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

Update on Shirlene and Dawn

Shirlene has been going through her radiation treatment for the passed several weeks and is doing fantastic. It was so great to see her, and just how much she improves all the time. She was given the "OK" from ALL her Dr.'s to be here this week. They put off her radiation and herceptin until next week. She hasn't suffered any of the side affects from the radiation except a little fatigue, and hopefully she won't down the road. It was wonderful having her in town watching her enjoy all her granddaughters (all 10 of them were here). We sure missed Ian and Colton! Shirlene looks AMAZING and is doing so well, I think she'll definitely be up for our girls trip to New York this fall :) I know she has been anxious to post herself, but has been extremely busy!! After this weekend look forward to some of her Christmas pictures and more about her radiation treatment. I just wanted everyone to know she is doing so well.

Dawn has suffered a SEVERE head injury and was released from ICU late Monday night, and is now in a regular room to recover. She has had her moments, but is on the road to recovery. We have been told by neurologists that it's a miracle that she is doing as well as she is, but that it will be a long road ahead. She has a skull fracture and a subdural hematoma on her right side and a concussion on her left side. She has a few scrapes on her arm, leg, and back, but no other broken bones. She will be taken off the anti seizure medication soon and hopefully that will help with her nausea and fatigue. The baby is fine and I know that is a HUGE relief to both Dawn and Brandon and all of us as well. She still has her sense of humor and has been very talkative. She has been responsive from the very beginning and even remembers almost everything about that night.

We are so grateful for her progress, but know that it will take some time for her to feel 100%. Please continue to keep her in your prayers. We will continue updating everyone on her progress.

I wanted to take a picture of Shirlene and Dawn today while we were at the hospital, but it was a rough morning. We'll put pictures up soon. Just know that Dawn looks beautiful. She doesn't even have a bump or a bruise (where you can see anyway). When we got to the hospital on Sat. she still had her make up on. She is such a beautiful girl inside and out. We love her so much and are praying her a fast recovery.

Prayers Needed

We've had such great results with all of our dear family and friends and their prayers on behalf of Shirlene's recovery, that we would like everybody's prayers on behalf of Dawn. Friday night she had an accident and had some head trauma. She has been in ICU since. She is stable and doing well. Mike and Shirlene, and Shannon and her family are in Arizona. We would ask that you keep Dawn, Brandon and her family in your thoughts and prayers. We appreciate you all, and your constant love and support to our family.

Mike's 60th birthday

Mike turned 60 years old yesterday, January 7th!!! He's not too happy about it, but we're going to celebrate anyway. I'm hosting a little open house for him Saturday evening from 7 to 9 so if you're in the area please feel free to stop by. We had a fabulous time with our family over the holidays and hope you did, too. I'm feeling much better and getting geared up for radiation which will start this coming Tuesday. I will go 5 days a week for the next five weeks. Everyone tells me radiation is a "walk in the park" compared to chemo so I'm counting on it! I feel so blessed to have such great friends and family helping me along this journey. My testimony continues to grow as I feel the love of the Lord daily through your love and prayers and support. Thanks for your calls, visits, responses on the blog and e-mails. It really helps!!
Love to all,
Shirlene