Thankful to sweet videos on the iPad

Watching video of Alexandra during chemo today!

Treatment went well today. Instead of discontinuing the steroids all together (which Mom was nervous about b/c she didn't like the idea of possible nausea and fatigue) they simply cut the dose in half.

We cooked and prepped a few dishes today in the kitchen, getting ready for tomorrow.

The boys were home from school, it was  a nice, sunny, family day, so many reason to be thankful!

Thankful for our rock, Pete!

Happy Birthday to Pete!

Mom started on a new adventure today. She went to our gym and met with a trainer. She did a 30 minute work out and plans to go back on a regular basis. She said she felt like it was a great plan for getting her strength back.
The holiday season has begun! Today we celebrated the fabulous ROCK of our family--PETE!
Tomorrow Mom has chemo at 11:30am. The Dr. was thinking of cutting back or stopping the steroids with her treatments since they keep her UP after each treatment. We joked that she could use the steroids to help cook and stay UP for Thanksgiving. We will see how her body handles it without the steroids. We hope that the trade off isn't more fatigue and nausea.
She will be on her WWF, email & text tomorrow during treatment.

We are thankful for such a outstanding father, husband & son-in-law--Pete!

Thankful for pretty views!

Lisa & Mom at the Party Pad in Santa Barbara!

Enjoying  coffee with great friends and a gorgeous view!

A few weeks after Mom's diagnosis, our dear friends & HUGE part of our support system (the Streetts) were displaced from their house due to their water heater bursting.  They have been out of their house for 10 weeks, for the past several weeks they have stayed in a rental house on top of a hill in Santa Barbara.  Finally, today Mom had the chance to visit this 'house with an incredible views'. We had a nice chat on the patio, enjoying coffee with dear friends (who happen to be celebrating 13 years of marriage today:)!

Mom and the boys are watching the NFL Monday night game as I type, it's a good night!

Thankful for pretty views, yummy coffee and fabulous friends!

Thankful for games!

OLD SCHOOL Scrabble with the boys!

WORDS WITH FRIENDS (WWF) with Jonas!

Wednesday & Thursday were UP days, with the steroids pumping thru her body she is like the Energizer Bunny. Friday and Saturday were the crash days, she slept a lot & had some nausea. Today is her weekly mega dose of NFL and she is feeling GOOD!

It's rainy here in Santa Barbara and the perfect time to snuggle on the couch with coffee and a chocolate croissant. With the smell of delicious pineapple upside down cake baking in the oven (Happy early Birthday to Pete)! 

Thankful for games to play and watch!

Thankful for pretty toes!

Fresh paint on the nails helps a girl feel pretty:)

When a person is on CHEMO it is advised that they not visit a nail salon so they can  avoid micro-bacterial problems.  After weeks of looking for a person to come and do an 'in home' pedi/mani......a lovely  lady arrived today.  Mom was surprised at how much better she feels after having her nails done. 

Thankful for pretty nails!

Thankful for pleasant people

Today Mom had an appt with her Dr. before her treatment. Everything is going as planned. Her blood work is looking better and we assume that the decrease in back pain means the chemo is working on shrinking the tumors.

Mom & Dr. G

The Chemo room was a popular place today! All of the chairs in the main room were taken so Mom was upgraded to a VIP room:)

Mom with her Cards tumbler in her VIP room & cozy chair! 

Mom road her steroid buzz to the boys flag football game! Always a nice way to spend the afternoon!
Now she is busy playing Words With Friends and she will probably be up all night.

Thankful for all the delightful folks that work in the Cancer Center and also our sweet friends on the sidelines of the boys' games who have watched her go from using a walker, to the cane to nothing!

Thankful for wonderful report cards!

Mom has always loved to read her grand kids reports cards and hear all about the teacher conferences! Today as we sat in back to back teacher meetings, I kept telling myself to remember the teachers comments so I can report back to Mom. As soon as we walked in the door she wanted to know everything! Fortunately it is ALL GOOD!  She is one PROUD Grandma!
Monday night football with the boys was icing on the cake!
Tomorrow the nurse comes to get ready (blood work) for the Wednesday Chemo.
We are thankful for moving forward, one more week toward the finish line!