Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Terry's Bone Marrow Biopsy

We have no reports from the bone marrow biopsy, but will share when we get them. They have been sent to SCCA for the testing, so it might be a while.

We can however, report that it went well ... as well as those things can. This was his 14th poke for this type of procedure..., if counting each side, each time. It may be 9 or 10 or maybe 11 different appointments, but sometimes they have done both sides. Not today ... it was just one side. :)

This was the first time I was unable to sit in on it. The room was tiny and there were 4 other people that had to be present to do this procedure. I had Auger and the two of us had to exit the room to make way for those others. Not fair. But they were very kind and considerate in spite of the fact that they didn't let me stay. ;) It only took about 10 minutes and I had two different people come out to tell me it went well and then invite us back in to be with him in recovery.

Auger has been so fun to have the last couple days. He has been so good.

Monday, August 29, 2011

Our 5th grandchild has arrived!!!

Auger has a sister!

We welcome Akleigh Elyn Hebdon

Daughter of Thomas and Dana Hebdon
Born about 4:15 pm, 29th August, 2011
6 lbs 15 oz, 19 inches long.

FYI:
Akleigh is pronounced similar to Ashlee, but with a k sound instead of sh sound. Not a family name, but something they created and liked.
Elyn is formed from the two grandmothers, Elaine and Robyn. :)

Mother and daughter are both doing fine!


Sunday, August 28, 2011

Happy Day!

Happy Birthday Dana!

Thursday, August 25, 2011

All Alone!

I knew this day was coming up again, but it's ever so HERE!
Terry is out working, Chase went to help lay sod at the seminary building, Connor, BrittanyJo and Anthony are at their first day of school.
Me? I'm sitting at the computer...the washing machine is filled and on, the dishwasher is filled and on, and though there are others things calling me, this is where I chose to be for a few minutes.
It's so quiet even with those machines running.
Each had a wonderful priesthood blessing from their father before heading off to school or work this morning and it made for a beautiful beginning of this new day. There is such a good feeling that comes from living the teachings of Jesus Christ and using His priesthood to bless lives. I am so grateful to be a member of His church.

There has been so much going on this summer that I think I've now lost two summers in a row since last summer was spent at Seattle/SCCA. It makes me wonder what next summer will bring us. I guess I better be ready for something. I think our "new normal" is that I'm not sure what the new normal is anymore.

Medical update -
well...I wrote that we have had no news, didn't publish my post because I started adding more wedding photos and TADA! we got a call from Dr. Smith. The docs at SCCA are not ready to say one way or another with the DLI (donor lymphocyte infusion) just yet. Dr. Carpenter would like to see the chimerisms (remember that is a k and long i sound) and flow from inside the bone marrow, so..., yes..., Terry will have a bone marrow biopsy on Tuesday morning..., bright and early! That sample will be sent to SCCA and I suppose they will talk again and get back with us. That is when we will get back with you, our awesome readers and friends. Thanks for being here!

Dental update -
Connor has a few braces in his mouth to help correct the placement of some back teeth. He doesn't seem to have a lot of pain with it, just some irritation. They are not too noticeable since they are in the back.
BrittanyJo has braces on every tooth in her mouth and she is feeling the pain. Yogurt and pudding and ravioli for her for a few days. (They got them on yesterday, 24th.) I have no photos to share, but Monday is picture day at the school so it will happen soon enough. :)

Another update -
More reception photos were added to that post (8/8/11) since Skyler and Lisa shared some of theirs with us. Thanks so much!

PS -
This is our last year of middle school!
AND -
Connor spent an hour in a cop car yesterday! He enjoyed every minute of it. He was riding with Officer Judkins as a "job shadow" for his Sr. project.
AND -
Chase is home now...I've been here awhile huh! :)

Okay, back to work!!!
Have a great day!

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Chocolate vs Mom

Hey, I just wanted to let my readers know that I had better than a chocolate fix - My mom called before I got up from the computer and we visited for quite awhile. It was good timing on her part and we had a nice chat. I love my mom!!! :)

I'll have to remember that next time I need a chocolate fix!

Monday, August 22, 2011

Terry's Medical Report

WBC = 2.9(L)
RBC = 3.37(L)
Platelets = 79(L)
Neutrophils = 1.8 (He just barely makes it normal here, as the normals are within 1.8-7.8, but we like normal even if it is barely normal.)

We also have word on the test they did last week and sent to SCCA. The CLL was 2.0% before the Rituxan treatment began in June. He had four weeks of Rituxan and 3 1/2 weeks later the test shows that the CLL has decreased to 0.03%. That was good news and we are grateful for it.
However, along with that good news seemed to come some confusion &/or discouragement. The tone of voice and choice of words the doctor used today seemed to make us feel that it's not necessarily going to keep going in the right direction. She assured us that he could get these Rituxan treatments every 6 months for 2 years to help keep the CLL "down". Okay, that is good, except I was hoping that this last set of Rituxan was meant to turn it around and keep it going down until there was 0.0% CLL in his body. That would mean no more Rituxan...ever. Really! Isn't that what we've been shooting for??? Will it ever happen??? I guess we may have just backed it up and not really turned it around like I thought we were trying to do.
Are you feeling some negative vibes through this? Sorry! I am really confused right now and I'm not sure what to think. I guess I should have waited a while to write this post so that I could get some positive vibes flowing. I'll keep working on that one! :)
The doctors at SCCA are talking about Terry again tomorrow morning in their rounds. (I wonder if they will ever get to stop talking about him?) They will then call Dr. Smith, and Dr. Smith will then call us. So, maybe there will be more news tomorrow!?!?!?! We never hold our breath on these things you know! ;)

After a long morning and afternoon of dentist, doctor, dentist, school shopping and a very late drive-thru lunch I think it's time for chocolate..., and I didn't buy any! What's up with that? (Shhh! Maybe I'll go get into the milk chocolate chips. ;) don't tell my kids they'll think they can do the same someday.) :)

Have a good one!

Here's a quote to think about:
"Your dollars will do better if accompanied by some sense."
It seems fitting right now after doing our school supplies shopping and allowing the kids to put whatever they felt they needed into the cart. That was non-sense on my part, because the total was much more than I would ever have thought. And, when we got home I realized we hadn't even purchased any notebook paper. WHAT?

(Shhh! I think some cold chocolate milk might do the trick!)

Friday, August 19, 2011

Missing them already!

Michael and Tawnee left tonight for SLC. We are already missing them. However, we do look forward to their exciting new life together. It was great to have them here for awhile and we look forward to their return.

We are getting quite an extended family and we love each one. Sometimes it seems like it would be a wonderful thing to have a set up where each of our children could live in a big house all together, but I guess there really would be too much drama.

We'll be content with our visits and grateful for the time that we do get to spend together. Already looking forward to the next time...

DIY

DIY/Do It Yourself was something I saw often as I was looking online for ideas this last month. I decided today to put my own DIY on this post.

Clothes pin magnets.





Glue coordinating papers (or burlap or fabric) onto the clothes pin and trim to size. (I used a glue stick for this part.)
Choose an assortment of items to create the look you want, like; burlap, tulle, fabric, flowers, lace, beads, keys, yarn, bows, ribbon, twine, string, wire, buttons, charms, etc. Bunch it, fold it, tie it, layer it.... Glue a magnet on the back. (I used a hot glue gun for the added trinkets.)

Tawnee even made her ribbon flowers and that is something I must learn to DIY! It was fun to see what we could come up with and making them different meant we didn't have to search all over to buy enough of one item to make them all the same.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

QUOTES

"Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that great generation." - Nelson Mandela

"Kindness can become its own motive. We are made kind by being kind." -Eric Hoffer


ANCIENT PROVERBS:
"Fall seven times; stand up eight."

"He who asks a question is a fool for a minute; he who does not remains a fool forever."

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Welcome Home Chase!



It is so nice to have Chase home. We are getting the interviews done so we can send in his papers for his 2 year mission. We'll keep you posted! Until then, we'll enjoy the time together.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Happy Day!

Happy Birthday Ethan!

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Happy Day!

Happy Birthday to Thomas!

Friday, August 12, 2011

Happy Day!

Happy Birthday to Tawny!

Monday, August 8, 2011

Finally!

I have finally turned my birthday calendars to August!
That doesn't mean I'm caught up; I'm just taking a break to post some of the events of the past couple weeks.

We've actually just had (today) our second doctor visit since we posted about one. There wasn't much new news to post last week, and this week there isn't much either, except that he had to get a neulasta shot today. He is not looking forward to the aching bones.

They have started harvesting wheat. The year is going by so fast - I can't believe that we are already in the harvest season. Here is hoping it all goes well!

The thing that has kept us the most busy lately is the wedding - Michael and Tawnee are now married. We are so happy for them. Congratulations to them! Hey, congratulations to us too! It's so exciting. They'll head out to Provo (not sure when) - it's the college life for them for awhile.

The wedding was beautiful and the words shared at their sealing were equally beautiful. They were encouraging and inspiring words. We each need to do a bit better at being a good husband or a good wife...to serve and help each other...to give each other our all. (Still no photos from the wedding - I didn't have my camera since it's not working well at all.)

The reception was beautiful too. I did get a few photos during the set up time, with BrittanyJo's camera, and luckily Skyler and Lisa shared some great photos too. Thanks so much!















Thank you family and friends for coming to share this wonderful occasion with us. You made all the work and worry worth it! Don't Tori's cupcakes look divine? They are deliciously divine...or divinely delicious!

We are always happy to spend time with family. Gregory brought his family up, Brandon flew in, and Skyler and Lisa came for the wedding. Other relatives (who live close by) were there too - we love you all!

The last weekend of July was a Rodeback Reunion - and we were able to attend this year. It was good to see the other family members that were there, and we missed those who could not make it. We are already looking forward to next year!!!



The kids have been kept busy with scout camps, girls camp, asb camp, business week, and now band camp. Somebody has been gone during every week this summer. Somehow it can always get busier...how is that?!?!?! The hurried-er I go, the behind-er I get!

Okay, back to work! I've got to keep digging my way out of this mess. Not only do I have wedding decos to put away, but I've left things undone for long enough that I'm really behind. It's a one person job too, so it's gonna take a while. If I keep going I can get it clean before Chase gets home - Tuesday the 16th! Yeah! I think I can, I think I can, I think I can....