Fun in the sun

This past week Becki has been trying to get out and enjoy some things she hasn't been able to do too much of before she gets real sick again. She was able to go do a temple session with Emily and then after one of her dr appointment, Shellie and Brooke took her to Temple Square to see all the beautiful flowers.

Then on Mother's Day we had a nice dinner outside and enjoyed the sunshine. (She just started the chemo on Friday, but we didn't know how soon she would get neutrapenic, so we are staying outside to avoid any germs in the house) Becki really wanted a nice lounge chair for Mother's Day so she could enjoy the sunshine and yard during this next treatment. She is such a sunshine girl! Check out her new chair-

THE WAIT IS OVER

Friday I will begin to receive 4 days of an I.V. chemo and Tuesday the bone marrow transplant. I am ready! Kim, Brett and Ryan gave me a blessing, I feel great and I am mentally stoked. Spiritually, mentally and physically - I think that covers it! After a few months (depending on how quickly I heal) I will have another 4 days of chemo, and then it is just maintanance drugs!! By Fall I should be where I am now, but with no cancer cells (at least thats the idea!)
This second time around is so different than the first. With the first transplant, I began chemo the first of November and I didn't receive the transplant until December 19th. So this second round is hard and fast. I will be neutropenic (no immune system) almost immediately, and therefore quaranteened until my white blood cells can get on their feet again. By the next time you see me, I should actually have hair growing again!! (Just a little sidenote: I have had long hair my entire life. This short hair is a piece of cake. A little baby shampoo, dry it with a towel and wa-la, you are beautiful. I think we should start a fashion statement here in Draper. We would each have an extra hour a day! )
I know this has been a long process, but I ask again for your faith and prayers. And please, not just for me but for Kim and my caretaker daughters and sisters. Apparently, I am a tough cookie to take care of. I just can't imagine me being difficult!
Once again I want to make sure that everyone who reads this will know that I have an absolute testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that because of the atonement, my Savior has experienced everything I am going through. I feel His love and peace. I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for my life, and the desire of my heart is to fulfill that plan. His timetable might be different than mine, but I have tunnel vision while He sees the BIG picture. I know that my family is forever because of sacred covenants made in the Temple of our God. Kim, Brett, Jess, Nate, Ty, Ryan, Brooke, Emily, Shellie, Jacob and the rest of my wonderful family - I love you soooo much. I realize more than ever how important each one of you are. What would I do without you?

Delays...

Hi Everyone,
Last week during my regular weekly appointment, my blood pressure systolic number wouldn't go above 80. This has been a regular problem, and one of the reasons I ended up in the ICU in December. Dr. Zangari has had me into a cardiologist to rule out my heart and after my episode with the blood pressure last week, he canceled all of my tests and is now having me see a neurologist. I am scheduled for a nerve conduction test next week in hopes that the neurologist will figure it out. Needless to say, I am sooo ready to get this over with. I am trying really hard to have a positive attitude about this delay. After all, I really don't want to end up in ICU again! My prayers are always that the doctors will be inspired to know what to do - Heavenly Father must want me to see a neurologist!! I am sorry I didn't write sooner to let you know. I have received many wonderful "good luck" emails, for which I am very grateful. Please don't hesitate to email me. One of the exciting side effects of the chemo drugs I take on a regular basis is that I don't get to sleep until 3-4 AM. I devour your emails in the middle of the night. (Did you know that all of the best shows are on after 1AM - My Three Sons, Home Improvement, Sci-Fi, etc.) Pretty pathetic huh!
I know some of you are going to really relate to this and some of you are going to think I'm nuts, but Tuesday Emily took me to Costco and I got to walk up and down every single aisle (with a mask on of course). I haven't been to Costco in over 7 months. During my real life, I was a once a week shopper there. Wednesday I slept the entire day to make up for it, but it was worth it! Monday, I am going to the temple with my sister Lisa. That has been on the top of my priority list. I feel that I am finally strong enough to sit through a session and handle being in a closed environment with coughing people.
Seriously, thank you for your love and heartfelt prayers! This is all in Heavenly Father's hands and I know He is very aware of my needs and especially aware of YOU - the wonderful, caring people that surround me. You all have earned so many brownie points!!

I love you, Becki

The latest from Becki

Hi Everyone,
It's been a long 4 month wait, but we are now ready to continue with the second transplant. This week I will have a PET scan, a MRI, a pulminary test, a echo cardiogram and my favorite, another bone marrow biopsy! If all of the tests come back relatively similar to the baseline tests, then I will begin chemo on April 17th. I will be neutropenic almost immediately, so I will have to be completely isolated again. I know it has been a long process, and I have asked so much of you, but please keep me in your prayers. I am really nervous this time around because I know exactly what to expect. I always thought knowledge was power, but in this case I would rather be ignorant.
Today I went up to Layton to see my bunnies. I have missed them so much. Kim's sister Cheryl is caring for them and they are very loved. Then we spent the afternoon with extended family. I still have to wear a mask, but it is so great to hug. I've never been a very huggy person, but let me tell you, that is going to change. After 3 months of isolation I am starved for hugs! Another thing you will never hear me complain about again is my weight. Everyone needs a buffer of fat!! It pads your bones, gives you a buffer during sickness and looks healthy! Those of you who are 40 and under can fight to maintain the anorexic look, as for those of us over 40, ENJOY FOOD! It has taken me 3 1/2 months to be able to eat just a handful of different foods. Food is a very enjoyable part of life. I dream of the day I can eat pizza, chocolate, and bread again without getting sick.
Thanks for letting me rant! I also wanted to thank all of you who have brought meals in. I am awed at the kindness and generosity of my ward(s). Some of you I haven't even met yet. Thank you, thank you, thank you. My poor husband would starve if it weren't for you.

Love, Becki

In search of warm weather and sunshine...

Those who could enjoyed a nice get away to Moab this past weekend. It was a somewhat last minute decision, so only Kim, Becki, Brooke, Ryan, Jess and the boys were able to make it. Becki is actually feeling quite well (considering) so it was nice for her to be able to enjoy family time and a little southern Utah sunshine. She wasn't able to hike or bike or anything, but had a great time at the park, playing games, watching movies, eating lots of food, and playing with her grandkids. Here are a few pictures from the weekend:

Becki and Tyler enjoying the sunshine

Nathan and Jess playing around at the park

Kim and Tyler- trying to take a walk with everyone. Tyler has to stop and look at EVERYTHING!

Ryan, Nathan, and Brooke at the musical park rocking out

Throughout this whole treatment, Becki has made it a point to keep Nathan in the loop so things won't be weird or scary to him. Here she is explaining her ports, why she has them, and what the doctors do with them.

Kim, Tyler, Nathan and Becki- They really love their grandkids!

We all had a great time and already can't wait till we get to go again with the whole family. Becki has gained her ten pounds, Wahoo!, and is now waiting for her doctor's approval to begin the next transplant. Dr Zangari is a little concerned about her low blood pressure and has been performing multiple tests to see if they can find the root of the problem. He had her see a cardiologist, who said Becki's heart looks fine except that the chemo has weakened it a little. After hearing that, Becki has been determined, even if she doesn't have the energy, to take little walks and do things to strengthen her heart. Hopefully, they will find out what needs to be done, fix it, and get her going on this next treatment soon so we can focus on the blue skies ahead and getting our Mom back.

Howdy Partner

The first weekend in March the whole family ventured down to Pleasant Grove where Emily plays Miss Andie in an Old West dinner show. Now of course you can't go to an Old West show without looking the part, so we all rounded up some western gear and had a great time. The band Steel and Thunder played the entire time and Emily's roommate/best friend plays in that band. The music was awesome, the food delicious, and Emily and her crew members did a great job. Nathan probably had the best time of all. He became Emily's little deputy and pretty much stood by her side the entire time. He even got to go back stage.

Steel 'n Thunder

Miss Ruby and Miss Andie (Emily)

Emily's solo performance of "You can't get a guy with a gun"

The whole rootin' tootin' crew

New update

Thank you for your care and concern. I am feeling better each day. I was having alot of trouble getting over the mucousitis, which made it difficult to keep food down, but the dead layers have finally started sloughing off. This last week I have also been battling an intestinal bacterial infection (c-diff). Now I just have to put on enough weight that round two can eat without putting me in the hospital. (I lost 30 pounds the first round). It's especially difficult this 2nd round to have a positive attitude because I know exactly what I am getting in to, and I am feeling so good right now!
Yesterday, I got to go to a family dinner with all my siblings and their kids and all my own kids. I had to wear a mask the whole time, but this is the first time in 5 months that I have been able to get this close to my neices and nephews. Actually, it is the first time I have been in a public situation. Every time I passed someone they "petted" my head which has about 1/2" of hair now. The kids were facinated! My 15 year old nephew looked just like me! (He keeps his hair really short)
I doubt that I will be starting phase 2 for at least 3-4 weeks, so we are going to try to get to Moab now that it has warmed up, before I start.
Well, I'm half way there. By Fall my hair can really grow and I can be excited about feeling better and better. Love, Becki