already have your Christmas shopping already done, go ahead and do not mention that little fact to me!! Here is a picture of our shopping adventure. It is dark because it is 5:30 AM!! Did I mention it was cold?



We have put up most of our Christmas decorations. I will post a picture one day soon. As we are getting out various things, Bryn pulled out the angel that goes on the top of our tree. She said, "That is a beautiful fairy!" We all smiled and told her that was an angel. Then later, she was trying to get the angel for the nativity out of the styrofoam package and she said while pulling and prying, "This silly fairy is stuck!" We smiled again, and helped her with the angel. I guess her fairy dress up outfit looks like our angel decorations. I look forward to telling Bryn again of the Christmas story, including the angel!

--Luke 2:10-11 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

Tomorrow is a tradition at our church. Each Sunday after Thanksgiving, we have a Thanksgiving service, where people stand up and share with the whole church what God has done this year in our lives and what we are thankful for. It is a blessing to me to hear about some amazing things God has done in the lives of so many, including us!

In case I do not post tomorrow, I have a set of scans Monday to determine if this hard chemo is working. Please pray for clear results and treatment plan for the coming months. I have chemo next on Monday the 3rd, so I might not have results until I see my doctor on that day.

I am so thankful for all of you!

Weekend learning

I had a great trip to Houston last weekend. I learned so much from others that have a similar diagnosis, and also from the leading doctors at MD Anderson.

My favorite part, though, was meeting several wonderful young women (30's) that are living with Stage IV cancer, raising children, making it through the yucky days, loving the good days... just like me. They came from all over, New York, Florida, Missouri, Virginia... I was shocked that the five or so women I grew close to ALL were diagnosed at stage IV. That is so sad to me. I guess logically, we did not have mammograms or have any awareness/prevention at all, so we all caught ours so late.

Most had been on the same drugs I have, similar surgery, go through the same tests. It is neat to meet people that live so far away, yet are so similarly treated. It gives me confidence in my treatment. It also is amazing to share something with women that know exactly what I am talking about. My family and friends can empathize, but only someone who has been there can fully know what I feel.

I now realize that I am missing out by not being in a support group here at home. I am actively looking for a young women's group here. I am also looking for one for the girls too. One woman I met said after her daughter went to a support group for kids, she came out saying to her mom, "That mommy has cancer, and that mommy does not have hair too!" They were so excited to meet a mom that was just like theirs, and they did not feel so different anymore.

I learned a lot about new treatments just around the corner. I understand various therapies better. I now understand all about stem cells and why they and cancer stem cells are so important. I heard over and over how targeted therapy is the future of medicine and how they can learn to target specific cancer cells and develop drugs just for them. I learned about new and different tests I will ask for. I learned how stage IV cancer is effectively treated as a chronic illness instead of a terminal one. And much more. I filled a tablet with information, and I am gearing up for a longer visit with my oncologist at my next appointment!

I know a lot of people were wondering why I went alone. First of all, most all of the women were alone at the conference. Some brought daughters or husbands, but they were in the minority. It was a good time for me. I am rarely alone and it was a good opportunity for some quiet time. Also, I so treasured my time talking with other cancer survivors that I think that would have been more limited or different with a non-patient there. I promise, I wrote down all the information I needed, and asked several questions. Also, the conference was recorded and will be available for streaming online soon.

It was such a blessing, I am already looking for another event! I think I found one through the Young Survivors Coalition in Florida in February.

In Houston!

Hi all! I did get the opportunity to go to Houston this weekend for a metastatic breast cancer conference. I got in this afternoon, via a Southwest Airlines buddy pass from my dad! It was easy to maneuver the airports and I got to my hotel just fine.

One little God note. I was in the Houston restroom and before I entered, I recalled that I had my driver's license in my pocket from boarding the plane in Dallas. I did not put my hand in my pocket, I just thought to myself that it was there. After I used the restroom, and washed my hands, I put my hand in my pocket. My license was not there. I stepped into the bathroom stall I was just in and looked down...on the floor was my license. It was a weird feeling, because in a way, I knew it was not on my seat on the plane, or back in Dallas. I knew it was right there! I am sure it would not have been fun getting home without it...actually impossible via plane. So, I thanked my amazing God for watching after me as I am away from home!

Okay, so now I am safe in my hotel room, which is steps from MD Anderson where the conference will take place. Earlier, I took the Metro Rail up and down (as far as it went) just to see what was around my hotel, and I ate a yummy Italian dinner. I think tomorrow I will try the indoor pool at the hotel. As I re-read this, it sounds like I am going to have a lot alone time. I will, but I will also be at the conference ALL day tomorrow (from 9:30-7:00!), and most of the day Sunday. I am so excited to learn some new things, and as Jake says, meet some people like me!

More to come later :)
Jess

Fun visit

We had a fun weekend with my dad, in from Oregon. We were busy right away with Jadyn’s 6th birthday party. We had it at an indoor swimming pool. We had a great time! Jadyn and her friends loved the huge slide. If you were under 48”, you had to go down with an adult. For almost 1 and ½ hours, Jake was the designated adult going up the huge staircase and down the fun slide. Most of my family was able to attend as well. I am so grateful for so many great friends and family close by!



We spent all Saturday at soccer games and the school carnival. Jadyn played the cake walk a dozen times until she finally won with her aunt Diane and aunt Pam! A cake walk is where you walk around in a circle to music; when the music stops you stand on a number. If they pull your number from the hat, you win the prize--a cake! We got to stay until the end and attend the live auction and then watch a show from Nana Puddin’(a children’s ventriloquist show). We won a Boles basket in the auction (Boles is the school Katelyn attends) and my aunt Jacque won a plate for me that has all Jadyn's kindergarten class thumbprints on a Christmas platter. Thank you!!

I think this visit with my dad could be titled the Bryn visit. She did not take anytime to warm up to dad and right away wanted him to sit in the back seat with her all the time. He went along with this most of the time!



Sunday, we has a beautiful day. We had a picnic at the park, and went to a late movie as a family before my dad had to head back home. At the park we were at, Bryn wanted her picture taken with every statue in the park. There were so many statues, that I was thankful I had a digital camera! Bryn used to be the one who did not like her picture taken. That day, she was like a little model!





Today, Bryn had a Pow Wow at her school. A ll the four year old classes met for the parents that included singing and dancing in true pow wow fashion. Each child got to pick an Indian name. Bryn picked "Sunflower".



My sister Hope came to see Bryn's show with Ella. We ate lunch afterward, and here is a precious picture of little Ella sitting up so tall in the highchair.



I have my third round of chemo tomorrow. I am so thankful for such a great second round. I am planning on keeping things the same where I go in for fluids Monday and Tuesday. I think I will get scans in the coming weeks to see if this chemo mix is effective. I also have a great opportunity to go to a conference in Houston at MD Anderson in a few weeks that will focus on stage IV metastatic breast cancer. I think it will be a great time in finding out new treatments and means of dealing with my current prognosis and symptoms. It is a packed two days, but I know I will learn a lot.

Happy Halloween!

Jadyn had two costumes for Halloween. It is a tradition for all Kindergartners to dress up like scarecrows to end the fall unit at school. Jadyn was a darling scarecrow.



She was a bunny later at home! I loved that she wanted to be an animal. When she was listing off ideas of what to be a few weeks ago, I stopped her quickly at bunny and told her I thought she would make the cutest bunny ever---she did! Bryn fell in love with this High School Musical cheerleader costume when we saw it at the store. She has worn it several times already. I know we will get a lot of dress-up use out of this costume. She was so cute too! She wanted me to always say she was a "High School Musical" cheerleader. Whenever I just said, cheerleader, she corrected me! Katelyn was a HSM cheerleader for the Wood 6th grade play last spring, so I think she wanted to be just like her big sister.



Katelyn was PiPi Longstalking for a party last weekend, but tonight, she wanted to be a cowgirl with several girlfriends. I will have to get her photo posted later! She was very pretty in both costumes. I am so glad she still wants to dress up (and it is not to scare people). I just love all her friends too that she went around with tonight! They are a great group.

We went over to my grandmother's house for dinner and trick-or-treating with my cousins. It is now a tradition as we went last year as well.



My aunt Jacque wins the prize for dressing up too. I told her if I took her picture, I would blog it, so here it is! I think she is adorable!!



Here is a close up of baby Ella Grace Pavel, she is a fish. Isn't she so beautiful!



The kids did great this year. We were laughing because we gave them dozens of rules and we were standing right next to them the entire time. Jacque and Sandy were laughing because they said they always went out by themselves and had no rules!! One of the rules was standing in line in the street, followed by taking turns ringing the door bell, waiting until the whole group got to the door before ringing it, saying thank you, saying trick or treat, smiling...it took a good while to get started due to the extended list!! (By the way, they did not look like this the entire time. But it appears they followed each of our rules from this picture!)



They received a lot of candy!! Bryn and Jadyn later examined each piece. I remember doing that when I was little with my sister and brother, Hope and Garett. We would dump all our candy out for days and make trades. I think I was on the wining end of most of the trading as they were 7 years younger! I think I would offer one smartie for 2 snickers:)





Today was filled with moments that I said, "Thank you God, for this moment!" I hope yours was too!

Take care,
Jess

3Day and Birthday

This weekend was the breast cancer 3 day walk. This is a 60 mile, 3 day walk benefiting the Susan G. Komen foundation that (I learned yeaserday) has funneled almost one billion dollars into research for a cure for breast cancer. That number is staggering!!

My mom had raised her money (over $3,000!) and was ready and training to walk the race this weekend. Then, last week she broke her foot!! Not a sprain, but a clean break! She was put in a boot and told not to walk. So, when she told our family, Jacque felt like she should walk for mom in her place. Sandy was able to join Jacque in walking too. They had both not trained at all, but felt like they were called to take up where my mom left off in racing for the cure! They did it!!! Mom served as their cheaufer this weekend and was their cheering buddy. I was able to go to a couple cheering stations also and attend the closing ceremonies. It was so emotional. First of all, my bald head let everyone know I was a cancer survivor. I did not realize how that would mean a lot to the people walking, but it did. So many people came up to me to touch my hand, or offer a hug and say that they were walking for me. What an amazing feeling. Also, the closing ceremony had everyone march in together. I was able to watch my aunt Sandy, Jacque and my friend Kara walk in. I saw my other friend walking, Missy, at the opening ceremony, but she did not see me because she had earmuffs on as it was SO cold at the morning of the first day! The breast cancer survivors were last to come in at the closing ceremony. It was very touching to see them, with such courage, walking hand in had to the stage. I also thought of all the women who were there walking for people who had lost their battle to cancer. Thank you to everyone who walked, fundraised, supported, cheered, and a special thank you to the people who bandaged my aunt Sandy's toes in which two nails are about to fall off!

Here are a few photos of the event. These first two are taken when we arrived at opening ceremonies on the first day. It looks like night, but it is really just very early! They got on early start each day.





Here is my mom at a cheering station on this beautiful weekend.



Jacque and Sandy after the first 6 miles.



And on the second day, still smiling, even after 35 miles.



I am not certain, but I think that Jacque and Sandy are wearing the same pants, but on Jacque they are shorts and Sandy, pants!




And, then again on the last day after closing ceremony and over 60 miles in just 3 days. WOW!



Bryn was able to come along with me to cheer on the walkers. She had a lot of fun. When we got home she said, "Mom, tell Jadyn all about our trip!"



Bryn made a poster to hold up for her favorite walkers!



Jadyn came home from school Friday and was not feeling well. She had a high fever Friday night and into Sunday so I took her to a weekend clinic. It turns out she has bronchitis. Poor thing! Today is her sixth birthday and she had to stay home. Fortunately, she is feeling better today so she was not completely miserable. One of the highlights of the day was when her kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Maurer called our house and had the entire class sing "Happy Birthday" to a smiling birthday girl! We are blessed with a compassionate, fabulous teacher. Who does that!!?? Jadyn is such a blessing to me. She is soft-spoken and kind. She is a good friend to so many people. I love that she tries hard not to leave anyone out. I have fun watching her play soccer and gymnastics. She hardly crosses the room without flipping a cartwheel. When she was born, we were all thrilled. I remember Katelyn being afraid to hold her at first. When I finally made her when she was just two days old, she did not want to let her go! I am a bit sad that she is growing up so fast. Now she has to use two hands to show how old she is! I would post a baby picture, but I did not have a digital camera then. I'll find an old one...

2nd round

I had my second round of chemo on Friday. I was pretty sick Saturday night and into Sunday. I worked out with Dr. Haley to get IV fluids this week to try to stay ahead of the curve. So, I went in for most of the day Monday and Tuesday. This helped a great deal!! By Wednesday, I was keeping food down and was not too nauseous. Here we are on Thursday, and I can't believe I feel this good. I am not 100%, but I had such bleak expectations due to the first round's miserable failure! My throat feels good and I am eating more solid foods with ease. And now, I have two more weeks until I have my 3rd round! Yea!! I have decided to ask if I can move my chemo date to Monday, so I can get fluids Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Maybe then, I will not miss a beat. Wouldn't that be something!

Recently, we went out to a pumpkin farm for Evelyn's birthday party. She and Bryn will both enter kindergarten next year at the same school (we hope!). Evelyn is pictured with Bryn in the last picture. They had a blast!












Last year, our family came out to this same pumpkin patch with my brother Alex who lives in northern California. I can't believe it has been a year already. Here is a picture from a year ago! You can date it a little from my hair:)



We all finished our first six weeks of the school year. Katelyn made all A's on her first report card of junior high. Jadyn got to go to her first Koalaty Assembly as a kindergartener. Aunt Sandy gave the motivational message of obeying your parents. I liked this assembly! Below is a picture with Jadyn and Bryn at the assembly. Bryn is itching to be with Jadyn at Wood. One more year! I will miss these all too frequent pictures of my aunt Sandy with the girls at school as she starts her new job and new school in a few months.





This past weekend, we attended the annual pumpkin carving party of some friends of ours. Our pumpkins did not win, but we were proud none the less. Bryn and Jadyn contributed a lot to this kitty-carving this year!



Katelyn participated in her schools haunted house this year. It is sponsored by BAD (Bulldogs Against Drugs). Her group did a room in the haunted house that could be titled the Crypt Memorial Hospital. Katelyn played the role of a surgeon. She got to work on the body of her cousin Corbin. They had a lot of fun, but I was pretty happy to have the make-up off and see my beautiful Katie again! Scary!





My mom won a teaching award that I mentioned in a previous blog. One of her rewards was getting the use of a Hummer for a week. She is all smiles in this big mac truck! I am so proud of her...she really is the best reading teacher ever! I got to drive it today to drop the kids off at school and pick them up. They thought they were celebrities. My cousin Kaylee called it a Hummer-zine! We all had fun. I would definitely consider it as a third vehicle except
a) it does not fit in my garage,
b) it costs $40 to fill it just half way up which lasts appoximitely 2 hours, and
c) it's payment would be three times my current mortgage.

But, it was a lot of fun to drive for a day! Below is my mom in her H2. By the time I stood far enough back to get the entire car in the photo, my mom is a little blurry!



Take care,
Jess