I'm Still Around

       I hadn't realized it had been so long since my last post.  Our daughter Danielle and her husband Trevor were here for almost 2 weeks.  During that time my parents came in and are still here with us.  It has been wonderful to have all the family here.  I miss Dani and Trevor terribly though and to top it off Ben and Rebekah are gone to 4-H County Camp. :(  So missing all my babies this morning.  

       Last Friday was blood-work day.  I was a little anemic and today I am feeling it.  I have been very sluggish the last two days with no energy.  This Friday I will have blood-work drawn again plus see the doctor.  Really hoping that I will be scheduled for surgery.  Just not sure how I will handle having to do more chemo.  Oh, I know I will survive...just being a little whiny!

       My statement from last week is still true.  I have the absolute best family in the world.  I just sit around like a pampered princess.  I'm afraid that I am getting a bit spoiled.  I deserve it...right?

This week

     This has been an exceptionally good week.  I have felt almost human again.  Still not a lot of energy, but still good.  My youngest daughter was given box seat tickets to the Fort Smith Rodeo for Thursday night, so away we went.  I had a great time, always love a good rodeo even though it was very very very warm!  It was a little tiring for me, but that could be because I get a little in to rodeo!  :D

     Friday was my day to go have my blood work checked.  Also during the week the Cancer Support House had called me wanting me to come by and get a voucher for a free meal from Creative Kitchens.  So, we picked up the voucher, got blood work and then picked up the meal, very nice!  My blood work came back good, so that is also great news.

     After doing this I attempted the mall with my youngest.  This is not one of my favorite places to begin with, but she needed jeans and has a hard time finding her size.  Between the mall and the rodeo the night before I was pretty well tuckered out.  Overall for me though it has been a good week.

     I see the Oncologist on Friday (11th) and have blood work done again.  If it checks out okay, I start the whole process over again.  Hopefully this round will be my last!

     Thanks everyone for caring and for your prayers, you have no idea how much I appreciate you and them.

What a week!

        This has been a good week.  I have felt pretty good and have gotten a few things done.  On Thursday there was some change as my hair started falling out.  The funny thing it was only the gray hairs!  

        Friday I was scheduled to have blood work done and it all came out good.  That was a first for me in years!  Having Lupus and Scleroderma, I get blood-work drawn every 3 months.  Something always comes back low, so this is very good news.  After that, my hubby and I ventured over to the Cancer Support House to look at the wigs, hats, and scarves.  I broke down and got a wig, but I seriously doubt I will ever wear it.  I did get a cute hat and a few other things.  The ladies that volunteer/work there are so precious. 

       Next we headed to the Crawford County Cancer Relay for Life.  Because of the bad weather coming in it was moved to the Family Life Center at the Van Buren First Baptist Church.  It was a little crowded but still nice.  They didn't get to do the lighting ceremony though.  Every year my 4-H Teen Leader Club helps with the luminaries and if anyone needs some help setting up.  We were there to do this again this year.  Usually after we get done with this we eat pizza and I go home.  Well, this year was very different for me...the 4-H clubs of Crawford County had a team called "4-H Friends of Shawn Lopez".  Is that not awesome?????  I couldn't believe it.  We had t-shirts that my daughter Rebekah and her friend Jerrie helped to design.   The best part is the team raised $2000.00 to donate to the American Cancer Society.  I have never felt so honored, special and humbled in my life.  The kids, families, and extension agents of 4-H are just an amazing group of people!  I am blessed to call them family! 

        Needless to say I was worn smooth out last night.  Today I did much of nothing but pull my hair out...literally!  LOL  It was no longer just the gray hairs either.  After attending a graduation party this evening we came back home and my adorable husband shaved my head.  I'm not bald but it's only about 1/2 inch long all over.  (shhhh, but I kind of like it!)

        On another note, since my last post I have found out of 4 other friends of ours that have cancer.  3 have breast cancer and 1 has colon cancer.  I have been so sad for them, much more than I have been for myself.  I would appreciate any prayers for them as they venture into this crazy life of cancer.

Thanks for reading,

Shawn 

P.S.

I've posted a few pictures from the Relay for Life.  I will post more later.