Round Ten

Wednesday October 27

Time again for another treatment where has this month gone to. This time between round nine and ten has been a rough one. Cody has been down in the dumps. He hasn't felt very good. Cold season has finally hit and he has been trying to fight it off. The poor guy has been freezing and running a low grade temperature all weekend. It made me kind of nervous because if he hits 100.4 we have to take him into the E.R and he stayed right around 99.8. Due to this I made him stay home from work and take care of himself.

The morning of round 10 this is how his mouth looked when he woke up from his fevers.

The poor guy I felt so bad for him cause they were really hurting him and with chemo it can make them worse. We didn't know what to expect coming in today if he would even get treatment due to his blood counts. If they are too low they wont let him go forward for fear of him getting an infection. And with him being sick this past weekend we didn't know where they would be.

Well everything came back in good order so we could push forward this week. Cody was glad cause this means only two more treatments which puts his last one the day before Thanksgiving.

This next picture is were they mix up the chemo drugs. Its kind of disturbing knowing that when they mix and hook you up they are in full rubber capes that go all the way to the ground and gloves that go up to the elbow for fear it would get on them. Its weird to think its o.k to inject Cody with these drugs, but its not o.k to get it on us.

And again 5 minutes after hook-up lights out for Cody. He gets a great nap in.

This time with him already worn down it really knocked him out. We had to wake him up to go home and then again he was out until 2 in the morning.

Treatments are starting to get harder for him. He's finally getting some of the side affects which if you asked him he will deny it. He wants to continue on these drugs so badly he wont give in. I worry everyday that he is pushing himself way to hard. I keep telling him that he has to look at it like he has made it further than most people do on this drug. Most only make between 6-8 treatments and he has done 10 that is quit amazing. He has for seen any expectation that the Dr had for him. We just keep praying that he can stay strong and well to finish out these next two rounds. Then he can have a break while we look at surgery on his colon.

Witches Night Out

Friday October 22

So I went out with a couple of my clients from the salon which have become great friends of mine. We dressed up and headed out to witches night out at Gardner Village. I wasn't quit sure if i would make it or not. It depended on the weather if Cody would go hunting or stay home. Since he doesn't do good in the cold due to his chemo treatments it worked out in my favor. Other than I had no costume 4 hrs before we were to leave. So Tenlies dress ups here I come.
I STOL her witch to-to that I made for her last year did some reassembling on her witch hat and transformed it over to mine with a little jewelry and make-up and walla I'm a witch.

Here are my good friends Anne is in the queen of hearts costume , Liz is Ursala from the little mermaid. and then of course me as the witch.

We had a great night, but we always do when we get together.

Idaho

Friday October 15

So Tenlie was out of school for UEA and since Cody was still hooked up to his chemo until Friday we were limited to the places we could go. Fortunately for us Cody's parents were heading up to their property in Ashton Idaho. Cody has really wanted to go up there this year, but we have not got there until now. We had a great time it was beautiful. I just love camping when the air is crisp and refreshing.

About 9 miles north of their property is the lower and upper mesa falls. These next few pictures are of the lower falls.

Here we are now at the upper mesa falls. It is so pretty there.

At the last minute we were able to convince our friends the Davies to join us on our trip. Our kids had such a great time with theirs.

Tenlie has really got into taking pictures so I let her take some her self. So this is the view of a 5 year old.

Saturdays weather wasn't all that great it had scattered showers so we headed up to the falls and then up into West Yellowstone. Since its only 50 miles from the property. We enjoyed the scenery on our drive and just hanging out in the town.

On our way back to the property just off the side of the road was this moose. The kids got out and was so excited.

Our kids had such a great time playing in the foundation to the cabin more than anything. They kept calling it their space ship. The boys had a window well that was theirs.

And the girls had one of their own too.

The other thing they enjoyed very much while we were up there was the 4-wheeler rides. Anytime someone jumped on one they were not far behind them wanting to go.

My in-laws have built this shed so people would have a place to stay while they were working on the cabin. It's very nice inside. They've insulated it and have electricity in there so it stayed nice and warm. We tease about it and call it the Mexican hut or the sombrero.

This had to be Tenlies favorite past time. She just loved swinging in this swing. If we couldn't find her all we had to do was check the swing.

O.k this was the coolest part just down the road is the river and there is a place that has a tone of fish. The kids had such a great time feeding these fish the bread. I think we spent a good several hours there.

The fish were so big its hard to see but they were monsters.

I'm so glad we were able to make this work out. I don't know if Cody could handle the weather up there any later in the year. The mornings were so cold it was hurting his ears and face. It's going to be very interesting this winter.

Round Nine

Wednesday October 13

Today Is round 9 out of 12. I can't believe how fast this has gone. When we were first told he would receive 12 treatments with this set of drugs it seemed like forever. Now that there are just 3 more to go I can't hardly believe it.

Well today we got great news back from his CT. His tumors have shrunk another 20 percent from the last CT. Which the Dr. thinks that from the first CT at the very begging it could actually be a total of 60 percent. We are so grateful for all the blessings we have received during this trial we can't even begin. Cody has been doing extremely well the Dr. said he couldn't even hope for these results he has blown away his expectations. He described it as if Cody is riding a wave and they just can't catch up with him.

Cody has been so strong and positive through this journey I can't even imagine how he is holding up.

Of course I think it has been about every other treatment his port likes to give the nurses fits. This time was no exception.

After working on it for a few minutes it finally gave blood.

And again after about 5 minutes of the Benadryl lights out for Cody.

Friday October 15

So we went to get Cody unhooked from his pump as a family. The kids think this is so cool. today they had to get up close and watch the whole thing.

Well we got Cody's tumor counts back today and they are at 3.9 which is very much in the normal range and his Liver function has come down to be in the high end of normal now.

Second CT

Monday October 11

Well today Cody was set up for another CT scan to see how well his body is reacting to the Chemo so far. We are quit excited this time cause according to his blood tests his tumor count is down in the normal range and his Liver function is just barely out of the normal range.

Cody was not very excited to have to drink all of his liquids before, but agrees its better than the first time drinking the barium plain. At least these guys mix it with coke.

One down and 5 to go. He has to drink a coup every 10 min. When they are all gone he has to wait a half an hour then go in for the Ct.

After a few the flavor was getting to him. He is very sensitive to taste and smells now days.

Last one and he is excited!!!

We wont get any word until Wednesday about the test so we have the waiting game again. So I guess this post is a to be continued......

Pumpkin Patch

Monday October 4

So we have this pumpkin Patch up in West Jordan that I was introduced to last year that we really love. They have the best field that the kids can run around in to pick out their very own pumpkin and I mean they searched for the perfect one.

The kids were so excited to take their friends Cole and Jayce to find Pumpkins with them. We were kind of worried about the rainy day,but that was not going to stop the kids. It turned out to be a great one after all.

Stetson had enough after all his finds he just wanted to ride in the wagon.

Tenlie was so funny I think it was a contest to see who could find the biggest one. She kept asking if this was just perfect for carving.

I think the Pumpkin is bigger than her.

These 4 are such great friends. I'm glad Tenlie just fights her way in with the boys.

These 2 are so full of it you can just see it in this picture. I love seeing what they come up with together.

Halloween has to be one of my kids favorite holidays they love all the activities there is to do.

St.George Marathon

Saturday October 2

So Friday after Cody was unhooked from his pump we headed off to St.George to see my brother Damon and his wife Michelle run the marathon. It was quit the experience being there watching them I've never wanted to run one myself until this weekend. Cody's not quit sure it was a good idea to go cause now I'm in the mood to run one myself.

I'm so proud of my brother he is such a power house.
Clock Time 3:05:48
Chip Time 3:05:36
Overall Place 189/5697
Gender Place 166/3240

He qualified for Boston!!!! There was never a doubt that he wouldn't

Michelle is another power house she rocked the course also. I don't know her exact figures, but she came in at 3:43. Qualified for Boston again.

They looked great coming across the finish line .
These two are great inspiration to me. Someday maybe next year I will run one with them.

My kids had a great time with there cousins. They enjoyed getting away and swimming. All in all it was a great vacation.