2 weeks off

Cindy was suppose to have a treatment last week and then have this week off. Unfortunately her counts, referring to her blood count, in particular her white cell count which are the cells that fight infection were too low and risk for getting sick was too high. So, no treatment last week. This past week was scheduled for a "free" no treatment week and with Cindy's busy schedule she decided she needed all the energy she could muster and therefore kept to her "free" week schedule. What was she busy doing..... besides every day life of being a mother, enough said.... she continued duties as a band mother and bread maker as well as helping Miss Farmington prepare for her city wide Halloween Party!

I'm not sure this woman knows what it means to "slow down", and she remains an inspiration to us all. Unfortunately we are entering into the nasty flu season. And because Cindy does not like to stay still or a way from people, she will continue for as long as she can to come out to church, school and neighborhood events. We just all have to remember not to hug and kiss upon greeting or perhaps even grasp her hands. I'm thinking of asking her to wear a sign "Look, but please do not touch"!

All in all things are well and it is just good to have her feeling strong enough to be out and about.

A song in her heart

Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps a singing bird will come. ~Chinese Proverb

Tuesdays are chemo days. Every Tuesday Cindy spends 3 hours getting Taxotere pumped into her veins. Taxotere is an Antimicrotubule agents which inhibit the microtubule structures within the cell. Microtubules are part of the cell's apparatus for dividing and replicating itself. Inhibition of these structures ultimately results in cell death. Thus the death of the cancer. There are many varieties of chemo drugs and Taxotere is the drug of choice for Cindy’s body right now.

Taxotere is made from the bark of the Pacific Yew tree. The low lying yew was often considered a “trash tree” compared to the mighty Douglas fir and the likes. But with the discovery of Taxol in the 1960’s, it became the Cinderella of the forest. Yews are one of the most long-lived trees. Pacific Northwest species can live more than 1,000 years and some of their English cousins are believed to be more than 4,000 years old. Early cultures recognized the inherent wisdom of something that lives so long, and the yew became the subject of legend and an important spiritual connection to the forest.

Cindy treatment regime requires three weeks of chemo and then one week off. This will continue until her body says “stop” or her marker comes down to normal range. Cindy’s marker is a protein in her blood. Not everyone has this marker and out of the few that do, it has not proven to be very reliable. However, in her case it has been spot on. When the number goes up, it means that the cancer is growing or active somewhere in her body. Normal range for these markers are 30-40. Before the first chemo treatment this month her markers were in the 900’s. Not good. But last week, after only two treatments her markers were lowered to the 800’s. Good.

While there is still a long way to go, the Taxotere is doing its job. In the meantime Cindy continues with life. She spends every Wednesday baking bread by the truck load for her band kids. She is out and about whenever possible, smiling and waving as she passes you by in her little green truck. Each Sunday our congregation is greeted with the most beautiful smile as she leads us in song worship. And while she is extremely tired and has moved her bedtime up to 8:00 pm these days, she carries on. All the while giving thanks. Thanks for support in the form of flowers, cards and letters, delicious meals and priesthood blessings. Cindy has taken to heart the wisdom of that ancient Chinese proverb and the song birds have come to roost!

Counting My Blessings

Hi Everyone!  I am home from my first chemo treatment just resting, enjoying the beautiful Fall weather and the cards and flower arrangements in my kitchen that my thoughtful friends have brought over the last couple of weeks.  A delicious looking dinner has just arrived for us.  I am counting my many blessings!

My appointment was positive.  My surgery looks like it went well & is healing nicely.  It will be good to get back to church this Sunday.  The chemo was uneventful, took about 3 1/2 hrs on an IV to my chest.  I have a port-a-cath there too, so the medicine goes into a major vein into my heart & is distributed throughout my body quickly.  No side effects yet, YAY!

I just wanted to thank you for the prayers and thoughts that have come our way.  The support and friendship makes such a difference to my family.  Hugs!  Cindy