Thanksgiving 2008

Happy Thanksgiving

What a wonderful time of year. I am so grateful that I have this time to reflect upon all of my blessings and to enjoy some extra time with my family.
I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am grateful for His eternal sacrifice that not only cleanses me of my sins and short comings, but also comforts me through my trials. I am grateful for prayer and for the scriptures. I know that my Heavenly Father knows what I need and loves me. There is no greater peace than knowing this.
I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to be married to my true love. He is my rock and my helper and he is a wonderful daddy. He makes me laugh and helps me see the good in our lives. He is my best friend.
I am so grateful for my Landy. He is so smart, loving, and thoughtful. He makes me beautiful pictures and writes me inspiring words. He is trying so hard to be a good big brother and helper. I love his hugs and his smiles. He likes to call me "Mamacita"...
I am so grateful for Xander (aka "Cha-chi). He is my jumper. He is the first one to give me a juicy kissy. He snuggles for just a minute and likes to pet my arm. He is a good little boy and I love it when he decides to play nicely with his brothers.
My little Ryker is a joy. He is funny, loving, and full of energy. His sense of humor is amazing for his age. He loves to say, "hello" to everyone. He calls himself 'Bruce' and says, "I am trouble." He will snuggle for a short moment when I beg. He comes running from anywhere in the house yelling, "I want some", when he hears someone working in the kitchen. He loves just being one of the big boys.
I am grateful for my mom. She has come into our home to love and to serve. Day in and day out, she is here helping the boys and me. How blessed we are to have her! I love you mom. I am grateful for my dad and know that even when he can't be here, he wishes he could be. I am grateful for all of his help in searching for the best medical care available and for providing strength and comfort through it all.
I am grateful for my brother, Jeff. I appreciate his telephone calls to just check on me and his desire to be my protector. I am grateful for him and his family and the loving attention they give to our boys during their sleep overs.
I am grateful for my sister, Suzette. God was truly watching over me when He blessed me with my best friend as my sister. Am so grateful for the deep understanding and friendship that we share. She makes me laugh and cry. She inspires me to be more through her kind and generous example. I am grateful for her husband, Greg, who is always there to lend a listening ear and make me laugh.
I am grateful for my brother, Paul. He is so thoughtful! Ever week he comes over with an awesome home cooked meal, a balloon, and some Ben & Jerry's ice cream. I am grateful for his phone calls and his visits. He has a wonderful heart and is such an example. I am grateful for his wife, Amy. She is so kind and always has a hug and smile.
I am grateful for my brother, Rick. I know that though he is far away (in medical school in NC), he is close in thought and in spirit. I am so grateful that he and his wife, Page, were able to be here for a week in July and help us when everything was so new and tender. It is a time that will never be forgotten.
I am grateful for all of my nieces and nephews. They were my babies (and still are) before I had my own. I am grateful for their sweet encouragement,love, faith, and prayers.
I am grateful for my sister-in-law Brooke who spear-headed this fight with my family and friends and contiues to support me and cheer me on.
I am grateful for Susan. She loves my boys inspite of themselves and is always here to help with a cheerful disposition and faith in her heart that all will work out.
I am grateful for my friends. I am grateful for the phone calls I get on a daily basis. I am grateful for those who leave a message on my blog, those who send a letter, those who stop by to say 'hi' or even leave a little treat, and I am grateful for those who help with rides to school and play time after school, those who help me make a quilt, invite me to the temple or take me to a movie.
I am grateful for all of my family, friends, friends of friends, and those of you I hardly know who's faith and prayers see me through on a daily basis.
I am grateful to have been born in this country and have medical advances available to me; I am grateful that I have responded well to those medicines. I am grateful for our house and job, our food on the table, a warm shower, and a soft bed. I am grateful for all the joys of life and wonders of the world I have experienced and know that there is much more joy for me yet to experience.
Thanks to you all for making my life full of things to be grateful for and thanks to God for making it all possible.
Love, Jeanel

Week Off

It is amazing the difference one week can make. I began feeling a lot better on Wednesday and I have really enjoyed this week. I even felt well enough to get some Christmas shopping done and shop for some material for a quilt that Michelle Stay is going to help me make for the boys.
I met with my radiation oncologist this week and will begin the radiation treatments on 4 December. I will have them 2x/day for 4-5 weeks. I should finish at the beginning of 2009.
I began occupational therapy this week for my lymphedema (swelling) in my right arm. Bruce came with me on Thursday to learn how to do the massage and how to wrap my arm. He is a quick learner, but we have a tough time with compliance because it takes a long time and the boys can't be part of the equation.
My last chemo is on Wednesday. On Thursday we are looking forward to having Thanksgiving with my family at my brother Paul's house.
Hope you all have a great Thanksgiving!
Love, Jeanel

One More to Go

What a week! Words cannot express how much I hate this chemo. Even seeing it dripping into the IV line is enough to make me sick. I have so much admiration for my fellow chemo-ites who champion through this week after week. I recognize how much I have been blessed to tolerate things so well and marvel at the courage of those who don't. It really is a fight. It's a fight of physical stamina, emotional fortitude, and spiritual strength. Every day when I look into the eyes of my boys, husband, and the rest of my family, I know that it is worth it! I am so grateful for prayer- It gives me the opportunity to lay my burdens down and know that God is mindful of me and what I need. I am grateful for my daily miracles and count them when I feel overwhelmed. My spirit is quickly bouyed knowing of the prayers, faith, service, and friendship that you all offer on my behalf. I hope you all know that each of you make a difference in helping me fight this battle.
Love to you all and God bless!
Jeanel

Quite Weekend

This has been a nice week. It took me about a week to recover from the chemo and my energy was a little lower, but I can check off another chemo treatment.
I was discussing with Bruce today how unfair it is that with this chemo I have gotten the hair back on my legs, but have lost my eye lashes and eye brows. Now this might not seem like that big of a deal for most, but for me it is a real struggle to create eye brows- It was hard enough to successfully use eye liner for basic application and I'd been doing it for 20 years... I feel like a rookie in the majors (and I never wanted to be drafted).
This weekend my sister took our three boys. Our house has never known such peace and quite. Bruce and I have enjoyed having the time to spend together and having time to do our individual projects. I was also able to go to my mom's new apartment. We had a great time running to Lowe's, going out to dinner, and assembling shelves without reading the instructions.
All is well on the home front. Keep the faith!
love, Jeanel

Happy Halloween

What a beautiful Halloween! I can't remember a nicer night for trick-or-treating. The boys had a great time. Ryker did a great job saying, "trick treat" and "thank you". He was in awe of getting candy by just saying something so simple. He was also much more motivated climbing up to get the treat than he was climbing down. Landon and Xander enjoyed sprinting house to house and counting their loot when it was all said and done. They are working on mastering the art of negotiation as they trade their candy.
Life on the home front is plugging along. I had the second round of the new chemo on Thursday. Thankfully, I had enough energy to go trick-or-treating on Friday and then I crashed on Saturday and Sunday. I tried taking my anti-nausea meds on a schedule to avoid feeling really ucky. I think it helped and will do the same for the next two rounds. I'm feeling a bit better today and will be on the up-swing until my next treatment.
My mom moved into her apartment this weekend. She will be here during the day when I need her and be able to have her own space at night. My dad will be joining her soon, which will be a comfort to all.
The fight marches on! Thank you for your continued faith and prayers!
Love Jeanel