Update On Mom

Hopefully you all have been able to tell lately from my posts and pictures that my mom is doing more AMAZING than ever. As a family we have really been trying to focus on celebrating LIFE and not living in fear of her cancer. But I figured it was time to update everyone on her treatment progress.

We celebrated another clear MRI scan in May and this week she is undergoing her 5th round of chemotherapy and another IV infusion of the clinical trial for Avastin. The chemotherapy is still going excellent and thanks to her weekly accupuncture therapies her nausea has resolved and her appetite has returned. Its great to see her cooking her favorite foods and have a desire to eat yummy stuff again. She has had some slightly new symptoms show up recently that she passed on to her oncology nurse Cheryl. All of these symptoms are associated with Avastin treatment so now we REALLY think she was given the real medicine in this double blind clinical trial. Her weight has gone up slightly and her weekly blood counts continue to look perfect. She is most excited about her hair growing back after radiation. Her doctors were starting to think that the hair cuticle had been permanently damaged and would never regrow, but now half of her head is fully covered in thick new hair and the area around her incision line is starting to grow too.

The thing that makes me feel the most reassured about how my mom is doing is by just looking at her and feeling her energy again when I'm around her. In nursing school they teach you that the best way to assess your patient is well, by just looking at them! Everyone that sees my mom can tell how wonderful she's doing these days. She was very focused these last few months to be healthy for my sister's wedding at the end of May. She told me she is already looking to the future and had a peptalk with her doctors to keep her her in top shape for my wedding next August. Praise God for incredible medicine and more importantly for my mom's determined spirit!

A Very Special Family Wedding

Our family celebrated Taryn and Mac getting married on May 29, 2010 at the Bellingham Golf and Country Club. They shared their wedding day with my mom's birthday and look forward to celebrating their wedding anniversary falling on that special day.

The weather wasn't quite cooperating but the rain let up for exactly 30 minutes for their "first look" pictures at Elizabeth Park. They changed their outdoor ceremony to an intimate indoor ceremony filled with candles and calla lilies.

My mom has been looking forward to this day since the day my sister was born and we were all very thankful for her to be feeling so healthy. She was beaming for every photo and danced the night away with my dad on the dance floor.

Mac and my fiance Skye have really become close over the last year. Skye was an usher at the wedding and helped me snap photos when I was busy with my Maid of Honor duties :)

My sister could not have looked more stunningly beautiful on her wedding day. It was very special for me to help her plan her wedding and see this day unfold for her and Mac. He has been a part of our family for a long time already and I'm so proud to call him my brother in law. Skye and I know how lucky we are to be so close with Taryn & Mac and can't wait to raise our children together with them.

So handsome and SUCH a great dance partner (check out Aubrey Joy's pix haha)

Cousins by birth but raised as sisters :) Loved the bridesmaids dresses by the way, I will totally wear mine again!

We were very blessed to grow up in a home with wonderful parents who always put their marriage and family first. After 31years together they have been through so much and are more in love than ever. They were definitely our role models for love and commitment and showed Taryn and I to hold marriage to the highest standard. So congrats Macky you made the cut!

Everything about this day was so Mac & Taryn...down to Mac's custom designed leather Chuck T's and Taryn's bright green stiletto heels! Their wonderful wedding planners Mary & Marsha helped them put those special touches that made it so memorable.

I got through my Maid of Honor speech with flying colors but also quite a few tears...here is some of the advice I gave them...

"My greatest wish for the two of you is that through the years, your love for each other will deepen and grow. Take each day and cherish your time together. Love one another and stand together. Take time to talk to one another. Put your love and your family first; your job and your hobbies second.

Years from now, may you look back on this day, your wedding day, as the day you loved each other the least."

Please go to Aubreyjoyphotography.com to view some of their professional photos which turned out AMAZING!

Dear Friends

This picture was taken several months with my Mom's dear and long time playgroup friends: Laurie, Donita, Elsie, Anne and Nancy. My mom has known these women for close to 30 years and they have been through a lot together. These ladies have been there so many times for my mom and our family since my mom became sick.

Together they designed and created this beautiful quilt with handwritten messages to my mom around the border. They also made delicious homemade meals, beautiful plants and sent cards of love and encouragement. I know that this single blog post isn't enough to thank these amazing ladies for just HOW MUCH of a pillar of support they have been but I hope it is a start. Every time my mom wraps up in your quilt we are reminded of you all and how lucky we are to have such a wonderful group of friends in our lives.