April Cancer update

It was time for another CT scan of my abdomen and pelvis to see what the cancer tumors are looking like. I was so so thrilled and happy to hear that after being on the new medication called Ibrance along with Letrozole that my tumors are shrinking!!! I started this new medication combination last year about this time with uncertainty of the results and if my body would even respond to this targeted therapy. This medicine is targeted to help the Letrozole become more sensitive to stopping Estrogen. It has had some tough side effects such as bone pain and aches (especially my back, knees and ankles), lots of fatigue and memory difficulty like recalling words/thoughts. 

At this time a few tumors are being watched and monitored. 

1. Mesentery/Peritoneum: Scattered peritoneal nodules are unchanged in size.
      - Right midabdomen peritoneal nodule measuring 1.8 x 2.0 cm (In  Sept of 2017, it was 2 x 2.2 cm)
      - Right parapsoas nodule measuring 1.8 cm  (slight decrease in size since Jan 2018 scan)
      - Left perirectal fascial thickening is unchanged
      - Nodular thickening of the left uterosacral ligament has slightly decreased. 
      - There are no new peritoneal nodules

I continue to focus on eating healthy and started a new program called Clean Simple Eats that guides you with recipes, grocery lists and meal prep daily. It has been very helpful to be able to order our groceries online since I base all our meals off this plan and save energy from not having to grocery shop as much. I love how eating healthy food, fresh food and lots of water have made me feel! I have also continued to go to the Herriman Rec Center at least a few times a week for classes and am so proud of myself for being able to actually run 1 mile again! Even through some days I am so tired and don't want to exercise, I always walk away so happy and with more confidence and energy and less stress! 

I have also started to focus more on my Mental health as well. I was introduced to guided meditation by my eyelash lady Shanda. I have always heard how good meditation is for you but never had time because I thought it took a long time to do it. I was so happy to discover short guided meditations to help clear my mind, relax anxiety and stress and sleep better. My favorite ones to listen to are by "The Honest Guys". I look forward to laying in bed and letting my body and mind relax. It has been very helpful to keeping me positive in this journey. Aubrie has also enjoyed listening to the meditations with me and begs to listen to "quiet music" every night before bed. She falls asleep within a minute or two of starting them!

Moab

April 2018:

We took a trip to Moab in our trailer and enjoyed getting out in the sun. I have always wanted to hike to Delicate Arch, but since being diagnosed with cancer, I haven't had the strength or endurance to do so. I was determined this year to make it Delicate Arch, even if it took me some extra time, and show my cancer who is in charge!

We also had to make a stop to the Sand Dune Arch for the kids to play in the soft sand and for Jeff to climb around.

We also spent a day 4-wheeling on the Fins and Things trail which is always a little scary to me with the 4-wheelers. There were sections of the trail that you have to just let the 4-wheeler roll down the hill with nobody on it because it is too steep!

The girls loved playing catch with Aunt Shannon after 4-wheeling and having lunch in the back of Papa's trailer.

Easter Time

Easter time was filled with many different Easter Egg Hunts. The first one was at Herriman Rec Center and was a dive to collect eggs in the swimming pool. The girls also enjoyed going the annual Sandy Fire Station hunt and Bluffdale hunt.

Easter Sunday Cuties

Another fun tradition we did was coloring Easter eggs with the girls that are hidden outside by the Easter Bunny on Easter morning.

Disneyworld trip Day 3-6

Day 3 of our vacation was spent at Magic Kingdom. 

It was the first time for me and the girls and we made sure to get there early to enjoy a full day!

It is set up quite a bit different than Disneyworld so it took some getting used to where all the different lands were. 

                             

                                      

Our first stop was Bells Enchanted Tales where both Aubrie and Brynnley got chosen to be part of Belle's show. We even got to meet Belle afterwards!

We enjoyed gigantic cinnamon rolls in Fantasy Land for some breakfast.

We made sure to get a good spot in the shade to watch the parade!

The next day was Jeff's 32nd birthday and of course we had to try one of the resorts cupcakes!

Day 4 we went to celebrate Jeff's birthday at the Animal Kingdom. This was another one of my favorite parks we visited.

The newest area of the park is called Pandora, which is the setting for a movie called Avatar.
The ride was really neat 3D ride through the forest on the back of a dragon.

Animal Kingdom is split into different areas where different animals are kept. We traveled to Africa in the morning to go take a Safari ride to see the animals.

It was fun to see the animals on the Safari ride so close to us and too see some unique animals!

After the Safari we took a train ride to a petting zoo area and an area where all the little animals were kept along with the vet offices. We even got to see a possum getting a check up!

                                        

The girls were so excited to see one of their favorite characters there too....Doc McStuffins and Jeff even sang the entire theme song too!

We also got a special opportunity to see the Lion King show from the very front row. We were headed to wait in line and a worker came up to us and told us they can get really good seats if we wanted. What we didn't know is that Aubrie got invited up along with a few others to be part of the Lion King show.

                                      

You can't go to Disneyland without trying all the goodies...and Brynnley sure enjoyed her lollypop!

Day 5 we went to Hollywood Studios. This park is filled with Disney Jr. characters and shows to see like the Little Mermaid show and Disney Jr. Playhouse.

Sofia the 1st was a favorite of Brynnley's and Jake was a favorite of Aubrie's.

       

Day 5 we returned to Magic Kingdom in hopes to ride Pirates of the Caribbean as our first ride. (It had been closed down during our trip for refurbishments- they took the "We want the red head" scene out). Unfortunately, we waited for quite some time to be the first ones to get to the ride, but it was not working. We decided to stay around and do some other rides while we waited for it to open back up.

Brynnley and I waited for Aubrie and Dad to ride Splash Mountain which they loved!

The castle at Magic Kingdom is bigger than Disneylands and is Cinderella's castle.

We tried to get in line for Pirates ride again and were waiting in the Fast Pass line and then had to leave again because the ride was broken again! 3rd time was the charm and we finally got to ride it. The set up and rides are different than they are at Disneyland including the Haunted mansion and small world.

At night we were able to see a really neat show that is lit up against the castle and huge fireworks behind it!