The Low Down

I saw my oncologist and got my Herceptin yesterday. Here's what I found out from Dr. Kellogg...

* Yes, I am considered to be in remission now.

* Yes, I can get a Pet Scan in a couple of weeks to make sure I'm in the clear.

* Yes, they will let me do a breast MRI instead of mammograms because I have no faith in mammo's these days. (my initial mammo and ultrasound when I found my breast lump came back "NORMAL"!!)

* Yes, they will start doing bloodwork that checks the cancer markers.

My dad has been asking me to find some of these things out. I was the same way when my mom and sister were going through their treatments, etc. I wanted DETAILS! It's a whole different ball game now that I'm the patient, though. I don't worry as much about myself. But I can assure you that I WILL stay on top of things and not slack when it comes to check up's and blood work. I'm not messin' around!

An INCREDIBLE Night!!

Jake, Ty, and Luke showing support for their mommy with their "Team Charlene" shirts.

**I am having trouble downloading the awesome pictures from Erica's blog, but you can go to hers to check them out (and read about her recap of the night).

I am still pinching myself this morning. Was the benefit and auction really that BIG of a success...or am I dreaming??

When we were approached about setting a goal for how much we needed to raise, I was a little apprehensive. I was afraid the goal was too high, even though it was, in all reality, how much my medical bills have set us back. I was afraid we were being greedy and asking too much. I already felt bad for the countless hours people were putting into this thing. It was hard for me to not feel that way.

But as Saturday evening approached, and so many people started showing up, I was overcome with so many different emotions. I was so humbled to see how effective our ward and community was when everyone pulled together. People kept telling me..."Feel loved, Charlene. All of these people are here for you.". It still brings tears to my eyes. Never in my life have I ever felt so much love. Love from my friends, ward, and even total strangers. We literally had hundreds of people there. Lines of people at the entrance waiting to buy tickets for the BBQ dinner! Curt and I were in awe. We could not believe how many people were there that we didn't even know! Friends of friends, and even people who were driving by, stopped to show their support for a great cause. Amazing.

If my cancer journey was necessary to bring a wonderful community together through this event, then it was totally worth it. I would do it all over again to feel the way I felt Saturday night. Everyone involved felt something special that night and I would absolutely do it all over again for all of us to experience those feelings of love, service, and compassion.

I am determined to not let that "torch" out. We have all been touched by this event and I am going to do what I can to continue to do things like this for others in need. Team Charlene will continue! We will continue to better the lives of other people. That is my mission at this time in my life. I have been greatly blessed through so many of you. I will never forget what this experience has taught me. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING! The only way I can repay you all, is to give to others as you have given to me.

Oh, and by the way, we DOUBLED our goal!! Since the auction brought in more than what is needed for our medical bills, Curt and I are so excited to be able to donate some money to other families in our community who are in need.

Best of the Best

I forgot last week to post these pictures! These were some of the goodies Erica, Debby, and Melissa gave to me in celebration of my last day of radiation.

I truly have some of the most AMAZING friends. Not just because they give me treats (but it IS a nice perk!). They have taken a lot of time out of their busy lives to show concern, excitement, and love for me. Whether it's a phone call, email, text, or note...nothing ever goes unnoticed. I am truly grateful for all of you!! THANK YOU!!

So Long...Farewell...

I decided today (after some reassuring from Erica and Monda) that TODAY I was quitting! No more bandannas or hats for me. I went to Chick-Fil-A and to Wal-Mart today sans the 'danna! I did feel a little "naked", but I'll get used to it soon...I hope. I may look a little boyish or even a little lezzy, but I don't care. Whatcha see is whatcha get.

G.I. Jane

Ty took this picture of me. My hair has even grown a little more since this was taken! I've been telling my dad and sister that I would send them a picture of my hair growing back. So here it is... Eventually I will get brave enough to go bandanna-less.

Here are some of the girls in my Bunco group (Sarah, Melissa, Elizabeth, Donna, me, Jana, Erica, Shannon and Monda). We celebrated Erica's birthday last week at Bunco and, as always, had a BLAST!! We laugh our heads off and are always sad when it's time to go back home. Can't wait for next month!

I am enjoying my new found freedom during the week. I finished radiation on Wednesday and met with my plastic surgeon on Thursday. She basically said, come back in 6 weeks and we'll schedule the surgery date and map out what we're going to do. The boys got to play with their grandma while I was gone, so they were happy about that.

Another milestone for me last week.....my eyelashes are finally long enough to curl with my eyelash curler and put mascara on!! It probably sounds like a dumb thing to be excited about, but any little thing to help me feel a little more feminine is a big deal to me. Now I don't feel quite as "boy-ish".

The silent auction/dinner that they are having for us is this Saturday. We continue to be blown away by the generosity of so many people. I will post more on this later today, hopefully.

32 Down...1 To Go!

Tomorrow is my last radiation treatment and I am SO pumped! I didn't realize how giddy I would be over this. It is definitely a huge milestone for me and my family (...and for all of our supporters, babysitters, etc.)

Curt wants to take me out to lunch tomorrow after my final treatment. Definitely a reason to celebrate! I told him we should ask his parents to meet us, since they have been in the thick of it with us over the course of 8 months. So we will see if they're able to go with us.

I met with Dr. Woo (radiation oncologist) today. Not much to report, except he wondered why I've lost 5 lbs. in the past 2 weeks. I told him my throat has been bothering me, so I'm not eating as much. He looked in my throat and said it looked ok. I'm sure it will be healed soon. He said we would probably need to start doing mammograms soon to keep an eye on things. I almost protested......but decided against it. I will do whatever I need to do to keep the cancer away for a very long time! I won't need to follow up with him for another month!

Last Thursday, I had my Muga Scan done. That morning I had Herceptin, then radiation, and then off to do my scan. It was a busy day for me. I haven't heard back from the dr. about my results yet. I'm sure it will come back fine. I haven't had any problems in the past with my heart, and hopefully that will continue!

5 MORE TO GO!!

After today's radiation treatment, I now only have 5 left! Next Wednesday, the 13th, will be my final one! I am soooo excited to be near the end. I will have a life again! Monda and I will be able to relax pool side daily once again. Can't wait.

Some more great news... I asked my oncologist if I had to keep doing Herceptin once a week or if we could change it. He said I could try doing it every 3 weeks and see how it goes! Yay! More freedom!! Since only doing it every 3 weeks, my dosage will be increased. Hopefully this will all go without a hitch!

I'm in the process of getting my next Mugga Scan scheduled to make sure all is well with my heart still. Curt and I are also trying to get our photos done, applications filled out, etc. for our passports. We are sooo excited to be able to go on our cruise in just 6 weeks! woo hoo! For those who may not know, Curt has earned an all expenses paid Mexican cruise through his company and the timing couldn't be more perfect!