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!

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!

God answered all my prayers by giving me cancer

Since day one of my diagnosis Steve and I have been questioning "Why is this happening to us...to our family?" I have been doing a lot of soul searching.  I am overwhelmed by the positive response I have received from everyone.  I am hearing from friends from every part of my life.  At times I get teary eyed thinking how wonderful you all have been to me with your encouraging words.  So far you are making this a positive experience for me so I thought to myself...why not make my cancer treatment a positive experience?  Why does it have to be so negative?  Tonight, I was telling my mom there was a reason I was given this disease and maybe it is to teach others about breast cancer, maybe with this blog I can help someone through their experience.  I can already tell you I am going to make everyone aware of breast cancer.  It is treatable if you detect it early....so ladies do your self breast exams and tell all your friends and family to do it too! 

THANK YOU Brea Nelson for your speech on Self Breast Exams. (Please say some extra prayers for Brea as she goes through her Chemotherapy) If it wasn't for you I might not be typing this blog on my way to recovery.  It could have been several months later and it could have been a blog where my cancer was untreatable and I was counting down the days.  THANK YOU Nicki (Odermatt) Welte for inviting me to your party.  You are two of my angels here on earth.

It is funny how God works.  He does answer our prayers but it might not be in the way we hoped or expected.

1. For some time I have been trying to figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life.  I have dabbled in a few careers some inspire me and others I can do without.  I know at some point I will go out in to the "real world" again but I want to do something that inspires my soul, helps others and changes my outlook on life.

Having cancer in my body has already changed my outlook and is giving me a completely different purpose to my life. 

2. I have always secretly wanted a boob job.

3. When I had mastitis right after Olivia I did ask Steve to chop off my boobs because it hurt so bad.  (Women get this in their breast when they are breast feeding.  OMG it is painful!)  I did say on several occasions I could care less if I breast fed the next child because I did not want to get mastitis again. 

4.  I do remember saying I hate having to get ready and do my hair, blow drying, straightening and or curling and having a wig would save me some time.

5. I have said "if we won the lottery the one thing I would get is a personal chef".

Food has been showing up at my door step.  THANK YOU to my friend Karen Kirberger who dropped off this yummy chicken casserole with some sweets from Wheatfields tonight.  Check out Wheatfields it is her family business and Karen is one of the sweetest people I know.

Olivia LOVED the shamrock sugar cookies!

6. My biggest fear is being alone.  I know now I am not alone...

THANK YOU to the BODE's, WESTERING's, WOLF's, ALLEN's, FEHRINGER's, HUNTER's, BUTLER's "my extended family".  I have known these people my entire life and they are always there to help you celebrate life's treasured moments and pick you up when you have been kicked down.  John, Katy and their daughter Ellen dropped off such a special gift from everyone.  John said they all wanted to be there to help get me through my Chemo.  They were so generous to get me an iPAD so I could type my blog, make or watch videos to pass the time.  I got a little choked up after you left.  I didn't want you to see me cry.  All of you have touched my soul before this but you have gone way to far this time! =)  YOU ARE THE BEST!

THANK YOU TO MY FRIENDS...near and far.  A special shout out this week.  My friend Lyndsey wears scrubs for her job and on Monday she sent me a text.  A picture of herself in pink scrubs.  A close family relative to Lyndsey lost her battle with breast cancer so please keep Lyndsey's family in your prayers. 

My friend Stacy sent me a picture of the luggage tag I got her for her birthday and said every time she sees the tag she says a prayer for me.  Stacy you always know what to say to put a smile on my face.  I can't wait to hear more stories from your travels. =)

Good thing I have a life long friend and physician assistant down the street.  Thank you to Jen who had to get my IV port out of my arm because the hospital forgot to take it out.  =)

Thank you to Travis and Michelle - Travis you are helping Steve get through this so much easier by just being there for him.  Michelle - Thank you for having your little Paxton the roughest week of my life I love holding him and hanging out with you.

Several friends have offered to start food trains....  Crystal, Julianne, Sarah and Aimee...THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for thinking of me. 

Angie Ross thank you for offering up your wig. 

Brea thank you for offering your support and pillows.  I will contact you this weekend. 

Sasha, thank you for coming over to just hang and I we could talk about life.  It is nice to talk about other things to get my mind off cancer especially business ventures together! =)  Please keep Sasha and her family in your prayers as they lost her aunt to breast cancer recently.

THANK YOU to my cousin LEAH for putting a cleaning crew together for when I begin my treatments and just being you.  Thanks for calling to see how I am doing.

THANK YOU to my FAMILY for all of your support and prayers.  My parents, sister and brother-in-law  Dave are bending over backwards for me and I know how much this will effect your lives.  I will never know how to repay you for your kindness but I THANK GOD everyday he surrounded me with your love and compassion.

THANK YOU to  my nieces and nephews who are like my own children...Avery, Cullen, Addison and Sully.  You always know what to say and do to lift my spirits.  I couldn't be at a better place at this time.  Being around the happiest, silliest people on earth always puts a smile on my face and lifts my spirits.  Thank you for hugging me on Monday, saying "I Love You"  and making me cards.  It made me cry happy tears and thank God again for all the wonderful blessings in my life.  Avery you are an inspiration to me to keep a positive attitude.  I have never once heard you complain when you have your surgeries.  I promised Avery I was going to be strong like her.  (Avery was born with a cleft palate)

Avery is such a great artist!

Addison spent a lot of time on this one. =)

Avery said she wanted to give me flowers.

THANK YOU to my husband Steve and Olivia.  You are the reason I am going to fight so hard to win.  You have given me my drive to stay positive.  I THANK GOD he put you in my life because I could never live without you.

God has answered all my prayers.  I plan to embrace this experience through the good, bad and really bad.  For lent and this entire experience I gave up all negativity.  This is not going to be me lying to you and saying everything is going great.  I will tell you when I am in pain, when I am sick and when I feel good.  I have said this from the beginning, my little niece Taya has been battling her entire life  with a heart defect (she will be 2 on May 1st) and I have NEVER heard her complain... why should I?  THANK YOU Judy for sharing your prayers.  Now I ask my friends and family to say an extra prayer for Taya too. Visit her caringbridge site www.caringbridge.org/visit/tayadelperdang.