Happpy Halloween!

I am so glad my girls had such wornderful Halloween. They came up the costume ideas all by themselves. With a little help from me, Jenny dressed up as  Professor Jenny. She is natural, isn't she? She spent her time trick or treating with her friend Michela from Swimming Team. With all the stuff we have including the bow except arrows, we put together Anna's Katniss costume easily. I am surprised how much she actuallly looks just like the actress in the movie!
We also managed to squeeze in some time to carve the pumpkins. As I was sitting there watching them carving their pumpkins, I was thinking how wonderful it is to have older children so you don't have do the physical carving part for them. Little I know, they got tired of carving very easily. I was glad to help them to finish up.

Anna, Katniss



Anna as Katniss. I think she is looks like the real Katniss on the movie!

Rex is being Rex

Jenny, the professor

She is natural, isn't she?

Pumpkin Time!

Go Blue!!

Anna's BOO Pumpkin

Anna is at work

Chemo #14 was uneventful. The side effect is very similar to last week. Doctor gave me some steroid now to help me with my appetitte, but it messes up my sleep. I am taking all I can to fight all of these. Only two more chemos to go. I can't wait!!

Kathy, Sheila, Anna, Karen, Lynnette,....all the friends I could not possibly list them all for the wonderful dinner, flowers, book, cards and thoughts and prayers. You are my inspiration and courage. I know I will go through this only with your help!! Thanks!!!



Beautiful flowers brighten my days!

 



a book written by a breast cancer surivor (Anna Nielson's friend). It is a children's book, but it inspiring me tremondously!



Fighting Continues...

I can't believe it has been more than 2 weeks since I last posted. A lot of things has happened. Yet everything seems to went by quite fast.
Bert and I went Mayo Clinic on October 10. We stayed there for three nights to do MRI, MBI, Echocardiogram, breast biopsy and started the 2nd round of chemo. On Friday, right before the 2nd round of chemo, I saw my oncologist Dr. Haddad. She literally danced into the room, waving my MRI results. She told us excitedly that none of the imaging techniques had shown I have a cancer tumor. I have received what is called radiological complete response. While Bert had tears in his eyes, I was still skeptical or simply could not believe what I hear. Of course every technique has its detection limit and the final judgement has to be done through surgery. However, when the same techniques that have detected nearly 2 cm cancer tumor three months ago do not detect anything, I know the only conclusion we could get is that the tumor had responded to chemo treatment very well!! Praise to God for his healing power and thanks to my family and friends for their powerful prayers!
Blood results and Echocardigram showed that I am in a good shape to start the next round of chemo Adruanycin/Cytoxan. It is commonly called "red devil" by nurses and chemo patients because its look and side effects. It surely knocked me out. The fatigue kept me in bed nearly three days. What used to smell good made nauseous. I completely lost my appetite too. Right before I had started my 2nd round of chemo, my parents were complaining to me that I might not have told them the truth about my physical status. They could not believe that I did not have any side effect with my first round of chemo. I think they "jinxed" it. Now I do have what they expected:). Now you know why I have not written. Thank God I now have lived through it to "whine" about it. I sincerely pray for those people who have gone through worse side effects than I have.
I hope to post more when I have more energy and strength. I spent more time to give my body a rest. I think it deserves it:).

Chemo#12 - time to celebrate

Last Friday marked the end of the first round of chemo. 12 weeks! I can't believe it has been that long since my first chemo. It seemed at times that this chemo was never going to end. Thanks to my fighting crews at work who tirelessly fight with me. This week, they surprised me with a collage of photos of my supporters. It was truly inspirational to see their smiling faces knowing everyone of them care about me. It is a reminder that I can't give up. I must fight to the end!

Chemo#12 was uneventful. However, what came after was unforgettable. Four mamas from Anna's adoption travel group came to Holland to spend a weekend with me! They planned this whole weekend in secret. They picked me up from my house. We stayed at a bed and breakfast in Fenville, the Heritage Manor. They surprised me with in room massage and fine dinner plans. We had great time together!

Dinner at City VU

Wine Tasting Tour at Fenn Valley