Sunday

Didn't do much today....watched a little football and my Mom made a yummy dinner. I wish my throat felt better so I could have enjoyed it more. I think I will drug myself with some Nyquil tonight and hopefully sleep a little. I think the antibiotics are starting to kick in.
Well the renters moved out. They left the place a mess which I suspected would be the case. She told my mom she would clean it good before they left but by the looks of it I don't think she ever cleaned the whole time the lived there. Paying rent wasn't a priority to them....neither was paying the gas bill because the gas company has had a lock on the meter for a couple months. Oh well they are gone and I'm glad.

Strep throat YUCK!

I've been in bed all day with strep throat. I hate it because I can't go over and see my mom, I don't want to chance her getting it from me. Hopefully the antibiotics will kick in soon. It hurts so bad to swallow.
One of my favorite patients at the hospital passed away the other day. I felt so bad....I loved him and his little wife. Life is too short sometimes.

News from the doctor

I took my Mom to the doctor today. It was so nice because Dr. Whisenant sat and talked to us for quite awhile. My Mom seems to be responding well to the chemotherapy with her tumor markers dropping to 27. The game plan is to continue the treatments through October and have another PET scan. The doctor is giving her November and December off so her body can have a rest. It will be nice for her to feel good and have a little energy for the holidays. We will continue the chemo treatments in January. Its kind of a watch and see game.
My car is up and running again. Turns out it was just the battery. I'm so glad it wasn't a lot of money. The tow only cost $65 and Terry didn't charge any labor to install the new battery. I don't want my car to start falling apart just because its almost paid for.
The renters in my parents duplex are moving out this weekend. I'm really excited because that means I get to move in there and move the rest of my stuff up from St George. The listing on my place in St George expired. I'm not going to re-list it for awhile. I think I will just watch the market and see how it goes in the next six months.
Anyway....thats about it for today!

Weekend Update

I just got home from work....almost 60 hours in 4 days. I know I keep saying this but I really like my job. My co-workers are so fun and the doctors are really nice. I love having the residents and medical students around.....its so nice! I went on a tour of our unit at the new hospital last week...WOW its so nice. It's going to be GREAT! I think we move in 37 days.
Mom and Dad made it home from their little trip. They had a good time. I'm glad they went but I hate it when they go out of town.....especially if they don't have cell phone service. My Mom's cat Maci was going nuts with her gone. Randy was so sweet and he cleaned the carpets while they were gone. Anyway....its good to have them back.
My car wouldn't start last night. I'm hoping its something with the battery and not an electrical problem. I tried to jump start it but it wouldn't budge. I ended up calling a tow truck. I guess I will find out tomorrow. Randy was so nice to come and pick me up.... I really don't know what I would do without him.
~BEC~

Bear Lake

We went up to Bear Lake this last weekend. It was tons of fun! We went golfing everyday and watched the U kick butt in football. I wish we would have had a boat even though the water would have been freaking cold! Christy's condo is so nice. It sleeps tons of people and it has a great view of the lake. It was so nice of her to let us stay up there.
Mom and Dad left for their little mystery tour with the Salt Shakers yesterday. They were in Ely, Nevada last night. They have no idea where they will be from day to day they just follow the lead wagonmaster. They love going so I'm happy for them. Mom was worried about not feeling well enough to go but decided to go because she knew my Dad wanted to go so bad. Hopefully if she gets feeling sick she can just lay down for awhile in their 5th wheel. I miss them so much. I hate it when they are gone but I know its good for them to get away.
I go back to work on Thursday....I have had the last 8 days off and its been nice. I can't wait for the new hospital to open. I'm so tired of the drive to work. I'm going on Wednesday to tour our new floor. Sounds like its going to be really nice!

~GrEaT nEwS~

I took my mom to the doctor today to get a chemo treatment. Her tumor marker is down to 27! This is so great because her number is below normal and that is a good sign that she is responding to the treatments. I'm so happy!!!

~Monday~

Today was a good day at work. I had good patients and they let me leave early because the census was low. I've been taking care of a 36 year old homeless man for the past 3 days. I feel so bad for him. He has a huge cardiac history and is to the point of needing a heart transplant. I can't help but wonder what he will do if he is able to receive one. The anti-rejection medications are so expensive not to mention the recovery process. He has no where to live and no one to take care of him. It makes me feel so blessed to have health, food, shelter... all that stuff we take for granted.
I was so excited because today I saw Debany and I haven't seen her since she moved from St George over a year ago. She is working the the coronary intensive care with Tiffani. I think for the most part they like it. They make them work 50% days and 50% nights over there. I would think that would be so dang hard to go back and forth.
My mom has been feeling pretty good this week. She is still unsteady and has some nausea but for the most part she is getting a long good. We go back to the doctor on Wednesday for another treatment.
My dad was at work the other day driving the van for the senior citizens and some kid pulled out and hit him. The van needs some fixing but no one was hurt.

UPDATE

I took Mom to the doctor on Tuesday. It was nice Uncle Mike met us there to hang out for awhile. I'm so thankful Mom has a lot of people that care about her and keep tabs on her. Dr. Whisenant was really positive about how things were going. He took her off the Taxol which she didn't tolerate very well. It made her really sick and gave her a really bad facial burn. Layers of skin peeled off her face and now she has this young youthful looking face. We have been laughing about it because we try to think of the positive things when it comes to chemotherapy. Another great thing is not having to shave, wouldn't that be nice! The best by far is the fact that it helps decrease the cells and manage the cancer. We plan on keeping her around for a long time! The doctor started her on a newer chemo called Gemzar. So far the only side effect has been she is really exhausted and doesn't have much energy. Hopefully the Gemzar and Carboplatinum (the other one she receives) will do the trick. We have lots of faith and hope!
Work is going really good. I was so nervous to change jobs mostly because I really liked my job in St George. I actually really like my job at LDS except for the drive...that gets old! The new hospital opens October 29th. I'm sure that day will be crazy but I'm looking forward to it none the less. With my new job I've been able to learn so much. We do a lot of things that we didn't do in St George like heart transplants, ultra filtration for heart failure, and lots more vascular surgeries. Its been fun to learn about all these new procedures. The doctors are really nice and I love having the residents and fellows around...there is always someone around even at night. I'm not working night shift which makes me SO HAPPY! I work 10 shifts a month 7am to 7pm and I work 3 shifts a month 3pm to 11pm. It has work out really great for me.

LaUnDrY ugh!

I've been doing laundry all day long...I guess that is what I get for putting it off so long. I got a wild hair and decided to rearrange my room in between loads. I'm going over to Tricia's tonight to hang out and tomorrow were going to a singles ward up by her house. Hopefully it will be a good experience. I've been kind of anti-singles wards lately so I'm trying to have a better attitude about going to one.
Work is good. Yesterday we were short 5 RN's at 7pm so I ended up staying until 11. I love working 16 hours a day...just kidding. It was nice because they gave me two movie passes and a target gift card. I don't get to excited over the premium pay because Uncle Sam takes most of it anyway.
Mom has had a really good weekend. 9.5/10 she said so that is great. The doctor gave her an extra week off in between chemo treatments to help her bounce back. She will be getting treatment #5 on Tuesday. The original plan was to get 6 total treatments. I will let you know what the doctor tells us on Tuesday.
Mike and Nichole are moving up here either today or tomorrow. I'm SO EXCITED! I think it will be a good move for them.
I was reading an article in the People Magazine this morning about Owen Wilson (LOVE HIM) and how he attempted suicide. That just goes to show you that you can have fame and forture and still battle a dark side. I know life isn't always easy but I feel really blessed. My neighbor TJ is in the hospital recovering from surgery. He has some kind of malignant tumor in his jaw and lymph nodes around his neck. They took some bone and skin from his legs to create a new jaw and they made him a new tongue out of his own skin. Its amazing what they can do these days. I hope the best for him.....he is such a nice guy.

LONG DAY AT WORK

Work was pretty good today except that it was way busy and I didn't really have any down time. I borrowed my brothers pedometer to track the number of steps I took today. It was working great and at 2pm I had taken 16,060 steps and then the pedometer fell off my pants into the toilet and it is no more....now I just have to break the news to Randy. I hope it wasn't expensive since I will probably have to replace it.
So its Labor Day weekend....so far I really don't have any plans. I think I will just hang out with my parents. I didn't get to a chance to see my mom today. She goes to bed around 7:30 and I wasn't home from work...anyway I talked to her on the phone and she sounded pretty good. Randy is at the dunes all weekend long which means I have the house to myself.. YES! Just kidding I really like living with Randy and Kenny...the question is do they like living with me? Ha! Well thats enough nonsense for the night. I'm out!

Nichole and Mikes Wedding

These two are perfect for each other!

Tiffany's Wedding 6/30/07

Tiff looked so pretty on her wedding day! We had lots of fun dancing and being stupid.

Pictures from VEGAS BABY!!!!!

Elvis girls for sure! Connie is a great driver but she needs to be in back with me and Kristy!

Catch Up

Mom is doing pretty good today. Her next chemo treatment is Tuesday. Dr Whisnant is changing around her chemo meds because they think she had a bad reaction to the one. This new chemo agent they are giving her is suppose to be easier on the patient and you don't lose your hair with it.....little late for that! Anyway...we are just trying to keep her spirits up and help her around the house. Mom doesn't have a lot of energy right now and she isn't very steady on her feet so we don't like her being home alone. I don't regret moving home at all to help her. I love her so much! I'm so thankful for my dad and brothers....everyone has really pitched in and helped her so much!
I went to Idaho on Monday to watch my friend Ronnie play softball. They won both of their games so it was awesome! He has a dog named Macy and she is so cute! Its kind of funny because my mom has a cat named Macy and she is so cute too! Anyway....I had a good time. It was so beautiful up there. I thought I was going up to a little farming community......little did I know.
Nichole and Mike got married a few weeks ago. We went down to Vegas to the Little Chapel of Love....we had a good time. We saw Elvis.....who was slightly creepy and possibly high on something...I will post some pictures and you can see for yourselves. Nichole and Mike are moving up here this weekend....I can't wait!
I really like my job and I have great co-workers. I'm anxious for the new hospital to open so I won't have to drive so far to work...the drive gets old really fast.
Anyway...I'm out for today. Love ya all!