Wanted to mention that I got to go to the boys and girls soccer games yesterday and it was fun. Girls played stronger than I've seen so that was good, unfortunately we still lost in double overtime 3-2 but they def put on a show for the spectators. The boys game was a little more successful as they won. I think the score was like 5-2 but the boys did great. Garrett amazes me how tough he is. He gets knocked down and he bounces right back up like a champ. Ashlee seemed to trust her knee a little more yesterday. Even though mentally she knows its fine, I still see a little reservation, however, I saw more of the "old" Ashlee yesterday than I have so far. I definitely think she is on her way to 100%. Also, I really want to acknowledge Nate Corson in the boys game yesterday. He had a couple saves that were literally INCREDIBLE!!! You played outstanding Nate! You made for an exciting game! Just want to say to both boys and girls teams thanks for putting on a good game of soccer for the fans!

Was quite busy yesterday which was good cuz I slept quite good last night. Still up early but good sleep when I did sleep.Plans for Tracey, Wendy, Denise, and Mom(Virg) to come visit is closer in the works. Looks like they will make it for a 4 day weekend so I am excited that we will get to spend some fun time together. This is going to be a true fun visit and I can't wait to just have fun with them. My head is still driving me crazy because of the itchiness, but think that will subside after radiation finishes. Head is very dry and red(actually my head is white and my face is red). I saw Dr. Mandell yesterday and the plan is to finish radiation on Friday and then she will schedule me for a CT scan to see if we can notice any decrease in tumor size. I think it must be helping because my symptoms have improved but please pray for positive news anyway. I think Dave will feel better too once I have scan and he knows one way or the other if this seems to be working. Ok, I'm watching Kevin on Channel 6 weather and hes saying maybe SNOW tonight. It would be just a dusting but come on!!!!!! I am planning on going to the Harvest Dinner on Friday (Yeah), and then the Skosh show on Saturday so I am thrilled to have plans and honered that these events are being put on for myself and family. The support in this town is amazing and I am proud to say I am from Buckfield.

Jeanne

Jeanne I wanted to say I had a GREAT time visiting with you on Monday. I wanted you to have your own post because it really was so great to see you. I love how we can go months/year without speaking and just sit down and pick up like we saw each other yesterday! You are what I consider a true friend and I thank you for that. I think our Moms would be impressed and proud of our friendship so hats off to them for doing a good job with us, LOL.

Up early today, my head is so itchy its driving me crazy. The skin on my head is very dry from chemo and hair stuble is still falling out so it is very dry and itchy. I did buy some aloe/anti-itch cream for it and that definitely helps. I just have to remember only 4 more treatments and then radiation will be done. Had a good visit with Dr Erickson yesterday. Treatment plan seems to be going as well as we had hoped. Will continue on Temodar (chemo pill) for up to 6 months. Pretty strong medication but definitely worth the benefit. Plan still seems on track so news is good. I still feel very good with the reduction of steroids so the steroids must be doing their thing by reducing the swelling. I have had no headache either so that is really good. Other than a little fatigue, I really feel pretty good. Kathy is taking me to treatment today and we are meeting Aunt Deb for lunch. Its always a fun day to meet up with Aunt Deb and I know with the 3 of us together we will def have a good time. I actually have a plan for everyday this week I think which is good so long as I can stay busy.This weekend is packed, I am going to the Harvest Dinner on Friday, and the Skosh show on Saturday. If anyone has the opportunity they should try to get to the Skosh show. These kids are so amazingly talented and its a guaranteed good time. Guess I'm gonna go watch Kevin and see what he says about the weather for today.

Today is a good day. Yesterday was very good. I did scrapbooking with Gail, Crystal, and Megan and it was exactly what I needed. We spent 3 hours and I was feeling really good and slept great last night. It was much better for me to do it with the girls cuz it helped with ideas, we bounced stuff off each other and I was really happy with the 2 pages I got done. We are going to try to do another scrapbook date, but not sure when yet. My head itches like crazy right now with the hair loss. I wish it would just come out, but it is taking its sweet time. I see Dr. Erickson today so I might have new information, hopefully good news, and I have to say I really do feel better than I did 2 weeks ago. My biggest challenges right is the memory, although I do think it has gotten better. I also find I have to move slower as my balance is off but that is manageable. Not sure if they will adjust my meds at all as they seem to be working good right now and I hate to make changes if things are working. I guess my next step with Dr. Erickson now is to decide if we will do chemo long term or just the 4 week plan. Hopefully we will talk about that today. Dave is taking me to the drs today so hopefully he can hear first hand what the dr says and it might ease his mind. He still has questions that really don't have answers yet, and he is struggling with that. He has been my rock though and I know I wouldn't have been able to get through all this without his incredible support. Love ya Dave!!!!

Up early today, can't seem to sleep was up at midnite and again about 4 this am. Will plan for a nap sometime today. Dave has alot he wants to get done today. Ashlees car needs new struts so that is first on his plan today. Hope they are an easy job for him. It is suppose to rain today, but hoping its not an all day rain event or heavy rain. I am scrapbooking with Gail, Crystal and Megan tonight so that will be fun. Not sure how I'll do with the layouts as I normally take a long time to decide what and how I want things so this will be interesting, but I'm excited the girls are coming to do it with me. New ideas are always good and I need some new ideas. I'm not a big scrapbooker, but I do like it and find it relaxing. I just take a while to get a page done. Megan can do about 3 pages to my one, HAHA. Will let everyone know how the scrapbooking party goes and hopefully I get a couple pages done tonite.

sleeping

Having trouble getting on a sleep routing now. I am getting enough sleep, its just at weird times. I fell asleep about 11 pm last night but am wide awake since 3:30 this am. Tried to fall back asleep, but not happening. I find I am falling asleep earlier, but also getting up earlier. I need to try to get back on routine with sleeping. Luckily I can take a nap during the day if I need it. So far I have been handling radiation well. I only have 5 treatments left and honestly I still feel quite well. I do feel that my memory is better than it was, but obviously not great. I believe the more I use it and the more exercise the brain gets the better, so I am trying to do things that stimulate brain activity. Tim and Candy came by last night to visit and for supper then we played cards. It was a really fun night, alot of laughing and I needed that. Plus we had a smorgasbord for supper and everyone was really happy with a GREAT meal. Ashlee and Garrett have a soccer game today so excited to see them both play. Should be a good game too its against Richmond. Hoping good games from both teams (boys and girls). Hair is driving me crazy right now. It is falling out splotchy and I look like I have the mange. Don't mind that its falling out, just wish it would all come out cuz it looks crazy right now.

May do 2 posts today as I am up very early this am. I fell asleep about 10 pm (yeah), took meds at 12 midnight and slept til 5 am. That was a good 7 hours sleep so Im feeling good so far this am even though its only 5 am now. My sister Kathy is coming down today and taking me to treatment and I think she may look for a new vehicle too. She has had crappy luck this last 2 weeks with cars and now she may end up getting new and good for her. Her vehicle was damaged in an auto accident so Marc may get a new vehicle (at least new to him). Kathy says its Marcs turn to get the new car so shes really looking out for him. Right now they are borrowing a car thats a 2-seater and with 7 kids and 2 adults its an impossible fit. Hopefully her & Marc find something they like soon. All Kathy's kids are in school now except 2 so when she comes to visit now she only has Zoe and Rutger. It almost seems weird that she has only 2 little ones with her. Haven't heard from Janie yesterday so hoping all is well with her. I am a little worried as I also haven't seen her on Facebook so Janie I hope things are still ok with you. My thoughts are with you Janie. Until later.....

Saw Dr. Mandell yesterday, a few plan changes but still happy with progress. Very excited for today because I am going to wee my work friends this afternoon. I have radiation then visiting with them for a few. Its amazing how much our work friends become such strong people in our lives. If your fortunate to have a good workplace like I have, they are definately more than just co-workers. They know more about my life than some of family (Poor co-workers haha). I have to say my entire workplace and the company in general has been very supportive. Even though it is a nonprofit agency I feel they consider their employees interest and that is important to me. I am not sure that work will be something I can tackle after all this, but I'm hoping for some type of work stimulation. I think the more exercise the brain can have, the better and boy do I need to exercise my brain for this job!!! I honestly believe thats why I am doing so well right now is because my job did require ALOT and now its paying off. I slept rally good last night up at midnight for meds and then fell back to sleep around 1 am and up for good at 6 am but good solid sleep again. I think staying busy daily helps me sleep well at night too so I'm gonna stick to this routine for now.

I have had a very good afternoon today. Got some disability paperwork started, mailed some things for work, dropped papers off at drs, got radiation treatment, went to lunch with Chuck at Longhorns (I think my new fave place.), came home and went for walk with Janie, filled my pill slots and now I'm relaxing. Trying not to do toooo much, but enough to stay busy so I can sleep well at night. My sister Kathy is coming down tomorrow so I am excited to see her. Shes bringing Zoe and Rutger so it will be a fun visit. She will take me to my radiation treatment tomorrow so another one will be down. Looks like I have 9 radiation left, but that could change? Tomorrow is my last whole brain and on Wednesday I start some new radiation so I'm not sure what or how that will be. Wait and see I guess. I see Dr. Mandell tomorrow too so I may have some new plan or more questions after tomorrow but for now thats whats on the agenda. Garrett at soccer practice right now, and Ashlee had to go to Auburn for something so the kids should be home shortly. Dave is down visiting Uncle Norm as he came home from hospital yesterday. I know he hates the hospital---who doesn't. I guess Unc can't work for 3 weeks, POOR Laurie, I know that is gonna be tough having Unc around for 3 weeks unable to work. Uncs not one to sit around and do nothing. I'm thinking of ya! Well, gonna go think about supper now, so off for now.........

Sunday

ok, now its COLD outside. What a change in the weather just overnite. I knew it was coming but it is darn cold out this am. Just watched weather though and suppose to warm up and be nice day today do thats good. I guess its safe to take my AC out of the window now, hah. I actually like the cool weather but not the cold. It makes my bones hurt and I'm feeling it today. Legs are a little achey. Have to make a trip to Auburn either today or tomorrow to get more meds. Seems like I run out of something everyday, gotta get a better handle on the medication supply. Excited to see Dennis and Lorana today. They are coming to visit and I always love to see them. Even though we don't see each other often, I value and love my time with them. I may not tell Dennis enough, but he is a huge part of my life and I love being able to see him and the time he spends with us and the kids. Dave just came in and he has decided to get moving early. He woke up with a cold sore on his lip and man it looks painful. Thats gotta suck. Well, guess I'm gonna sign off for now. I'm sure I'll be back on later.

Well today has gone well so far. I slept weird last nite fell asleep about 11pm and up at 4:30ish, but felt the sleep was good solid sleep. Have been up all day, but still doing ok. Went to a service for a friend who lost her battle to this terrible disease today and it was very sad but also comforting to see and feel the love and warmth in that room. There was alot of family and friends there and that is what is should be about is celebrating the life, not the death. I know I'm getting deep here, but its where I'm at right now. Had a great lunch at the reception after, great job to the family. Food is always a great comforter- just look at the size of me... Went to Walmart after to pick up prescription and I think I have invested enough money in Walmart that I must be a partner or something. Ashlee went to North Conway with Kyle and his family today so I hope they had fun. Megan and Marc went to a wedding (beautiful day for a wedding), and Garrett had a soccer game which Bucks dominated at today. Garrett scored and he plays defense haha. Hats off to Dave for all his patience. I don't think he was aware of how many patience he had until now. He has put up with alot of my problems always keeping it cool and being respectful to my and my deficits. When I have to ask him something 10 times over and he just answers me like its the first time, then I know he really does love me. (Not that I did ever doubt it). So to everyone who sees Dave out there, pat him on the back too cuz I couldn't ask for a better husband. Signing off for now........

test

testing new layout

Well, just got back from another radiation treatment. Went smooth so thats good. Wore my breast cancer shirt the boys and girls soccer team made for me and it was a huge hit at the hospital. They all thought that it was so awesome to see such support from high school kids. I agree. Dad got me to radiation safely this am, he actually does ok if he has enough time and knows where hes going. I also think it helps him be a part of this by taking me to some of my appointments and I certainly appreciate the ride. A little scary but not bad. Probably gonna go find some lunch, Ash just stopped in to grab something and now shes back out the door. Always on the go!

Well, I am going to attempt to start a blog today just for the fun of it and to keep my mind busy. Today is radiation treatment #8, with 7 remaining. I am getting whole brain for now, but will start getting focused on Wednesday, so not sure how that will change things right now. The actual radiation isn't too bad, its quick and I am noticing its working but definitely do-able. I still sweat crazy at night and dr says that is from high dose of steroids I am on. Actually we are gonna try to cut back to 12 mg/every 6 hours rather than 16. Today will be day one on 12 mg. I definitely think the swelling is going down and the headaches are nearly non-existent. I am also taking a chemo pill (Temodar) daily and that is huge! Luckily I only have to do it 1 time per day :) The nite sweats are here...I am showering constantly and feel like I smell-which I hate, but no one has said anything so its probably just me being paranoid. The kids seem to be holding up as well as expected. This community is unbelievable for support and I love them dearly. This is not just my illness, the community has embraced it and is helping me fight in so many ways. The support is huge in my fight. The kids are loving the meals, so everyone know that has been a bright spot daily that a good cooked meal is available everynite. (And Dave & I love them too!) It really makes me proud of who Dave & I are as parents and people when even my kids friends are helping out. Kids today get crappy comments and it is important to know that there are still some GREAT kids out there that we can be very proud of. My Dad is driving me to radiation today so that will be fun. I know he so loves feeling like hes helping out and I'm glad he can do it. Other than that I think my agenda is wide open for the day so I'm sure I'll be back on to update as the day progresses.