February 16th

Nathan with the completed money "cake"

Today was a good day.  I cannot believe how good I feel this week after feeling so terrible for about the last three months.  Larry and I have wondered if I was feeling terrible because of stress over him.  Who knows but it is so good to feel better.

David and Maggie and Isaac

Maggie and David

Went to my Oncologist today. The recent MRI and PET scans show no cancer!! My blood tests are all normal!!! Doctor says I am in deep remission and I only need to come in for bone infusions every 6 months now instead of every month. He also told me I am one lucky person because I had the most aggressive form of Myeloma. I know that this is a blessing from the Lord. I still have things to do!!!  He told me that and I believe him.  The doctor said that before they had the bone infusion Zometa that myeloma patients were dying because of multiple broken bones.  I am so lucky to have gotten this disease after they found some new medicines that are working.

Sammy

This afternoon I helped Nathan make a money "cake" for Isaac for his birthday tonight.  He saw the idea on line and developed his own version of what he wanted to do.  We wrapped a box and then put rolls of nickels wrapped like candles on the edges.  He had bought him gift cards for Cold Stone ice cream, Sonic and for his Roblox computer game he put those around the sides and top.  He also put cash on the top and some fabric flowers all around.  He seemed really excited to make it for Isaac and when we took it tonight Isaac seemed to really like it.  David really liked it too!  Nathan went in his wheelchair over to Target and to the Bank down the road while I was gone and got all the things that he needed to make it.  He is really quite independent in his chair which is good because I had my appointment and Larry cannot drive yet with his surgery so he was on his own to get the stuff.

Isaac, Grandpa Larry and Nathan

Marsha Hazelbaker called today and it was good to talk to her.  We always talk for about an hour or more.  We are both going through some of the same challenges in different ways and it is comforting to know that we can talk about them.

David, Nathan and Isaac

Maggie

Tonight we went to Peter Piper Pizza for Isaac's birthday dinner.  Nathan let him pick where he wanted to go and that is the place he picked.  The kids always like the games and the food is not too bad.  Isaac picked pepperoni pizza to eat and he ask for half of the pizza to also have olives on it.  When it came it did not have the olives so we went up to talk to them and ask if they could just give us the olives to put on it.  They were very accommodating and even ran the olives through the oven so that they were warm.  Isaac had fun loading them on his pizza and I don't think anyone else cared.  Larry and I have been very impressed with how much Nathan has grown in his relationship with his kids.  About three years ago when we went there he ignored the kids and wouldn't let them buy any tokens.  Tonight he bought tokens and went into the game area to watch them play.  They have really developed a good relationship with Nathan and he with them.

Sammy, Maggie, David, Isaac and Nathan front

Larry went with us tonight but it was almost too much.  He was really tired and his legs were week when we got home.  Hopefully a good nights rest will improve his situation.

Isaac with his "cake"

John Trolinger had an appointment on Tuesday with his oncologist to get a biopsy of a cancer that they thought was coming back after a CT scan.  We decided to call tonight to see how it went.  They said that is was completely gone when they went in and there was nothing to biopsy.  The doctors were amazed and could not explain it.  But we know that sometimes the Lord helps us in these matters.

I am so grateful for my knowledge of the Savior Jesus Christ and the Gospel of the Restoration.  It is a constant source of comfort to me and helps me to overcome my day to day challenges by turning to him and giving him my burden.