New kind of treatment?

Dr. McHale went over the results of Mom's recent CT Scan with her today and he said the results were STABLE. WOO HOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
That's such a beautiful word.
He's sending some tissue of hers into a Doctor in California for a new type of treatment that they're trying in California.
We don't know much about it, but Dr. McHale is excited to try it out and we're willing.

As for Momma? She's doing fine.
She's been awfully sleepy and has an icky feeling day here and there, but overall is feeling pretty good. We're thankful for that :)

Bragging Rights

Last night at the Relay committee meeting I learned about our amazing success as a Relay Team in 2010!

The Hope Corps is #6 in the top #10 fundraising teams for Highline Relay for Life. There were 35 teams and we were #6!!! We raised $3,665!!!!

The Hope Corps has many amazing Members, but one in particular, raised $1,425 all by her lonesome... Lets give it up for Becky Marchitto who has earned her "Grand Club Tee shirt"

We will be honored at the 2011 Relay for Life Kick off party at Mt. Rainier High School Theater at 7pm. Because we rock like that.

However, we couldn't have done it with out you ... the supporters!
Thank you ... Thank you... THANK YOU!!!

Also, Mom is doing good. She's been taking the week off to heal up... and feeling better, Much better. She has also moved in with Kathy for the winter to keep on the mend!

Thanks again,

Love Me.

Hope...with a capital H

Mom's headed home today (INSERT HAPPY DANCE HERE)

She spent the last day (Monday) at the hospital getting Lung massages and nebulizer treatments. The Doctors saw progress they liked, and by this evening she'll be sleeping in her own bed, which is what she really wants.

Thank you for your support, love and prayers,

♥a

Mom's First (Post Chemo) Haircut!

A little over a year ago with the support of Tony, Mom shaved her head as the Chemo started to take her hair away. On October 15th 2009, Mom and Kathy were on their way to the American Cancer Society Wig Shop in Sioux Falls to pick out a new hairstyle.

That day we learned just how beautiful bald can be.

Over the past year, Mom's been working hard to grow out her hair and now that it's grown in, she decided she needs a haircut to put some shape back into her hair.

She headed to the Regis Salon after work to get her first haircut since she was diagnosed.

She looks absolutely stunning.

I am so Impressed by how dark it is! I can't even remember a time when my Mom's hair wasn't blonde.

She looks so different with dark hair!

Thanks so much Kathy for taking pictures!

and

Congratulations on your new haircut Mom!!!

Chin Up!

Mom’s Chemo treatments have not been hitting her as hard this go-round and we couldn’t be more thankful for that blessing. She’s been a little nauseous and pretty tired out, but not bedridden which has been our previous experience.

So, a little cheery song… A little Charlottes Web comin at ya…

Happy Friday!
Love – Me.

Chin up, chin up

Everybody loves a happy face

Wear it, share it

It'll brighten up the darkest place

Twinkle, sparkle

Let a little sunshine in

You'll be on the right side

Looking at the bright side

Up with your chinny chin chin…

Chin up, chin up

Put a little laughter in your eyes

Brave it, save it

Even though you're feeling otherwise

Rise up, wise up

Make a little smile begin

You'll be happy hearted

Once you get it started

Up with your chinny chin chin!

Chin up, chin up

Everybody loves a happy face

Wear it, share it

It'll brighten up the darkest place

Twinkle, sparkle

Let a little sunshine in

You'll be on the right side

Looking at the bright side

Up with your chinny chin chin…

Chin down, you can't come frowning

Turn around

Starting, clowning

Think sad

Your troubles double

Think glad

They burst like bubbles

Chin up, chin up

Every little time your spirits wilt

Chin up, chin up

Give your attitude an upward tilt

Twinkle, sparkle

Make a little fun begin

You'll be on the right side

Looking at the bright side

Up with your chinny chin

Chin up!

The GOOD weekend!

We're doing the happy dance today to celebrate Mom's excellent weekend! Normally the weekend following Chemo treatment she spends in her chair tired, run down and totally blah feeling.

This weekend however, she was out moving and shaking!

She went out to dinner with Grandma Nani & Erica Friday night, and then on Saturday after a short nap took Erica on a Trolley ride and then a tour of Governor Mellette's house, then she went with Kathy and Todd a bit and then came home to rest.

It was a far more active weekend than she's used to after chemo treatments, so with that we give you a HAPPY DANCE MONDAY!!!!!!
Thanks for all the love and support,
-a

Heart of Hearts

As of last week Mom was still struggling with some fluid around her heart. The cardiologist called today and said it was getting better!
So yay! Happy Dance for Friday after all!

5 Days... and counting!

Our fundraising goal [of $1,000] has been reached, surpassed and actually left in the dust all together. We currently sit at #3 in the top 5 fundraisers for Highline Relay at $2,040! We’re only $40 behind #2 !

Oh and I have to mention that our very own Becky Marchitto is #2 overall in the fundraising list trailing the leader by only $30!

Here’s the Schedule for Relay
Set up Beings at 1pm.
I will be there at 1pm.
The Relay beings at 3pm with a survivor lap.
You are welcome to arrive anywhere between 1pm and 10pm.

The last and most important thing I will leave you with… Directions to Highline Stadium…
The “official” address is 430 156th St Burien, WA 98148 so if you wish to Google map it from your location… please do… but here’s some general directions.

-On Hwy 99 {509} to Burien take the S 160th Exit
- Turn Right at 160th St
-Turn Right at 1st Ave S
-Take the first Right onto S 156th Street
- Take the second Left onto 4th Ave S.
- Destination will be on the Left

I imagine there will be signs pointing to Relay once you get close!

Call me if you need direction to the campsite when you get there!

If I get more information at the meeting I will dispatch it to you!
See you Saturday!
Abby
** PS: Don’t wear purple unless you’re a survivor or people will assume you’re a survivor… Just a heads up !

PPS: More importantly... only 3 days till my Mom and Aunts get here!!!!!!

Thanks Be To GOD!

Look at this... 2 Happy Dance posts with in weeks of each other! What a wonderful feeling!

Mom's Biopsies came back from the lab CANCER FREE!

She's going to do just a little bit more "Maintenance Chemotherapy" to keep things away, but that's not until after her trip to Seattle NEXT WEEK!

We've got a lot to be thankful for, and couldn't have done it with out your support!

Humbly, I thank you all.

Another big THANK YOU goes out to

Carol Ervin

for her donation to relay!

We're floating on cloud 9!!!

Have a Happy Weekend!

Because we Can!

We're all feeling a lot like this today...

Doing the

HAPPY DANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We Hit Our GOAL!!!!!!!!!

The Hope Corps has officially raised $1,120 in the fight against cancer for the American Cancer Society! I'm so Proud.

In that same note, a Big thanks to
Mark & Tammy Ohnstad

for their donation today...

and

Ron Marchitto

for his donation today which put us over the top of our goal!

Wow... A million thanks... thanks... thanks :)

-a

The Happy Dance - Once again

Mom went in for her last Chemotherapy treatment Friday. She's hoping that she won't need more blood because her body isn't reproducing red blood cells like it should be.

We decided that the last of Chemo again was a good reason to do the happy dance!

PET Scan is on the 13th and then we'll get the results the 27th.

Keep your Fingers Crossed and for now ... enjoy the Happy Dance!!!

Chemo Photos - The Happy Dance Edition!

Yesterday was a tough day… but thank GOD it was the last.
Mom had a pretty good treatment session and took lots of pictures for us, but half way through one of her drugs she had an anaphylactic reaction and her hands started to itch and her throat started to swell, so they immediately pulled out the drugs and pumped her with fluid.
She’s back at the clinic today getting plenty of fluids to help steer away the sickness like she experienced last time.
The good news is she’s completed her 3 chemos and we can all do the happy dance for that.
Keep her in your prayers as we go head on into the sick week, and come out stronger on the other end.

Now for the photos...Chemo Session 3 of 3 Brought to you via Mom’s Blackberry (still shocked Mom has a Blackberry).

All the Drugs lined up for Mom's treatment.

Kelly Mixing the components up to start the process.

She calls that blue smock her smurf coat... pretty fitting!

Kristi & Kelly...

The two wonderful beautiful gals that take care of my Momma on Chemo treatment day! I can't thank you enough for all the love and care you've given here, from the bottom of my heart, Thank you. And because I know you're reading ... don't be too hard on her for not telling you about the blog... I told her she has to be better at self advertising... she's workin on it!

Look at our Grad! She endured her chemo without complaint ... she's a rockstar like that! and the pretty roses are from Kelly & Kristi!

It's official... We're done... we can now all do...

THE HAPPY DANCE!!!!!!!!!

Great Job Mom! We're all proud!

Love, Abby

One Long Week - One Chemo Left!

This week may prove to be a very long week for Mom.

Her schedule is FULL of Doctor's appointments.

Monday - Pet Scan

Thursday - Chemo Treatment

Friday - Rehydration Treament

Saturday - Sickness sets in (hopefully less than last time)

This is the last one the Doctor has ordered - now we all wait for the results of the Pet Scan; And I have faith soon after that we'll all be doing one of these....

Thanks for all of your prayers and comments! Thank you for being there with us!

Love, Abby

Hip Hip Hooray!

The best part about this blog is getting to report all the good news as well! Mom got really GREAT news at her doctor’s appointment today. Like they thought the ‘activity’ in her bone marrow was just her body making good cells, and is completely gone, and as far as they can tell everything else is gone too!
The Doctor is having her do 3 more rounds of Chemotherapy (starting January 6th 2010) as a precautionary measure to make sure they get it all and don’t give it any chance to start growing back!
So here we are… DOING THE HAPPY DANCE AGAIN!
Love, Abby

The Last one!

Everyone break out your happy dance tomorrow for Mom as she endures her last session of Chemotherapy for the year!!!! She will have a PET scan again on the 23rd (we think) to see where all this radiation, and chemo has gotten us! Please keep her in your prayers, as she will be doing Chemo tomorrow, knocked out for a couple days and battling nausea. However, this time she will be trying out a new patch that should help curb that. Without insurance the patch would have cost her nearly $500; with insurance it was only $50 and it should work for about days.

Here we go! Last Chemo!!!

Warm up your Dancin' Feet!

Its time for the HAPPY DANCE AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mom had her follow up appointment to her CT Scan & X-ray from last week.

The Doctor was very pleased with her progress and said the mass in her lung has shrunk to half, and there's only one lymph node giving her greif as opposed to the several she started with!

The treatment will be set for ONCE EVERY THREE weeks for Four Months!!!

We're all very happy and very excited to get good news!

So ... If you feel like dancin... Please do, I know I will be all the way to South Dakota!

All the Love, Abby

No Post = Good News

Sorry I haven't posted for quite a while. I figure if there is no bad or good news to share perhaps a break from 1 of my 4 blogs would benefit me.
I am HAPPY to post today because Mom's doctor reported in that he feels very good about the results of the radiation treatments!
He said that based on her symptoms subsiding, color of her skin, and the pains in her arm being gone all suggest that they have gotten the mass to shrink substantially. The lump that's hanging out on her neck near her biopsy location is most likely scar tissue and her droopy eye may start to go away or stay forever, he wasn't sure.
Mom is doing her happy dance and all of us in her Army are doing the same!
THANK YOU GOD!!!

A big thank you going out to Wayne & Linda (Mom's bosses) for being so wonderful and for treating her to a spa day last week as a congratulations for finishing radiation treatments.

For all of you who received your Diannes Battle t-shirts, Enjoy! I would love to see a picture or two of you in them!

Thank you for your continued prayers! They're working!!! Please keep it up!
All My Love. Abby

ZERO Radiation Treatments Left!!!!

Life is sweet today!
We celebrate Mom's last radiation treatment!

After 31 Treatments she is ready to be done.

She is doing her happy dance today along with her nurses who assure her that it's not that they don't like her it's that they're happy to see that she's done.

She was going to take some pictures of the Cancer Center and her staff and hopefully the machine she's been bonding with the past month or so, so we can all see it.

Do a little Happy Dance with Mom! I know she'd appreciate it!

All the Love, Abby