My Mom's Final Surgery is Scheduled / More Updates

It has been over a month since my last post.  I have been extremely busy and haven't found time to write.  My mom's final surgery is scheduled for January 30th.  She will have the expanders taken out and the implants will go in their place.  The first set of twins will be here before the end of the month! =) 

I have been celebrating since my final treatment.  Steve, Olivia and I celebrated on the 19th of December (my final treatment day) with my parents and our good friends, Travis, Michelle and their son Paxton.  I had so much adrenaline because I was so excited to be done.  We went to dinner at Mi Mi's Cafe and I had my first glass of wine since March.  I only had a few sips as it didn't taste that good to me but I still got to do a toast to ending my cancer treatment journey.

Back: Travis holding Paxton, Michelle, Me, Steve
Front: Olivia, My dad and mom

I spent some time with friends,

My friend Megan with Olivia
We try to go to lunch every other week.

Our friends, Jerid, Lyndsey, Haili and Lexi came over 2 days before Christmas.
We played ate dinner and played games all night...Wii Bowling was a hit!
Here is a picture of Olivia and Haili.


Getting Ready to celebrate Christmas at Papa's shed

My cousin Leah with her Grandma Laura and her daughter Leona.

Aunt Linde with baby Leona 

Surprise!  Mr. and Mrs. Claus paid us a visit!

Reading Christmas Stories

 Chad getting it all on video!

                                                                          Uncle Terry

                                                                Papa with Santa

                                                             Charlie with Santa

                                                All the kids with Mr and Mrs Claus

We spent Christmas Eve with my parents:

                                            Olivia opening a present from Nana and Papa

Papa just finished reading T'was the Night Before Christmas

                                                         Nana and Olivia

Christmas Morning we opened presents from Santa and headed to Remsen to spend Christmas with the Pottebaums!

I had quite a few more photos to post but my computer is so slow it would take me all day to upload.  =)

Steve and I spent New Year's Eve celebrating our 6 year wedding anniversary with very good friends.

I had my first event for the charity I started Auntie Em's Angels.  (http://www.auntieemsangels.com/) We raised over $6,000 from our first event and helped Brea Nelson and her family to help pay her medical bills.  Thank you to Brea who had a hand in catching my cancer before it reached stage 4 and which helped catch my mother's cancer before it spread to her lymph nodes.

I find out in March when I have my final surgery and will have body scans in February to keep a close watch to see if the chemo and radiation helped in fighting my cancer.

I can't thank you all for all your love and support...it has helped me continue to be strong, positive and to pay it forward to help other cancer patients in need. 

Party for Pottebaum / Thank you for your donation!

So many more thank you's I need to acknowledge.  Thank you so much for your generous cash donations!

Justin and Amanda Albright
John and Joan Allen
Diana Anderson
Pete and Kaye Bataillon
B.J. and Colleen Ballard
Ron and Jan Brown
Ardean and Julie Buller
Dave and Shannon Butler
Will and Jennifer Champion
Derek Clark and Gina DePaul
Rosy Conrad
Joe and Sharon Cooney
Tyler and Rachel Cotton
MJ Doll
Don and Darlene Frank
Emily Gardels and Nick
Allyn and Butch Harper
Tim and Traci Harrison
Kevin and Denise Havlovic
.....CONT...

Steve, Olivia and I can't say thank you enough for your generosity and kindness.  We are putting all the money raised to suppliment my income until I go back to work and all my medical expenses.

I'm Done!!! (with treatments)

After 33 treatments of radiation I am finished with all my cancer treatments! My spirits have been up, then down and now they are back up.  I have learned that when going through cancer treatment I had to get rid of all the toxins in my life.  In my case, it was one person I was surrounding myself with on a daily basis.  I know that now more then ever in order to be a cancer survivor I need only positive people in my life.  It took only this one negative person to suck the life out of me and no joke I could feel the pain in my body.  To snap out of my funk I decided to re-read my blog to remember all the good things that have happened this year.  I learned from myself and from all of you that I should only focus on the positive things in life and to distance myself from all negativity moving forward. 

How wonderful this year has been!  You have been there with me and my family from the beginning and we are extremely blessed with your love, friendship, gifts and donations to help get us through.  Today, I started to tear up on my drive to my treatment because I got my strength to fight my long battle from all of you.  Your encouraging words and prayers has helped more then you will ever know.  I hope in 5, 10, 15 plus years I can say that I am cancer free!  Olivia and I made a wish at the water fall at Midwest Cancer Center that I and nana (my mom) will be cancer free forever.

Olivia getting ready to make a wish!

My mother had her surgery to have her ovaries taken out two weeks ago from today.  This was to prevent ovarian cancer in the future.  She is recovering well and she came out with me today for lunch to celebrate.  Thank you for all that you do mom!  Love you!

As for me...I will have follow up appointments and body scans on a monthly basis.  My final surgery to get my implants for my ta ta's will be in 2-3 months.  My right hand is slowly healing but my index and middle fingers are still numb.  The burns from radiation are visible and will get worse in the next week or two.  The good news...my hair is coming back in and it is black!  My eyelashes and eyebrows are coming in and they are thick!

I want to do a few shout outs!

Steve and I went back to his home town of Remsen to celebrate his grandma's 100th birthday over the Thanksgiving holiday.  Her actual birthday was yesterday.  Happy Birthday Verena!

Congratulations to my cousin Leah and her husband Chad.  They had their baby girl Leona Lea on November 28th! 

Isn't she adorable?

I think I am going to have my first glass of wine in over 9 months and celebrate tonight with my husband Steve and daughter Olivia.  Cheers!

Chemo 13 & 14 / Thank you Party for Pottebaum

Update on my mom
My mom has been doing very well since her surgery on September 7th.  She got her drains taken out last week which allowed her to take a shower!  She said she was so excited she takes a long one everyday now.  =)  She still has stitches so she can't raise her arms very high, lift heavy objects or drive.  We are hoping the stitches will come out in 2-3 weeks.  She had her second fill for her ta ta's this week.  When this is all said and done we will have two sets of twins in the family for the new year!  My mom and I will both have B cups.  I am excited because I will have bigger ta ta's and my mom is excited because she will have smaller ta ta's!  It is a win win for both us!

She met with Dr. Thome this week and she will not need chemotherapy or radiation but is having an ultrasound on her ovaries.  Because she has a mutation and given her age the chances of getting ovarian cancer are extremely high, 87%!  So the next step for my mom is to have her ovaries removed in the next couple of months.

As for me I have 2 more chemo treatments to go!  Yay!

Last week's treatment (#13) a friend of mine that I met in college took me to my chemo treatment.  Laura Morrow and I enjoyed a couple of spring breaks together in Cancun and Myrtle Beach.  We spent a lot of time together in college and still get together to hang out and catch up.  Ironically, Laura is an accountant and had some very helpful suggestions on getting my Auntie Em's Angels charity launched. 

Me and Laura

Thank you for taking me to chemo, your advice and for the Eileen's cookies!  They were delicious!

My friend Lyndsey stopped out as well and we all had a brainstorming session for Auntie Em's Angels. We narrowed our focus to just helping cancer patients and different ways Auntie Em's Angels could make an impact in their life.  Thank you for your suggestions and input! =) 

I met with a long time friend of mine Alex Wolf who is an attorney at Koley Jessen.  He pointed me in the right direction to help set up Auntie Em's Angels as a non-profit.  I am still brainstorming and hope to have a clear mission statement in the next couple of weeks.  I am praying to have a few corporate sponsors as I have narrowed it down to educating the public on proper nutrition and exercise to prevent cancer, for cancer patients going through treatment and staying healthy after treatment.  My goal is to have everything planned, non-profit paper work complete, sponsers, fundraising events planned and Angels signed up to host birthday parties by the New Year! 

Chemo #14 -- September 29 - Steve my husband took me to my treatment.  It was his birthday so we had a mini celebration with all the nurses and cancer patients that were also getting their chemo treatments.  My friend Lyndsey asked her mother-in-law to bake a cake and was it was delicious!  Cinnamon swirl...YUMMY!  Thank you Karen for making it and thank you Lyndsey for delivering, cutting and serving!  If you need a baker I will post Karen's information if you need a cake for your next birthday party.

The nurses gave Steve this stylish hat and sang
happy birthday to him. Thank you to the nurses
of Midwest Cancer Center for making his birthday
so special.

I think we put a dent in it! 

Thank you to my husband Steve who has been there every step of the way.  He has been so supportive and has taken such good care of me and Olivia.  I could not get through this without him. 
I love you more then words can say...

My side effects from chemo are minimal.  I am tired more then usual and now the knuckles on my hands are red and cracked.  Dr. Thome said this will go away once I stop chemo as it is a common side effect.  Thank goodness I only have two more treatments I can't stand to look at them for much longer!  I have ONE eye lash on my left eye and no eyelashes on my right eye.  I am holding on to the one eyelash as long as I can and hoping my other lashes can catch up to it once I am finished with chemo.  My hair is starting to grow back and I am happy to report it is the same dark brown that I had before. I have one more fill for my ta ta's before I start radiation and I LOVE them so far!  I officially for the first time in my life have ta ta's you can physically see!  Radiation should start around November 1st and treatments are everyday for 5 weeks.  Once that is complete I wait a month and have my final surgery in January.  This will be to take out the expanders in my chest and have them replaced with implants.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel and I am running towards it!  Thank you again to all our family and friends for all your love and support!

More pics from Party for Pottebaum!   Thank you for coming out to support us!

Lori Armiger, Laura Morrow and their friend.
Lori started a fun event in Linclon called
Giving Spirits.  Become their friend on Facebook!




Jody and Nate Tate

 

Shannon Schiltz  and Sara Thompson
I have known Sara since kindergarten...ironically she is
now a kindergarten teacher.  She brought her friend
Shannon to the event.  Thank you!

Sherri Harnisch, Leah Buller, Emily Wilson
Leah is my cousin and she went to high school with Sherri
and was in the same sorority as Emily. 

Sherri Harnish, Leah Buller, Kirstin Ricketts, Tammy Braasch
Emily Wilson, Me, Nelly Sagehorn
I also met these lovely ladies through my cousin Leah.
Congrats to Leah, Kirstin and Nelly!  They are all
expecting babies this year!

Brent Sagehorn, Chad Buller, Adam Braasch

Pat Ricketts and Chad Buller

Megan Dannelly and Kendra Hayne
I went to high school with Kendra and met her friend Megan.
I also found out we all live in the same neighborhood!
Hopefully we can get together soon! =)

Nicki and Neal McMahon
Nicki and I met in high school and she recently moved back
to the Omaha area.  She owns Big Frog T-Shirts located
next to the HyVee on 180th and Q.  They were one of the
sponsors for the event!  Thank you so much!

Erica and Patrick Sullivan
Erica and I were on dance team together.  She was so kind to
drive in from Lincoln for the event!  Thank you! =)

Thanks again for all your love and support! xoxo

Party for Pottebaum - Sneak Peek

All these items will be up for raffle. The raffle tickets are going to cost $5 each (certain items valued over $250 will require 2 raffle tickets), so bring $5's and $10's the night of the event! You won't need to be present to win, we will have you put your name, phone #, and email address on the tickets.  Winners will be chosen starting at 10 PM.

The Party Starts this Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 7 PM

Vodoo Lounge, 304 N. 168th, Omaha, NE 

Thank you again to Erica McMahon, Jacque Bailey, Crystal Crowley
for organizing the event and all the generous donors!

Website



Duke Basketball signed by Coach K
Coach Mike Krzyzewski
Donated by Jose Fonseca



Duke Basketball signed by players
#1 Kyrie Irving (#1 Overall NBA Draft)
#2 Nolan Smith (21st pick in NBA Portland Trailblazers)
#3 Tyler Thorton
#5 Mason Plumlee
#12 Kyle Singler (33rd pick NBA Draft Detroit Pistons)
#15 Josh Hairston
#20 Andre Dawkins
#21 Miles Plumlee
#30 Seth Curry
#34 Ryan Kelly
#52 Todd Zafirovski
#53 Casey Peters

Donated by Jose Fonseca

Thank you Jose, Duke Basketball Players and Coach K!

GCR TIRE CENTERS

For Cars or Light Trucks

3 Tire Rotations and Wheel Balance

2 - Oil Lube Filter

(up to 5 QT 5W30 or 10W30 Oil)

2 - Alignments

(these will be grouped differently at the raffle)

Thank you to Jerid, Lyndsey and Curtis Foster for your donation! 

TAN IMAGE

4975 S. 155th Street

Omaha, NE 68137

402-614-8914

One Free Air Brush Bronzing

Valued at $28
Thank you to Kelly Robson

Julie and Tom Murren (Owners)

For your Donation

16939 Wright Plaza, Suite 119
Omaha, Nebraska 68130
http://www.shinedayretreat.com/
Spray Tans

Two HUSKER TICKETS with Husker Blanket

NEBRASKA vs. TENNESSEE at CHATTANOOGA

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Memorial Stadium - Lincoln, NE

SOUTH STADIUM

Thank you Jeremy and Kelly Robson for your donation!

Thank you Pam Pottebaum for making the blanket!

Addidas Men's Nebraska Sets with Back Pack and Sinch Sacks
Small, Medium, Large, XL and XXL Sizes
Donated by Chris McQuillan

Nebraska Golf Bag
Donated by: Chris McQuillan


NOT PICTURED
Nebraska Duffle Bag
Donated by Chris McQuillan

2 Footballs and 1 Nebraska Helmet

Signed by Tom Osborne and Bo Pelini

Donated by Chris McQuillan


NOT PICTURED
Bottle of Bo Pelini Foundation Wine
Autographed by Bo Pelini
Donated by Tammy Braasch


2 NU VOLLEYBALL TICKETS
November 9, 2011
NU vs. Wisconsin
Donated by Tom & Deanna Wolf
Tom & Misti Wolf
Katy & John Bode
Alex and Angela Wolf

4 Box Seats
September 9, 2011
4 Tickets to the Jim Beam Club



4 - 1/2 Price Foursomes with Titlest Golf Balls
1410 Western Hills Drive
Papillion, NE 68046-7037
(402) 592-7550
http://www.tarahills.org/
Donated by Kelly Robson

Foursome plus Nike Golf Balls
10302 S 168th Street
402-896-1323
http://www.tiburongolf.com/
Donated by Chad and Leslie McMahon

17202 Audrey Street #100

(173rd & Harrison)

FREE MONTH MEMBERSHIP

Donated by Kelly Robson

LA Custom Designs by Lori Armiger
More of Lori's Work Click Here
loriarmiger@hotmail.com

Donated and Painted by Jeff Bailey
http://www.blue80.com/


NOT PICTURED
Robots Authentic Print
Valued at $130
Donated by Lisa McAvoy

Omaha Steaks Gift Card
Donated by Tom Hartlieb

Big City Coffee - Gift Set
Donated by Jacque Bailey

Contour Side Pillow
http://www.contourliving.com/
Donated by Teri Emerton Adams

http://www.braaschdentistry.com/
1111 N. 102nd Court Suite 214
Omaha, NE 68114
402-397-9330
2 Teeth Whitening Sessions

 http://www.chocolatepeacockboutique.com/

Earrings from the Chocolate Peacock

Bracelet with Earrings from Haute Bauble
www.facebook.com/hautebauble
Donated by Leah Buller and Emily Wilson

 

Men's Black Diesel Watch
Retail $85
Donated by Emily Gardels

Large Juicy Couture Handbag
Retail $228
Donated by Emily Gardels

Large Juicy Couture Handbag
Retail $228
Donated by Emily Gardels



Handmade Raggedy Ann Doll
by Marie Behrinig



Women's Northface Jacket
Retail $299
Donated by Emily Gardels

George Simonton Studio Coat
Donated by: Emily Gardels

DKNY Down Coat
Donated by: Emily Gardels



SCHEELS GIFT CARD with Hat
Donated by Lauren Gardels



Maui Jim's Sunglasses with Scheels Hat
Retail $159
Donated by Lauren Gardels



NOT PICTURED
Oakley Sunglasses with Scheels Hat
Retail $170
Donated by Lauren Gardels

Retail $480
Necklace donated by 14 Karat
Linda Quist
16950 Wright Plaza, Ste. 127
Omaha, NE 68130
402-397-9550
http://www.14karatomaha.com/

Baby Girl Quilt and Pillow
Made by Christy Bargstadt

Baby Boy Quilt and Pillow
Made by Christy Bargstadt




Kelly's Little Signers
Baby Sign Language Program
402-210-4464
Donated by Kelly Robson

Cut and Color by Katie Harrower

BUNGALOW/8

1120 S. 105th Street

Omaha, NE

402-934-8727

60 Minute Massage

Shampoo and Spray by Bumble and Bumble

Donated by Leah Buller

Pedestal Beverage Jar with Chalk Board
and Pomegranate Mix
Donated by Lisa McAvoy

Wrist Rocket Sling Shots
Donated by Troy and Andrea Saunders

2 Free Sitting Fees

http://www.sugarblossomphotography.com/
Donated by Jennifer Giorgis

Free Sitting Fee with 11x14 Photo

http://www.amandafishphotography.com/

Warmer and Scents

Donated by Tara Ross

http://www.taraross.scentsy.us/

Food Basket
http://www.wildtree.com/
Donated by Barb Brady

Gift Card
Donated by Andrew Holt (Owner)

NOT PICTURED

Wine Baskets
Includes a bottle of wine with a gift card to a restaurant
Donated by Crystal Crowley

Bo Pelini Football
Donated by Stacy Nelson

Hand Made Crosses by Mary Anne Grace

Painting by Mary Anne Grace

Vince Camuto Leather and Suede Handbag
Donated by Emily Gardels

Birthday Door Hanger
Donated by Betty Bode

Husker Door Hanger
Donated by Jane Stearman

Bracelets from 14 Karat
Donated by Linda Quist

Baby Tub by A Tiskett a Taskett
http://www.atiskettataskett.com/
Donated by Joan Allen and Jen Fehringer

Lia Sophia Necklace and Bracelet
Donated by Lyndsey Nimrick

Beautiful Perfume, Pink Bracelet and Megan Miller Nail Polish

Thierry Mugler Perfume, Megan Miller Nail Polish and Bracelets

Chanel No. 5 Perfume, Megan Miller Nail Polish and Bracelets

Ralph Lauren Perfume, Megan Miller Nail Polish

and Purple Bracelets

Tommy Girl Perfume and Megan Miller Perfume

Clinique Happy Perfume and Nail Experts Gift Card

Thank you to Emily Gardels for donating all the perfume
and Megan Gutsgell for the Megan Miller Nail Polish

I am looking forward to Saturday and can't wait to see you!  I will have my video camera with me so be camera ready! =)