Happy New Year!!

I can hardly believe it's the middle of January already! Sorry it has been a while since we posted an update. Between the activities of the holidays, chemo treatments and sickness, this fell by the wayside for a few weeks. Gratefully, we are back on track and doing well. Here are a few highlights from December:

Jeremy turned 8 on December 4th. He was baptized on Dec 20th by Rob - the last of our herd. We were so grateful for many family and friends to come and share the event with him. It was a great day!

Rob and Josh were able to go elk hunting a couple of times in December. They drew out for antlerless elk tags on Deseret Land and Livestock. Both were able to get an elk - now the freezer is full - and overflowing into Janet's freezer (soon to be transferred to Grandpa's freezer).

Christmas Eve was spent with the Goates family at Grandpa's house. It is a lot of people in a not-so-large house. However, everyone has a great time and it is a highlight of the season. We had a great Christmas day with a surprise visit from my sister, Barbara, and her family - all the way from Arizona. The kids loved the snow and built a huge snowman out back. I thought he was big when I saw Josh reaching up to put in the rocks for eyes. Then Rob pointed out to me that Josh was standing on then bench and reaching up! Josh and Cory also got to go skiing with their cousins while they were here - Thank you, Adrian!

New Year's Eve was the usual food fest w/ puzzles and games at the Goates. As always it was fun just to visit and enjoy each other. We discovered the magic of having a finished basement - the kids played video games and pool downstairs and the adults got to visit a bit more quietly upstairs.

It was rather sad to take down all the Christmas decorations and declare the holidays over. It was sure fun to have the kids home and to have Rob home a little more as well. We enjoyed all the goodies from our dear friends - Thank you! Christmas cards are also a favorite part of the holidays as we get to hear what's going on with many of you. All the cards get taped onto the study doors and so we have you smiling at us every time we walk by. The Christmas cards are still up - we enjoy having you with us!

Well, my third chemo treatment was on Friday, January 2nd. That was two weeks ago and I'm finally feeling like we've gotten past the treatment and everything that goes with it. The chemo treatment itself was fine, no big deal (it takes about 48 hours for the side effects to kick in). Unfortunately, I came down with a cold a few days after the treatment. It felt like your usual cold - sore throat, stuffy nose, a little achy. However, when combined with the side effects of the chemo and Neulasta, it made for a rough week. We called the doctor and he agreed that it probably was just a virus that I picked up somewhere, but he said he would put me on anitbiotics anyway just to be sure it didn't turn into anything else. When Rob got there to pick up the prescription, the pharmacist told him that the cost would be $83 for 7 little pills. Levaquin was the magic medicine, a super-anitbiotic usually reserved as a drug of last resort. I guess the oncologists have enough experience with their patients that they want to knock out any infection before any complications can arise. I always appreciate Rob's perspective: "It's cheaper than a trip to the emergency room." Thankfully, there weren't any side effects from the Levaquin. So, I'm feeling better now (just a stuffy nose) and I'm enjoying a 'normal' week before my next, and final!!!, treatment on Jan 23rd.

We anticipate making a decision on the raditation therapy by the end of the month. Because my case is kind of in a grey area, we have not yet received any clear direction from the doctors on the benefit that would be derived from radiation. For now, we are keeping our minds and options open. We will keep you in the loop once we make a decision.

Thank you for all of your love, prayers and support - it has definitely made a difference!