Sixteen Years-Life Goes On

Last Monday, October 28th, was just another day. I spent a busy day at work teaching High Schoolers. It is a race everyday to get everything done I need to. Teaching, grading, planning, and prepping. I feel energized while I am at school and love the interaction with students. It is when I get home that my energy wanes and I need a good hour of peace and quiet to rest and recover. I use to blame this all on cancer, now I think it is just my body growing older. But what was really unique about this day, was that it was just an ordinary day. Monday slipped by in complete insignificance of how my world was completely dumped upside down on that day 16 years ago. October 28, 2008 was the day I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma a rare blood cancer. How did that happen! How would I have reacted if I had known 16 years ago that I would get to a point where my life would be so full that all the pain and fear would dissipate so completely that it would no longer be constant in my thoughts. The longer I live, the more I recognize the miracle of my life and the blessings of good health, an amazing family, and the opportunity to grow old with the ones I love.

Joe and I on a weekend getaway to Salt Lake City for LDS General Conference

Taking the older grandkids on a hike to the top of a mountain in Wyoming. Thank Goodness our son came with us to help.

All 11 of the grandkids (one more is on the way in March!)

Me and my dear, sweet mom

Looking out the window of our new home There have been a lot of changes in my life over the past 16 years, but the one constant is the peace and comfort I feel from my Savior. I owe my life and deep gratitude to Him for all of the blessings which he has showered down upon me thoughout my life and especially over the past 16 years.

Fourteenth Year Cancerversary

              My husband and I at my 40th High School Reunion.                                                    Am I seriously that old?!

It has been fourteen years since I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. The remarkable fact is that I am so busy living my life that the remarkable date passed without a thought. I go weeks now without even thinking about the years of intense pain, treatment, side effects, and the mental battles I faced as I examined my options and the genuine possibility that m life would be cut short.

I continue to post occasionally on this blog with the belief that I can offer hope to those who are presently dealing with those dark days and endless nights of treatment.

I am now 58 years old. Mother of 5 and grandmother of 9 with two more on the way!! I am in my eighth year of teaching high school. If that was not enough to keep me busy, I felt inspired to also start working on a graduate degree. I am halfway through an online program to earn a Master's Degree in Education. It has been a steep learning curve but I am gradually getting used to the intellectual rigor and learning so much!! The more I learn, the more I realize I don't know! I have no idea where this will lead me in my career but it has already improved my teaching abilities.

Life can get better and there is hope that your health may improve. I just had my bi-yearly labs and all my numbers are within the normal range. At my last visit with my oncologist, he told me that I was the sickest patient he had seen who is still alive without being on maintenance since the stem cell transplant and follow-up medication. I have to really sit with that thought to fully comprehend what a miracle that is.

My hope is that I can continue to learn, grow, and become a more faithful follower of Christ. He has granted me more time on this earth and I hope through His strength I can help others along the way.

Whether you are just beginning a difficult journey by looking at the mountain you have to climb, or standing at the top knowing that you made it but did not get there by yourself, please know that life is good and the Savior Jesus Christ knows and loves you. Look to Him and know that He will be by your side and strengthen you in your journey.

Eight Years!

 
 It has been eight years ago today since I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma.
October 29,  2008 will forever be etched in my memory as the day that changed the course of my life. 
    On the one hand, it was as if a bomb had exploded, taking away my health, shredding my future, and destroying my hope.  But on the other hand this is the day that my journey began, and I cannot erase the dark painful days without giving up  the miracles and blessings that have come about while climbing this Myeloma Mountain.
     It has been eight years!  Four years longer than my first prognosis.  
    I am healthy and strong!  My lab results show no signs of Myeloma.  Is it gone?  Will it come back? I don't know.  But I am going to ride this wave as long as possible and maybe mm won't crash back into my life again.  I can't ask the "what if's" anymore.  Instead today is a time to reflect and share some of the miracles and blessings I have received during this journey.

Spending time with my family in
Star Valley, Wyoming
(7 new family members since diagnosis,
and a new daughter in law, and a
grand baby--both coming in May.)

Spencer, my youngest, just starting his
 Senior year of High School!
He was 10 when I was diagnosed:(

Trent and Lys are getting married in May.
Aren't they cute!

      

These kids are my amazing, wonderful,
crazy grandchildren!
(Eight years ago I wondered if I would
ever get to be a grandmother. )

 I started back up in Martial Arts.
It took a while for my body and brain
 to get back in shape!
My son Tyler and I after my
 senior brown test.
I have slacked off the last
several months
 because
 this
 happened........

I got a teaching job!
After graduating 25 years
 ago in
Family and Consumer Science
 Education,
I finally get to teach!
I am teaching
7th, 8th, and 9th grade.
It is CHALLENGING, HARD, and EXHAUSTING.
and
 I am loving it.
Besides Junior High Kids can't scare me, I've had cancer!