Hi everyone, I hope your summer is going well. We just had our Relay for Life event and our team, Hope West Coast, made over $11,000 for American Cancer Society. Thank you to everyone who helped make this year such a success. We could not have done it without all your generous donations. So thank you. The other pic is of Carrie, my co-team captain who did an incredible job of fundraising, and the other is of one of Betsy, one of my daily walking partner. The boys participated in "Little Ms Relay" and in one lap made $164 for the team. They were pretty cute too!!! As for me, I was wiped out after the event! It's a lot of work and is very tiring. It took me until Tuesday to feel normal again. But it was worth the effort because one day cancer will be wiped from our vocabulary. It'll be just a bad memory like the Black Plague of the 1500's. As for my health, I'll be back on Folfox starting August 16th, when I get back from our family reunion. My chemo break is quickly coming to an end. But it's been nice. I've still issues with bowels ( it goes with the territory) and I also believe I had an Asthma attack so now I'm on an inhaler. I haven't had that in 3 years so it took me, and my doctors, by surprise. My blood and tumor marker (CEA) are normal and that I am very grateful for. For those who have been wondering about my father, he is doing good. Not gaining any weight and seems to be stable. He'll be with us at the family reunion. My mother-in-law is all moved in and seems to be enjoying her new digs up in Reno. She is in much better shape now that she is eating and exercising everyday. And she has won Bingo twice now!!! I hope everyone has a nice summer vacation and gets to enjoy some time with family and friends because that is what living is about. God bless you all and thank you again.!
Check out this one minute sermon. It's really good
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/video/video.php?v=10150208006915385&ref=mf

Good evening Bloggers, It's three more days till Relay for Life and things are getting busy around here. Thank you to all those who have already supported me in this big event. It's not too late if you still want to donate or sign up for a luminaria bag. Here is my link page: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY10CA?px=9374997&pg=personal&fr_id=20507

The first pic is of my friend Zoe (husband Gary is taking the pic) who I have known since 9th grade. We've been going to the fair every year together. The other pic is of our friends Adrianne and Dave whom we've know for almost 32 years. We were in Monterey with them. We are truly blessed to have such warm loving friends for so long.
My father was back in the hospital last week for about 4 days. Again the weight gain due to kidney failure and an infection in his body. Plus he had an allergic reaction to the meds they gave him and he ended up with hives on his legs and arms. Not a happy camper for sure. Anyway, he is home now, has had his defibrillator turned off and will go on hospice the next time he has the weight gain. It could be in a few weeks or maybe a month or two??? He's in Gods hands and he is at peace with his decision.
Last week Casey and I drove to LA to pack up Casey's mothers' furniture and cloths. She has been moved from Torrance where she lived for 55 years and now lives in Reno with Kathy, Casey's sister. At 88 yrs, we felt it was no longer safe to live by herself in her home. She seems to be doing well with the adjustment.
As for me, today I got the results from my CT that I had back in June. I've had very little growth both in the lung and gut area. Small enough changes, but enough to make me go back on chemo in August. It showed a tiny bit of fluid in left lung and small new ascites (fluid) in the gut area, but mild. Today the Dr. was concerned with the fluid buildup in my left lung because I have had breathing issues this past week. Even though he could not hear anything and he said my lungs sound clear, he sent me for an Xray (STAT) thinking I will need to have my lung drained to make me more comfortable. The Xray showed no fluid buildup. Praise the Lord!!! No draining needed. I think I just had an asthma attack and since I didn't have any inhaler at hand, it's taken longer to go away. I used to have asthma and inhalers but the stuff was old so I tossed them. I'm getting a new inhaler tomorrow. I've also had ongoing bowel issues and I'm guessing it's from all the chemo I've had. The colonoscopy I just had in June stated that the colon was some what swollen and irritated. The dr said today that it's unusual what he's seeing with me. He said he usually doesn't see this kind of symptom because most people don't live this long with the disease. He said more and more patients are living longer with the disease so this is new territory. I think they are living longer because they are getting dx at an earlier age and are stronger and more able to fight longer. So please get your colonoscopy and don't' delay. So as of today, I'm feeling pretty good except for the breathing and the bowel issues, but I'm not complaining. I get to wake up and see a beautiful sky and enjoy a new day. As I've said before, all my days are good, I just may have some bad moments in the day.
Now for a bazaar story: Last Wednesday night Casey and I were driving back up to the bay area. At about 11:30 pm, I turned off an off ramp to switch driver. As I was getting back into the passenger side I noticed a small black wallet in the dirt. I opened it and found a small red camera. When I showed Brigitte the camera the next day, she and I tried to see if we could find a name or something to help us find the owner. but we didn't have any luck at first. However, Brigitte noticed that some of the pics were taken up in Chico, in Upper Bidwell Park and also of a dorm room with lots of pictures on a wall. Kyle got the camera zoomed onto the wall with pictures and found a name. Brigitte went on facebook with the name and found the girl. Sure enough! She goes to Chico and she had lost her camera on her LA trip. We are meeting her tomorrow to return the camera back to her. One up for technology!!!
Thank you all for your continued love, support and prayers for almost four years. Yes, it'll be 4 years next month. I've learned so much on this journey and I hope in some way you have too. I've also learned the importance of living for the moment and not worry about tomorrows. God has been my rock and my salvation and He will continue to lead me on this path. I can only hope and pray that one day if you ever find yourself in need, that you will remember to turn to God.
Psalm 18:2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.