Happy New Year!

Our family once again (this is our third year) went on our annual new years snowmobile ride to Cooper Mountain (yes that's where we got the Dog name). We were joined by the Amsden's, Kevin, Mary, and Cody. We had a light dinner at the warming hut, then just past sunset we headed out to the mountain top. Kevin brought some very festive fireworks which always look really cool at 6500' and on the snow! We often wonder if people below are wondering what the heck us going on on that mountain top up there?! Ya that's just us bringing in the new year a little early. Here's to a great year of healing, and many, many more to come.

Thanks Kevin and Mary and Cody for the fun time. Let's do it again next year!

Brett and Sheri

One o'clock shadow...a glimmer of hope

Ok, you've heard of the five o'clock shadow? Well, in the morning light Brett check out my head for any hair growth...and there are a few little hairs trying to poke out. Yeah! True, it's not even a five o'clock shadow, but there was something! That's a nice thing in this cold weather. I'm not sure how the chemo I'm now taking will effect my hair growth. It took 21 days the first time I took chemo to fall out. It will either grow in spite of the chemo., or decide to take longer to come in, or come in a little, fall out and come in again. The good news is, it will come in.

I'm feeling well on this chemo. I haven't gotten sick and hope not to. A little extra sleep always feels good.

Now the family is enjoying the beautiful snow. We live in a winter wonder land with so many opportunities. There is much to be thankful for.

Looking up and praying for a continued miracle. Thanks for continuing to pray with us for this too.

Sheri

Scan Report

We saw our radiologist for a progress report today. The tumors have shrunk! That is good news. They are about 1/2 to 1/3rd the size they were originally. He said the radiation is continuing to work. As the cells try to reproduce they die at that point because of the radiation. I will also be starting chemo therapy on the 27th of this month again. It will be an oral chemo so I won't need to go to Wenatchee for it. This will be a double dose of what I had during radiation for five days and then I'll get 3 weeks off. This will continue for a minimum of four months.

We will also continue the Herceptin treatments as normal. These will need to be done in Wenatchee.

We are very thankful that God is answering prayer. We are continuing to trust Him. This is the best Christmas present He could have given to me and to our family. Yeah God!!!!! Thank you!!!!!

During this special time of year we give thanks for Jesus' birth. This news makes us thankful for this and so much more, our family, friends, doctors, health, home, church, jobs, and on and on.

Thank you for walking along this journey with us. Merry Christmas!

Looking up and leaning on Jesus,

Sheri

Happy Birthday Alyssa!!!

Nine years ago our girl was born. It seems like we just brought her home yesterday. I remember thinking, wow, they're sending us home with our beautiful girl...but where's the book on how to raise her? I was just sure that each child should have their own book tailored to their specific needs.

As it turns out, she is amazing. We are so proud of her.

We will go down for scans this morning and then celebrate Alyssa's birthday the rest of the day with family.

At this point we are in the middle of therapy right now. My oncologist has prescribed at least 4 months more of chemo. beginning December 27th. So that means that these are mid way scans to see where we are currently at. They also say all the swelling shouldn't be down in my brain yet. We're still hoping for good results.

Tomorrow we will have the MRI results. We are looking up; trusting God no matter what.

Thanks for celebrating and praying with us.

Looking up,

Sheri



Cooper and Ginger breaking bread together!

This time of year we are trying to strike a balance in life....even our pets are getting into the balance thing. Be nice, share, smile, and have a little fun along the way.

Brett and Sheri

Happy Birthday Sissa

Alyssa actually turns 9 on December 22nd, but with the holidays it's always interesting trying to celebrate with a little space between her birthday and Christmas. Friday night she had a little friend party. They went out to pizza, watched movies, painted nails, surfed the Internet (with Mommy and Daddy there), and were generally very loud. It was good to see them all laugh and have fun (and eventually sleep!). This years theme was Tinker Bell....there won't be too many more years of that, we'll enjoy it while it's here. Happy Birthday Alyssa! She is becoming a little lady before our eyes.

Brett and Sheri

Scans and a little more...

Tomorrow Brett and I will be going to the clinic for a normal Herceptin treatment. We will also chat with my doctor about the next steps after the radiation treatment. At this point I think I'll be on 4 months of chemo again. However, the good news is that this chemo is much lighter than last year. It should be 4 months of one week on and three weeks off. So basically I'll be repeating the same oral chemo treatment I finished with radiation only it will be spread out over 4 months. Brett and I will get the details tomorrow.

"So, how are you?" That's the most common question I get. Honestly, I'm doing really well. At times I get tired and am learning not push too much. (But who doesn't get tired during this season?) I'm looking forward to continuing to heal and get better so I get my normal energy back. We're still praying and believing for a big miracle. The other day some ladies from Central Cristiano came to pray with me. Knowing others are praying with you for the same thing is very inspiring and encouraging. We are continuing to have faith and look up.

Next week on Monday we go down for an MRI, ice skating and pizza. I know that's not a normal combination, but it's Alyssa's birthday and that's what she wants to do. So she will be the center of our attention. It's much more fun to focus on her rather than on scans. Then the next day we go down to see our radiologist for the results. We're praying they are good.

Thanks for continuing to pray and looking up with us. Enjoy the Christmas season with family as we all take time to remember the reason for the season...Jesus, the Lord of Life.

Looking up,

Sheri

Birdhouse ahoy!!!

At the lumberyard today we invited kids from K-6th grade to come and build bird houses. We built 73 today! Tons of fun with Santa there and a couple of our contractors showed up and helped out as well. Mark, our receiving guy, is a top notch wood worker, and he pre-cut all the parts. A fun time was had by all....even Cooper the dog was there. Merry Christmas....remember to enjoy today and look up.

Brett and Sheri

A little tired....but no news is.....you know the rest

Not sure what to write here, except that things are somewhat normal. Sheri is a bit tired after school, but who wouldn't being with Kindergartners all day! I get tired just walking in her classroom. Cooper (the dog) is busy getting his house training lessons. He's a great dog that immediately found a place in our family. We are busy with the Christmas grind. Yes that's a bit grumpy, but it is long and tedious at times. Concerts (4), Party's (3 or4), gift opening with family (4), and a birthday party (2) for Alyssa...she'll be 9 on December 22nd. So I guess you see how normal we are.....just the same as the rest of you. It is a nice break not having to worry about scans and chemo and radiation.......so maybe it's not so bad after all. If we skip some days between blogs, forgive us, we are enjoying life one day at a time. We highly recommend it...especially in this busy season. Remember why we go through all this stuff this time of year. Just look up!

Brett