Chatty but not Cranky

Chatty but not Cranky - November 27th

Monday and Tuesday radiation treatments have gone as well as can be expected. Nanette's two oldest sons have driven her the last two days with Jared taking the reins on Monday and Tyler on Tuesday. It is always nice for Nanette to get to spend time with two of her boys. Jared was off work and Tyler is home for the Thanksgiving week from BYU and both wanted to go in support of their mother. On Monday nightwith Tony and his family in town a family home evening night was planned and it included good food and a fun game of Book of Mormon Bunco. It was the first time in awhile that Nanette had her entire immediate and extended family under one roof with the exception of Nick in Ecuador. It was definitely a fun night and especially for Regan and Riley who love to play with their cousins. In a recent visit to Huntsman in SLC the doctor asked Nanette and Sergio if Nanette was experiencing any increased crankiness as a result of the steroids and radiation. Sergio was quick to respond, "Not crankiness but chattiness!" As many of you know over the past month Nanette has become quite chatty and often makes calls to family and friends to recount the stories of the day and the last month. Sometimes she evens chats up the waitresses, Walmart clerks, and the managers of stores she visits telling them all the same stories even though she just met them. She very much enjoys these phone calls and conversations. Thank you to all who take her calls and who lend a listening ear. The genuine care you show her makes a difference and helps Nanette to feel loved and cared for. She also loves to get calls from friends and family so if you are ever prompted to call, please do not hesitate to do so as chances are Nanette has a story or two she'd love to share with you.

Helpful Hand

Helpful Hand - November 25th

Monday morning early her sister-in-law Debbie left to return to her own family in California.  She has been here for over three weeks and Nanette has enjoyed having her.  She went with us almost every morning to radiation, did grocery shopping, prepared meals, cleaned the kitchen, and even had time to go to lunch with us celebrating a good day after treatments.  Her concern and care for Nanette and her family has been deeply appreciated.  She has been almost constantly with Nanette and her help and love have been immeasurable. She went for a short walk out in the brisk air and warm sunshine when she got home and she is doing well.

Heart of a Champion

Heart of a Champion - November 24th

The weekend brought friends and family from Nanette's hometown of Ramona, California to visit Tooele. Nanette's brother Tony from Ramona and his family arrived on Saturday and the energy from having her niece and nephews visit was a boost to not only Nanette but also Regan and Riley. Sunday we all attended church and Nanette for the first time wore her wig in public and it certainly helped her feel beautiful again. Sacrament meeting was inspiring as it focused on gratitude for our Savior, Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for us all. This particular challenge faced by Nanette and her family has brought us all closer to our Savior as we have asked in prayer for the Savior's healing touch to be upon Nanette and we are all very grateful for the sweet tender mercies that have been extended to her and all of us through our interactions with ward members, friends and family. Please know how grateful Nanette is for all that has been done on her behalf and towards her family. Sunday afternoon brought a visit from Kenny and Susan Carr from Ramona. Susan was Nanette's seminary teacher and it was great to listen to them tell stories about Nanette in her teenage days. Nanette in turn shared with us all the many faith promoting experiences she has had since the fateful day in October when her life changed upon hearing the diagnosis. Later that night, Susan Carr sent a text to Tony and said that sitting and listening to Nanette share her testimony on faith, the priesthood and gratitude was like having a personal General Conference session because the Spirit was so strong and definitely felt by all. Before leaving, the Carrs gave Nanette a gift and when she opened the bag it was a shirt with the words "Heart of a Champion" on the front. Susan explained that when she saw the shirt she immediately said, "that is Nanette." Each day we are all continually amazed at the strength Nanette possesses and demonstrates and she truly does have the Heart of a Champion

Enjoying the scenery

Wednesday, November 20:  Nanette went to Huntsman at Day Break for her usual radiation treatment.  Then we took her to the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake for an appointment with Dr. Colman, the oncologist.  Some weeks had passed since she saw Dr. Colman.  Both Sean, the PA, and the doctor assessed her treatment results so far and were pleased with her progress.  Her lab results continue to be exactly where they want them to be.  She is responding well to her medications and has had few side effects.  The headaches she was experiencing are being managed with a slight increase in the steroids.  Her fatigue is well within the range expected with her treatments.  Side effects from the treatment have probably peaked at this time so she may be on the downhill side of the radiation/chemo regiment.  Both Dr. Colman and Sean were encouraged by her sweet disposition, her positive attitude, and her general good health and lack of serious side effects.  Again, they told us that statistics are just statistics and don't take in to account her young age and determination. This cancer, glioblastoma, is one of the more uncommon brain tumors and only 16% of the total brain tumors being treated in the US.  Nanette looks good, remains optimistic and grateful for all your prayers, thoughts and concerns.  Walter Winchell once said "An optimist is a man who is chased up a tree by a lion but enjoys the scenery anyway."  Nanette is our "optimist".

November 15:  Today marked the end of the fourth week of treatment for Nanette.  It was snowing when we left Tooele but there were only snow flurries on the other side of the mountain.  The machine was functioning correctly today and it was a quick trip.  There are some other people from Tooele who are scheduled right after Nanette's appointment and we are becoming "treatment" friends.  The man has throat and tongue cancer and his sister drives him in from Tooele every day for radiation and then once a week to the VA Hospital for a chemo infusion.  There are lots of people you meet flighting cancer.  It is evident how important family and friends' support is to each of them.  At the dance festivalWednesday night, one of the Wards did a routine to "Seize the Day" from the Broadway hit "Newsies".  Some of the lyrics are "Arise and seize the day...don't be afraid and don't delay, nothing can break us....one for all and all for one."  We feel that is what family and friends' support, love and prayers are - "nothing can break us - one for all and all for one."  Thanks to all of you for your constant and caring support and love.

November 14:  Huntsman called early to report that the radiation machine was down and it was doubtful she would get a treatment.  Last time this happened, it was a quick fix and we were able to take her for the treatment.  But, this time, the machine took all day to fix.  Nanette was disappointed that she will have the day tacked on to the end of her schedule.  However, the machine will not function if there is the slightest problem and because it is such a precise procedure, Nanette was grateful that they are so careful about the machine working properly.  Just a small glitch in her schedule.

November 13:  A good friend of Nanette's drove her today to radiation.  She enjoys the time she has to visit with friends during the drive.  She did well again and has been feeling good.  The doctor has increased the steroid dosage slightly and it seems to help with her headaches.  She has been able to manage them with Tylenol only.  Sergio's brother Jose (Debbie's husband) arrived today for a week's stay.  Having family around helps pass the time and another hand is always helpful.  Nanette wanted to attend her Stake's Dance Festival in the evening and she was able to stay for the entire hour.  It was a delightful evening and each  Ward's dance was great.  What a wonderful group of young people in their Stake

Happy Veterans Day!!!!

Monday, November 11:    Nanette had a good restful weekend.  Tyler came home from BYU for the weekend so we were happy to have him with us.  Sergio and Nanette went out to an early dinner with good friends and enjoyed their time together.  Saturday was a beautiful day again and their neighbor Keith Bird helped Sergio, Jared and Tyler put the Christmas lights up on the house.  They turned them on at night so Nanette could see them but will wait until after Thanksgiving to turn them on for real.    Huntsman called early today and said the radiation machine was not working and canceled Nanette's appointment.  They called shortly thereafter and said it was fixed and to come for the treatment.  It was Veterans' Day and Jared, our family veteran, drove us to the center. We were grateful she didn't have to skip today because it would add a day on to the end.  We met with the doctor after her treatment and he said her lab report was very good.  Her immune system remains good and her white blood cell count was up a little too, which is encouraging.  She is still experiencing headaches and they are increasing the steroid dosage a little bit and attempting to manage the pain with medication.  After the treatment, we celebrated the good lab report and Veterans Day by eating at Applebee's.  They were offering all veterans a free lunch today so Jared didn't have to pay!    Nanette continues to tire easily and is napping and pacing herself each day.  Thank you all for the phone calls and encouraging words on this blog.  She is surrounded by wonderful friends and family.  

You Can't Have a Rainbow Without a Little Rain

Thursday, November 7: Regan read me this saying today:   "Everyone wants happiness.  No one wants pain.  But, you can't have a rainbow without a little rain".   It was a good day to hear those words because Nanette's hair has started to fall out.  She knew this was a real possibility.  Many had prepared her for this event!  However, when it started happening, it was like having a little rain in her life.  Her friend Melody came to the rescue and cut most of her hair off and Nanette is hoping that this will help a little with the soreness on her scalp.  She was one of about five women we saw at Huntsman today with hats on in the same situation.  She has several cute hats (and a wig waiting to be used) so she was prepared for this loss.  Still, she is cheerful, grateful, and optimistic and willing to do whatever she can to fight this battle.  Losing her hair is just a little "rain".

A Note from Nanette

Family and Friends, I can never thank you enough for all the kind words, cards and love you have shown me and my family. I would try to respond individually, but right now I can't read my own writing! I do believe in miracles too so i think I'm in pretty good shape considering all the prayers on my behalf. I am so lucky and so grateful. You know when Kaylen passed away I prayed that if my family had another challenge because we do face them because we learn so many valuable eternal lessons that I prayed it would be me that could go through not one of my children or my husband and that i could have a fighting chance and thats exactly what happened so I'm at peace. I have been given amazing blessings and I know the Lord answers prayers so its all going to be OK, but again I can't thank you enough for all your love, prayers and support. Love to you all, Nanette

Laughter in the other room

Wednesday, November 6:  Three weeks of radiation completed.  She will have 33 total treatments so the end date will be December 4.  She is still tolerating the chemo pills and has not been sick on that  front.  The radiation continues every week day.  The commute continues to be easy with only one day of snow flurries (much heavier snow in Salt Lake but not out our way).  Some days when we get to the Huntsman center, the room is full of others waiting for their chemo infusions or radiation treatments.  There are so many people in similar situations and we are getting to know some of them.  Nanette always has a friendly smile for the staff there and words of encouragement for others receiving treatments.  Sometimes when we are out in the waiting room, we hear her laughter in the other room with the staff.  The radiation is beginning to tire her out, although she keeps going throughout the day and usually a short nap restores her energy.  She feels some burning on her scalp and she continues to have headaches almost every day, which is not unusual and manageable at this point.  She doesn't complain about any of it and she tries to stay positive. 

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Halloween

Thursday, October 31:  The beautiful weather is holding for her trips to Huntsman.  She was running a low-grade fever in the evening but it settled down in the night.  She helped Regan and Riley get ready for Halloween "trick or treating" and she sat in the living room for awhile while Sergio handed out candy to a few hundred kids at the door.  Her sister-in-law Debbie (Sergio's brother Jose's wife) arrived today from California and will be staying with us for about three weeks.  Nanette is glad to have her here for awhile.. 

Two weeks complete

Wednesday, October 30:  Today marks the end of the first two weeks of radiation and chemo for Nanette.  She has been tolerating the treatments fairly well, although she has had a headache for several days.  It is not unusual for someone getting this particular treatment to be experiencing headaches; however, the doctors are monitoring her every day.  We had three friends help drive her to radiation this week and she enjoyed and appreciated the rides with them.  She is in good spirits.