Snow Day!

SNOW DAY! Everybody spend your day as frivoulously and fun as possible! What a great day to snuggle, laugh, and play!

This is it!

Today is my last of 14 radiation treatments! I decided to take in treats. When you are a teacher and someone has a special day, you bring in treats. Or if it's Friday and you want to hang in the lounge with your friends : P So I decided to take in little heart bowls of 100 grands. The people in the office have been so accomodating to me and friendly and invested in my treatments. They ask to see my pictures, they tell me how much they like my newest hat, and they always have the biggest smiles for me. I know I am a rock star and have a lot of clout and all, but these people are amazing! There is not enough money in the world to pay for what they offer.
I can think of no better way to celebrate than to end our day with an evening full of fun and laughter and memory making! I am so excited about what God has in store for me today! I barely slept a wink in anticiaption. It's ok. They have meds for that : P

Play Date!

What a fun day! Chad went to lunch with a friend of his and my sister brought the boys over and Ciara joined us for an afternoon of fun! We went to lunch and bowling. I watched instead of played, but Chloe said that's ok because mommy doesn't bowl well anyway!
I am pretty tired, but I am napping and feeling well. It allows me to better enjoy the times I can get up and play. Tomorrow we will head to church and Chad & I will have a dinner date. Fun Times!

A League of Extraordinary Women

After school yesterday a League of Extraordinary Women descended upon my house. Laundry was wisked away and brought back clean and folded. Bathrooms and bedrooms were scoured and degermified and beutified. Iwas able to lay in bed at the end of the night surrounded by clean and fresh. I cannot tell you what a blessing that was to me. I can tell you that these are incredible women! They loved on me, laughed with me, and worked their tails off! Thank you for blessing our family so!

Catch a Break

Poor Chad! There are now 3 sick people in our house! Both babies and I are on antibiotics for this nasty respiratory thing going around. I think both of my siblings and my dad have also caught it :( It took me 3 days to tell the doctor it hurt to swallow and it turns out I could have been on meds even sooner and actully been feeling like myself! Don't take your health for granted. Just because it's not terminal, doesn't mean you shouldn't get it checked out. Don't put off calling the doctor because of your schedule! It's a lot easier to take care of the business of living if your body is well. We all deserve that. Drink your juice, take your vitamins, get your rest, play every day! Forgive a preachy post : P

2nd Opinion

We will be headed to the University of Illinois at Chicago next week for a second opinion from some lung cancer specialists. We hope to make a trip of it, take the kids to the aquarium, that sort of thing. Radiation ends the 31st and chemo won"t start until the 10th so we have time to get the opinion.  Dr. LeLindqwister's office is making all those arrangements for us. This is a specialist she is specifically requesting to look at my case because she was recently impressed by his research specific to the lungs.

Bald and Beautiful!

I wlil get a picture/video loaded as I figure out how :)
My hair started falling out in the shower over the weekend. I decided it was not something I wanted to mess with so my wonderful hairdresser came to my house and shaved my head! I'll let you each decide if you like it or not, but I am perfectly happy with my decision. I did not shed even one tear. It's funny how God can show us things that really matter and things that don't. I look at this as a great opportunity to show my duaghter that it is not what is on the outside that makes us beautiful. Of course, it's also a great opportuniy to rock some bling :)

Home Again

Just wanted to give everyone an update.  Lisa, Chloe, and Levi are all back home tonight, sleeping soundly (with the aid of some prescribed medicines).  Chloe and Levi both still had fevers today, but we are keeping those under control with Children's Tyelonel and Ibuprofen. 

In addition, Lisa is back home and somewhat comfortable.  She had her daily radiation treatment in Peoria around 6pm , and will be back on schedule for Tuesday's appointment at 12:20. 

We find out what the plan is for chemo tomorrow.

Update

Dr. LeLindqwister just left. I can be out of here and back home by tomorrow at the latest! I will be on bloodthinners indefinitely, but the solution is as simple as a daily shot of medicine. We will still meet Tuesday to discuss the chemotherapy, but the radiation will end after the 14th treatment and I will have a week break before the chemo starts. Newest question... What do you do with a week off from cancer treatments?

Props

I want to take a moment to recognize a group of people who have gone so far out of their way to help our family right now. My sister is an employee at Methodist Medical Center. She is a clinical director with a lot of responsabilities. Her family at Methodist has completly embraced our family during this time giving her all the flexability she needs to take care of me right now. In addition, they have generously donated time, food, and gift cards to take care of us. There are so many people pouring out support right now. I could not begin to name them all. However, I am deeply touched by the compassion and generosity of this culture. The immediate and generous response says everything about the legacy this organization is striving to leave. Our family is blessed and forever grateful.

Complications

I am writing this blog from a room on the oncology floor at OSF. An increase in wheezing and shortness of breath led us to the emergency room for a scan which revealed a blood clot in my lung. Apparently this is a common complication with cancer patients. However, the nature of blood clots is very serious so they have admitted me for blood thinners and will be watching my vitals for a few days. I have only seen ED doctors so I will not know until tomorrow how long I will be here or how it will affect my treatment plan.

Chloe was also seen in the ED tonight. She has had a fever since Saturday and it was not responding well to meds. She was miserable! They found an ear infection and started her on an antibiotic.

Obviously, this was not in our plans! Even when our apple cart was turned over, we had some idea of what would be happening over the next couple of weeks. It seems as though we really had no idea! Chloe and Levi are with Aunt Heather tonight. The rest of my family was here with me. Chad is asleep in the fold out chair next to my bed. Tomorrow he will stay home in the evening with the kids to get some time in with them with "normalcy" and my sister will stay with me. Beyond that, we have no plan or idea what to expect. This is definitely testing my trust in God to just follow His steps!

I am very sad to say that our scrapbooking party (which I was SO looking forward to!) will have to be postponed :(

Lots of Hugs!

Milestone

Yesterday was the 8th treatment out of 14. I am officially over half way through whole brain radiation! I have the weekend off so we are going to play!
I'm getting donuts for breakfast, college buds for play time with the kids, and a family football party at my brother's house to teach the nephews how to root for Bears not Packers. I think they may resist :)

Peoria Push Derby Dames :)

A friend has passed along this information about a way to raise some money for the Illinois Cancer Care Fountation.  If you are looking for something to do this weekend, it sounds like a fun activity to watch and a great cause to support!

 

(This is from an email)

 

"I'm playing roller derby for the Peoria Push Derby Dames, and we're having a bout this Saturday at the Peoria Civic Center. We'll probably never play in that area again (because it's huge), so this has become an opportunity for us to make it a huge charity event. We've decided to give all the profits from ticket sales to the Illinois Cancer Care Foundation. If you know anyone that would want to come, just send them to our website to buy tickets. The more tickets we sell, the more we can give them! Our website is http://www.peoriarollerderby.org/ "

Wilson

I went to Wilson today to visit my students. They are an amazing group of kids! They have sent me so much love and encouragement. I even have students sending me encouraging scriptures to remind me that God is good and to lean not on my own understanding. In addition to hugging your kids, I want to add a reminder not to underestimate the awesomeness of their understanding and the capacity of their hearts to love and hope!

Party Girl

It's true. Girls just want to have fun! My sister has tried to convince me for YEARS that playing hookey every now and then is good for mental health. Too bad we had to wait for cancer to make us do it!

We started with a 5 minute radiation treatment. That is the beginning of each day, but very surreal and short. We left there and went to lunch at avanti's. Those of you who actually work during the day are missing a serious joingin of forces "doing lunch" at Avanti's! We went to Hair Depot at noon for a hair cut. Lots of caring thoughts, but even better shop talk! I go ta "pixie cut" so my hair is SHORT but sassy and cute and totally me. Even better, it looks SUPER cute iwth some of my new hats - also super cute! I told my sister I couldn't be much cuter! After a hair cut, we had to go shopping. There is a special shop at Methodist just for patients going through cancer treatment. They had great lotions, creams, hats, and lots of other things. My big sis spoiled me with new jammies and a hat and a blanket that smells likwe lavender and can be put in the microwave or freezer for extra relief. Who comes up with this stuff!? From there we went to Serenity Day Spa in East Peoria. We had full pedicures and manicures. I did a great job of not crying, but the spa ladies struggled a little. Right? Stac got roughed up a bit, but she survived with minimal scarring :) I am "sparkalicious" so my toe and fingernails are nothing but glitter! Levi is quite fascinated!

We came home and Stac made me my favorite mac n cheese, my friend gave the kids baths, Katie came by with all kinds of goodies, and I got to put my new jammies on and snuggle with my kids. Levi recently developed a love of laying next to mommy with his fingers laced through mine while we watch anhy and every episode of Shrek. Chloe curls up next to him and plays a matching game on daddy's ereader, and daddy stands back an watches his beauties and waites on my every whim. Wait, is someone feeling sorry for me? Instead, show this to your family and tell them to take notes!

What a beautiful day!
Thank you so much for all your support and love! It is felt every minute!

Don't get too excited...this post is from Katie (The Hacker) not Lisa (sorry!)

Hello all,


I have hacked into Lisa's blog to share information on the Helper Calendar.  Heather (Lisa's fabulous sister in law) has set up an online calendar to keep her organized!  At the top of the blog there is a yellow bar that contains a link to access the calendar.  This will take you to a page where you will need a sign in which is loveforlisateam@gmail.com and the password is lovinglisa.  Heather also typed up a very user friendly "How To" sheet that I will "try" to attach to this post....


We thought that this might be a better way to sign up for meals so that Lisa and Chad know who is coming!  Also, just a thought that you may want to include what you are bringing so that there won't be repeats (and so the kids will get an answer as to "What's for dinner?")   After accessing the blog you will find that Lisa's whole day (visitors and all!) is on there!  Included is her schedule for doctor's appointments, playdates, and haircuts!  (Heather, you need a raise!)

That's all I have for now...but I am sure this isn't the end of my hacking days!!

Thanks,
Katie


Instructions from Heather on just accessing the calendar:

Dear family and friends of Lisa,

Thank you all so much for your love and support!  I am Lisa’s personal assistant and I am helping to keep everything organized so everyone can have time with Lisa and help in an orderly fashion!

I have created an online calendar through google if you would like to see where Lisa has more time and could use some help! I will be using the 5 am time slot to post ways people can help each day…things like dinner, extra hands with the kids, and someone to keep Lisa company during the day!

To view the calendar,

1.    Search google calendar

2.    In the left column, hit ‘sign in now’

3.    Email: loveforlisateam@gmail.com

4.    Password: lovinglisa

5.    And BAM! You can view Lisa’s calendar

If you would like to schedule something, feel free to add it right in by clicking on a time and what you would like to do!  Or you can also, call, text, or email me to check when and how you can help! 

I am hoping this will allow people more access to information without feeling like you have to ask all the time “what can I do?”  We all want to help, so hopefully this will be an organized way to make that happen! 

Thank you again for all you are doing to show Lis how much we love her,

Heather Yancey

309-267-9202

hmrdy@yahoo.com

Facing it

Today was a tough day. Ry took me took me to my treatment. The Dr. "checked in" with me. My steroid has been reduced to twice a day instead of 4 times. Tammy advised that could help reduce some of my few symptoms. I am not really having any headaches any more. I was surprised by some nausea and I am wearing out pretty quickly. Reducing the steroid may help with that. I am also starting an ant-acid. 
After treatment, Ry & I went to walmart for some fun shopping, We got some fun makeup and hats and scarves.  The hard part was coming home to video tape. Christy came and we recorded some messages to the kids.  It's hard to think about what you want to tell your kids for the rest of their lives! It was a little draining. (understatement!)

Thank you!

The mobilization of forces coming into show support for me and each other is unspeakable. I have always tried to live my life in such a way that I would have no regrets. God never promised us tomorrow. I always second guessed whether or not I was really living the way God wanted to me. Were people really being positively impacted by my life and actions?  It is clear to me now that it is only the attempt to do so that God required of me and I am being very richly blessed for it now. There is no understanding of this situation to be had on this side of heaven, but there is so much to learn from it about how incredible humanity is, how enduring relationships are, what it means to really live our lives.

I lay here in bed with my littlest man snuggled between mommy and daddy snoring away and I pray you will each take a moment today to see such a beautiful site, memorize it in your heart, and replay it for ever.

NEW Ground Rules

Here are the newly modified Ground Rules for visiting the Schmidgall House:

1.  Stay POSITIVE

2. Maintain as much normal as possible

3. No whispering

4. It's ok to take a break

5. Kids first, grownups last

6. This will be hard, but doable and we are strong.  We can carry each other in turn.  NO one has to always be the carrier and no man gets left behind.

7. Respect coping/processing of others but not in front of Lisa if possible.