I guess an update is due. My platelets did not get to 100, but they are close enough that the Dr. said we could go ahead with the treatment for tomorrow. It's a love hate situation. This will be # 6. Then they want to do a scan and go from their with more treatments, I will get a break however and might even come home for a while. It will be pretty hard to leave this grand hotel. I am very spoiled.
Jenna has an appointment on Thursday to follow up on her ears. She will have to have surgery at least 2 more times. Ryan is still here in Layton. He has been a big help to run me to the Huntsman or help with the kids. We don't see Alisa much. She works in Salt Lake and comes up sometimes after work. Heidi and Josh are doing their thing in St. George. They are having a baby in August and that has probably already been posted, but I'm so excited I have to tell you all again.
Okay so tomorrow is the day. We appreciate sooooooooo much all of your love and prayers and cards. I am overwhelmed with all that you good people do for us. We love you all.
Marilee

2/24/2012 update

A quick update. As Marilee indicated her blood and platelets were up high enough to get a chemo treatment this week which would have been #6. They wanted her to get two units of blood so the trip down to Huntsman was made on Wednesday and even though they got the blood early to test, it was determined that she had another antibody in the blood and it would take up to two hours to get ready and then there would be only time for one unit on Wednesday and she would have to come back on Thursday to get the second unit. She decided to wait until Thursday and have both units so it was an all afternoon session but she was able to get them in hoping that it will boost her up so that she can get the chemo treatment next Wednesday. Dr. Ward was traveling this week so he was not at the appointment so he will be back on the next appointment. If she is able to take the chemo treatment on Wednesday, that will be the sixth of the original six scheduled treatments and we will then have to wait for a new schedule after most likely getting a scan. The markers continue to look good so there is good promise. She has been very tired today from all of the traveling and the treatment but she looks good and we are hoping that the transfusion will get her feeling good. Jenna is scheduled to go back to see her ear doctor next week to see how the surgery went and then to move on to whatever he feels that she needs. We have noticed that she had not been able to hear as well since the surgery but we know that there is still some packing in the ear drum that maybe hampering her hearing. We again, appreciate everyone's concerns, prayers, thoughts, calls, cards, letters. It is amazing to see how many good people are pulling for all of us.

See why I'm not the good one to write. I have Cancer brain and most of it is'nt working. Sorry for all of the type errors. Think of them as a puzzle to challenge you day.
Love Marilee

Every one is worried about the blog. On hour part every thing is okay and no will take up the challenge. Since I've had the least opportunity it's my turn.
I was scheduled for Wed for the infamous 6th treatment, but the platelets did'n get the energy boost pep talk I gave them last time and they didn't get up to par for chem. I am however going to keep that appointment and get 2 units of blood instead. Hopefully? the platelets will have gotten some savvy and grown in strength. It really is a funny emotion when this happens. On one hand you worry agouti the little buggers running inside you bode, but on the other had you don't have to face the side effects. I plan to take what comes and enjoy it.
Rick and Jenna have been up since Sat. Jenna i back into her Jumba habit and LOVES it. Rick has had phone conferences and a few meeting in SLC. Time passes and nothing much changes. My Mother is here to see the doctor again about her back. I wish she could get some relief.
We do have exciting news however. Heidi and Josh are having a baby. We,ve been sharing morning sickness stories,
Do here is the boring up date. We still can' t express adequately our love and appreciation to all those we love, Thanks for all you do. Our love and prayers are with you as well.
Marilee

Day 6

Day six from last chemo hasn't been too bad. I only threw up once today. Day Four was the bad one. Ended up at the instacare where Dr. Porter happened to be working and I got relief from nausea and pain. Had a good night and keep doing well. Rick is in Monticello. He said there is about 8 inches of snow down there. The dog got a haircut with help from our Moab shuttle friends. The kids have gone to a friends for family home evening. Everything else seems to be status quo. It is so nice to be able to hold my head up for a few hours. We have such good friends and families and caretakers. Thank you all. Especially for prayers cards and letters. We love you all. Marilee

Day 3

So the surprise treatment was great. No more anticipation. Felt good yesterday. Ran errands with Kelli to pick up kids and went to Hobby Lobby and browsed in the wheel chair for about 45 min. Had to get some goods for my mom and then got t o peruse the scrapbook isle. It was a good fix. Pretty tired though. Didn't even remember going to bed or taking meds, Today is not quite as good a day, but I'm take some IV meds and should feel better this afternoon.
Rick is on his way to Monticello for a while. I worry about him travelling, but I guess he is pretty used to it.
Got to run for now my home health nurse is here.

Update from Huntsman 2/1/2012

We made the trek to Huntsman this morning to meet with the doctors.  As you may know, Marilee has not been able to get her last two scheduled chemo treatments due to her platelets and other things, so we have been anxious to get the meeting over with so we would know what is going on.  The good news was her platelets were up today and through some pressure from Dr. Ward's staff, they are going to get her in for a chemo treatment at 1PM today.  The gave us some charts that show there is some progress from the previous treatments.  They will give her a lower dosage of the chemo hoping that it will not take her down so  far and hard so they can stay on a treatment schedule.  We know that there will be a need for on going treatments after the sixth scheduled treatment and that they will plan on doing another scan sometime in the next month.  Dr. Ward was to the point, frank,  and answered all of our questions and concerns so we have made it today, will get the treatment this afternoon and go to tomorrow.  One day at a time. Marilee has really made marvelous progress considering Dr. Ward's statement today of how really sick she was when she arrived in October.  I know I was not aware of the seriousness state that she was when we got her up here.  He seemed very pleased with the treatments and progress.  

Thanks to each of you for your telephone calls, emails, cards, prayers and thoughts.  We certainly feel that this has been a very big part of the success of her treatments and care.