Hi Blogger Buddies. The pic is of Bonnie, my daughter, and her husband Ricky. They are moving back to Pleasanton next weekend. Ricky got a job with Cupertino Electric in San Jose and He's done with school on Friday! Yea! Many blessing have come our way. I hope everyone is having a good time getting ready for the Christmas season and not stressing too much. If you begin to feel overwhelmed by all the preparations that come with the season such as decorations, presents, cards, travel etc.. Stop! Take a deep breath and just remember that Christmas is about our Lord and celebrating His birth, about being together with friends and family and appreciating all the blessings we have been given. Another such blessing that happened this week for me is that Avastin was approved!!! As of my last blog, the insurance company kept dening it. Well, through tips from wonderful people, I put in an appeal through the Department of Managed Health Care. (http://www.hmohelp.ca.gov/) It's the state agency that monitors and regulates Blue Cross, my health insurance. I filed an expedited appeal so the state had 72 hours to review my records faxed from the insurance company. Well it took about one day and they went back to Blue Cross and over ruled them. Next thing I know is I got a call from my Onc office telling me it was approved! Yes, I was very shocked and happy. A state agency that worked and worked fast for the better of the people! Who would have guessed!!! I'm sure God had something to do with it as well for it to happen so fast. They were so helpful and nice so keep them in mind if anyone you know needs help in the insurance category. Tomorrow I will have the second round of Folfox with Avastin. Please pray that this treatment goes easier. I was pretty sick the first week. I would feel a little better early in the morning but then it would get worse and worse. The second week I had to take Advil or Tylenol to stop the stomach spasms. That was a first for me. So please keep me in your prayers that this next treatment is easier on me and that it puts me back into NED. If I don't get a chance to blog until after Christmas, Have a very Merry Christmas and God bless you all, each and every day. Thank you for your continued support, love and prayers. Without them I would not be writing this blog today. Oh, I posted my e-mail in the blog synopsis because people have been asking. Luke 1: 31-33 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jocob forever, his kingdom will never end. This is why I have faith. Because his birth has given all who believe an eternial life with him that will never end. So I will celebrate his birthday this Christmas and continue to praise his name forever.

Good morning everyone. I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with friends and family. We had our annual football game against the Allens, yes they got us this time but we'll get them next year. My daughter Bonnie, had shirts made for our team that said on the front, "I wear blue (the blue ribbon for colon cancer) for my mom, or my wife, my sister, daughter, son-in-law" etc.. It was so special to me and really touched my heart. After we had a wonderful dinner at my house and on Friday we went out to SnugHarbor for the weekend with all the cousins. What a great mini family reunion. Then on Monday I started with my first drip of Folfox in over 2.5 years. This was the first drip I had when I was DX. I thought it would be ok because I didn't remember it being so bad. Boy was I mistaken. I guess it's like labor, you forget the bad stuff. I was sick the entire week up until this morning. Everyday I had to take pills to stop gagging and on Wednesday I was basically in bed most the day. Yesterday wasn't much fun either but this morning I'm feeling better. I will get a week to build back up before I have another drip. Only next time I'll have more meds for the nausea. As for the Avastin drug the dr wants me on with the Folfox, once again the ins has denied the drug. It's in appeal so I'll know more next week. Even though this week was rough, I felt Gods presence right next to me. I was not alone even when Casey was in LA on business. Psalm 86:5-7 You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you. hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me. His presence was so apparent this week while I was down. I hope when any of you feel lost, weak, or down you will remember to turn to Him. God bless you and thank you so much for your prayers. I will have my next drip on the 14th so please keep me in your prayers for a complete healing without such bad side effects.