I am done with Chemo!!!!

I am happy to report after 5 months, 16 sessions and countless hours,  I finished my last chemotherapy session this afternoon at 4:40 p.m.!!! Yay! I have not been this excited in years. To know that the worst is over and I only have radiation and one more surgery left puts a HUGE smile on my face. Normally I need to take a nap after chemo (because the drugs they give me before the chemo knocks me out) but today I can't sleep. I want to celebrate! I could not have gotten through chemo without the love and support from all my family and friends. Chemo drivers...THANK YOU so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to take me to and from chemo. You know who you are!  My advice to anyone going through chemo:  If you are fortunate enough to have the love and support of friends and family ask them to be your chemo driver.  It was so hard to go out of the house after chemo sessions because of fatigue, nausea and the fear of getting sick.  Because I had a new chemo driver every week I got to see friends I hadn't seen in a while.  Instead of dreading chemo, I looked forward to it because I knew I would get to hang out with friends and family.  I do have to give a special shout out to three people:

Chemo Session #15- October 8, 2011

Deb Bothof took me to a few chemos and stopped by my house every week to see how I was doing.

Chemo Session #15 - October 8, 2011
Lyndsey Foster signed up for my second chemo session but came to 14 sessions!

There is one thing that I learned about Deb and Lyndsey...they are caretakers and all they wanted to do is take care of me.  I never expected them to go above and beyond but that is who they are as people, kind, loving and generous....angels sent,  to get me through chemo. =)  Love you both! 

Chemo Session #15 - October 8, 2011
My mom - Doesn't she look great?!
My mom has been there for me since day one of diagnosis. 
She watched the kids when I couldn't up until she was diagnosed with
cancer.  We talk on a daily basis and she is doing fantastic!
 Maybe our twins (aka: our ta ta's) will be born in the same month?

I will have 33 radiation treatments (Monday - Friday for 6 1/2 weeks) that will start on Halloween. The side effects do not compare to chemo so it will be a breeze! These past two weeks have been busy. I am working on a business plan for my non-profit organization.  "Auntie Em's Angels" will educate cancer patients on the importance of eating healthy and exercising during and after cancer treatment. I want to create awareness for everyone to prevent cancer. What you put in your body and how you take care of yourself can and will prevent cancer from starting in the first place.

I met with Tonee Gay, Executive Director with Midlands Community Foundation and we will be partners. They take care of the accounting and some of the marketing pieces and I can focus on fundraising and creating the programs that need to be in place. Hopefully I will have the website up in the next few weeks so you can see what we are doing! =)  My friend Lyndsey Foster is going to help develop some of the programs too!  I am looking forward to my new journey and hope to help as many people as I can! =)

Here are more pics from the past couple of weeks.

My sister added to her family!
Meet Lulu, isn't she cute?
She is a maltese / yorkie

Komen Walk - with my nieces and nephews
Cullen, Avery, Sully and Addison

My sister Angie with the kids

My general surgeon was there...Dr.Grange
I was suppose to be at a breakfast the day before for cancer survivors
I missed it and Dr. Grange informed me that I won $150 Gift Certificate
to a clothing boutique...but I had to be present to win....=(
Darn it!  I shouldn't have slept in!

My friend Sasha ran while I walked around the venue.
Sasha runs for her Aunt every year who passed away from breast cancer 2 years ago.

Vala's Pumpkin patch
Paxton and Olivia

Me, Olivia and Steve

Travis, Paxton, Olivia and Michelle

Thank you to my Aunt Vicki for the new cup and nail polish!

Thank you to the nurses of Midlands Cancer Center!

MY LAST CHEMO SESSION - #16 is my new favorite number!
Lyndsey, me, Deb and Steve

Thank you to my husband Steve for taking care of me and Olivia, you do such a great job and I could not get through this without you.

Thank you to all our friends and family for your love and support - We are truly blessed!

Party for Pottebaum - Thank you Part 2

If I could pick a song for my journey through cancer this would be it.

My Mom sent this to me last week and it literally made me shed tears and
by the end I had snot dripping from my nose. 

 I am sure this is TMI (too much information) but it's true!

If I made a video for this event this is the song I would choose because

you have all shown your love for me and my family.  Thank you!

"In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said "It is more to give than to receive."

Acts 20:35

Thank you for giving to our family in our time of weakness.  We plan to pay it forward when I am fully recovered by throwing a benefit for another cancer patient in the future.

Nicki Evans, Me, Angie Ross

Angie Ross and Julianne Spatz

I have known these three ladies since freshman year in highschool.  We were on cheerleading together freshman and sophomore year.  Julianne and I lived in the same dorm our freshman year in college and hung out quite a bit all through college and attended each other's weddings.  Angie went to Wayne State but I would visit another friend of mine Tricia Pugsley who lived with Angie at the time.  Tricia was there with her husband Dan but I didn't get a photo.  Nicki, Julianne, Angie and I spent a lot of time together in high school especially practicing for competitions and camps.  Love you ladies~!

Jeff and Kathi Scherzberg

Julianne introduced me to Kathi as they were in the same sorority Kappa Alpha Theta.  They called me an honorary member because I hung out with them so much I felt like I was part of the house.  I worked with Jeff at Main Street Cafe in Lincoln.  He was a bartender and I was one of the cocktail waitresses.  I introduced Kathi and Jeff one night while working and they tied the knot a few years later. They now have a beautiful little girl named Sabrina who is only one month older then my daughter Olivia.  =)

Angie, Kathi, Me, Diana, Julianne, Nicki and Karen

I met Diana and Karen both through Julianne.  Diana is her little sister and Karen was also in Kappa Alpha Theta with her.  Whenever we had competitions Diana was always there to support us.  I got to know Karen better the summer before my final year of college.  We had back to back economics classes crammed in to 3 weeks each.  We always would get lunch afterwards at Main Street and attempt to study.  We have stayed in touch since and I live vicariously through her and her roommate Dana.  So whenever I can go out (which is not much especially now-a-days) I always call to see where they will be.  When ever I meet them her brother Andrew usually joins us.

Karen and her brother Andrew

Sasha and Matt Speiker

It would not be a party without the Speikers!  Sasha also was part of the crew that would all go out in college.  Sasha and I have remained extremely close and talk at least two or three times a week.  I have known Matt longer then I have known Sasha.  I introduced the two many years ago and they now have three beautiful children Jack, Savanna and Sofia (My God daughter)

Marcy's Friend, Matt and Marcy

Marcy was a Theta as well and we had many good times in college.  She was so kind to come the party!  It has been years since I have seen her but she is the same old Marcy.

My sister Angie, Caci and Matt Liebentritt

Watching Angie's kids for the past 2 1/2 years I have gotten to know Caci, Matt and their four children, Barret, Chloe, Carson and Wyatt. Caci tripped on her stairs outside before she came to the party and was limping the whole time. They found out her foot was broke after taking her to the hospital! =(

Jeff and Kim Phillips

They are sporting the shirts they wore for the bike ride benefit in July and for RAGBRAI.  They were so kind to drive in from Remsen to show their support.  Thanks Weasel and Kim!

More to come!

Thank You

I can't get over how generous you all have been!  Thank you to:

Brian and Emily Penke
for their generous cash
donation!  Brian and I go
way back!  Our parents went
to high school together and
many moons later Brian
and I went to high school together!

Lyndsey, Jerid, Haili and Alexa Foster
For dinner, the cookbook and company.
Thanks for checking in to see how I am
feeling and coming to my 2nd chemo
treatment.  I have written more on
Lyndsey and I growing up....coming soon!





Thank you to Betty and Bruce Bode.  We loved the chicken and rice dish and will enjoy all the soup you made for many weeks to come!  Betty you always think of everything!  Thank you for taking the time to make all the food.  Thanks for bringing it over Bruce!

Thank you Deb Bothof!  Deb brought us meat to last the entire memorial weekend.  We LOVED it!  I ate almost all the rice krispy treats which was probably a good thing...I need to gain some weight.  I love the journal you gave me...it is amazing how it relates to my own life.  Thank you!!!

Thank you to Emily Klaur and Nicki McMahon for the comfy clothes and adorable hat!  I hope we can have a play date soon!  =)

Thank you to my Aunt Linde and Uncle Terry who dropped off the best bacon!  OMG!  I LOVE it!

Ruth your enchiladas were a hit!  Steve and Olivia loved them.  I can't wait to try them later on in the week.  We have not dug in to the brownies yet, but I plan to bring them to my sister's to share with the kids. 

Thank you to Gretchen and her mom Nancy who dropped off a fruit platter, lasagna and dessert.  Gretchen just found out she is having a BOY!  James will make a wonderful big brother..he is adorable! 

Thank you to Sasha who gave me the Sex and the City movie...we need to make a date night to watch it Sushi!  =)

Thank you will never be enough and I want you to know that your kindness is helping me and my family get through this "cancer" thing so much easier. 

XOXO

Surgery Day!

Friday, April 15, 2011

6:30 AM  Steve and I arrive and check in at Midland's Hospital.

I am introduced to my nurse as she takes me back for a urine sample, wash down with surgical wipes, change in to my hospital gown, surgery tights, stockings and surgery cap.  Holy cow did I look ridiculous!  My mom and dad arrived for a last good bye and of course my dad was trying to get a picture of me.  Needless to say I won..there were NO Pictures!

I was starting to get anxious as there was a clock right in front of me and I found myself staring at the seconds.

7:15 AM
The anesthesiologist came in and asked me a LOT of questions and said I was going to be his easiest client.  I have been healthy my entire life, he laughed when I told him I never had a cavity, so there were no major concerns.

The nurses put in my IV and Dr. Grange (the general surgeon) came in to brief us before surgery.  The surgery lasts at least four hours so Dr. Montag (the cosmetic surgeon) wouldn't arrive for another hour when Dr. Grange needed her to start with her part. 

7:45 AM...now I am starting to get really nervous....only 15 minutes until surgery.

Dr. Grange is doing double mastectomy and a biopsy on my lymph nodes. If they test positive for cancer then she removes those nodes and several ones around them to make sure she removes all of the cancer.  Dr. Montag will move in after Dr. Grange and insert expanders under my breast muscle.  They look like deflated balloons and once I heal from the surgery (3-4 weeks) I will go in every week to have them filled with saline solution to help stretch my skin to my desired size. (This could take 3-6 months) I am going for a B cup this time... a gift to myself!  Once I get to a B cup then the expanders are removed in another surgery then an implant will take its place.  When it is all said and done I will look like a barbie.  Ta Ta's with no nipples and they will move with me.  Another bonus, when I am eighty my boobs will still be perky!  =)

THANK YOU Midlands Choice Insurance for my new Ta Ta's! =)

I remember one of the nurses say I probably won't remember much of the conversation because they started to administer the anesthesia.

8 AM

I remember the nurses rolling my bed past Steve and my parents going to the surgery room and then darkness....

9 AM, 10 AM, 11 AM,

12 PM (Steve said Dr. Montag came out and said everything was going fine, Dr. Grange was finishing up and should be done around 12:30 PM,

1PM.......

1:30 PM They finally got me to wake up from the anesthesia.

All I remember is seeing my mother and father-in-law and saying thank you for coming and then I was out for the rest of the day.

I don't remember this but Steve said when I woke up I was complaining of a pain in my arm. (from my port for chemo)

I am not sure when I woke up again but it was later in the evening and Steve was in a reclining chair next to me watching TV.  At this point I met my night nurse Megan who promised me to give me the much needed pain medications every 4 hours.  She brought me some water and did bring me my medications every four hours.  I had no pain. =)

Thanks to Marv and Annette my in-laws who drove all the way from Remsen, my friend Lyndsey who sat with my family and Steve while I slept, my parents who waited patiently for me to come out of surgery.  Thank you to my husband who was by my side through out today, Saturday and Sunday.

Thank you to my sister-in-laws Rebecca and Jessica who sent me pink roses.

Thank you to my Aunt Vicki and Uncle Denny who sent a bouquet of flowers.

Thank you to Ruth, Scott, Grant and Kyle who sent flowers.

Thank you to Leah, Chad and Charlie for the beautiful Tulips.

Thank you to my Aunt Linde, Uncle Terry, Leah and Chad for having cleaners come to our house.  It was spotless!

Thank you to Crystal for coming to visit me the next day, for the flowers, magazines for Steve and gift for Olivia.

Thank you Lyndsey for coming to visit me the next day.

Thank you Sasha for my get well kit! =)

Thank you Louise for my support pillows.



Thank you to my mom and sister for coming to visit me the next day.

Thank you Travis and Michelle for watching Jake and Elwood.

Thank you to my sister for watching Olivia the entire weekend.  I am sure she had a blast hanging out with her cousins.

Thank you to Dr.Grange and Dr. Montag and the staff of Midlands Hospital.  You made my stay very comfortable and helped me to get on the fast track to a complete recovery.

Introducing my God child

Today, Steve, Olivia and I joined our friends Matt and Sasha Speiker for the baptism of their third child Sofia Mae Speiker.

Me & Sofia

I have known Matt since junior high because we hung out in similiar circles of friends.  I never thought I would have been the God mother to his child! =)

I met his wife Sasha my freshman year in college at the bottom of the stairs at the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity with a few of my girl friends.  Sasha was crying because at the time she was going through a break up with her current boy friend who was in the house.  Sasha and I became instant friends and ended up living together our sophmore year in college.  Several years later a group of my high school friends were getting together at a local bar and I brought Sasha with me.  I introduced Matt and Sasha that night and Sasha (and I think Matt) fell head over heels in love!  Sasha said that night in my car she was going to marry Matt some day.  That some day came April 16, 2005 and they now have three beautiful children.  Jack, Savanna and Sofia. 

I don't remember how I met most of my friends but for some reason I remember how I met Sasha.  Isn't it ironic I met Sasha when she was down in the dumps about love and many years later I would be the one to introduce to her husband! (I am extremely proud to have introduced them they make such a great couple.)  =)

I was so honored when Sasha asked me to be the God mother especially during the worst week of my life. Sasha didn't know at the time that I was getting biopsies and ultrasounds until I told her shortly after about my diagnosis.  It certainly lifted my spirits when she asked me. 

I also find it ironic that Steve and I originally wanted to name Olivia, Sofia but decided on Olivia because my aunt had just name her new puppy Sophie.  I also said at some point during my pregnancy with Olivia it would be so cool to have a daugther with dark brown hair and blue eyes.  Now, I have a God daughter named Sofia with dark brown hair and blue eyes. =)  Another prayer answered.  Thanks God.  Thanks Matt and Sasha =)

Matt, Sasha and Sofia

Olivia, Me and Savanna

Trevor (the God father), Sofia and Matt

Me & Colin
Colin was in town from Minnesota.  He is a friend of mine
from high school.  He is really good friend of Matt & Sasha too!

Olivia and Savanna - in their cute little dresses...
Sasha and I were remembering back to the days when we got
all dolled up to go out...I see trouble in the future with these two! =)

Sasha, Sofia and Me

Please say some extra prayers for Sasha's family.  Sasha lost an aunt (her mother's sister) to breast cancer almost two years ago.

Party #3 - American Cancer Society Relay for Life / BAR HOP



Sasha and I drove down to Lincoln for the American Cancer Society- Relay for Life.
We talked the whole way down about our college years spent in Lincoln and how much FUN it was!



My friend Emily, her sister Lauren and my cousin Leah surprised me with T-shirts.

Back: Lauren, Tiff, Sasha, Me, Angie, Leah, Emily
Front: Emily, Kathi, Julianne

Julianne and I have known each other since highschool.
We were on cheerleading and lived in the same dorms
our freshman year in college.  I met Kathi through Julianne,
they were soriorty sisters in Kappa Alpha Theta.

Lauren is Emily's sister so I have known Lauren since college.
Lauren brought her friend Tiff and Teresa who I have met a couple of times.

My cousin Leah brought her friend Emily who is the biggest sweetheart.

Angie is my sister....so she pretty much knows me inside and out!

Kathi was the mastermind behind this whole relay team STORM.
Kathi was also walking for her boss who passed away from kidney cancer
last year and for Hannah Huckfeldt.  You can read more about her in my
Auntie Em Prays section.  Please PRAY for Hannah and her family
as they are spending their last days with her and she is only 5 years old.
THANK YOU KATHI!

THANK YOU all so much for coming down!

Me and Andrea!
(Thank you for sharing your story with me.)

Andrea and I reminised about a fantastic St. Patrick's Day
weekend in Kansas City.  Andrea had just moved down
to KC sooo Kelli, Karen and I joined her for the festivities.
SOOO much FUN!

Sasha, Dana, me and Karen

Emily and Leah



  

My Econ / bar buddies! 
Kelli, Karen and I started hanging out more during a summer economics class. 
The only thing that got us through,  was our daily run to
Main Street Cafe after class to get sandwiches and BEER!

CHEERS!

If I had never met Kelli or Karen I would not have met

my husband Steve.  I met Steve the night of Kelli's birthday

party at The Bar November 21, 2003.  I didn't want to go out but

Karen talked me in to going to Lincoln for Kelli's birthday party.

I left around midnight to meet my cousin Leah at The Rail

which is where I met Steve in line.

THANK YOU Leah for suggesting The Rail. 

THANK YOU - Karen, for driving me down to Kelli's party.

THANK YOU -  Kelli, for your birthday party in Lincoln!! =)

Dana and Me
I will be hounding you Dana until you get some BALLS!!!! ;)

They lit candles for cancer survivors and those who had passed away from cancer.

I AM A SURVIVOR!   SUCK IT CANCER!