Family Fun

Thanks to Livi and Haley for posting "Picture updates" on my blog. Everyone is getting used to my chemo hair but me. It still surprises me when I look in the mirror, but please don't think I'm complaining. Even though the curls are out of control it's a blessing to have hair. I'm told the curl lasts about a year after chemo then it begins to relax - so we'll see!

Susie and the boys came for a visit and we had a ball. The girls couldn't get enough of them and it was a very sad day for all of us when they had to go home. Ian is a gentleman/scholar extraordinaire! and Colton is pure comedian! Between the two of them it was entertainment 24/7 and we loved every minute of it. We were on the go almost everyday and have fun memories of swimming at Lifetime, Lagoon, Liberty Park, the Children's museum downtown, miniature golfing, Midway, shopping, movies, and hanging out at Grandma's. We sure missed Taylor, but Susie is a wonderful, sweet daughter-in-law and I just can't thank her enough for making the brutal 12 hour trip (each way!!) with the boys so the family could be together.

Chris and Kristen were supposed to have been here during Susie's stay BUT they sold their home in AZ in July so they were packing like crazy and preparing for their move to Utah!!! They arrived on the 9th of August- just two days before Susie left- homeless, and without a job . Chris was a "little" stressed at first but now that he has secured a fabulous job, purchased a beautiful home in Sandy, and the girls are settled in school they are happy to be here. We are THRILLED out of our minds to have them here and love having our Sunday dinners with 11 happy, screaming, laughing girls once again.

It is an absolute miracle to have Brandon and Chris with their families living close by. I know I don't deserve it, but I am the most grateful and happy mom/grandma in the world.
We're all looking forward to our family vacation the end of September, and I can't wait to be with my little boys, and Tay and Susie again.

I continue to be amazed at the love and blessings the Lord offers me. His tender mercies abide with me daily and give me strength to carry on. He has heard the prayers and pleadings on my behalf and granted me blessings greater than I deserve. I'm tolerating my biological treatments (oral anit-cancer drug) and beginning to feel stronger every day. Friday will be the first of several reconstruction surgeries. It will be a quick outpatient surgery to replace the left tissue expander that had to be removed in December. My surgeon is very optomistic and I extend my deep gratitude for good doctors, a great ward, and cherished friends and family.
Till next time!
Love,
Shirlene

PICTURE UPDATE!

my new 'do!




























zoe's b-day party











gg and the boys

em and lola

liv and hay being silly

the children's museum

mini golfing

poppy and colton the genius

cute boys!

BYE BYE CANCER!!

I'm Olivia, Shirlene's granddaughter. I'm posting for her today because her computer isn't working. On Monday, my grandma had her last herceptin infusion. All of my cousins and I made a poster board that we had all signed and wrote little things like, "Our Grandma is tough!", and, "Our Grandma is AMAZING!" Haley and I made a heart shaped cake with the Breast Cancer ribbon on it (made out of sprinkles.) We all walked in to surprise her with pink balloons, our card, and our cake. All of the patients in the infusion center were very excited to watch all 10 grandchildren go and sit by our grandma. After her treatment was over, she got to ring the bell. All of the nurses and patients clapped and hoorayed. We all love our Grandma SO much and we are all so excited that she is done with cancer! She was so brave and strong throughout this whole year. Grandma has been so amazing with the best attitude. She has taught us all the meaning of gratitude this year. We love her so much and are so proud of her, but now it's time to say, BYE BYE CANCER!!!

Lola Jane

Lola Jane Seare arrived at 11:55 A.M. July 1st weighing in at 6 lbs. 5 oz. She is our 13th grandchild, and I can't even tell you how thrilled we are to have this beautiful baby girl join our family. Both Dawn and Lola are doing great....they've been through alot this past nine months and it is a blessing and a miracle to have them both here. Dawn admitted she gave a huge sigh of relief once she could see how perfect and healthy Lola is. Zoe and Tatym are amazed at how tiny she is, and love holding their new baby sister. Brandon is a very proud and grateful dad.

Curly Hair

It's been quite a while since I last posted and just wanted to get everyone up to date. I'm looking forward to my very last treatment which will be July 7th!!!! I get to ring the bell and say goodbye to my wonderful nurses at the Infusion Center.... hopefully for good. My hair is coming in nice and thick and very, very, very CURLY. They tell me it will losen up in about 10 months but I can't wait that long to shed my wig now that summer is here. Any advice?
We did get to New York with Abbey and Ivy and had a wonderful time. Memorial weekend was huge for us as we moved Shannon and her family out of our basement into their new home. We also moved my mom into a beautiful retirement home, and Brandon and Dawn moved up here to Midway!!! Everyone is exausted, but settled and happy. Dawn is scheduled for an induction on the 30th, but hoping she'll go into labor on her own before then. We can't wait for Lola!! I'm working on her quilt and hope it will be ready by the time she gets here.
It's been so fun having Brandon, Dawn, Zoe, and Tatym join us along with Shannon's family for Sunday dinners. When the GG's and Auntie join us we're about the size we were in AZ, just different faces!
Saturday is a reunion for the Liberty Park Ward. It's located in Salt Lake City and the ward I attended for 18 years. I'll be taking my mom who is one of the oldest living members. We're really looking forward to it and hope to see lots of friends from the old neighborhood.
Summer has finally arrived in Utah, and life is good. I'm grateful to a loving Heavenly Father who has blessed me abundantly and to family and friends who continue to support me along this journey. It will be one year on the 27th when I was first diagnosed. I wouldn't be here today without your love prayers......THANK YOU!!!!

RACE FOR THE CURE

What a day! Many thanks to everyone who ran or walked on May 9th for my team "Shirlene's Shufflers". Angie Seare was our team leader and she did a great job getting everything organized for us. I wish we had pictures of all my supporters, but it was impossible with 18,000 participants!! It was really thrilling to cross the finish line even though it took me quite a long time. I didn't know until I arrived there that Shannon had signed me up for the 5K, so I went for it and felt great for 2.9 miles. Mike and Sofey shuffled with me every step of the way and had to practically carry me in. Participants were given a pink paper to pin on their backs listing the person(s) they were celebrating or remembering, and it was very emotional for me to see my name on the backs of so many. Survivors were given pink shirts and hats and I was really surprised to see so many. I'm really grateful I was able to participate, and look forward to improving my time (alot) next year!!

NY Postponed

Abbey and Ivy will both turn 10 years old this year, and they have been looking forward to our tradition of taking our 9 year olds on a vacation. This tradition began the year Taylor moved to Virginia for Dental School and we drove Emrey across the U.S. with us in order to get Susie's car there. It's hard to believe Emrey will be sixteen years old come November! We loved our 9 yr old trip with Haley and Livy in 2005 visiting all the sights in VA and spending time with their new cousin Ian. This trip with Abbey and Ivy was scheduled to begin with flights out of SLC this past weekend, but I was in the hospital recovering from bowel resection surgery. I went to the ER on Sunday the 29th and found out I had two kinks and a stricture which required surgery. I was released the following Saturday afternoon and today I'm hopeful for a full recovery and rescheduling our New York trip. Abbey will turn 10 on the 22nd so I'd like to take her in to Manhattan for dinner and a broadway show. She and Ivy have not said one word about their cancelled trip, but have expressed in so many ways their love and concern for me in recovering from this surgery and getting well. Ian and Colton are really sad that they didn't get to see their Poppy, but Ian called me today to let me know he planted a seed that will soon be a flower that I can take home from New York. I sure hope we'll be able to go, and hope it will be soon.

Fun in the Sun

My mother-in-law, Cyndee, and Connie (sisters-in-law) showed up at the Huntsman Center with cookies, flowers, and gifts for my ringing the bell ceremony!!!! One problem; I went in two hours early that day so I wouldn't miss my flight and by the time they got there I was almost to the airport. I was very, very sad but my doctor, technicians, and nurses loved the party! They have been my "cheerleaders" through this journey and I can't thank them enough.
It was good to be in Arizona soaking up the sun and helping (a little) with Dawn. She had her final visit with the Neurologist just a few days before I left, and he gave her the go ahead to drive. She's improving by leaps and bounds and looks forward to a full recovery. I had a great time staying at their home during the week, and then going to Chris and Kristen's for the weekends. The weather was perfect for playing at the park, going to the mall, eating outside at Paradise Bakery, and going to the movies. I especially loved my "special day" outings with the girls. It's been a long time. I am so grateful that I was able to go, and recognize the hand of the Lord in it.
Thanks to the Ashland Ranch Ward ladies who showed up for our get-together dinner! I cannot tell you how great it was to see you. It was absolutely healing to be with you and get a hug. I made sure I had my camera before I left so I could get lots of pictures, but with the excitment of seeing everyone I totally forgot about it! If any of you are willing, I'd love some pics to post on my blog. Thanks again. I love you dearly.

Shirlene

Ringing the Bell

Tomorrow is my last day of radiation!!!!! Hooray. The Huntsman Center has a cast iron bell that only patients who have completed treatment get to ring. Patients are encouraged to bring family and friends for the "big event" so Shannon will accompany me in the morning. It's almost unbelievable that chemo and radiation are behind me. What a blessing! I will continue to go to the infusion center at Huntsman every third Monday for my Herceptin treatments until July, and I will really ring the bell hard on that day! After I ring the bell tomorrow I'll visit with my radiation oncologist then head straight to the airport to spend the next two to three weeks with Dawn. I hope I'll be a good help to her. Brandon has accepted a new job with GE and will be based out of UTAH!!! He'll be starting up here on the 9th of March but we won't move Dawn and the girls until school is out and Dawn is feeing better. Thanks to all for your prayers and fasting. She is progressing well and the doctors feel confident she'll have a full recovery. It is impossible to express the gratitude I feel for the love and support I've been given over these past months. Thanks to all. I look forward to seeing Arizona friends and soakin' up the sun!!!
Love,
Shirlene

pictures for "a miracle" post

Dawn at the hospital

New Years Eve!

Christmas