Frankenstein Lives!!

Hey Everyone!  I'm sorry to take so long to bring you news.  I've had a crazy weekend.  I don't know how it happens but everything gets scheduled for the same weekend!  Surgery, Homecoming, BYU game, Air Show in Wendover (we were given VIP tickets). So we compromised, Floyd went to the game, Ben went to Homecoming, we passed on the Wendover Show & I went to surgery. It went perfectly.  The people at the Huntsman Center were wonderful.  I was planning to get some rest while I was there, but the nurses had other ideas.  They came in every couple of hours to take my vitals and some blood.  I do appreciate them taking good care of me though.  I now have an omyya resevoire in my head along with a 4-5 inch incision with staples.  Thus the Frankenstein title, they wanted me to leave it open to the air for the weekend, so that's why I missed you at church, didn't want to scare anybody.  I am sad that I missed the Primary Program, that is my favorite meeting of the year.

I'll find out this week what the next step is when I visit with my oncologist.  My guess would be to start chemo soon, 1 round (once a week for three weeks) to the head and then 1 round to the body until it works.  I'm feeling good, just resting at home.  Thank you to all of you for your thoughts & prayers on my behalf.  I feel your strength and it helps me stay positive. My family thanks you for the delicious meals and treats you've all thoughtfully brought to us.  I am counting my many blessings.  Cindy

All is well

I just spoke with Margaret, Cindy's mom.  She has been patiently waiting at the Simpson's home for word from Floyd.  Cindy and Floyd went to the Huntsman Center early this morning for the placement of the port-a-cath within Cindy's head.  As with most surgeries, it took awhile to get word.  However by 3:00 she was in recovery and all was well.  Cindy will stay the night at the Huntsman Center.  She should be home sometime tomorrow, we just don't know when.  Ben is off to the Davis Homecoming Game!  Go Darts!

I should be able to talk with Floyd or Margaret tomorrow and will post if there is any new info.  I suppose if we look on the positive side of things we should be glad that Cindy was already wearing beautiful hats and scarves.  At least they didn't have to shave much of her hair off!  It will be good to have this procedure done and move onto the next.  Cindy is ready!

I know she would want me to express her thanks to you all.  Good friends, neighbors and family sure make getting through this life easier. 

posted by Libby Hansen

the 30th Psalm

"Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent . O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever."

I have chosen the Psalm 30 as a scripture which, in my mind,  best represents Cindy Simpson.  She looks on life as a beautiful thing. She honors the Lord by celebrating him through dance and song.  While her body has its trials and at times, especially lately, she has not had the energy to offer up as lively a dance as once given she continues to offer praise and thanks to Him.

There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as if everything is.

-- Albert Einstein

For over 16 years now Cindy has been fighting a war with cancer.  For a short time there was a truce but a new battle is beginning and with courage and commitment she is ready to face this battle as if she were Joshua at the battle of Jericho and ready to conquer the foe!  Cindy views life, its  beauties and challenges as a miracle.  I believe it is because of her faith she is able to genuinely smile when the rest of us are bogged down in despair.  It is not a false pretense.  She is genuine.  She is a woman of courage.  She is a woman of faith.

The Battle Begins:

This Friday - September 24, Cindy will have a port-a-cath installed in her head.  A port-a- cath is a small medical appliance that is installed beneath the skin. A catheter connects the port to a vein. This device allows drugs to be injected, usually with less discomfort for the patient than a more typical needle stick and is how the next round of Chemo Therapy will be administered to her brain.   She will begin chemo therapy treatment the next week.  Once a week for three weeks the drugs will be delivered directly into her brain. Then she gets a week to recover. Then, the next three weeks she will receive Chemo to the rest of her body.  This process will be repeated until it works.

The purpose of these drugs are to kill the bad cells of Cancer!  While they are wonderful drugs they are also non discriminating drugs.  They not only kill the bad cells, they will also kill good cells.  Because of this, risk of infection is high.  Cindy will be out of sight at times.  We do not want her to be out of mind.  To this end this blog has been created.  We will keep it updated on her progress.  And while she may not have the energy or strength to talk to us all, she would love hearing any news or words of encouragement offered.  Please feel free to contact her via hand written and mailed notes, email messages cindyjsimpson@msn.com or simply post a comment on this blog.   

While no one looks forward to any battle we are excited and grateful for the miracle of modern medicine, for knowledgeable doctors and chemists, for people who donate to good causes and most of all  for faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

posted by Libby Hansen