An update on me, and Dan had appendicitis.

5/5/2009

32 Comments

 

No news is not really good news.  I received bad news with my tumor marker tests.  My tumor markers went up about 20% to 104.  That was even with taking an extra 500 mg of Xeloda a day.  Obviously Xeloda is not working to kill the cancer.  I am stopping chemo for a while.  I see no sense in making myself sick when the cancer continues to grow anyway.  I am looking forward to having some quality time. 
   I know I tend to gloss over how miserable I really am on the blog because I hate to complain.  I have had so much pain from the cancer, that I haven't been sleeping well, and my dosage of pain meds is continually increased.  I also have tumor growing in my armpit that is growing on a nerve which makes my hand numb and tingling and pins and needle like pain.  It is hard to type. I have no strength in my hand, it is almost useless.  I can't play the piano very well, scrapbook, tie shoes, button things, etc.  It is so depressing at times. 
    As if life wasn't hard enough, Saturday night Dan started having intense pain in his abdomen.  Sure enough, appendicitis.  So we spent Sunday at the ER, and Sunday evening they took him in to have his appendix removed.  Surgery went well, but he is in pain from surgery.  He is hanging out with me in our family room.  What a pair we make! 
   Dan booked a trip for us last week to go to San Diego to celebrate 2 years of surviving cancer.  We are supposed to fly out on Sunday.  Hopefully he is recovered enough that we can go and enjoy!  I have always wanted to go to Sea World and the San Diego zoo.  He says he will be just fine.  I am on new pain medicine so I can hopefully be able to go and do while we are there. 
   Life hasn't been all bad.  We've celebrated Abby's 9th birthday and Bekah's 11th birthday.  We went and saw the flowers at Temple Square in Salt Lake.  2 weeks ago, Dan and I went to the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving point.  That was truly amazing!  We stayed the night down there, and I am so glad we had that time together, just him and I. We've spent a bunch of time enjoying life and family, and making memories.
   This last weekend we went to Park City with Dan's family.  That was fun.  We go every spring, and the kids have a lot of fun playing with their cousins, swimming, and going shopping at the outlet mall.  I had to take a lot of naps and take a lot of pain medicine, but we still had a fun time (even though Dan was in pain from his appendicitis.) 

Me and Dan at the Tulip Festival.

Me and the kids at Temple Square.

32 Comments
Wendy Tams Hickman
5/5/2009 07:06:01 am

Amber -

My Mom told me about your blog and I've been following it since Elder Perry visited last year. I'm President Tams' oldest daughter. I am the mother of three boys -- my oldest is almost 13 and my youngest is 3.

I just want to tell you that I think you are amazing! You are smiling in all of these pictures! I can really feel your strength and spirit through all of your posts. I cry when things are tough for you. And I've added my prayers to the many that are already being offered in your behalf.

Thanks for sharing -- all of it! I know that I'm a better person because of you.

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Matt link
5/5/2009 12:37:35 pm

Those pictures look great. I'm coming to visit you guys tomorrow! I'm bringing Garret with me so he can give Dan the beat down. JK.

We are all praying for you guys.

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Lance H
5/5/2009 03:44:30 pm

Amber, you are one of the toughest people I know. Hang in there. I can not imagine the pain you are going through and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. You have amazed all of us in the way you have fought your cancer. Stay strong and don't let Dan get too comfortable laying around the house.

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Jennie Moore link
5/6/2009 03:55:42 am

Amber,

You have been so amazing and strong through out your battle. I am sorry things are not getting better for you. I know you have had a lot of advice, motivation, prayers from so many people. I wanted to let you know you have touched so many lives since you have been diagnosed. I am so very sorry that you have to go through this, but you truly have had such an impact on my life and so many others that I know. Whatever the outcome, you have already blessed so many others especially your children. I remember having Abby in Nursery and how stinkin' smart she was and I just thought, "she has a great mom!" Keep up the battle. You have an army of support behind you. Thank you!

Jennie Moore

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Tatiana
5/6/2009 05:55:49 am

Beautiful flowers, and a beautiful family! I can't believe the girls are that big! It seems like they were just born! Crazy how time flies! Hope you guys have fun in San Diego!

Tatiana Riley

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Sueps
5/6/2009 07:40:15 am

Amber I send you lots of thoughts, you are so brave and I am humbled by your strength at these very tough times ...

Love to you and your family .. x x x

I am now going into my garden to have a rant at bootface on your behalf... sisters together xxx

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MaryLee
5/7/2009 12:06:41 am

Amber,

I knew you and Dan back in the old college freshman days when we were part of Lambda Delta Sigma together. I was told about your blog nearly a year ago when I figured out that I live a few houses away from Dan's sister.

I've been checking your blog regularly for inspiration, but never left a comment. Your battle and the approach you have taken with it has always inspired me.

Hope you have some better days.

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Kristen
5/7/2009 01:39:43 am

Dear Amber....I have been thinking of you! I am glad to hear you and Dan are going on another trip. You guys are such good examples!
You are in my prayers and thoughts! My wish is that you can get some sleep and the pain meds take the pain away!

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Patrick
5/7/2009 08:32:38 am

Hi Amber, hope the new pain meds are helping. Abby's testimony is so sweet and pure, and it's good she has that knowledge of the gift of the resurrection. Spring is beautiful and a great sympol and reminder of that, although i'll probably be like a resurrected dandelion. Love ya.

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Patrick
5/7/2009 08:34:09 am

I mean "symbol", sorry my b was upside down and backwards, told ya I would be a dandelion.

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Kellie Graham link
5/11/2009 03:54:38 am

Amber,

I just wanted to thank you for marrying my brother. I will always be greatful to you for the man you have helped him become. He used to drive me crazy all the time, but now it only happens sometimes. I give credit to you. For those of you who don't know, I do adore my brother and he knows it. Amber you have a gift of creating beauty all around you and it is most apparent in your husband and children. I love you.

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Kellie Graham
5/11/2009 03:59:02 am

P.S. I love your new pain meds. You all should have seen her being sassy with Dan when he was fussin about Amber skipping around the yard watering flowers and such. It was the funniest thing I have seen in a long time.

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Kellie Again
5/11/2009 04:05:52 am

"Amber what will the neighbors think?' Dan was recovering form his surgery and Amber was feeling much better than he was, but I got Dan to come outside with us by telling him he and Amber could sit in some lawn chairs while Ammon and I played in the dirt. Dan was worried that the neighbors would not know that he just had surgury and they would see him lounging while Amber was playing in her flower beds. I wish I had my video camera.

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Suzie
5/11/2009 09:05:53 pm

Amber,
You and Dan are such an inspiration to us! Every time my kids play the piano I think of you and will always attribute that talent to you. We all love you so much!
Suzie

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