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!

Chemo #10 / Thank you-Party for Pottebaum Part 3

Today, my good friend Crystal was going to take me to chemotherapy.  Unfortunately she was unable to come, as her mother Vickie passed away unexpectedly a week ago from today.  Vickie was a wonderful person to be around.  I remember going to their house all the time in high school and always feeling welcome.  Vickie always took the time to sit with us to chit chat about life, school and of course boys!  She always had a smile on her face and laughed all the time.  Please keep Crystal and her family in your prayers to get through this difficult time. 

Vickie Lynn Hayden

Age 58, June 20, 1953- Aug 25, 2011

Omaha. Preceded in death by parents, Frank and Mary Cunningham; and brother, Charles "Butch" Cunningham. Survived by children, Michelle Hayden, Crystal (Brendan) Crowley, Nicholas (Janie) Hayden; 5 grandchildren; and friends.

MEMORIAL GATHERING Tuesday, August 30, 6-8pm at Braman Mortuary, 72nd St. Chapel. Private Inurnment. Memorials can be directed to the American Cancer Society . Visit http://www.bramanmortuary.com/ to leave a condolence.

BRAMAN MORTUARY - 72nd St. Chapel
1702 N. 72nd St. 402-391-2171

My mother was so kind to step in and take me instead.  I can't thank my mother enough for all of her love, compassion and help she has given to me through cancer treatment and my life in general.  I talk to her at least once a day because I value her opinion and advice.  I am not sure what I would do without her which is why I am so sad for Crystal and her family.  She was so close to her mother like me and not to have my mother in my life would leave a huge hole in my heart.  My heart aches for all of them as I know they will miss her so much.

Me and my Mom

Thank you for our new necklaces Heather!

I asked my mom to take a picture of me and Lyndsey....

let's just say she needs a little instruction on how to take pictures.

She had the camera facing the wrong way ...this is me making fun of her =)

Love you Momma!

Me and my friend Lyndsey

She stops by when she is out and about during the week day.

I always look forward to seeing her face every Thursday.

God works in mysterious ways and He takes our loved ones unexpectedly on his terms for a reason.  I do believe that Vickie is smiling and laughing from Heaven and will act as a guardian angel for her family until it is time for them to reunite again.

As for my mother she will start her journey next week.  Her surgery is scheduled for Wednesday, September 7th at 8 a.m. in the morning.  Dr. Reilly the general surgeon will perform a double mastectomy while Dr. Montag will do the reconstruction at Methodist Hospital.  The surgery should take 4-5 hours.  Please pray the surgery is successful in removing the cancer forever and for a speedy recovery.

Love you Mom!

Thank you to my Aunt Vicky (who ironically shares the same birthday and name (Vicki Lynn) as Crystal's mother) for the Chicken Soup for the Soul CD's.  I listen to them whenever I am in my car and I am learning more then ever God has his hand in everything we do.

Thank you to my mother and father's friends.  I have had the wonderful opportunity to get to know you and your children.  You have all been so supportive and constant cheerleaders not only for me but for my mother and our entire family.  Thank you for your friendship and love. =)

My mom, Sister Angie, Barb Panzer

My Uncle Terry, Sister Angie and Dad



 
 Joan and John Allen

Jayne and Bill Westering, John Allen, Me, Alex Wolf and Tom Wolf

 

Emily Westering and Me

Tom Wolf and Betty Bode

Molly Hunter with her newest addition Lainey!

Congratulations to you and Mark!

Nancy and Joe Pawlowski

Pam and Terry Penke

Rosy Conrad and Ron Brown

Jan Brown and Nicole Harrington

Nicole and Ben Harrington

I didn't get a picture of Katy Bode and her mom Deanna Wolf

So I took this pic from her facebook page.  Halloween a year ago.

John Bode and Matt Jetter

John and Katy just added to their family!  Welcome to the world Kate Jane Bode!

Betty Bode, Me and Shannon Butler

Sue Peterson, My mom, Betty Bode

Bruce Bode, Alex and Angela Wolf

Bill and Amy Westering

Tom Wolf, Bob Peterson and Bruce Bode

Carol Long and Nancy Pawlowski

John and Lynn Lohse

Not Pictured:

Linde Ringling

Jerry and Mary Anne Grace

Butch and Carol Long

Rosy and Wally Conrad

Mary Jo and Bill Ellis

Barb and Jim O'Brien

Pam Sloan

Butch and Allyn Harper

Matt and Jen Fehringer

 MORE to COME!

My 21st Birthday was much worse...Chemotherapy will be a breeze!

Sunday May 15, 2011

Our good friends Michelle and Travis baptized their son Paxton!
Olivia had to get in the photo...she thinks Travis is her boyfriend.

The week before my first chemotherapy session I wanted life to be back to normal as possible.  Avery and Addison have their dance recital on June 4th but had rehearsals this week.  Don't they look so cute?

Addison and Avery with the Auntie Em special
HAIR and MAKE UP!

Olivia wore her Dora ballerina outfit..she thinks she is going
to be in the dance recital ....to bad she will have to wait 2 more years. :)



Here are all the little munchkins!

Thursday May 19, 2011
1:45 p.m.
Midwest Cancer Center

Me and Steve

Steve took me to my first chemo treatment.  We met with my nurse navigator Nicole and Dr. Thome.  Then I was introduced to my nurses Ethel and Darcy.  Loved Them! They explained everything that was going in to my body and what effects it will have on me.

I watched Oprah and ironically it was about a mother who passed away from breast cancer.  She made hundreds of video tapes for her daughter to watch over the course of her life.  Ethel started tearing up and said "This will not be you!"  Duh!  I know that!  =)  Ethel is such a sweetheart.

After my first treatment I stopped off on Lillian street to say hello to some friends.

Nicki and Brea!

Brea - Thank you for my new plant!  It is out on my deck blooming beautifully! =)

I was expecting to relive the day after my 21st birthday after my first chemo treatment.  If you were with me that night I had a fantastic time but when midnight hit, so did my head...directly on to the table.  My friends hauled me off to go back home to recover.  Let's just say the next four days after my 21st birthday SUCKED.  I was hugging the porcelain God (aka toilet)  and could barely lift my head.

I did not experience anything close to my 21st birthday after my first chemotherapy treatment.  A little nausea and fatigue.  I have definitely felt worse....so I will get through my chemo treatments.  Ironically, today is my Birthday and I feel much better then I did on my 21st birthday. The only things that are sitting well with me are yogurt, cottage cheese, eggs, Chocolate Ensure, BLT's, frozen fruit sticks and apple juice.

Thank you to:

my husband Steve who took care of me and Olivia all weekend.  Steve has been there with me since the beginning and reminds me daily he will be there with me to the end.  Steve has been doing both our jobs and I have never once heard him complain.  It is extremely hard, but I try to model myself after Steve on a daily basis..he makes me want to be a better person.  I LOVE YOU MORE THEN WORDS CAN SAY! =)

my mother and father for helping out with the kids and my birthday present.  Mom, Thank you will never be enough for all the time you have generously donated to taking care of the kids.  Dad, Thank you for being the designated driver to and from events.  I LOVE YOU!!!

my aunt Patty for another generous cash donation...THANK YOU!

my mother and father-in-law for my birthday gift.

My God mother Linda and her husband Wendell Quist for the Carrabba's gift card.

Bruce and Betty Bode for the fabulous meals!  We all LOVED your spaghetti with meatballs.  It was so good our friend Travis joined us for dinner.

Dancing after dinner!

Kathi and Sabrina Scherzberg for the chicken casserole.  Steve loved it!  I didn't try it...only to save my stomach.  I had to stick to the Sierra Mist you brought.;)  It was nice meeting Sabrina. We need to get the girls together for a play date this summer.

Emily Gardels for the Pink Flamingo...(see below)

 

Ikaika is in Hawaii right now with Emily (Gardels) and her boyfriend Nick.

This is Ikaika the breast cancer flamingo. I found her in the dollar section at Target:) and thought it would be fun to send her around the country to different friends. I thought it would be something fun to do while Emily is going through treatment, so she knows we are all thinking about her! So, if Ikaika comes to you please take her out and do something fun with her. Take pictures, send them to Em or post them and then send Ikaika along to Emily's other friends and family. I chose the name Ikaika because it means Strength in Hawaiian. Love you EM!!!

How Fun!  Thanks Emily!  I can't wait to take Ikaika on a trip with me once I am done with my treatments.

Crystal - for bringing over chemo friendly food.  Love the rice with chicken broth. 

My aunt Patty and aunt Vicky for the lovely flowers

Ruth for the beautiful flowers for my birthday and my favorite cookies!

My aunt Linde and uncle Terry for the Barnes and Noble gift card and the chicken noodle soup. It is in the freezer ready for chemo #2.

Sasha for the adorable picture of me and my God daughter.

My cousin Leah, Chad and Charlie for the beautiful bracelet from the Chocolate Peacock.

Leah and I have celebrated our birthdays together since I was three years old.  Leah's birthday is May 22nd and mine is the 23rd.  Leah had a birthday party this weekend I had to miss.  Next year we will celebrate all night!  I would also like to congratulate Leah, Chad and Charlie as they will be adding to their family in November.  Yay!  Something else for me to look forward to!

LOVE YOU!