Back to school and Jonas turns 8

What a year it's been! It was about this time last year that Mom had the horrible back pain and started on the rollercoaster of the cancer diagnosis and treatment!

We are so thrilled that she is feeling so much better right now. Her Dr. tweaked the chemo dosage that mom takes (one week on and one week off) and her energy level is so much better. The side effects are much less and she is happy to be planning a trip to the St. Louis area in the near future.

She spends time at her home in Merced and also time with us in Santa Barbara.

Today was Jonas' 8th birthday and tomorrow the boys start school so it's an excited time around the house.

Best (early) Birthday Gift, Normal PET SCAN!

Yesterday, Mom heard the fabulous news that the PET SCAN from last week came back totally normal. More good news, the scan shows that scar tissue is filling in the holes in the spine (holes left by the tumors) and this is a good thing as it helps to decrease the pain and it is part of the healing process.

Mom is on chemo to keep the cancer in remission. She had a rough few weeks recently (bad reaction to the build up of chemo) so the next step is find the balance of the dosage of chemo that will keep the cancer in remission and also allow her quality of life.

Tomorrow we will celebrate her 79th birthday with Mom here in Santa Barbara!

Friends in different stages!

3 friends in the chemo room, all have sat in that chair at different times.

Mom had a Dr. G (Chemo Dr) appt today and we were lucky enough to get to visit with other friends who were in the chemo room. Our family angel, Sydney (in the scrubs) was at the birth of all 3 of my boys and she finished her chemo a few years ago. Our dear friend,Yog (center), is in the midst of her 3rd battle with the BIG C. Yog (& partner Hil) are the dear friends who created this blog for us. Sydney was visiting Yog during her break of helping 2 mamas bring babies into the world.

3 friends in different stages of the process. All 3 have Dr. G as an oncologist! Someone joked that they are 'Greenwald Girls'!

It's not a spoon full of sugar but I do think that smiles and hugs and friends help the medicine go down....

The Champs!

Jonas & his brothers celebrate the win!

Gma and Jonas after the game!

Jonas' team won their game today for the championship! Mom was able to see last night's game and this morning's game and both were FUN to watch! Now Jonas is crashed out on Gma bed, he was watching golf with her.

Mini Family Reunion in KC

Rebekah, Tim, Michael, Kate, Steve, Mom, Grant and DJ

Dinner with the Satterfield Family &  Fred & Sarah Sebestyen in town from St. Louis!

Good Times in Grant's summer kitchen

Plus Ethan!

Tim & Ethan

Bekah and Tim, to be married in September

Michael and Kate

We had good timing to see family that we haven't seen in years. Mom's twin sister, Velma, son Steve and his wife DJ were in town from Seattle to visit their kids, Rebekah and Michael...or more likely to see handsome Ethan, their grandson! Rebekah, Tim and Ethan live about an hour away in Lawrence, Kansas. Michael and Kate live 20 min away from Grant. They were all able to come over and spend the evening with us. It was a fun gathering with great conversation.

PS when people ask me where Jack gets his extreme height, I credit my cousin, Steve, who stands about 6'6"!

Photos of KC trip!

Sweet Alexandra days before she turns 2!

Grant & Alexandra

Grant, Lovely Lucy, Luke, Sara & Grandma

Proud Aunt Julie

Debby (Amy's mom), Alexandra, Julie, Grant, Mom and Amy in Grant's kitchen

3 of Luke's fans at Graduation

Alexandra smelling the flowers at Luke's ceremony!

Luke & his family

One of my favorite photos!

Luke's Graduation in Kansas City & Alexandra turns 2!

Mom and I flew back to KC together last Thursday to celebrate Luke's high school graduation and also Alexandra's 2nd birthday! We had a great time! I came back on Monday but Mom stayed 3 days longer and had a lovely visit and was there for Alexandra's 2nd birthday party!

Mom was off the new chemo for the past two weeks (she extended her break from the chemo so she could feel better on her trip to KC) and today she started back on the chemo for her 3rd cycle. They did adjust the dose and hope that the side effects will lessen.

She gets LOTS of compliments on her new hair style and color!