A place for all who adore Dixie to come and get updates and express their support and encouragement.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Well my chemo is done for today. All my blood work came back great. The doctor said that I should expect to feel about the same as last time so I am optimistic that I will do fine. Tomorrow I start taking my anti nausea pills, eat every two hours, and drink tons of water. I have been so blessed so far in this entire experience. My Heavenly Father is looking out for me. I have so much support from my family and my friends. Thank you all so much. I had a little more hair come out today so within a few days I will be shaving my head, then I can post a glamour shot of Randy and I bald.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Well here it is Monday already. Saturday I felt like the energizer bunny. I had a ton of energy that I did not know what to do with. Since then I have felt similar. I still feel a little strange but not too bad. I'm just trying to get ready for chemo on Wed. afternoon. So I am making sure things like laundry are done. Today Mom and I tied a baby blanket and then went to Snow Canyon State Park. We enjoyed the scenery and took a very short hike to see some pioneer names carved to the face of the rock there. After that we went to a second hand store to look around. Lunch was a delicious sandwich from Jimmy Johns and then we came home so Mom could take a nap. I've been working on the binding of the baby blanket and now we are going to go visit family. I think for Family Home Evening we are going out to eat.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Love you mom!
I wanted to leave a video, but since my roommate never leaves her room and I feel a little awkward because she listens to my phone conversations and comments on them, I will just write what I want to say.

Do you remember that one time we were playing Phase 10 and you and I were cheating like it was part of the game haha. I was so amazed that you were actually cheating with me that I couldn't stop laughing and then Dad was like, "Why are you laughing!?" I didn't want us to get caught so I was like uh .... I farted and mom heard me ... that was the bomb! Oh wait that was last week! haha
One of my favorite memories I have with you is kind of weird I think, but it involves the big blue van. Me and you went on all kinds of adventures in that van. When it was summer time I would sit back and put my feet on the dash and rub my toes on the windshield ... why did you let me do that? haha We would stop at that random fruit stand on the free way. We would go shopping, you drove me to a million soccer practices and games. It was fun and I could just talk and talk and you would sit and listen. I remember one time I must have driven you so nuts! I saw a sign for Downy and Riverside and I kept singing, "Downy ... is next to RIiiIiiiiIiiverside!" I think I sang that one line for a good 20 minutes probably at the top of my lungs and you didn't every yell at me. You were probably just really good at tuning me out, but it was great because I felt like I could always just talk and talk about what I needed to. You not only didn't care about what I talked about, but you loved me no matter how annoying I was. Many times after school you would drive me home in the big blue and I would talk a mile a minute the whole way home. It was perfect and just what I needed.
I baby sat Jenny's kids last night and I painted their nails pink in honor of you! Here is a pic!

They were really excited and wanted to make sure I labeled them from left to right Lilia, Lelei, Ave. They love you so much!
Thanks for always being on my side and always being willing to listen! You were the best cheer leader, best friend, and most importantly mom that anyone could have ever had! Love you with my whole heart!
Glenna
Friday, February 24, 2012
That Comforting Sound
Many a time I have been in a crowd of people, at the church, swap meet, grocery store, etc. looking for my Mom. But if I could hear that sound, that familiar comforting sound, I knew that my Mom was nearby. I know that if I could make that sound now each of my brothers and sisters would know exactly what it is that I am talking about. The sound that I am referring to, is the sound of an over-sized Indian penny key-chain. As long as I can remember my Mom has had that penny on her key chain. Whenever we heard that key-chain we would head for Mom (unless we were in trouble). To some that might sound foolish (being that it is just a penny) but for me it is the sound of comfort. It is the sound of my Mom nearby. When I hear that unique sound, I know that my Mom is close and it is comforting. I love you Mom.
(Randy Mart)
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Unlimited Fun
I've been thinking about memories from when we were little, mostly because Lucy hounds me constantly to tell her stories of when I was little like her.
The best word to describe our childhood was FUN. Our mom is so fun and she was the life of our party as kids. If we went to Disneyland she insisted that we get there at opening and wait on Main street and then stay "until the last dog died" and I can still remember how excited she was as we waited on Main street and how she'd push us all day long to try everything and how she'd laugh and smile at everything we did all day.
But the memory that is sticking out most in my mind this morning is from when I was about 6 or 7 years old. It was one of those super hot July or August days in Banning and we relied on the swamp cooler mostly to cool us off. I don't remember why we had been out for a walk but I do remember that she and I, and maybe Randy too, were walking back up 41st street in the heat. Everyone knows Mom hates heat.
So as we were walking she was encouraging us by telling us how we'd get a big drink of ice water at home. After a while that wasn't enough for us and she said, "Oh! I have a great idea. When we get home we're going to set up the baby pool and just lay in it and cool off." I remember thinking she was crazy because we were "big kids" and she was an adult. My mental boundaries did not include my mom swimming in a baby pool :)
True to her word, when we got home we all got our suits on, dug the pool out of the shed and filled it up.
I remember that being one of the most fun moments of my childhood. Squished into that tiny pool together playing and having fun and cooling off. Probably the reason I remember it so well is because my mom was great at teaching us to break down barriers and unneccessary limitations and just do our thing. not only was she fun, but her attitude toward life was a great teacher for us kids.
I bet we can all think of a million moments when mom was there to say, "Do it! Try it!" and we thought, "No, I can't!" and with her big smile and enthusiasm she convinced us that we could.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Dixie my love
Well obviously this is Dad. I still do not know how to sign in under my gmail account.
When I think of my beautiful bride, I am amazed at the wonderful person she is! For valentines day I gave her a card that said, "I'm so glad you chose me!" (Because you know she did have some other choices.) :0) I am great-full for her strength - in character and testimony. I have felt, through inspiration that her strength comes from making right choices since her youth.
"The trials of life are far less important, than how you deal with them." Dixie deals with trials head-on, and by seeking the Savior. I believe we, (she) will work through this.
People ask me, "How are you doing with this?" I reply that we're working through it, but the fact is that she is working through it, and I am here to support her. I understand that, and am so great-full for the support system we have. I am great-full for all of you and the great love and support you give us.
This trial, though hard, will strengthen relationships. It has brought us closer together, and made us more aware of the wonderful family and friends we have.
I am so thank-full for the Savior and His loving atonement which brings peace in these times, and I ask his blessings upon her and each of you.
Love, Dad
Today was a good day. I got up and went to the gym for 30 min. When I got home Uncle Daryl called and said that Betty and Vince were in town and would Mom and I like to go to breakfast. So we went to Kneaders and had all you can eat French Toast. It was delicious. Then Mom and I went home and got a few things done. Mainly she washed windows and they look great. In the afternoon we went out to see three of the Parade of Home's homes. We came home and ate some leftovers.(I love leftovers) We had a quiet evening and watched The Biggest Loser. I feel so blessed to feel as good as I do and I thank my Heavenly Father for each day that I feel good. My Mom has been such a help to me I appreciate her being her. The front yard was heart attacked for the second time by some very cute 8-11 girls from church. I took a picture and will post it as soon as I figure out how. Thanks to everyone for your prayers, cards, phone calls, and visits.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Mom sweet mom
My mom is the best around
Though when she's thinking she likes to frown
She will make some cookies at the drop of a hat
That's why Randymart has got so fat
To those in need she speaks with kindness
Toward all our faults she serves with blindness
With a hug from mom things turn around
Where she is at good things abound
My mom helps when others go home
My mom comforts and helps us grow
My mom sings and laughs and plays
My mom loves the lord and prays
That is why we love her so
And why through us her love does show
Though when she's thinking she likes to frown
She will make some cookies at the drop of a hat
That's why Randymart has got so fat
To those in need she speaks with kindness
Toward all our faults she serves with blindness
With a hug from mom things turn around
Where she is at good things abound
My mom helps when others go home
My mom comforts and helps us grow
My mom sings and laughs and plays
My mom loves the lord and prays
That is why we love her so
And why through us her love does show
Well we came off a wonderful week end. Naps really seem to help me make it through the day. I've never been much of a napper but I sure am now. I went to church yesterday but ended up out in the lobby. There sure was a lot of coughing going on in there so I decided that I was better off getting away from people. I went home after sacrament meeting. I hated to miss Randy's lesson but I was really tired. To day I woke up at 5 so I got up and read my scriptures and then I went to the gym for 30 minutes. I came home and made bread, went to a doctor appt., ate some bread and took a nap. After that Mom and I ate ice cream, we took a walk in the park and then sat outside soaking up the sunshine. Glenna and Ioua are leaving tonight and I'm not sure how long mom will be here. I feel a little better each day but still pretty strange. My energy level is supposed to drop this week so we will see. I am working on an applique quilt that I am calling my cancer quilt. Since its applique I can take the squares anywhere and work on them. Maybe I will be able to figure out how to put a picture of some of it on the blog. Thanks to everyone for all of your support. Everyone is so kind and helpful. I learning to accept help, smile and say thank you.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Well my main complaint today is just being tired. It seems I only have so much to give and then I am done. I did get in a 30 min walk in the park today and that felt good. I really enjoyed having Jenny,and kids, Christine and Robbe, and Donetta and Buck. It has been great having my mom and Glenna and Ioua here also. Everyone is so kind and helpful ready to do anything I need. I feel very loved and blessed by my Heavenly Father.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Well yesterday was probably the roughest so far. I really didn't feel that great but I pressed on. It really helped having everyone here and all the head shaving was definitely a distraction for me.
We went out to eat to a Thai food restaurant last night. I was avery careful about what I ate and I did OK. Last night I still woke up and was up for a while but slept in this morning. Glenna and Ioua got up and fixed a delicious breakfast of sausage, waffles and eggs for mom , I and Christine and Rob.. Then Adriann came and we went to a few yard sales. For some reason today my eyes are very sensitive to outside light. So I will probably stay home this afternoon and let everyone else go have fun. It has been a great week with so many wonderful people in my life sho are so fucused on trying to help me. I am very blessed!
Friday, February 17, 2012
That was an amazing video that touched my heart! Thank you! I love all of you to.
Well yesterday I got up and took all my anti nausea medications on time and made sure to eat small meals every two hours and I did great. I went in for the shot you get the day after chemo for your white blood cell count. They said the side effects of it would be fatigue and aching bones. So far I haven't felt any of that. I have gotten up last night and tonight at about 1:30 for three hours. I have had a little heartburn that wakes me up and then I can't go back to sleep so the nurse said that if I had sleeping problems I should just get up for a while and get something done. So last night I got up and studied my Relief Society and Sunday School lessons and then I made fudge to have ready for Jenny to take over to Oma. Tonight I got up and worked on some blankets. And now I am writing this and then I will go back to bed. I am supposed to feel worse the next few days so we will see. I have really enjoyed having Jenny and my Mom here with me. Jenny goes home today and I am not sure about Mom. Glenna and Ioua will be here tonight for a couple of days so that will be nice also. Donetta and Christine and husbands will also be in town this weekend. I am looking forward to doing fun things with them. The Lord has truly blessed me so far and I take many opportunities throughout the day to thank him for his tender mercies for me because they are many. Randy is always so helpful and kind. He stops during the day to check on me and calls to see how things are going. I couldn't make it without him.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Today was my first day of chemo. We arrived at ten and we went to a large room with lots of recliners. I sat down and they hooked me up. First they give fluids then anti nausea medication and steroids. That took about 45 minutes. Next they gave me the chemo medicines and that took about 45 minutes also. We were out of there at about 12:40. We talked to some of the people that were there, well I guess I should say Jill did and I tried to join in. I need to be more social in these types of situations, she was a good example for me. Dad came by to check on us. I think he was really nervous about today. Well I guess we both were. The only thing I really noticed during the treatment was my sinuses swelling a little and my nose running. Other than that there really wasn't anything. I have decided to use my time while I'm sitting there to make a new quilt that I'm going to call my cancer quilt. I've always wanted to try hand applique so that's what it is. Jill worked on a square too. It was actually a lot of fun. So they said that I should feel pretty good today and tomorrow and then the next two days could be bad. So I am a little concerned about whether I will be able to go to Sila's baptism because that is the week of treatment. I am going to be really careful the next few days and follow all the doctors directions to see if I can minimize bad days. So with that said I am going to go drink more water.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Update from Mom
I had my first appt. with Dr. Haslem, the oncologist. He went over everything again so here it is. The treatment for me is surgery (already done), radiation (about a month after chemo ends), chemo (starting Feb. 15 every two weeks for 16 weeks ) and anti-hormone therapy ( a pill for 5 years). His concerns about my case are the size of the mass (2cm), that it was in two lymph nodes, and that I am young ( he considers me to be young). The first four doses for chemo will be Adriamycin and cytoxan. The side effects of this are: hair loss, nausea, low blood counts, fatigue and possibly heart function. This last one usually occurs in people who already have heart problems. I have a heart test tomorrow so that they have a base line for that. I have three anti nausea medications that I will be taking and I go in the next day after every treatment to have a shot that helps with low blood count. The second four weeks will be Taxol. The side effects are the same except there are not side effects with the heart but there can be neuropathy. The chemicals stay in your body 24 -48 hours. I need to be careful about being around people who are ill. I had already given notice at my gym buthe said that I should keep it and keep going just be careful about wiping machines down and washing my hands.
Today I had the portacath put in. It was outpatient surgery. I went in at 7:15 and left the hospital at about 111 am. I feel oK other than a little strange from the general anestisia.
I have a couple of small incisions that need to heal from that.
I love everyone and I will update you as I know more or remember more.
Today I had the portacath put in. It was outpatient surgery. I went in at 7:15 and left the hospital at about 111 am. I feel oK other than a little strange from the general anestisia.
I have a couple of small incisions that need to heal from that.
I love everyone and I will update you as I know more or remember more.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)