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

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