Redneck

I love “red-neck” jokes. Jeff Foxworthy makes me laugh! So when radiation made my neck completely red, I couldn’t resist the jokes, especially making fun of myself. You know—I am from Wyoming and so I could be a true “red-neck”. The chemo I am taking, intensifies the radiation to come to the surface. So my neck is really—really red! The pain that comes with it is totally intense. So here are the pictures of the “red-neck” and the gray hair that comes with it. Because of the redness and the pain my Dr. thought it would be best to take off a few days. They also stopped the chemo, which was making my feet red and swollen as well. So here I am without a working computer and trying to heal!!

Snap dragons

Flowers have always been a part of my life. I remember my Grandma Erma had the most beautiful flower garden in the front of her yard every year. You could look over a sea of purple petunias.
Last summer I had the most amazing snap-dragon flower garden you’ve ever seen in my front yard. Somehow-from the time I got this cancer, I have related my cancer to my flower garden. I know it sounds crazy but… that is what I have done. Last December after I found out that I had cancer I was in my garden trimming down the snap-dragons. The thought came into my mind that I would not ever see my flower garden again. The thought came into my mind and then left again. I really didn’t think about it again until spring.
Jenni was helping me trim up my snap-dragons and preparing my garden for spring and summer. She came across a fern type plant in my garden. It was quite pretty. I just didn’t like the looks of the fern. I told her I didn’t want it in my garden. She tried to dig it out. The roots on this plant were unbelievable. The twisted and turned below the surface of the ground. It had the longest roots I have ever seen on a plant. One root was about two feet long. I told Jenni that this was a cancer plant trying to kill my flowers. It twisted around to roots of my snap-dragon and started killing them off.
When Terry and I drove into our yard one day I saw my flower garden. The snap-dragons in my garden were starting to die. I broke down into tears. Poor Terry, didn’t know what to do. I went into the house as just sobbed and sobbed. Call it my breakdown. I felt like my life was spinning out of control.
Terry trimmed my snap dragons. He took the weed out of the garden the best he could. I was surprised he didn’t go and plant an entire garden of new snap dragons in my garden. He is a wonderful husband. He cares about my feeling and what is going on in my life. He takes care of me and makes sure I am safe. I feel so bad sometimes that this “WEED” is in my life right now. I truly believe it will be put under control. I just need a little weed killer. That is where the radiation and chemo comes in. They are doing the job they need to right now .
I know it is crazy like I said before that I have put this stupid cancer into a metaphor with my snap dragon garden. But that is the way my crazy mind works.

MOM and DAD

I have great parents. I know that when kids get older they say this... or maybe they don't. I just know that my parents have done so much for me and my family.

Dad has a way with me that he really doesn't share with the other kids. He has a spiritual side that is pretty amazing. I love that. I don't think a lot of people every see him with that side. He is always the rough and tough guy... well it seem to others anyway. I have always been his punkin' noodle along with the rest of the girls in the family. But, I believe, (and I can believe it) that I was the original!! I have a very handsome dad. I love his silver hair. In most pictures he is being funny or looking away from the camera.

When I was growing up, I though I had the coolest mom in the world. One things she taught all of us was how to clean, (even if I didn't like it) I know that it is those little things that are important. Like scrubbing the corners with a toothbrush. You always knew when all the kids helped with cleaning the house and we were done cleaning THE HOUSE WAS CLEAN. I pretty sure I passed those traits down to my kids as well. It's called the white glove test.

Both my parents are always giving and helping others. It makes me sad to see my mom having trouble walking. She is still the most beautiful woman in the world. My hair is coming in now and I put it against my moms hair and GUESS WHAT!! yes it is the same color as my moms. Pretty cool huh?

At Erica my nieces wedding last week, my daughter Jenni took these pictures. She captured my mom and dad with real smiles and how they look to me. Nice work my Jenni!!

I really love my parents and all they do for me and for my family, my extended family, neighbors, ward members, the list just doesn't end!

11 Treatments left

You'd think that if I am not working right now that I would have time to keep up my blog. Apparently, NOT!! Bottom line-- I am super dooper tired. I told Jenni that she has a sleeping potion in her couch that makes me so very tired!! Every time I sit in her couch I fall asleep! Amazing! Honestly, this radiation is kicking my butt!!

Good news! I have only 11 radiation treatments left. I am very red on both sides of my neck, my underarms and my chest area. I have been using two very good lotion treatments. One my amazing friend Joceyln sent me. It's called Jean's cream. It has helped so much. Thank you so much for the lotion! Really don't know how you know what I need, but come through everytime! The second is a radiation gel and lotion that only one pharmacy carries. It is also very expensive. They come in sample packets. Brooke, the radiation therapist rubs it on my burned back everyday. But, if it works, money is no object... right.

I had my cousin (Marie) coming to take me to one of my treatments this week. She totally dropped everything to help me. She is such a sweetheart!! She emailed me and told me she had a bit of a head cold. I asked the doctor if that would be a problem. My white blood cell count is only 3.3 right now. That means I am very susceptible to any virus', colds, really any type of sickness. I felt so bad that I had to tell her I needed to have another person take me. But, right now with only a few more treatments I can't take any chances. Thanks Marie--- we'll get together soon!!

I did go to a wedding last week. I had a ton of anti bacterial gel and a mask on the entire time. I tried to stay away from people. My niece Erica and Andrew were married in the Draper temple. It was awesome! My daughter Jenni took the pictures and Janell helped with the shading and whatever else Jenni needed. They did such a great job.

Sad note: I have been in some extreme pain. I have had a rough couple of weeks. My chest, from my surgery is healing but still hurts. I am very sore and have a difficult time putting my hands above me head still. I am exercising to help stretch the muscles, I just don't know how long it will take. Also, my dumb feet are like they are on fire. The chemo I am on makes your feet red, raw and even peel. The doctor told if they get too red, I needed to stop taking the chemo. My big toe looked like a strawberry. My feet and toes hurt so bad, I couldn't even have the sheets touch them at night. My sweet Terry, helps me each night, by rubbing them, if he can.... I was in so much pain I wouldn't even let him touch me.... It hurt soooo bad. So when I went to the doctor I told them about it. I stopped the chemo and started up on some antibiotics. I am happy to say they still hurt-- but not as bad... by any means.

I'll try harder to keep up the blog! Thank you all for your amazing support!

Radiation Tech's Brighten My Day!!

I have the best Radiation Technicians any one person could ask for. It is just crazy how you can be feeling low one moment and these crazy (fun) people can make you just laugh!


So I it was a Friday the 1st of July when I was getting fluid at Dr. Rich's office. I had a bad week and was feeling very dizzy and tired. The fluid helps me feel better and have a bit more energy. I had gotten in late at Dr. Rich's office and had an appointment to get radiation at 1:45. I knew I was going to be late so I had the one of the nurses call over to Radiation and tell them I would be late. When I got to radiation I was indeed late. It was about 2:00 when I went in and change into "the gown". I had told the Tech's about my blog several days before. I told them how it was a release for me and helped me cope with all the yuckiness!!


Those crazy (fun) Technicians in all there "Glori" did the following. Brooke, Melanie, Janell (a student -who's last day was that day), our other Brooke was gone that day. But, I think Gary was involved as well.... Took the pictures with the crazy hats from my blog.... made them into 8X10 blowups and taped them on each of their backs. So here they are..... "Come on Gloria, we're ready for you". Meanwhile, I see them walking in to the radiation room in front of me with ME on their backs. But, they don't stop there..... They take the crazy pic, ya know the one with the gray frow, and put it on the radiation machine. S0 when I lay down and look up there I am. I was laughing so hard. You'd think that was enough.. NO-- Usually they play Abba (Mama Mia) while I have my radiation. This day they changed it to, you guessed it, "GLORIA". I was have my radiation, cracking up laughing. I what other case have you heard of that the patient is laughing while having radiation. They totally brightened my day. They are simply the best. I told someone that these people will help me get through this trial in my life. Thanks Dr. Clark's Crew. You're all the best. Oh-- I think I spelled all your names right!

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My Kids

My sweet grandkids and amazing husband. Just look at the love in the room. Check out the awesome Hawaiian "Grandpa Terry Shirts" Yep they match!! Thanks Jenni and Jared for getting them when you were in Hawaii!!