Busy busy days yesterday and today. I went to Santa Barbara yesterday for more chemo and marrow testing, all went semi-well. My sister did have to return home to North Dakota=(. Today was an exceptional day to have for recovery. I started my morning off with a delicious breakfast with my grandparents out in my backyard, my Papa and I got to hang out by the pool and watch our favorite movie together (Fantastic Mr. Fox). It was just like old times when I was younger and my Papa and I spent every moment together. To make everything better I got to swim finally today with my mom and Emma, and the weather was perfect the whole time. I even got a visit from my Aunt, Uncle and cousin too. We all sat outside just hanging out and playing card games, and as I thought it was time to hit the hay I got another surprise. An air-hockey table was set up for the family in my house, so of course I had to play a few games against the family. WOW what a day! Well I know I will sleep great tonight though. Church tomorrow and a dart-board possibly too(= Minor set-back in therapy right now, nothing I can't handle though. I'm not exactly sure how to explain it, but I have a rare type of A.L.L and Monosomy 7 gene that is being studied right now. But I am worry free, I am in God's hands and in great care so I don't blink an eye or shed any tears. I would like to thank Vic's Cafe, again, for more hot wings and Paul and Valerie (whom I consider family) for the fun and competitive air- hockey table.

Up by the Sequoias at Camp Nelson at New Years

GREAT day today! I got to spend all day outside with the family, and I even got to swim. Well it wasn't technically swimming, but I was lucky enough to wade up to my waist on a raft and kick my legs around. It feels awesome to be able to do more and more activities and I cannot wait to be able to start working out again(= The faster I recover, the faster I can get to swinging my bats, going back to the gym, playing volleyball and much much more. God blessed today with wonderful weather here in Atascadero, it was very nice to be outside around everything and everyone I love dearly. Now, as many people have to vent to others about their emotions and everything... I on the other hand now love to vent about all my food cravings. Boy I could and have rambled on and on for hours about every food I crave. My family gets to listen to that a lot now, and if you mention pretty much any food, I will crave it. I think I have an idea of how it feels to be pregnant, because my emotions change, my appetite grew even more, I'm getting "chipmunk cheeks" and my nurse said my medication will make me look about three months pregnant. There are many more symptoms too. Lucky me!!!(= Oh well, I have been blessed with so much so none of that matters to me at all.

Hi everyone, well symptoms from my medications are starting to appear slowly. I am starting to swell and get, as my doctors like to call, "chipmunk cheeks". My family says I look cute more filled out (basically chunky) due to the medications. As for my appetite, it has been ludicrous. But when haven't I ever had a hearty appetite? Good news from blood labs on Monday, my platelet count is up to fifty! Although, that also means that my white blood count has dropped and I cannot risk getting sick anytime soon. Marrow on Friday, so I am praying to be in the five percentile range of cancer blasts. Last Friday I was at twenty five percent, and if (or should I say when) I make it to five percent I will be a rapid responder. That is something I definitely need and want. With lots of prayers and love I know I can accomplish this task. Besides feeling "chunky", I have been feeling great and it is getting easier to move around and do more activities.

Contentment really lies in finding a little happiness in whatever life throws your way.
-unknown

Good evening everyone, another good day today. I got to go to church and listen to a wonderful sermon and then hang out by the pool with the family. Beautiful weather here in Atascadero with a nice coastal breeze, just what I need to help me feel great. God has blessed me with a great hope to help me relax and recover in, and we got it just in time. It has been awesome spending time with family and my two sisters and all of us just being together. Blood tests in the morning and fun with sisters for the rest of the day tomorrow.

"The greatest good you can do for another is not just share your riches, but reveal to them their own." -- Benjamin Disraeli

More good treatment

Sorry everybody for not posting for the past days. I have been pretty darn exhausted. Well I went back to Santa Barbara yesterday for more chemo and all that fun stuff. Good news came back from the doctors, my spine came back clear yet again. Whoo hoo(= Everything went well yesterday and I'm feeling great today. It's my sister's birthday and I get to be with my family and my new sister Jasmine. My sister's and I are loving our new haircuts, although they don't have to wake up with crazy hair in the morning like I do. I'm hoping I can go to church tomorrow, because I have really been wanting and needing to go. I miss the congregation and everything. One thing I also miss is being active. I can't wait for the okay from the doctors for me to be able to start doing little activities. Little by little I will and have my life be back to almost normality. Well the way it was before at least, because my life was never really too normal. But that's the way I like it because a normal life seems too boring for me.