MIRACLE

Mom just called from Houston, and the tests all indicate that there isn't a single sign of cancer in her body! Hallelujah! We're so excited and happy for her to make it through this crazy journey. Her white blood cell count is still extremely low, but the doctors say that it will take many, many months to get everything back to normal. Words can't describe the happiness and gratitude to so many here and up above for her remarkable fight.

RECOVERY

Mom is gradually recovering from her intense year. Her recovery started with Thanksgiving celebrations, Christmas celebrations, Temple sealing celebrations, New Years Celebrations, Birthday celebrations, blanket-making celebrations, and hair returning celebrations.

Her hair is slowly starting return, although in a new color, texture, and curl! Here's her latest do:

While in chemotherapy, mom started to make quilts for each one of the grandkids. By Christmas, she had made 14 new quilts! What a woman!


She heads back to Houston on Wednesday for follow-up exams and consultations. We're optimistic that all will go well.

My Heart is Full

This post is to thank all my very dear family and friends. Without all of your prayers,love, concern and support I couldn't have gotten through this past year; I truly mean that. I have never felt so much love in my life. My heart feels so full of love for EACH one of you. I am now three weeks out of treatments and I'm so glad that the year is behind me and I can get back into life again. I still have some effects of the chemotherapy; blisters on my face, infected fingernails and weird hair. I am caught off guard when I see people do a double take when they see me, then I remember how I look and just smile. Kellie said, "Mom, you should be proud of your battle wounds". Well, I'm not proud but I am sure glad that the cancer is gone.
I have learned a lot this past year. The most important being that I really do know that I am a child of God. The lyrics of a song ring so true to me:
"Right now I have a prayer deep within my heart
A prayer for each of you there is a special part
That you remember who you are and He who lives above
Please seek for Him and live his way
You'll feel his love
Walk tall, you're a daughter, a child of God
Be strong and remember who you are
Try to understand, you're part of his great plan
He's closer than you know, Reach up; He'll take your hand
This life on earth we knew would not be easy
At times we lose our way his path we may not see
But remember always that you are not alone
He'll take your hand He loves you He will guide you home"
Those words are very special to me.
I also can't express to all of you how dear Ron is. I love him so much. I couldn't have fought this battle had he not been my general.
My family is incredible, this includes my dear children, my twin, my sisters and brothers and sweet in-laws.
I have friends that are the best in the world, thank you for your encouragement and love.
I don't want to take any more of your time but thank you all so much. I love you, I love life, and now I CAN go and LIVE UP THE HOLIDAYS with a very thankful heart.
Jan

THE END!

Mom did it! She stayed strong and courageous throughout this year-long journey, and she had her last chemotherapy treatment today! It has been an emotional day for her. Doctors, needles, and sickness have filled her days this year, so it feels kind of surreal to know that this has really come to an end. She feels a little bit of anxiety and emotion over what the future holds. I think that she'll be shocked when, in a month or two, she starts to remember again what it feels like to be healthy. Here are some pictures of her last treatment at the cancer center and some of the staff that have helped her through this battle.

The chair that mom hangs out in all day while getting her chemotherapy.

Mom's right arm through this whole ordeal. Dad is a rock!

One of mom's nurses.

Blowing bubbles to celebrate the end!

COPING

Mom is cruising through this last treatment pretty darn smoothly. We can't believe that she only has 10 days left until she'll be free from chemotherapy treatments. We're wondering, though, if she'll have to seek other forms of treatment. She has turned to not-so-healthy habits to cope. ;)

1 MORE DOWN, 1 TO GO!

Mom had her second-to-last chemotherapy treatment yesterday, and she's still hanging on and being strong. It is all starting to seem surreal that almost 10 months ago she was re-diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. We really had no idea what the year was going to be like, but we were worried that our days with mom would possibly be limited. Every statistic out there for stage 4 cancer isn't very optimistic, but mom has shown ideal responses to all of the latest chemo treatments currently available. Her body has taken on a huge job fighting this ugly cancer, and the whole family feels so grateful that we still get to share more time with her.

Her blood platelet count is already starting to improve and we're hopeful that she'll have some energy back for the holidays. We can't say enough for the level of support that she (and our whole family) has received throughout this year. Every day the mailbox has been full of cheer from amazingly devoted friends and family who have shared inspiration, thoughts, love, and humor. I think mom's arsenal of jokes from Uncle Bill and Aunt Candy alone is enough to last for many years! Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone. These last few years have been extremely trying for the entire Roberts family, but I think we can happily say that we are experiencing the light at the end of the tunnel.

Now, stay strong for 3 more weeks mom, and we'll celebrate with a little Thanksgiving!

TRUDGING THROUGH

Mom seems to get better and better at faking and/or forgetting her sickness. The other day she said she felt kind of tired, but wasn't sure why. KC reminded her that it might be due to the chemotherapy pump currently connected to her body. She replied, "Oh yeah! I forgot about that!"

Again, we asked her at Sunday dinner how she was doing, and she replied that she was faking really good for us! She seems to be getting healthier and healthier with each successive treatment, and it's truly mind-boggling! I know she's totally sick of this cancer (and definitely still sick inside), but I think she already feels a little bit finished with it all. We can definitely see the light at the end of this long, long tunnel!

Her hair is pretty goofy, we can all admit with a smile; but we're starting to see some cute, chick fuzz growing out from underneath some wiry, gray, old hair. That's a good sign!

10 WHOLE TREATMENTS DONE!!!

It's hard to believe that mom has only 2 treatments left! She went in today for treatment #10. Her blood platelet count is still low, but they expect it to be a long time before her numbers are up again. She received all of the usual chemotherapy treatments today, so her weekend will include a trip to the doctor's to remove the pump on Saturday, and a trip to the doctor's again on Sunday for her neulasta shot. Fun stuff! We're just grateful that she had such a great week last week while Jordon and his friend were in town. We celebrated the Fall season and the Balloon Fiesta with mom in full presence. She's pretty awesome!

TOUGHY

Mom is sure a toughy! After getting her neulasta shot on Sunday morning, she was down, but not violently ill like she has been the past few times. She is learning little tricks along the way to help her body stay calm and less nauseous. She has had a pretty good week so far, feeling less sick but still pretty tired. Her attitude is strong and positive as usual. Only 6 weeks left!!! Yahoo!

3 MORE LEFT!

Mom went in again today and got filled up with chemo. She has been sick all week long with a nasty head cold (she had it before Houston, but it held off a little until she got back), but apparently she was well enough to receive treatment. They had to put a mask on her and put her in an isolation room so that she didn't contaminate anybody else at the clinic. It was nice to have a private room, but I think it would make one feel like an Untouchable, too! It has been a quarantined, mellow, not-so-fun week for mom, but hopefully this cold will dissipate soon. Jordon will be in town on Thursday to inject some fresh air and liveliness in Albuquerque. Hopefully, mom will make a superhero comeback before then! She is quite a trooper!