Colleen's Dream Weekend

This past weekend was fabulous as it always is!  Mom, Dad and Nick flew into Phoenix on Wednesday.  Well, Nick didn't really get here until almost midnight, but he got here.  Thursday mom and I got pedi's and mani's.  Nick and I attended the VIP party which was super fun and enjoyable.  It was so fun to see my friend Brittany from camp. 

Tony and Erin flew in late Thursday night.  Friday morning we were up bright and early for the golf tournament.  It was cold and windy, but when the sun came out behind the clouds it wasn't as cold.  However, by 1pm I'd had it with the cold and we left.  I always love that I get to check in all of the golfers and to thank them for coming, because I have so much gratitude for their support. It was so fun to see my friends from camp! 

Nick and I went to the Apple store where I bought a new phone.  Friday night we had dinner at Aunt Leslie's and we played a fun question and answer game.

Saturday we went to breakfast, I took a nap and then we all got ready for the Gala.  It was a beautiful evening.  My friend Brittany was the keynote speaker and did a fabulous job.  The live auction/after live auction alone raised nearly $300,000 for OVC research; specifically for a study at Tgen, which I hope to be able to qualify for.  I'm always amazed at the generosity of individuals and their support for a disease I live with every day.  Dr. D my gyn/onc was there and we had a lovely chat with her.  Our friends the Sondrups also joined us which was super fun.

 This is Dr. D.  She is fabulous!

Today Tony and Erin left after church.  We had lunch with Laura and Jessie's family and then Deb and her kids came for dinner.  It was a fabulous weekend, which I always look forward too.

Home, Stint Exchange, Seattle

February has almost passed us by.  It has been a busy month.  I flew home February 1 for what was suppose to be Kenadee's blessing weekend, but the poor baby had a horrible case of RSV and bought herself 6 days in the hospital.  We are so happy she pulled through it.  She was quite a sick little girl.

The first morning I was home Dad and I went to my Dr's appointments which included a new palliative care doctor.  No I'm not dying, Dr. Dan just felt like I could benefit from their services.   Dr. B was super kind and spent 90 minutes with us.  20 minutes of it was talking about poop.  Seriously.  Dad was about do die.  Dr. B looked at a recent x-ray and a CT and said it looked like I was constipated in both studies.  I reassured him that was not a problem, since I'm happy to be normal with the help of pain meds.  Much better than 4 years of the big D, since I don't have a sigmoid colon.  I had told him that I was having back pain, which I know is from a tumor, but he thought I could use some PT, so I went to a PT who showed me some core strengtheningexercises.  I also visited with the urology oncologist for my pre-op.  Needless to say, I don't think dad will want to go with me again to my appointments where we talk about poop and pee.

While I was home my cousin Misty came to town.  Along with Alisha, we went to two movies on a Friday afternoon.  And then they spent the evening with me at my parents.  We also had a sleepover in the barn! After having dinner with my siblings and nieces and nephews, Alisha, Misty and I spent a few hours with Kenadee so that Danielle could have a break.  It was fun to sit and catch up with them and hold sweet baby Kenadee.  It was also wonderful to spend time with my siblings for a quick weekend.  We were all in town except for Tristen. 

Tuesday I had the stint exchanged.  I'm so happy that this one doesn't cause near the pain that the first one caused.  The Urology oncologist told mom after the surgery that he thinks this will be the last time he can do it because the tumors have grown and made it difficult to get the stint in.  I hope that either the tumors shrink, which doesn't seem to ever happen, or that he can get the stint in 3 months from now or I'll find someone who can.  I really don't want to have a tube in my back for the rest of my life.  Mom asked him about removing the kidney and he told her it wasn't an option.

Wednesday night I was able to enjoy mom's Stake RS Women's Conference.  It was entitled Almost Home.  The theme was based off of a talk given at the Idaho Falls Temple Dedication.  The guy talking talked about how growing up whenever he could see the temple, he knew he was almost home.  I love this concept.  The take away for me was that I needed to spend more time at the temple.

Thursday morning I flew to Seattle to see Aubrey.  We went to the temple, drove car pool, watched some chick flicks and mostly visited.  Unfortunately I started having what I knew was going to be a very bad cold Wednesday night and it really hit me Thursday. Aubrey had a kitchen and upstairs makeover recently.  It is absolutely beautiful!  I sure love this sweet friend of mine.  One evening we went to TJ Maxx to find jewelry for my Gala dress, but came out with not only jewelry but another dress for the gala.  I think I'll wear the other one for the VIP party. 

I'd venture to say that the cold I had was in the top 4 of the worst I've ever had.  I flew home on Saturday and literally didn't leave the house until I had to go to work on Wednesday.  I didn't even go to church.  You know I'm sick if I don't go to church.  I actually thought maybe I felt worse than when I've had chemo.  It was at least close.  I still have some remnants of the cold, but I'm feeling so much better!

PS. Pictures to come later.