Happy Valentine's Day!

I cannot believe this! I just wrote a nice long blog report and when I "previewed" it it went blank when I tried to edit a spot! And this DUMB keyboard is not working right and I know Larry won't know how to fix it! Anyhow, I have had a fairly good week and this week will be a busy BETTER week! Our 58th Anniversary is this Sat. and it will be a very busy day besides! So it's good that I am feeling better. I went with Judy and a friend to the temple this afternoon. That was the first session I have had in 1 year! That is terrible! but I am thankful I could go now! I'll have the Herceptin (anti-bacterial "bag") this Mon. I get this every 3 weeks. Then 2 wks. later I get the new one, Zometa (to strengthen the bones), every 4 weeks. The chemo sure does do a lot of damage to the bones and nails! And teeth! I have to go to the Lab Corp on Thurs. for a blood test--each time before the Herceptin. This and going to Dr.'s office and the hosp. to have X-rays taken has kept us running on Mon.-Wed.! We hope you each one have a nice "Lover's Day" and know that you are all loved and are our lovely Valentines!! Have a Great One! Grandma, Mom, Martha, or ? ?

A two-wk. Catch-up Again!

Time Flies By! A lot has happened this time! The election took a lot of our time and turned out LOUZY in my estimation! When I went for the chemo--I learned that I have not had the chemo for the last 2 times. The Dr. cut it off and added an IV called Zometa--to help strengthen the bones, especially the spine. I got the second one on Mon., Feb 4. I get it every 4 weeks and the Herceptin, (an anti-bacterial IV to keep from getting every bacteria I come in contact with), I get every 3 weeks! They keep Dad and I busy! They each give me a little trouble on the day after! BUT, that's "Life"! This has been a "good" week, if the shingles nerves would just settle down, I'd be NORMAL (well, almost!)!!
I emailed the testimony of Pres. Hinkley's son, Elder Richard (of the Q. of 70), to all of you. When I read it I found that Pres. H. and I have had something in common for the last 2 yrs. or so! He asked his Drs. the very same questions I did at first and got the very same answers! His first chemo was a lite dose as mine was, and was about the same time. I can really feel what it would be like to be 17 years older and take that last chemo treatment he had. I described mine as "3 semi trucks running over me"! Can you imagine, what it would be for a 97 yr. old man? The Lord knew what he would be going thru and called him Home just on time!! Bless Him!! He was--and IS--so Special! I need to go get some letters in the mail, so this will have to end! All of you take care, know we love you, come see us--or give us a call, and above all, KEEP UP THE "GOOD" WORKS! Grandma, Mom, or ? !!

Blue Monday~

We got the sad news about 7:30 last nite. I know we all thought and hoped our beloved Pres. Hinckley would be here forever, yet we all knew that that could not be. About a week ago I happened to think of him in a sad way--wondered just how much longer we would have him with us. He set Larry apart as a sealer in the Tahiti temple in Nov. 1984. At that time he was the 3rd (special) counselor in the presidency. Pres. Kimball was ill (or maybe it was one of the other counselers). He was such a GREAT example, teacher, friend, model of a great and righteous man. He loved the Lord and the Lord loved him and prepared him for his lifetime work. He has certainly won and earned his Great Heavenly reward and his seat on the right side of our Lord and Savior! I keep thinking of how happy Sr. Hinckley and his parents and he are. Bless them all! We have been fairly well this last week. Dad is fine. If it hadn't been for these scars and area of the shingles, I could have had a pretty good week. But they still burn and have sharp pains and we do NOT know what to put on them to help it. It is SO frustrating! Guess we are not smart enough! I will get my chemo on Wed. am instead of today (Mon.). We had a funeral in our ward today so I got it postponed. We love each and everyone of you so please carry on with your GOOD works and know that Heavenly Father loves you too! Grandma,Mom

2-week Update!

Well, I'm back again!! And the shingles are still with me!! Boy, I hope NONE of you ever get these things! I know I would rather carry and deliver triplets than to have these! They haven't itched so far hardly at all--THEY BURN!! They remind me of the last contractions of a pregnacy! So I feel like I'm going to have a baby!! Wish that was it!! The nerve endings make my insides go into a spasm each time I have a pain--which is about every 15 seconds! Anyhow, they are NOT fun so make sure you don't get stressed out or get a hard bump to bring them on! Of course, a low immune system is a big help too! That's natural!! Otherwise, I have been trying to "come out of it" with the last chemo treatment--a week ago last Mon. We had to go have a bone scan and a chest xray yesterday. There's always something to keep us on the go! I hope you all have got a better start on the New Year than I have!! I guess I'll just have to start when I feel like it!! I sure don't feel like I am accomplishing anything tho!! Maybe I can when the Shingles go away! Take care, all of you! We love you!!

Our New Addition

I can't believe it has been 2 weeks (busy weeks) since I wrote in this. We had a real nice Family Christmas Party here on Sun. nite, Tues. we made the rounds to all our childrens' homes in Mesa & Gilbert, Fri. I had a Holiday Dinner & Games for 18 people, Sun. nite we went to Rbt. & Chris 's for dinner with all their children ('cept TJ ), and Sat. I spent 4 hours in the Urgent Care with my "new addition". Wed. a.m. I awoke with my right back hurting--so I thought I might be starting with a kidney infection so I drank a pint of cranberry juice that am. By Thurs. pm I went to Dr. She & I thought it could be an inside bruise or a hairline crack from the fall I took a week before on the grass--I had landed on my r. hip bone. However, I had no after effects--not any bruises anyhow, so I had forgotten about it. I had it x-rayed, and then on Fri. nite as we went to bed at 11:30 Grdpa started to give me my "body brushing" and saw all these big red spots on my r. hip. We had no idea what they were. So Marla and I went to Urgent Care the next am. Yes, it is shingles. BIG blistery shingles. Just what I've NEVER wanted. They haven't itched much--just a little iritated, but my back aches sometimes and I get tired quicker. I'm glad I have an extra week before the chemo treatment this time as I will surely need it. Aside from all this, we are doing pretty good, I think. Did you-all have a good New Years Eve and N.Y. day? We hope so. We want to thank all for coming to the Christmas party and taking part in it. Love you all very much. Grandma, or Mom

My 2-mo. "a Catch-up"

WE GOT OUR BLOG PAGE FIXED! We couldn't even get it through the internet!! That is why you haven't heard from us! Thanks to Gary and Judy--I can now que you all in on our "doings"!! Grandpa is still happy & healthy--thank goodness!==and busy in the workshop or temple. I try to use up any of his "spare time"--if I get the chance!! Since my last entry--I think I have had 3 chemo treatments. They went pretty good--like usual--except the last one! That was Mon. Dec. 10--I think my red blood corpuscles are low--that is the way I read the lab tests--so I have had a slower time getting going and finding some energy!! I hope I can talk the Dr. into giving me a shot of it on the Jan. 7 treatment!! But I am glad that I can still take care of meals and just accomplish one or two little things in a day!! I'll be "fit as a fiddle" this next Sun. nite for the family Christmas Get-together!! We will have the eats ready at 5:30 so come ready to eat um up! I would like the girls to please bring a salad or something for a relish dish. I will have everything else that's needed! I hope my 2 large English cucumbers will be good by then! Hope you are all ready for Christmas by now--I'm not quite--but will be! Love you all! Mom

Update on the Christmas Plans...

Hello, All -
Thanks for your comments to the blog. We have a few more people who have figured out how to get on and comment. Cindy doesn't know how to get on to actually initiate a post. I think we'll have to review all that with everyone so we can continue to communicate through the blog. I had a phone call from Mom (Grandma, Martha) earlier this week and she said they can no longer even get onto the blog page at all from their computer and they need some help from Gary or Judy to figure out how to even get the page.

Meanwhile, as to the suggestions from everyone, as I suspected, Mother has some strong opinions as to what will happen for the party. Particularly the food. She has some meatballs that she wants to make and she also intends to make a potato casserole. She says we are free to accessorize those dishes with whatever we choose but she feels strongly that we need a meal rather than just desserts, especially for the younger kids who don't need all that sugar. I was quite sure that was how she would feel about it. She feels strongly that she will be up to making the above two items and wants to make them. She also says she has all the paper products and wants to use what she has. She and Dad definitely intend to host the party at their house.

There will be a white elephant gift exchange among the first cousins. The entire generation of first cousins will bring a white elephant gift (anyone who wants to participate - in-laws are certainly welcome, but none of the children of Larry and Martha will participate in this.) Bring your white elephant gift - anything you choose, for this event.

There is a rotation gift exchange among the siblings - Robert and Chris have Steve, Steve has Marla, Marla and Gary have Judy and Roger, Judy and Roger have Sheila and John, Sheila and John have Penni and Arne, Penni and Arne have Cindy and Vern, and Cindy and Vern have Robert and Chris. Several people have been asking for or offering gift ideas, so check in with each other if you are in need of those. I'm also hearing lots of people who are interested in gift ideas for Mom and Dad. Dad has suggested homemade or service gifts.

Robert and Chris are overseeing the program this year and we'll be in touch with each of you for participation in the coming week. The party is scheduled for Sunday, December 23 at 6 p.m. We hope everyone possible can be there. Good luck on all your Christmas prep!