Doctor Whirlwind

Wow what you have to do to get a trip to Star Valley.....  Unbelievable.  Yesterday, Jenni and I along with Cali headed to Provo to get blood tests and to get a bone strengthening shot.  We got the results--which were quit low, but not real low... AKA-- I need to stay away from people. .. NO HUGGING... I am so sad, because I am a huggy person.  Also, my Oxygen was only 82... very concerning that I am going to be at High altitude.  So we left our Provo appointment and Jenni asked??? whats wrong mom?  Nothing. Mom whats wrong?  Kelly is leaving and I started to cry.  I can't believe I cried.  She is leaving Dr. Rich's office and her family is moving.  I should take things so serious.  I will miss her, she has taken care of me for the last 2 years. 
After leaving Provo, we headed to Salt Lake for appointment number 2.  My appointment was set for 11:30 we arrived at 11:05  we got into see the doctor at 1:15... FRUSTRATING, ANNOYING, UNPROFESSIONAL!!!  I understand if a doctor is running late.  I also understand its not so bad if the receptionist, acknowledges you and lets you know we are in the same room.  But nothing.... Yes the waiting room cleared out three times while we waited patiently.  Cali was a trooper... She laughed, and played, took a nap, diaper change, played again, talked up a storm and played with her grandma glori some more.  At about 1:00 I was getting kinda ticked and hungry.  I finally asked if the doctor had left the building or had an emergency or something.  They said no she was just running behind.   Behind, Behind, an hour and a half behind.  Whoa....  That is just crazy behind... Though I must tell you that Dr. Rich still has this doctor beat.  We have waited up to three hours for Dr, Rich so what you do is learn patience.  Lots and Lots of patience.    We finally got in to see the doctor and Cali wanted to be heard.  She talked and talked and talked and talked some more.  It was so cute.  The doctor hurried our appointment to try to get back on schedule.  She said there were overbooking of rooms.  really..... I watched at least a dozen people come and go.  Patience Gloria, Learn more patience. 
We finished up my appointment at about 1:50 or so.  We were not STARVING.  (you know when you're so hungry that you stomach is growling and EVERYTHING looks good to you?)  This is how Jenni and I were feeling.  Just give us anything.  We headed to Costco... ran out of diapers at the doctors appointment.  After Costco we went across the street to Mimi's Cafe.  We both wanted something huge, but we kept it in tact and went with something more reasonable. 
So here it was 3:15 and we're FINALLY headed home.  Cali had had it.  She had a total melt down on the way home.  She was crying so hard, I felt so bad for her.  Jenni just kept it all in control.  We took the IKEA exit and changed her clothes.  She had a total poop attack.  Jenni took care of her and settled her down, and we got back on the road again.  Once again Total Melt Down.  it was a long ride home. 
So that was day one.  We get to start all over again TODAY.  Only this time I get to get a CT scan for possible blood clots in the lung.  See what I men about going to Star Valley.  I must have Doctors clearance. 

Chemo - toleration

I am on a chemo that I am taking orally. I do take it daily which is "okay."  At least I don't have to go into the doctors office once a week and having an IV drip for hours.  I am on this Fourteen days on the Chemo-- Seven days off.  Believe or not I am tolerating the chemo quite well.  I am on my second round  of Chemo right now.  I finish my round on Monday.  I really have had no real nausea, side effects. After the third round the doctors will do more tests on me to see if the chemo is working.  I do get really tired during the day.  I am on oxygen all the time now.  It kidda freaks people out, especially at church.  I have an oxygen tank, a mask, and the hose come out of the mask.  What a mess.....  I am feeling better NOW then I did a year ago. Thank you to all those who have given me support Terry and I.  We love you!

Church New Surprise

A HUGE Surprise came to me this morning as Terry brought me the LDS Church News and a handful of tissues.  "You may need these"  he said. 

In April of this year I received the "Alumni Administrator of the Year" from my Alma Mater, Utah State University.  A reporter for my hometown newspaper, the Star Valley Independent wrote an article that appeared in May.  Following it's appearance, she called me and asked if she could modify it and send it to the Church News.  I agreed thinking that there is no way it will ever appear.  How suprised am I???  I am also very humbled and honored and blessed.  What a tender mercy.  Thank you to all who have helped me and pray for me continually.  I Love You All!

http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/62499/I-see-the-mountain---Winning-battles-with-a-positive-attitude.html

Eagle Mountain Fire

My Son-in-law took these picture that was outside of my house last week.  We were evacuated.

This one of  the neighborhood.  For more pictures of the fire .... Click on Silverstand Photography link.  Thanks Firefighters.  

6/18/12 Cancer Update

I have had a difficult time the past month.  When people say--No news is good news--It goes to say... I don't go by what people say.  I tend to clam up when things are not going as well as expected.  When I was teaching and the students would come into class... They would say, " Oh no, she's quiet today.  This is not good."  The students were right.  When Gloria is not talking there is something up.  Lets just say the world has been a whirl wind in my life.  In between the vacation, and family get together's, I have been dealing with complication in the cancer world.  It started with my blood levels being too low, thus NO Chemo.  Because I had no chemo the cancer grew.  It grew in the liver from 1%  to 10% of the liver.  It also grew in the lungs as well.  I have had a very difficult time breathing.  The doctors put me oxygen.  I have felt very weak, but I don't want to miss anything. So I went on Vacation-- I went to my nephew's wedding--  I went to the family reunion.  I have had a great TIME!!
I've gone through CT scans-PET scans and Chest Xrays--lets just say---I am sick on SCANS!!  After the results came back from the PET scan it was Not good news- The Dr. decided to get me on some Clinical Trials at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake.  Terry, Jenni, Cali and I drove to Salt Lake before the wedding on Friday the 7th of June.  The trial coordinators talked with Terry and I in length about two studies that were be done at the Huntsman Center.  The first study was very intense.  Bone marrow taps, daily blood tests and being in and out of the hospital everyday for a month to start with.  Then one or twice a week after that more blood tests along with other tests.  This trial was in it's first stages of research.  Terry and I decided No to this one, because it was so new and intense.
The Second Trial attacks the HER2+ cancer cells in the tumor.  The trial coordinator hope was to attack the  HER2+ cells, it would hopefully attack the HER2- cells as well.  I am HER2-.  This would come with some complications, diarrhea being the biggest downfall. YIKES....  They said hopefully my body would handle the severe diarrhea. Terry and I were leaning toward this trial.  We started reading the research and found that if I indeed went with this trial I would go without Chemo for about two months.  Meanwhile the cancer in the liver and in the lung would continue to grow.  
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I had a fever.... for about 3 weeks now.  The fever comes in the evening and stays with me until morning.  It runs from 99.3 - 101.  I am typically run around the 96 degree range.  Terry and I were trying to figure out which study we should participate in.  Then my kidney started hurting, along with my lungs and stomach area.  I emailed the doctor, he told me to go to the Emergency Room.  
Long story short--I was put on an antibiotic's and the doctor, Terry and myself all decided that the trails were on a good choice at this time.  I was also put on Chemo (oral).  
Currently I am doing well.  I am feeling stronger.  I am having a difficult time breathing... Thus, I am on oxygen.  I am on the Chemo for 14 days and off 7 days.  I will do two cycles and we will see how I am doing at that time.  Keep the faith.... Thank you for the prayers on my behalf and on behalf of my family.  

Family

My nephew got married the first week of June.  While in Bountiful we snapped some family pictures. What a great looking family.

Amazing Vacation

We spent our vacation in Believe it or not Salt Lake.  We rented a house.  To the left is the kids room...  Yes, there is a climbing wall.  Teagan scaled the wall without any problems.   We stayed in Draper at a really cool house.  It had a Theater Room, Pool Table, game table, fooze ball table, hot tub and trampoline.   There was three bedrooms, along with the kids room.  What a great place to spend with my family.  Here are a few pictures to recap a great 4 days.    Thanks Jocelyn for the memories!!  Love you!!