A Feel Good Week

This has been a feel decent week. I had my blood counts checked today and everything looks good. (Woohoo!) I even went to work for a couple of hours today! (Long story but it was necessary for insurance. The on call Dr. released me - after we got special permission!) I am very tired but it was great to be out and see my coworkers. I stay in the "time out room" and wear a mask but I like feeling like a productive member of society! :) I am on schedule for chemo next week. I am halfway through the 4 rounds of this chemo drug combination. After I complete these 4 cycles I move right into the next chemo drug on the same every 21 days schedule. So that means next week I will complete cycle 3 of the 8 total - I am making progress! :). Just a quick clarification because of a question I was asked this week. The reason for the chemo is that the cancer has invaded into my blood stream. Yes the surgery was very successful and there are no more tumors anywhere else - just cancer cells roaming around in my bloodstream! We are wanting to wipe out all those rogue cancer cells before they take up residence somewhere!! We have opted for the most aggressive chemo treatment because of the bloodstream invasion and also my young age and likelihood of cancer recurrence. We feel really comfortable with this decision and are very optimistic!! I am feeling so thankful for days that I feel good and am even thankful for the cruddy days -  they don't last forever!! I continue to marvel at my phenomenal family and the way they all take care of me. Their support is unbelievable! We are grateful for all of the help and love and prayers and food and support and kind words and .......etc from all of you. Every single day we count our many blessings!! Thank you all for joining us on this journey!! Your support truly means the world to us! ~ Melissa

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today is the first day since chemo that I have worn real people clothes (not Jammies) so yay for that! I also have a fun hat instead of a stocking cap! And a pretty new necklace the kiddos game me for Valentine's Day! I am finally feeling much better. This time I had a little cold which was kind of scary but it never turned into anything. Food is starting to taste better now too! I am looking forward to feeling well next week. I can't return to work yet though because Dr. Miranda has to release me for work and he is in Thailand! And, yes, it has to be him. Another Dr. can't do it (I checked). My next chemo cycle is delayed until the 27th so the Dr. can be back in the country! That means I get to enjoy 2 extra days of feeling well!! What a huge blessing! I want to wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day. It is my favorite holiday and we are certainly feeling much love this year. A special thank you to MY valentine. We can't go out and celebrate tonight, but as I look at that bald head and think of the care I have received from his hands, I have never been more in love. So very grateful for this tremendous blessing. My entire family has been AMAZING! This week we were scheduled to be in Aruba enjoying carnivale! As I called to cancel the resort reservations, Eli said "that's okay mom. We need to keep you around for lots more vacations." They have had to sacrifice this and so many other things! Thank you for supporting all of us -this is truly a battle we are fighting as a family. Huge love to all.
P.S. I am loving the Olympics! What a great way to pass my extra time! I'm even learning to understand curling!!   ~ Melissa

IV at Home

It was a real blessing to be able to do my IV at home this time - Especially with the nasty weather. I finished up with the fluids and steroids yesterday. The steroids were helpful in controlling the nausea but have made me jittery and not able to sleep. My blood count s are starting to drop so I am feeling very wiped out. Today my bath was my big accomplishment and I am pooped! I am looking forward to "turning the corner" and feeling better soon. We continue to count our blessings everyday and thank you all for love. I am feeling so greatful for my family. They have made so many sacrifices for me, and there are many more to come. I love them so incredibly much!!  ~ Melissa

Melissa sent me a couple of pictures to post of Jonah's new shoes. He got pink shoes to show his support for his mom. I will have to post them tomorrow as I am unable to download them right now.

Jonah's pink shoes!

Day 2 of Round 2

Today I went for fluids, steroids, and neulasta injection. Neulasta is the one that stimulates my bone marrow to make new white blood cells. This is an effort to counteract the effects of the chemo wiping out those cells. I have heard horror stories about the skeletal pain associated with this injection. I have been really lucky so far though -just some aching joints and headache. Thank heavens for a high pain tolerance!! Another bit of good news. Today while I was at the infusion center they made arrangements for me to get treatments at home! I went home today with several boxes of supplies including an IV pole!! I will give my own fluids and IV steroids through my port for the next 2-3 days. That is great because it means that I don't have to leave home to receive my treatment! I will need to go into the hospital only for lab draws and the actual chemotherapy treatments. This will also save a significant amount of money because we are just paying for supplies and not the infusion center fees. Plus it helps me feel like a nurse while I'm not working :). I'm back in quarantine for the next few weeks. I so enjoyed a few days of being out and LOVED being able to attend church. I gather such strength from all of your kind encouraging words! Please know how very blessed I feel. I have received such tremendous support from everyone! So very thankful for my family and dear friends. A special thank you to Gramita. It's her birthday tomorrow. She has been wonderful to help with kids, clean, provide food, and generally offer support. I guess you are never too old to need your mama when you are sick! Love to everyone and thanks for your ongoing support.

What a lucky treat it is to actually get a message from Melissa at this point. She says she is not throwing up very much but is still feeling like she should. She is feeling "dizzy and whirly" which is no fun. The steroids are in a higher dose this time and it is making her heart feel like it is racing but she doesn't have enough energy for her legs and arms to be running (which is what happened last year when she had to have the high doses of steroids for her eye.) She was worried that she might wear out her blanket because she plays with it and wrings it when she is on the steroids. Even with all of this she said that she feels significantly better than she did on day 2 of round 1.

 This is a picture of Melissa's brother, Austin, and his son, Max (age 4). They are showing their support all the way from Michigan! Max calls it his "baldy hair", how cute :)

2nd Round of Chemo

Today when we arrived at the hospital we went right into the IV therapy in the special room for chemo. The medicine was not to Burley yet due to the weather so they started on some of the fluids and other nausea meds. Dr. Miranda changed some of the drug doses and that has seemed to really help. After treatment Melissa even felt well enough to eat a half sandwich. She has been sick a couple of times but not bad so she has been able to get a little rest.

Melissa will still have to get up 2 times in the night so she won't get chemo burns in her bladder. Tomorrow she will go in for the Neulasta shot, steroids, and fluids. Dr. Miranda moved the next treatment back 2 days so he will be back in town. He is going to Thailand to perform service. We would like to thank everyone for their service and prayers. - Tyler

The Big Shave

After Melissa and Eli had their heads shaved, Tyler surprised Melissa by shaving his head also while she was showering. Alexa re-pinked her hair today, Jonah and even Suzie got haircuts! Melissa is feeling a lot of support from her family right now. She is feeling well and enjoying the weekend with her favorite people. She is also enjoying food this week - it tastes like it should :). Melissa is feeling anxious for Tuesday and the second round of chemo. She says "At least I won't have to worry about my hair hanging in my face when I am puking!!" Next week Tyler will be sending the blog updates to me since Melissa will be out of commission.

This first picture is right before the shave. 

 A Selfie :)

Suz, doing her job!

Melissa is radiant! A sign of true beauty is when you still look this amazing, bald!

More Bald Than Yesterday!

"The face says it all!" ~ Melissa

Tonight I got another message from Melissa saying that her hair is RAPIDLY falling out! And she sent this picture. She says "It is driving me absolutely crazy. I am leaving piles of hair everywhere I go! The plan is for Eli and I both to get buzzed tomorrow. (I'm pretty sure she means she is buzzing off their hair, not taking to drinking ;) He is excited to be my bald buddy :) I am actually thinking it will be a relief! Pictures of our baldness to follow! I had an appointment with Dr. Miranda and had labs checked today. Best news ever - my blood counts are Awesome! Like an actual, almost normal person. Awesome! This means that Tuesday is definitely chemo day. Dr. Miranda is planning to change up some of the IV nausea meds to see if I have better luck this time. The first few days after treatment were pretty miserable last time. At least I know that it gets better!! Dr. Miranda is also scheduling me to go into the hospital to receive IV fluids for 4 days after treatment. This will ensure that I stay hydrated and also help flush the chemo drugs out of my system. Such a blessing to have a Dr that is so concerned about me! I am feeling pretty good right now. Just uber tired. I have been able to do some actual household chores this week and it was so exciting! I even vacuumed up some of my hair :). Please know how grateful we are for your unfailing love and support. We have received service in so very many ways. A special thanks to those of you that help out with the kiddos. My constant worry is that I can't be mom, and I am so grateful for many wonderful "honorary moms". Thank you so much! I can be at ease knowing that my crew are being well cared for (not to mention well fed!). I can't express my gratitude for a family that has made so many sacrifices for me. They are all so careful and concerned for me. I am receiving such wonderful tender care from Tyler and each of my children. Grandma Linda made a cool comment that I know is true. She said that I am raising a houseful of stripling warriors. We are all experiencing the refiners fire, and are learning and growing together. Thank you for joining us on our journey." ~ Melissa

I think it is amazing and wonderful that Melissa is able to share this journey with all of her fan club :) Thank you, Melissa! Love you tons ~Nicole