June 25 The Light at the End of the Tunnel

Hello Everyone,

We finally got the news we have been waiting for.... My last chemo is set for July 16th. so I have one BIG ONE left and TWO SMALL Ones.... I can do it, I keep telling myself... Matt and I were so excited when we heard the news. The doctor said he is so pleased with my CAT SCAN results and my progress. My CA125 count is down from 225 to 12.. YEAH!!! I will have to go back every month for blood work and see the doctor every other month, with a CAT SCAN every 2-3 months. I can handle that...

I want to say THANK YOU to everyone who has prayed, cooked, cleaned, sent a card, gift, or sent a good thought my way! I wouldn't have been so strong without all of you. So everyone take a bow. You deserve it. My applause goes out to each and everyone of you!

Myles is do home Saturday and Jacqueline is do home next Saturday so we can celebrate the good news as a family. I sure do miss them both. We hope to do something fun as a family in August.

Here is a new picture of me and my girlie friends.... Angie, Sheri, me, Crystal and Lori...

Yes everyone that is me.... in the middle. Do you like?????

Sorry Jane you left too early....

To see the new me you will never know where and when I will show up!!!

Well that is all for know. If there is any other news I will keep you updated..... My next doctors appointment is July 30th....

But for know remember to....

LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH ONE DAY AT A TIME.......

JULIE

June 14th... Relay for Life.....

I am trying really hard to be knowledgeable about getting the pictures right.. But it isn't working.. Here are some of the bags that were finally lite at the last Relay for life... Even that night the some of the bags caught on fire... We will have to practice some other ways so that I don't lose any bags. It was a very emotional walk, but I was glad I did it twice. Thanks to everyone one who purchased a bag or a star. Thanks to Grace and Susan for inviting me to attend. Next year I hope I can do more.

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This last Chemo was really hard on me. but I will survive. I just thought as time went on it would get easier, but that is not the case they tell me.. Oh well I will just roll with the punches. I thank God everyday for the love and support everyone is giving me.. Thanks mom and dad for being here for me during the rough times.

Well Jac is still in Italy and having the time of her life. We are missing he sooo much. She will be home soon I keep telling myself. Myles takes off for his second home this week to Arizona. Matt and I will just be home here in Michigan. As we pray that he doesn't lose his job to all the cuts that they are doing at Ford. Please pray that doesn't happen...

School finally is out and I got to say good-bye to all my students. I was so glad I didn't get sick. I am so thankful for Amy the stand in teacher, she did a great job with the students. They were a good group of kids. My room is all packed and ready to get cleaned for next year. Hopefully I will be there in September. I will be reminding my doctor that I MUST be back to work by then.

Father's day was a memorable one. I believe all dads were happy with their gifts and the time they spent with their families.

Coming up is the CAT-Scan and a mini chemo. Busy with every day stuff... Gardening, cleaning, seeing friends and walking with Jenny, (I need to get her ready for her big 3 Day cancer walk). We are walking an hour a day. I will let you know what fundraiser events she has planned and you can let me know which ones you would like to join us in... she has bowling, casino night and euchre planned. So as soon as I get the dates I will let you know.

My brother-in-law Greg is coming along. All went well with his 5 day radiation. Now we must p wait and pray that it everything went well.

Well that is all for now.. Please keep me in your prayers and continue to read the blog... even though you don't post on it, like you should, I know you are reading it and like it.. (because you tell me you do)! So I will keep you posted as the news comes in...

Have a great day and remember to

LIVE.. LOVE.... LAUGH ONE DAY AT A TIME

JULIE

June 3RD, Waiting for the sunshine......

I know it has been awhile since I last did an update.... But life is going along.....
Here are some pictures of Ross's Rock Star Birthday Party! Thank you Ashlee for the Kick-Ass boots. They sure were a hit.. Everyone wants to borrow them...

Tom couldn't get enough of the boots... Don't Tom and Jane look great.. Rock on!!!!

Well were do I begin... Lacrosse is over with and we are waiting on Hockey to begin. But first Myles must make a trip back to his second home in Arizona. He leaves on June19th. Also, he began working at the boat docks. I don't know how many boats will be going out, but at least he has a job to pay for gas and insurance. School is almost over for him. Now on to 11th grade. Where does the time go..????

Now for Jac's news.... she is off in Italy and having the time of her life. Everyday is a new adventure. If you would like to hear about her trip she too has a blog..... www.mysummerinitaly.blogspot.com You can send your comments, concerns and love to her. She would love to hear from you all.

Matt was real sick over the week-end. I had to play nurse, he was an ok patient. He is trying to get a lot of things done around the house and trying even harder to get the boat home so he can get it in the water.

Last but not least my update.. I On May 28th I didn't get another big Chemo, because my numbers were just a tiny bit low. But I did manage to get 2 big ones back to back, so that was the first for that. I am schedule for a Cat-Scan on the 19th and a doctors appointment on the 24th to see how things are going. The doctor did give me good news and said I could take a week off for our family vacation in July. I am sooooooooo happy about that. We finally got some of the St. Angela families to experience my favorite restaurant Netties.. The food and company was excellent.... The place even made us rice balls, my favorite. Now the the secret place is out. My mom and dad are up north helping out my grandma with the spring set-up. I am hoping I can get up and see her real soon. Work is almost finished and I have been trying to get there Mondays and Tuesdays, just to do some small things, nothing to crazy. I sure do miss working. My niece had her baby shower this week-end and I did make it to the Tom Petty concert (without Matt he was too sick to go). I will be walking this week-end for the Relay for Life again. I am hoping to have give my bags lite up. Pray for good weather. I will post the bags on my next blog. They are so beautiful. The month of June is a busy one, graduations, reunion gathering, banquet, bunco nights, cards, dance recital, father's day, cat-scan and last but not least Chemo treatments....

Well that is all for now...

Remember to LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH ONE DAY AT A TIME

JULIE

P.S. Say a pray for my brother-in-law Greg he begins his intense radiation on Wednesday, twice a day for five days.....

May 17,2008 Getting By!

Here is my new saying:
Live with a heart full of dreams
Love from the depth of your soul
And embrace every moment of laughter....

My niece Ashlee bought me a necklace of Live, Love Laugh and that was the saying on the box. I just loved it. I thought I would share it with you all.



Well I finally completed Round 4 of Chemo. Mom and Dad were with me for the week. Nothing is better than someone taking care of you! Thanks mom and dad. I appreciate all that you do!!!

The count down is on EIGHT more days and Jac leaves for Italy. I am happy on one hand and extremely sad on the other. I will miss her sooooo much. But I know she will have the time of her life. Six weeks is not to long, but not seeing her for that long is going to be hard. We are going to spend this last week together doing girlie stuff, nails, movies, shopping, eating and Chemo.

Myles has started his summer job at the boat docks this last week. Finally, he can afford the gas for his truck. It has been a long winter. He has only one Lacrosse game left. Then on to hockey in June. Got to keep that boy busy.

A late Happy Birthday goes out to Ashlee (matt's niece) and Jenna who turned 21 ( my girlfriend Sheri's oldest). Boy does that make me feel old. We have one of the girls old enough to go out with us. Come on Yellow Roses we need to take her out with us and show her how it is done. (Yeah right we are lucky if we make it to 12:00 p.m.

Tonight our good friend Ross turns the big 40!!! We are going to party like Rock Stars. I will post some pictures on the next blog! Hopefully people will dress the part tonight.

I have started to go into work on Monday and Tuesday's from 9-12. Just volunteering my services. Helping out were I am needed. I am looking forward to dinner with the teachers on Monday night. It looks like there is 14 of us going. I am so blessed to have great friends.

The family room is starting to shape up. Matt, John and my dad put in the sub floor. Matt will paint the room this week-end. And hopefully the rocks on the fireplace will go up in about a week or so. Then the rest is up to Ross to wire us up. I am praying that this room gets done by Memorial Week-end, because it is time for BOATING season. I am in need of the water and hot weather.

My next Doctors appointment is May 27th. We will wait and see what the Doc has to say. Trying to get a handle on the side effects. This last time has slowed me up. I need to stay close to home. I am so grateful my parents were here to help out.

Matt is looking for a someone to walk with. I can't walk as fast as him. So let him know if you are willing and able. He must start exercising because of his sugar level isn't doing the greatest. So if anyone is up to the challenge of getting my husband to walk, please, please step right up. I need your help.....

Speaking of help our Church needs help for their Summerfest. Gerri, Debbie and I are in charge of gift baskets. So if you have anything that you would like to donate: gift cards, sporting event tickets, or any new items let me know. We will be putting together as many baskets as we can. I would appreciate any help we can get.

Well that is about all that is happening here. I truly would love to hear from you, so leave me a line on the blog. Look for Jac's blog of Italy soon to come. I will post the blog site as soon as she gets it up and going. That is how I will be able to see what she is up to.

Remember to Live, Love, Laugh one day at a time.....
Julie

May 1, 2008 Think Spring

I am singing for my supper! Lori Rocks!!!!!

Mike is giving it a try!!! The beat goes on with Sally!

The back up singers are rockin' the house! Ronald beats to his on tune!!!

Rock and Roll Band Night!!!

The gang got to together at Lori and Kevin's house. We had a great time. Look out American Idol here we come..... Hahahah

I finally completed Round 3 of Chemo.... Yeah!!!!! Things down at Karmanos went pretty smooth. I think they were warned about my sister. My CT Scan came back good. Things are looking good. Doc says I can start volunteering at the school for a couple of hours. Yeah!!! Getting a little restless. He still wants to keep me on Chemo for six months. But now all my treatments will be at Weisbergs, and I will only go down to Karmonos for my doctors appointments. The visits were just to long with my treatments. So I am happy about that.

We had some out of towners for a visit last week-end Jon and Lisa who live in Indian River. We had to take them to Netties for dinner. They just loved it.. Thanks for the visit and the pie.

Dinners by the ST. Anglea family has come to an end. I want to thank you all for helping me out sooooo much. We really appreciated all that you did. Yes Geri Krause you still owe me a dinner from Lou's Pizza, if we can ever get there when their opened. Plus the Switalski family owes me one dinner from Paul's. So I will let you know when I want the food!!!
Family Update...

Jac is finally done with school. She is staying up there working until May 17th. Then she will come home and get ready for her study abroad program to Italy. She will be gone for SIX WEEKS, what am I going to do with out her. I sure an going to miss her.

Myles is working hard at Lacrosse and at school. Hopefully his job at the boat docks start real soon. He has run out of gas money.

We are still working on the family room. We bought the stones and the mantel. The floor has been ordered. Maybe by the middle of May that room will be the way we want it.... Son as that room is done we can get the boat in the water. I can't wait to take the boat out of the well and park out and watch the sunsets. That will be my stress release.

My Relay for Cancer walk is tomorrow. I want to thank all of you who bought a bag, a star or donated money. I really appreciate all your support. Your are the GREATEST. I will try and take pictures of the event and post them on the next blog. I don't know what I would do without your love and support. All you guys are my rock....

I received a real inspirational gift this week. It came from the Schultz family (St. Angela) . The gift was The Clinging Cross, a wooden cross that goes in the palm of your hands. I used it during my chemo treatment. It most of worked. If you want to see on go to "not so plan jane gifts". There you can see my new cross. Thank you so much I love it.

Remember to Live, Love, Laugh...... one day at a time.......

Julie

April 18th. Ups and Downs of Chemo....

Hello Everyone,

Here are some pictures of the Mother Daughter Banquet I went to. My mother-in-law takes us girls every year. I just wanted to take my mom and grandma this year. We had a wonderful time together.

The first picture is a doll from my teacher friend Christine. Isn't she the cutest thing. She is called "Comfort" from the wish Sister series from Hallmark. Her saying goes like this Something got you down? C'mon now. Don't let it! You're card for! (And don't you forget it!) the wish Sisters... making the world a better place one magical wish at a time! How great is that. She is just so cute.... Thanks Christine.


Once again I couldn't get Chemo because of some low numbers. This time was the Absolute Neutrophil Count. No clue what it is or what it does... I just know I couldn't get Chemo.

This time at Karmanos was a nightmare. We got there at 9:15 a.m. and didn't get home until 5:30 p.m. (and we just got a mini). I am so glad I get to go to Weisberg for almost all of them.

CT-Scan on the 25th. Doc wants to find out how things are going. I don't know how things can change since I only have had 2 rounds of Chemo. But who knows I am new at this stuff. I go on the April 30th to find out the results and try for round 3 of Chemo. My sister is going with me on this day. So Karmanos watch out!!

Just to let you know I need you all to add my brother-in-law, Greg, back on the Prayer Chain. The bad Cancer is back!!!! He is schedule for surgery on April 25th. Life sometimes just plains SUCKS... But, we will keep fighting the fight.

I was grateful for my mom to be with me again this week, even though it was just a Mini. She sure is a lot of help. thanks Dad for getting some of my summer furniture out. I just love being out doors

We went to Lansing yesterday for Lacrosse and to see Jac. This was my first road trip. My parents, Chelsea, Dawn and Ashlee went with us. Maryjo and her family met us there. We even got to go to lunch at Jac's place of work. We sure did have a great time. Myles team won in case you were wondering.

Kudos goes to the St. Angela families who are wonderful to keep feeding us: The Decks, Badali's ,the Saladke and the Sieradzki family. We sure are blessed. Thanks again....

Just to let you know I finally got the bags($10) and the stars ($1) for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. I will be walking on May 3rd at 10:00 a.m. and going back at 9:30 p.m. to see the bags lite up. It is at the Warren Community Center. If you are interested please let me know. I need all bags, stars and money by April 30th. Thanks for your support to those who have already helped me out.

Keep the prays and the cards coming they sure do help. For those who write on my blog THANK YOU!!! It means a lot to me. It is great hearing from you all. It gives me something to do. Keep it up. And for those who just read and don't post a comment shame on you!!!!

Thanks to the Iovan and Sortman family for the flowers this week. They sure are pretty.

Remember to Live, Love, Laugh one day at time....

Julie

April 5, 2008 To More Beautiful Week-ends

Ok people pretend this stick person can dance. I couldn't up load the video of this women dancing. So use your imagination and make the stick women dance.... It's beautiful women month! And all my girlie friends are beautiful... so here's to you. ( sorry men maybe next month will be for you).



Life is good. This chemo round was a whole lot better. Just a few side effects, but we are working on them.



We are keeping busy with Myles and his lacrosse. I am glad he has something to occupy his time. (Plus we have something to do!)



Thanks to the dinner crew this week you guys are truly amazing: McGillen's, Sieradzki's and the Swiltalski's. We sure do appreciate all that you do. thank you to all the St. Angela Families that helped me through the difficult months. I do believe the road is going to go smoother from now on. I have faith and lots of people praying for me. Thanks to our friends from up north the Steele family that brought over a breakfast dish. It was great!



This week we stayed close to home. I did get out and played Euchre and won!!!!!



New friends and old friends stopped by to check on me. I am so glad we have so many wonderful friends.



I soon will be calling on you guys to take me to my treatments now that they got all the bugs taking care of. Jacqueline did get to be with me on the last round with Matt and his sister Kim. That was a nice surprise. Plus, Linda and Cheryl (teachers from school), had the pleasure of taking me on Friday to remove the "Sh,, Bag". Thanks guys for taking me.

I am asking for my wonderful support people to add Greg (my brother-in-law) to your prayers this week as he is waiting on test results. We are hoping that the cancer has not come back. He has been through a lot. Greg, I know you are cancer free, your truly an amazing person. Please keep up the faith and you will get through this . ( I know it didn't come back because this is my 6 months to be the Queen. You had your year to be the King. So I have got the throne now. So be gone with you!)

Enjoy your week.. I have a class on Monday on how to take of myself during this time. Plus I am going into work to celebrate reading month and find out the winners who raised the most pennies for patients. The winners are going to Olive Garden, I think I will go with them. Hey, Linda schedule it on a Monday or a Tuesday. We also have Lacrosse and we are going to try and watch one of Myles friends Padraic play Rugby on Friday. Oh I forgot to add the dry wall person is coming on Monday. We sure are busy this week....

Thanks for the cards, emails and prayers, they truly help me since I am stuck at home and can't work. I love you all.

Remember to Live, love, laugh..... One day at a time....
Julie