December 30, 2011

Well, we made it through the next two days of treatments!! We are 1/3 of the way through the cycles. I go into for a shot and then we can bring in the New Year. So far so good. My two great sisters took me down and stayed with me the last two days. It was fun. We always take some thing to do and then we never quit talking. I have about decided to leave the bag at home, it is better to talk.

The staff is wonderful at the clinic and I am enjoying working with them. They are so kind and gentle, but positive and happy. I continue to learn a great deal. As Kelly and I were driving to my sisters yesterday we read in Mosiah these words “that he remembereth, every creature he creating.” I know that he knows me. My testimony of the healing power of the atonement, not just physically, but spiritually, has been strength because He knows me. As President James Fauset asked “how many precious drops of blood were spilled for me?” The people that have been sent to help strength our family during this period of time have lifted, given us hope, and loved us were sent because of their love of the Lord and of his children.

I have just a little hair left on the top of my head. Kelly has decided to call it angel hair because it is hardly visible, but I still have some. Other than being fatigued and a little swollen I can’t complain.

Everyone have a great New Year!! I am celebrating New York time-so I will be in bed by 10:00, because I do turn into a pumpkin about then. Love to all!

Sherie

ROUND TWO – Sherie 2, Cancer 0!

27 December 2011

I had the honor and privilege of taking my sweetheart to begin round two. It was a good day. Bear felt reasonably good. She scored a 93 on the oximeter, which is a winner as far as I’m concerned! Other than fatigue and weakness, Bear is doing well. We are grateful to the Lord for His tender mercies in our behalf, for the great attending medical staff and doctors. They gave her a prescription for dealing with water retention because her left leg has swollen a bit.

Dashing Escort J

28 December 2011

Melissa Porter had the privilege to take Bear today. We are so grateful to her, and to her family. The treatment went well again today. Bear has maintained a remarkable attitude. Only one more day of treatment and then the $6,000.00 shot on Friday. The center will administer a scan at the end of this treatment and give us the results of the chemo treatment. We will have more information the middle of January.

KelWil

Christmas 2011

December 25, 2011

To really understand our Christmas, you have to understand our Christmas Eve. So I’ll begin yesterday. How wonderful it was to have the entire family (less beloved Timos) gathered at home to enjoy the spirit of Christ and a season of good will. Much of the morning was spent getting ready for the Porter Christmas reunion, this year down in Kaysville. We were thrilled to have Becky and her friend Damon and his family come join us. Another highlight was Skyping with Ed and Lori – they look and sound so good. Uncle Roger and Aunt Connie added frosting to our events. Of course, the nativity production – on both continents – was outstanding with a wonderful cast of grandkids and great grandkids. Nick, who will be heading to Spokane on his mission the middle of next month, won the privilege of being the donkey J. Our little Libby and Issac played Mary and Joseph and all grandkids had special parts. We even had camels this year! We honor Sherie’s parents, Aldin and Shirley Porter for establishing a tradition so many years ago that brings us together in the true spirit of Christ.

After the festivities, in a random act of spontaneity, our entire family drove to Antelope Island. Crazy fun. Matt, commenting to Mark, said he had never been, and Michelle urged them on, so off we went. What a special moment it was to dance on the ice-covered salty beaches and spy on slow moving bison.

The evening was filled with last minute purchases and family gathering to exchange gifts. As Timmy might say, I’m not going to lie – we were all beat, but thrilled to be together. Mom was tired, but loved every moment, as did I. She gave a tender lesson to the family on the Savior’s birth, the swaddling clothes and dedication of Mary. Mom and I were absolutely mesmerized by the moment. Mike and Dede took their kids home and the rest of us hit the sack for a long winter’s nap.

We love having Christmas on the Sabbath! It ought to happen every year on a Sunday. At around 8:15, we finally took a broom stick and knocked on the downstairs ceiling just below where the Fausetts were sleeping. My goodness they slept late. Unfortunately, our knocking only scared the kids. Issac and Palmer came down virtually in tears. I took Isaac and showed him the broom stick and let him bang the ceiling. What a wonderful gift exchange. A highlight of the day was to Skype with Elder Timothy Wright. Wow, he looks good. And he appears happy. It meant so much to us (and I suspect to him) that we could skype. I had to leave later for Church and participate in a Christmas program where I played my flute. Later, we drove to hear Mom and Dad Porter speak in Sacrament meeting. Unfortunately we only got the tail end of Dad’s talk. Apparently we got our strings crossed. But then we said a sad goodbye to Matt and Michelle as they headed out to Delaware to meet with Michelle’s family. The Fausetts also headed home (sigh…) and I took Mom to Sunday Christmas dinner at John and Connie’s home. Bear even got to see Becky’s girl, Olivia, by Skype. It was a wonderful day. We tried to go to bed early, but without success, as we prepared to take Mark, Jacky and Ian to the Salt Lake Airport. The next morning at 3:45 am, we said good byes to the last of our traveling children and returned to try and catch up on our sleep. We are glad Thomas is close, although we love to have all the family visit. Two wonderful, memorable days!

KelWil &Sherie

A happy Day!

Mr. & Mrs. Wilford

The Girls with Elder Wright

Father & Son

All the girls

Thomas, Elder Wright, Mark & Ian

(being Hard core)

Cutting the cake

The Wright Family

A beautiful bride with her Mother

Daddy's little girl

Amanda's Wedding Day

Well today was the day. Amy came bouncing down the stairs at 5:30 singing “I’m getting married”. Then she was off running, hair appointment at 7:00 and I am already exhausted and the day has just started!!

Most everything was set for the wedding on Wednesday night. Suzi and Doug Chard had done a great job and we brought in just a few little things. Leslie, Blair, Melissa, and Grant helped the rest of the group finished. I thought it looked wonderful and I think that Amanda was happy with the end project.

As we were decorating we received word that my little grand nephew (13 days) was going to primary hospital for a surgery today (Thursday). He has water on the brain so they had to get him down here and relieve that pressure. His mother had just been released from the hospital on Saturday because she had c-diff. The surgery went well and the fluid is draining and we are grateful.

The temple was wonderful. My father was able to perform the ceremony and it was wonderful to see so many family, friends. Ethan is a great young man and will take care of and love her. When Amy came in to say bye so that she could run, she said “I have been waiting for this day all my life. I dreamed of the day I would go to the temple and be married.” Pay day

Just a couple of other things. Isaac Sara’s 4 year-old was in quite a deep discussion with his mother. He said, I know when we see Nannie her hair will have fallen out because of the medicine. Sara told him that was true but it was ok because it will grow back in. He then asked, "Well what happen to Papa’s hair, is it growing back in?"

It was a wonderful day!! Thank you to all who helped, but thanks to all who came and helped us to celebrate this day. We love you and are grateful for your love and concern for us. No one walks alone!

Sherie

***
It was indeed a wonderful day – and our hearts are full for the kindnesses of family, neighbors and friends who gave of their time and talents to bless our family!! How we thank you! As Sherie noted, when Amy stated “I dreamed of the day I would go to the temple and be married,” she added, “this is what I’ve wanted to do ever since I was four years old.” What a sweet realization for all of us, and how important it struck me that we love and teach our young children of temples, sacred covenants and eternity. The boys and I gathered just before Ethan took Amy to the Temple and gave Sherie a priesthood blessing; and then we watched as the Lord sustained her throughout the day, even to being able to stay in the reception line for two and a half hours! We will be forever grateful. Today we were especially blessed by the Wilford family – amazing people! How grateful we are to have their son, Ethan, as part of the family. I watched his tenderness in the Temple as he took the hand of our little daughter. He is a good man and makes this father ever so confident that his little girl will be well taken care of. After Amy’s first dance with her good husband, I had the chance to dance with her. Peanut Butter (as I like to call her), whispered to me that this is exactly what she had always wanted, that everything turned out perfect, and how happy she was. My heart melted. I shall always cherish the moment; and I shall always cherish this day with children and grandchildren, extended family and wonderful friends. Most importantly, I shall cherish this day with my beautiful eternal sweetheart and companion!

Papa, the-other-one-with-not-so-much-hair

KelWil

Doctor Visit

Doctor report was very good. All the counts were up but one and it was still in the normal range. Everything looks like a go for next Tuesday to start the process all over again and then we will be ½ of the way finished!!

Sherie

December 19, 2011

What a day!! Today 10 years ago, my first grandchild came into this world. Caleb Aaron Fausett was born and he has been a joy ever since. Caleb loves science, math, legos, and his brothers and sisters and his parents. He is asking how I am and if he is here, he rubs my feet, gets me water before I know I need it and just talks to me. His Mom and Dad are lucky to have such a great helper. Happy Birthday Caleb!!

On another note, Sunday night I was getting ready for bed when all of a sudden there I stood with a hand full of hair. It was like the strangest sensation. There was no pain, there was nothing, just hair and believe me, there is hair everywhere now. I had no idea that I had that much hair. Right now I kind of look like Kelly in the hair department. I still have some, but not much-so the question becomes, hat woman or wig women?? Can’t see me in either, but I am going to have make a choice I think. My dear niece Krystal made me 2 beautiful hats. I am so grateful for her kindness.

I go back into to see the doctor on Tuesday just for a check-up. I am trying to have the strength for the big wedding on Thursday which we are very excited for. Ethan is a great young man and he loves Amanda. This has been just such a fun filled week with everyone here and Christmas and a wedding. Last night we watched Scrooge. The second ghost sings “I like life, life likes me:” That is how I feel I love life!!! We are so blessed to have the experiences that we are having and learning and growing and loving. Sometimes there is so much love it is overwhelming. So grateful for the simple and wonderful things we have such as family and friends. I could not do this alone.

Sherie