Radiation Update

Hi all, Today we went in for the pre-radiation appt where they make the pillow, mask and she did a short CT Scan. WE finally have a schedule: Her first treatment is June 22 at 2:45pm
I have an appt that day as well at 9:30am for my preOp appt with Dr. Spafford. Its gonna be a wild 3 weeks what with my surgery falling right in the middle of it all and getting this done but, God says HE never gives us more than we can handle - sooooo, we will handle it. One day and a time. Well, off to feed the goaties and get dinner made.

Organization of the Week - Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

This week's organization is the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Their main goal is the cure of blood cancers. This organization is awesome. They have tons of information for folks who are dealing with all of the blood cancers as well as support groups and free disease information. They do lots of fundraisers and help families and people who are going thru these cancers with copay assistance etc. They also have a very unique fundraising opportunity for folks who love to run, walk, hike, bike etc. They train marathon runners, walkers, bikers and hikers and those folks get pledges and raise money at some of the largest marathons in America for the Society.
This past weekend a walker went to San Diego and did a marathon with Alyssa's name on her Jersey. We are incredibly honored by this and want to thank Nancy Jay for doing this on Alyssa and all of those folks who are dealing with Blood Cancers. WE also want to Thank the office staff of the New Mexico/El Paso Branch of LLS for their compassion and support of our family during our dealings with them. If you need any more information on the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society their web address is http://www.lls.org/ and the phone number to the local chapter is 505-872-0141. If you are interested in walking, running, biking, hiking to raise money for the LLS please give them a call - I know they'd love to talk to you! They have a lot of other neat fundraisers also so give them a call about any of those: I know there is one involving CHOCOLATE for all you chocoholics out there and one called Light the Night which we are going to try very hard to take part in. Also their Man/Woman of the Year program is a neat fundraiser as well.

I Spoke Too Soon

Well, the minute I pushed the Publish Post button the Radiology Dept called
and we have an appt TOMORROW at 3pm. EEEEEK. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
I am hoping above hope that means we might get to start a little sooner but I am sooooo not counting on it.

Radiation Update.

I would so love to be able to get on here and tell everyone that I have our schedule and here's what's happening - but alas, that is not the way it works in the medical world. We had the consultation appt. It went fine - mostly informational: Questions, explainations, side effects etc.
Next week (they will call us with the day and time) she will have ANOTHER CT scan and have the body pillow which holds her still for the radiation made and they will mark the spots that will get radiation. The best guestimate for her treatment to begin is the following Monday June 15th. (the week of AGS Nationals) and she won't finish by the time I have my surgery. Thankfully I was sort of thinking ahead for once and my cousins two daughters said they help out with transporting Alyssa to and from her Appts. We'll work out child care issues as we get closer as that should only be for one day (June 30th) . Ah, Medical stuff - so much fun - NOT!!!!!
Well, that's all the news I have for now.

Oh My Gosh!

Life sure does have a way of sneaking back up on you. Tomorrow is Alyssa's appt with the radiologist so we are back on that again. I forgot that some folks haven't seen an Alyssa update in a while and I'm still obviously on vacation mode!!!! We need to go in early and get Alyssa's port flushed and heprenized before the Radiology appt. This isn't her first treatment - it is a consultation with the Dr. who will be doing the treatment. My guess is they will be telling us what they will be doing, getting her body pillow made and marking the spot for the radiation machine. REALITY is back!!!! Nope, we aren't on vacation any more!.
Since I'm here I wanted to share a few things. Thank you Auntie Nita for the really cool prayer square - a quilt square for Alyssa - so sweet and it is beautiful. I also wanted to Thank everyone who went to Applebee's for the fundraiser and Thank Applebees for making it possible to do the fundraiser for Alyssa. I also want to thank all of the folks who donated money even though they didn't go to the fundraiser - We can't even begin to tell you all much your support for Alyssa means to us!!!!!
I won't do it today but I would like to start getting the word out on my site about the wonderful
different organizations are out there that make the lives of these precious kids going thru cancer treatments a little easier. Not too long ago I told you all about a few of the ones we've been blessed by but there are more so maybe once a week I can do a tribute to these fine organizations out there. If you are ever looking for a place to donate money too - many of these are deserving candidates. I can't tell you how they have helped our family, lifted our spirits, blessed our children and brought smiles to faces of the kids fancing some pretty scary medical stuff!!! IF anyone wants/needs more information please let me know and I'm happy to share what I have/know!

More Colorado

One of my favorite things to do in Colorado is to take pictures of the stately old barns seen around the area. Most of my old barn pics are in the corner of my website pages. I got two more to add since I have more pages we need to finish

One of my dreams is to find some old barn wood and make frames to put these pics up in my house. I love these barns. Most of them are in such disrepair they will likely be torn down - so I preserve them in pictures.

This was off the front porch of the condo looking out at the incredible clouds over the mountains. I was hoping the peaks with snow on them would show up - they might if you click on the picture! The rain clouds forming over the mountains every evening wer so beautiful.

Alyssa took this picture. PLEASE click on it to look up close. This is made entirely of Jelly Bellies!!!! It is hanging in the Pagosa Candy shop on Main street. The store is in a basement. These folks make some of the best fudge and carmels you've ever had and of course my kids love the Jelly Bellies!

This is a stately old hotel in Durango. It is gorgeous and I'm sorry the angle is funny - I had to take it this way so no one would see the Doritos truck parked in front. All in all it was a blast going on this trip.

Creede, Colorado

Creede Colorado is a quaint little old Mining town that has been revived as a artists colony/tourist town. It is so neat. It is near the headwaters of the Rio Grande river and boasts some beatiful countryside - There is a lot of fishing, rafting, biking and hiking nearby and for those folks who prefer to shop....

This whole street is full of fun little shops - a bead shop, artsy stores, clothing boutiques, Shops full of everything fishing related or sports related, quilt shops and some darn good BBQ - We ate for the second time at Tommyknockers Tavern and they have some yummy BBQ sandwiches there. MMMMMM Good! It was Memorial Day so we had music and other entertainment and for the rock hounds in our crew - The mining museum - take a trip back in time and learn the history of mining in the Colorado Rockies. They have awesome stones for sale along with other goodies and doodads. The last time we went they had a BIG quilt show.

I loved this little house - I don't know why but it kind of reminds me of a hobbit hole. I is so quaint - It isn't a shop but a home but they made the front room a showcase for one of the artsy shops down the street. The yard is awesome (did I get pics? of course NOT!) It is full of flowers and scultptures like the ones in the very first picture.

If you ever stay up in Pagosa I suggest you go up to Creede for a day - it is worth it! Plus if you like waterfalls, Treasure Falls is right up the road on the way to Creede from Pagosa - worth a stop and short hike to some beautiful falls - we did not stop this time but it is pretty. Also you go thru Wolfcreek Pass and there was still snow up there when we went thru. It was amazing!