Look whos 34

Saturday August 28

Well right after chemo on wed we went up to Cody's parents house to have a party for him. Unfortunately Cody wasn't feeling so good that night so he wasn't able to enjoy the food like the rest of us. He was a great trooper and tried to enjoy his party even though all he wanted to do was sleep.

Cody's family has this cake that everyone just loves and it's codys favorite.

Cody tried to eat some, but it just wasn't settling very well.

Saturday was his actual birthday and I felt terrible for him this round has been a little harder for him. He has been extremely tired and not feeling like doing much of anything. We wanted to make this one very special for him, but he just didn't want to do much. So Sunday he was feeling up to getting out of bed and doing something so my parents had us over for a wonderful dinner especially when I didn't have to do any of the cooking. I decided to try and attempt his Family's cake maybe this time he would feel up to eating more of it.

Cody looked a whole bunch better today compared to the other two. Nothing like it being your day and feeling crappy.

O.K so this cake is a pain to make and I mean a pain. Everyone in his family hates making it ,but it sure is good. I was quit pleased with my self since it didn't slide apart. As you will see in this next picture it is a 4 layer cake with cool whip in between. We all know how cool whip gets when its left out for long it gets really soft. So you you have to work fast and then stick it in the fridge.

First Day of Kindergarten

Thursday August 26

WOW!!!! I can't believe Tenlie is starting Kindergarten. It seams like she was just a baby. I know everyone says that, but I'm not sure I'm ready for this sweat little girl to grow up on me. She has been looking forward to this day ever since her pre-school graduation. All I heard during the summer was when do I get to go to the big kids school.

We were lucky enough to get into Renaissance Academy the charter school here in Lehi. They only took 7 kids after the sibling lottery. We kept debating on if this was the right choice in sending her there, but after lots of thought and prayer we felt really good about our decision.

Tenlie woke up so excited which I was kind of worried she is not a early morning girl and with school starting at 8 she has no choice. Good thing she is excited.

The whole time I was doing her hair she kept saying. Mom I'm getting so big I get to go to the big kids school. I was trying so hard to keep the tiers back so she wouldn't see. I didn't want to ruin her big day.

I do have to say I'm loving the uniforms its so much easier and I don't have to fight her on what she is wearing. Plus they look so sharp I never thought I would be one to say that wow how things change.

When we were arriving to the school her attitude changed in a hurry. She wanted to make sure I was going in with her. We made it a family trip to drop her off Stetson was sad Tenlie was being left and he couldn't stay.

They have to wait out side their class rooms in the commons area between the first grade class and kindergarten class Tenlie was really nervous with all the kids around until she found her friend that is in first grade. After that she no longer needed us.

The bell rang and off she went into class she was so excited we didn't even get a hug or wave good by. I wasn't liking this one bit. As you can see nothing but big smiles from this little one. She is loving school and for me I'm just getting use to it. I do have to say I'm loving that there is only 17 kids in her class.

Round six

Wednesday August 25

WOW!!! Round six already its hard to believe we've hit half way point with this segment of treatments. It seams just like yesterday we were told Cody had cancer and now three months later here we are. Cody is doing such an amazing job with everything he has had thrown at him. The treatments he is getting are very hard and aggressive. The Dr. is so impressed with how Cody is holding up. This time they were running a good hour behind schedule so the Dr. had us see his Nurse Practitioner cause he knew he was doing great and was having no difficulty's.

As long as Cody keeps his blood levels up and doesn't form any of the side affects we have been cleared to go 6 more treatments. At that time when they have to pull him off the Avasten (that's the drug that is shrinking the tumors.) its only able to be given for 6 months at a time. We will then start up maintenance chemo. This is where we will try to stay for awhile hoping that Cody's tumors don't start growing again to quickly.

In the mean while I've decided to become the next Martha Stewart. haha
You have to find something to pass the time by. Who knew I would ever take up crocheting.

Every time we are there this saying is framed above the fridge and we look at it every time so I thought I would share it with you also.

Friday August 27

So my brother brought this crazy hat back from Moab to Cody when we thought he would be loosing his hair. It was a hit with the nurses they got a kick out of it. We were given some more great news today regarding Cody's tumor counts. Remember they started at 200 and as of now they are down to 13. This count reflects the strength of his tumors and the protein that fuels them to grow. The higher the number the more strength it has so we are KILLING them.
The Dr. Says a normal persons count is
about a 5.

Family trip to Ephrium

Saturday August 21

This weekend my family was camping down in Ephrium and we decided to join them Saturday after work for one last trip before school starts. Its hard to believe we have to think that I'm so not ready for school. My kids are in seventh heaven when they get to go with grandma and grandpa in their motor home. Stetson was extremely excited the 4-wheelers where coming also.

Stetson became a great fan of my sister-in-law Lisa and had to ride behind her the whole day. I think she was very entertained if only she could understand half the things he was saying. This kids mouth goes the whole time you are riding. When we would stop he wouldn't get off for fear we wouldn't let him back on to ride.

This trip Tenlie was o.k with the 4-wheelers I think we finally got her warmed back up to them. Again her and her Grandma have such a neat relationship she just loves spending time with her.

It is so pretty up on sky line drive no matter where we went there was always great views.
Hear are a few of the ones we found.

As you can see Stetson wouldn't leave Lisa's side for very long . Thanks Lisa for being such a great sport.

Stetson Just loves riding the 4-wheeler he wont even stop even if hes tired. We stopped a little ways before camp and noticed this.

The kids are such great sports we can ride all day and not one complaint out of their mouths.
We've had a great summer we just wish it didn't go by so fast. The kids have been great sports working with us in all the hospital visits we've made.

When moms away the children will play

Monday August 16

So tonight I was able to go to dinner with a bunch of the old gang from the salon. It was a great night of talking about the old times and catching up with everyone 3 out of the 4 of us still work together. We sure do miss Jamie though. When I got home I couldn't find my family any where. I noticed the basement T.V missing so I took a look out on our side yard and this is what I found.

The kids were able to talk Cody into having a movie night outside (really I don't think they had to do much talking.) our basement renters joined them and then a few more neighborhood kids. They were in the height of there glory.

After the movie was over the kids were able to convince dad to sleep out under the stars. Me not so much I enjoyed our nice cosy warm bed. I felt like this was a great opportunity for daddy kid time. What memories they will have.

Alpine Days Tigers

Saturday August 14

My Salon has been in the Alpine days for almost every year we've been open. The past 3 years we've started to have a little fun with it. I have this amazing client that does face painting so we have had her come and transform our little ones into animals.

Here is two of our cute little tigers.

(Candice's little boy Carsen and Stetson)

Tenlie looks forward to the parade every year she just loves trowing out candy and making the kids dace for it.

(She loves being our leopard princess.)

This is my wonderful girls I have working for me. Minus Nicole we missed you.

(Me, Candice, Kira , and Lindsey)

This was all the gang minus the husbands they didn't really want to be in the picture.

All in all it was a wonderful day and most important the kids had a great time. I'm glad its over for now. Look for us again next year.

Round five

Wednesday Aug 11

Well Today was round 5 it's hard to believe we've been at this for almost 3 months. Cody and I have decided that when we go to these treatments its an all day event. He's only hooked up to the IVS for 4 hrs, but by the time you see the Dr. and get your blood ran it becomes all day.

Cody is looking so good for having 5 treatments and is feeling exceptionally well. We want to thank everyone for all your thoughts and prayers that are coming our way. You've been a great help in all this

Well this time around I started to get board and brought the camera out. Cody wasn't so excited about this cause I was taking random shoots. One I decided t get in.

So we get to our appointments at 10 and this whole room is quit full we try and get the chair to the left of Cody by the fridge that's our favorite spot. We are not always so lucky as you can see.

By 6 this is what the room looks like. Cody has decided he stays around to clear everyone out for the nurses. No really we have met some of the nicest people out there.

CT Scan

Monday August 9

Well today we have set out for another CT this is our first one since Cody has started chemo therapy. We are excited/nervous to see the results to this test. We know it has to show some kind of good sign considering his tumor counts are down so much. Cody wasn't looking forward to drinking the chalk as which he calls it.

When we arrived they brought us back to the smallest room ever. Then asked Cody what he would like his drink mixed with. He of coarse was quit excited that it wasn't needed to be drank by its self. So of course he chose coke. He was so relieved it wasn't the same stuff as the first go around.

They brought 6 glasses back and told him to start drinking them every 10 min. He was not excited that he had to drag it out.

Tuesday August 10

Today had to have been the best day ever. Cody had come home to work on his bobcat when our family Dr./neighbor called and asked if we had been contacted about his CT. Our response was no the Dr. office is out and we figured they would just tell us at his chemo session in the morning. He proceeds to tell us he was looking at them right then and wanted us to know. He has had a 20% decrease in size in the liver spots as well as the main mass in his colon. We were so excited to know that he has responded to the chemo so well. With only having 4 rounds with such response is wonderful.

Park City

Thursday July 29

Today after work we were able to take off for Park City since Cody can't work the remainder of the week he has chemo since he is hooked up to his pump. We were able to go with our Friends Mike and Torie and their two boys. We met up with them at our hotel and went to dinner at the little Mexican restaurant at the bottom of the slide area. I can't remember the name of it for the life of me right now. Cody loves this place especially if we are taking someone new with us. You will understand when you see the picture.

Cody loves to pull the trick that its their birthday and see them with the lovely hat. Thanks Mike for being such a great trooper. The dinner was great and the weather couldn't be better it was perfect.

We were able to ride the slide that night which was perfect there was no lines.

The kids loved riding the chair lift me not so much. I was so nervous that the kids would fall off they are such wiggle worms.

Stetson thought it was perfect to sit on the slid and have dad pull him. After riding the slide we went back to the hotel and let the kids swim for a while. Cody wasn't able to swim do to his pump being hooked up so we sat on the side watching our crazy kids. They thought this was the coolest thing they love staying at hotels.

The next day we went to the outlets did some school shopping and then went back to the slide. Today the weather wasn't quit so nice we were dying of heat. The kids still thought it was great to ride the slide.

They loved to go fast they even drove the sled most of the way. Stetson would get mad at us if we tried to slow it down. Tenlie would make us slow down after each drop off.

I'm so glad these guys are such great friends. They love hanging out with Cole and Jayce.

On our way home we had to stop by the hospital to get Cody unplugged from his pump. I have to say what a trooper he was to play even when he was in the midst of his treatment. We love you keep up the good work.

Round Four

Wednesday July 28

Today was Round 4 and things didn't go as smoothly as we would have liked. Cody's port was not cooperating with the nurses very well. He had been having some pain in that area for the past week which he thought was cause he had been working extra hard this week. He had put 70 hrs in at work and then would come home and put our side yard in. Which for most of you know its about as big as a back yard. He has been feeling so good I think he forgot he is suppose to take things easy. Well anyways his port was letting them access it it just wasn't producing blood back which made them a little worried that it wasn't in the right spot. So after a minute Cody started to freak out he wont say that but you could see it all over his face. They think his body is trying to reject the port and is trying to push it out. if this is the case we will have to remove the port and try it on the other side and then he will have to take a medication so his body wont reject it. So for today they needed to try a different blood thinner to see if maybe he had a clot on the end of the valve. 45 minutes later and it began to work.

Cody was quit relieved that he didn't have to get an IV in his arm instead of using his port.

This had been a very long day not just for us but the poor nurses. There was problems going on with almost every patient that walked through that door. I felt so bad for them they just looked exhausted.

After all it was a good day for us. We got some of Cody's blood work back and things are looking good. His tumor count was at 200 when we all began this journey and today its down to 140. So he has dropped 60 counts in the last 3 treatments. We are very excited about this result. We are set up for another CT on the 9Th of August right before round 5.