Help Wanted

Hey one and all. Just a quick update on Lana and Emma. They are STILL in Utah, hoping to come home some time tomorrow. Emma has had a fever and they can't release her until they get that under control. Meanwhile, they need help for one more day (at least). Marianne and Lisa are helping with their kids today, and I will hopefully be taking them tomorrow (if my kids would get better already!) If I still have sick kids, can anyone help with kids tomorrow? They could maybe use a meal or two, as Jeff is being the mom and the dad in the home. If anyone is up for taking in dinner, or helping with kids, give me a call. We definitely have a friend in need!

Emily

Review of the Five Stages of Grief!

I hadn't checked the blog for a few days and in reading Lana's post was so proud of her! She went from DENIAL (Emma doesn't have cancer, she just has leukemia), to ANGER (this sucks, I'm mad this is happening to me, I sleep in stupid places dealing with crap I shouldn't have to), to BARGAINING (if I have enough faith, God can help me through this), ALL in one journal entry. So for Lana and everyone wanting to help, this means DEPRESSION is next if it hasn't hit already and then ACCEPTANCE. We're almost there! Way to go Lana! Keep the anger comin', it just moves you quicker to the next stage! Interesting how predictable we are when it comes to textbooks and the study of humans. Remember we are spiritual being having a human experience-and life pretty much sucks sometimes. Jen

Sending Love From Home

Dear mom and Emma,

Come home soon! We miss you, and we love you VERY much!




Love,
Ty and Carly

HOT

I am hot. Not H-O-T - hot, but hot under the collar, steamed, spicy, on fire.

Sometimes I have these moments that it really hits me that my daughter has cancer. Leukemia sounds so much better, less threatening, however they talk around here like she has cancer. Whatever the crap that means. Anyway, often in my head I validate it by repeating, "Emma has cancer." "My daughter has cancer." "Remember you've heard of cancer, you have it."

I know we are not the first to experience these things, but I really feel ripped off.

Right now Emma has a sore on her bottom the size of Grenada (you know a small country). This is something she should have to experience only at an older age and only after she's pushed a small, living human being out of her (which won't happen anyway). Do I sound bitter? I feel bitter. I am bitter.

I feel like hitting something. Maybe tomorrow I should go work out at the Jewish Community Center (free membership to all parents who have a kid with cancer). If only my legs would work after sleeping on this dam (ha, ha I spelled it wrong, doesn't count) faux leather couch. Has it only been two nights here? For the love!

Right now Emma is getting chemo called Methotrexate (google that one). It is bright yellow and makes her pee look like limeade. I will never drink limeade again... ever! She has to pee this out every two hours. It is toxic. She gets drops put in her eyes every three hours. You know, because the drugs could make her go blind. Nothing big. Stop the Madness!

I could go on and on because this was not my plan.

Did you know He talks to me even when I'm angry? He loves me and has a greater plan.

I will trust. It's soooooooo (remember when we wrote "so" like that in jr. high? ex. I like you sooooooo much) hard. H-A-R-D, hard!

The greater plan He has for me... I don't know, but I know Him, and that's enough.

Of this I testify.

Goodnight (or is it morning?).

-Lana

Ps. HUGE thanks for loving my babies while I'm gone. Oh how I miss.

Mel, you're HOW old?

 

We need to do this more often! I haven't laughed this hard in a long time (Lisa and her cat nip tea). We all got together for Melanie's birthday after rescheduling many times. It was so worth it and a greatly needed break.

 

 

Emily? Why not just eat plain M&Ms if you don't like the peanuts?

Mare's "Quote Du Jour"

OK,
You all know how I LOVE quotes. Well, Martin Luther King said something that I can't get out of my mind!
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."

I thought it spoke to so many things we see wrong or right in the world everyday!
So ,here's to what's right.. and here's to what we can do for that which is wrong or needs some attention!
Speaking of attention, anyone want to play maid with me at Lana's on Wednesday? I am watching the littles and I am going to lysol the crap out of the joint- heehee
call me!
Marianne

LETS GET IT TOGETHER!!!

Okay so after all of Steph's hard work to arrange a get together, alas, Monday won't work either because all your kids have school SO........For one last attempt, BE at Stevo's at 6:00 on Friday, then we will be going to a movie or hanging out on a corner laughing our guts out! Be there if you can, if not we will miss ya but catch ya next time. I'm a little behind on the presents so I will be bringing gifts for Mare, Adria and Mel. Y'all better come cuz I miss you like crazy! Marilyn

We all need a good laugh!

MySpace Graphics & Free Myspace Layouts

Hey guys! Let's try getting together again. Mel has recovered and is ready to party. Let's plan on lunch on Monday at Stevo's at noon. Our kids should be out of school so we could have sitters. Does that work for everyone? I think we could all use a good laugh! Steph

Abort Mission!

A kidney stone
A thing so small
Is hardly worth a mention
Unless your trying to pass the things
They quickly get your attention
There is a cure
I promise you
That this is not a joke
Puree a bunch of asparagus

And chase with a liter of coke

Due to an unexpected guest, Mel's party will be postponed until later. Actually I don't think Mel would call it a guest. But she is home now and doing better. Whew!

Party for Mel.

Happy Birthday Mel!

How about dinner at Stevo's Friday night at 6:00pm? I will make reservations. If we need more time to be together there are some good flicks coming out or we could come back and chat at my house. Steph

Just a recap

We spent last week at Primary Children's getting her ultra doses of chemo. Emma did very well and was not sick at all (just tired). She and I had a good time together... lots of crafts, reading, movies and a 12 hour (no, not 12 episode) marathon of Wizards of Waverly Place (medicate me please).

The days seemed super long this time around, but certainly not without traffic. Everyday we'd meet new doctors, nurse practitioners, physicians assistants, child life specialists, parent helpers, nurse's assistants, sleep therapists, dietitians and more! These people would come in at all times (even interrupting Wizard episodes, the nerve) and ask questions, want to check on Emma, or just hang out. You would think this might be fun, but it's exhausting.

Emma needs to get an injection everyday while we are at home. It's just to get her white blood count back up so she can try to fight off any illness she might get. Stephanie will come over to give it to her. The hospital staff trained me how to give a shot on an orange, but seriously, it's not my thing. Thank goodness for Steph. Even though it's not her favorite thing, she's at least done it before.

We will be home until January 20 at which time we will go back to PCMC for the same regimen (does that sound like I'm in the army?) that we just finished.

Until then she will be getting her shots, taking her pills, staying away from germs and losing her hair.

Thank you for all, all, all of your help. I want you to know that miracles happen every single day in my life and in the lives of my family members. I know Heavenly Father is watching out for me and loves me and each of you.

Thank you for everything.

-Lana