Thank you

Our family is learning that one of the blessings of going through trials is the outpouring of love and service we have received from others. We have received delicious meals and treats, calls, cards and letters of caring and encouragement,

help with car pool and the kids and the list could go on and on. One of the things I have received are some darling hats. I am learning to crochet and have made a couple, but still consider myself a novice. Stephanie's (my sister-in law) sister Paige made me some darling hats. With one she included a poem she wrote. (I know, she crochets and writes poetry, how talented is that?) I wanted to share it. I thought it was so cute. All I can say to all of this is thank you, thank you, thank you. We truly have been strengthened from all the prayers on our behalf. I never dreamed we would be in this position. We have learned so much. We hope to take all we have been given and pay it forward!

Catching up

I wasn't the only one to lose some hair over the Christmas break. Hannah decided to cut twelve inches off and donate it to Locks of Love. She did this two years ago too. As you can see it grows fast. She loves her new look and the fact that it is so much easier to take care of. This is just an example of Hannah's generosity.

She was so excited for a new look. Thank you Kristie!
Isn't there a way we could just sew it in a hat for me?
Just kidding. This will make a beatiful wig for a child in need.

Ok here I go . . .

Well Hannah is now back at school dealing with a full schedule of new classes so I figured it was time for me to figure out this blogging thing for myself. Christmas was wonderful and it was timed on a week that I was feeling good. I had to start taking my steroid the day we took Christmas down which was great. I need to take those every year! Nothing like having the equivalent of three monster energy drinks to help you get everything done. I was able to make it through Christmas with my hair. Matt, Kristie and the girls came up the day after to clip it all off for me. Matt gave me a lovely mohawk before he buzzed it all off. I never dreamed one day my brother would be shaving my head. He then proceeded to entertain everyone by trying on my wig. What a goof! Leave it to him to make us all laugh during a hard experience. Thanks Matt!

Getting started
I cut two ponytails off. One for me and one for mom.
Just in case it grows in straight, we have a few curls saved.

I can't believe he is doing this!

Kristie cleaning up after Matt has had his fun.

All finished.

It's my long lost sister Mattie Matilda.

Back to the beginning

One important item before the usual update - the picture attached to this post was drawn by Hallie (age 8) - she was the inspiration for the name of our blog. When Jonia was first diagnosed, Hallie asked "Mom is your cancer the pink ribbon kind?" Jonia explained that yes it was the "pink ribbon kind" and that set Hallie to draw this picture. We thought it was very perceptive of an eight year-old to pick up on this - but not surprising since she has a very kind heart. She is an excellent artist as attested by the many drawings hanging on doors and boards around the house.

Yesterday was Jonia's second round of chemo - they called a day earlier to say her treatment would be moved to Wednesday's so that the "day after shot" (Neulasta - the "designer drug" manufactured to help bone marrow recover faster) could be given the next day like it should be. So she received the chemo on Wednesday and the shot today. So the good news is that she is now halfway through!

The other news is the darn side-effect that chemo has on your hair. Hers started coming out last week. So on Dec 26th, her brother Matt and his wife Kristie who operate a salon brought their tools to our house and shaved off her pretty curly hair. So now Jonia is busy figuring out how to crochet and has already turned out several hats. Since it is winter, we noticed that a lot of people are wearing crocheted or knitted hats and headbands, so she is right in style!

Follow-up week

Jonia has unfortunately felt the full force of side-effects the past two days. She describes the pain "as if someone beat you with a pipe from top to bottom"...and "way more painful that having kids". The bigger bones hurt the most like in the sternum and femur because they are working overtime trying to produce white blood cells.

The good news is that her white count is good so they say she can do just about anything as long as she feels up to it - lucky for Hallie (age 8) that means her Mom will be able to attend her school Christmas program tonight (albeit wearing a mask).

We took some pictures at the Utah Cancer Specialists office located near Lakeview Hospital. Everything is in one place and only ten minutes from our house which is lovely.

Jonia with Dr. Klein

Jonia with Beverly, the patient advocate

Jonia with Nancy, her PA-C

Jonia with her nurses, Crystal and Ramona

Helping Hayden

Keeping with tradition, Jonia helps with formal dance preparations. This picture is Hayden getting help with his corsage as his date waits patiently.

First Post

As a quick history...one month ago on November 11th, Jonia was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer. The rest of November and the first part of Decemeber have been a blur. Two surgeries later and she headed into chemotherapy on December 10th. Our family has been the recipient of many acts of kindness during this time - we truly appreciate what everyone has done but most of all your prayers and thoughts.

If you are newbies to this cancer (like we were) you need to know that breast cancer has a very high survival rate and we plan on joining the many many survivors around the world. We are also believers in early detection via mamogram (unlike the recent government council decision)

It's interesting that you can feel perfectly fine not knowing that a 2.6cm tumor is growing (albeit slowly) and can contain as many as 2.6Billion cells. Thus the need for removal and follow-up treatment to kill any lingering cells.

Jonia's regimen will be four treatments, three weeks apart. As you are probably aware, chemotherapy drugs are powerful toxic class medications with side effects.

Once the chemo is complete, she will start a daily six-week radiation series - so in 4-5 months the worst should be behind us. She will then be on the prescription tamoxifen for five years.

Just like they said, two-three days after chemo, you feel the side effects. Today the headache and nausea hit her hard so she has tried to rest. However, keeping Jonia down is very difficult, especially during the holidays. Both of her Christmas trees and all of her inside decor is up and looking great as usual.

There are many good books on the subject - one I like is "The Breast Cancer Survival Manual" 3rd edition, by John Link M.D.