Monday, February 23, 2009

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

Saturday, February 7, 2009

pictures for "a miracle" post

Dawn at the hospital


New Years Eve!









Christmas













Friday, February 6, 2009

A Miracle

Thanks to everyone for your prayers for Dawn. She is finally starting to feel better and the doctors are optomistic that she'll be fully recovered in about six months. She is recovering at her mom's house with Brandon and the girls until Sunday when Shannon arrives to help them get settled at home. Shannon will stay for a week and make arrangements with family and friends to help out after she leaves. I talked to Dawn last night and she sounded great and is looking forward to "getting her life back". We love her dearly and count it a miracle that she and the baby are here and doing fine. Two ultrasounds confirm it's a GIRL!! Brandon, Zoe and Tatym can't wait to get their hands her. She will be #13 for Mike and I!! Dawn made the announcement to the family on Christmas morning by wearing a tee shirt jeweled with 07-07-09. I was the first to see it, but the last to get it!!! Needless to say, we had a wonderful Christmas with everyone here for two full weeks. It was the best Christmas ever. I've included a few pics from the holidays including our traditional Christmas Eve Nativity, and New Years Eve fondue with banging on pots and pans at midnight. I'm very grateful my doctors gave me time off in December to heal and be with my family. It has allowed me to handle the radiation quite well. Today I am half way through. I continue to be amazed at the love of the Lord and the blessings He showers upon me and my family. Once again, thank you, thank you, thank you for your love and prayers and support. I hope that each of you are well and happy. Please let me know what's happening in your life.

Love,

Shirlene