A Whole New Meaning To "The Twins"

"Going bald isn't about losing your hair, it's about getting more head!"

“Too much knowledge makes the head bald.”

“I’m too sexy for my hair; that’s why it isn’t there.”

“God only made so many perfect heads; the rest he covered in hair.”

-We love you Jeanie

We are THANKFUL each day!!!!!

All of Jeanie's children...including some in laws have written a list of things we LOVE, CHERISH and are THANKFUL for about Jeanie.

You have given us so much,

Here's a little "Thank You"

Thankful for her friendship- she loves to talk and get filled in on everyone's happenings. She's a good friend.- Cara

YOU Spend HOURS preparing and doing Grandma's camp each year...so that even though we live far away we still KNOW you and LOVE you-Alicia

Her unconditional love. –Shaun and Cat

I am thankful for my mommys laughter, her ability to be the punch line of the joke and just be happy that everyone was having a good time –Kelby

Thankful for her always going the second mile in all the callings and responsibilities she was given. Gave us a good example on how to 'go all out.' –Cara

Loves and keeps track of all her children.- Amberlyn

Her sensitivity to the spirit –Shaun and Cat

We are grateful for her positive attitude- she always tries to be positive on the phone and not let anyone see how truly hard the whole cancer thing is, she is very brave.-Mindy

When I first met Jeanie, we did a family home evening at her house and played some game where I had to write my name in the air with my butt. She thought that was the funniest thing ever, and I've always appreciated that she is quick to laugh. I am thankful for that. –Dan

Her strong testimony –Shaun and Cat

Thankful for her creative mind, ideas, suggestions, party ideas, decorations, etc. etc. She is full of good knowledge. –Cara

Has sacrificed body, spirit, and emotion for her family.-Amberlyn

Whenever I call mom to talk she is always more concerned about me and helps me deal with my own problems and I'm grateful for that. – Breanna

Her faith –Shaun and Cat

You spent time sewing padding into my swimsuits when I was a little "lacking" up top :) –Alicia

Thankful for her prayers. She is so good to think and worry about her family and pray for their support. –Cara

Is organized and taught me to be the same. –Amberlyn

How she looks at me when I enter a room or the first time she sees me in awhile. –Shaun and Cat

My mom is my best friend and I am truly grateful for that.-Brendon

I could tell you that I wore a bikini-you were always absolutely involved in our lives...we always HAD to sit down and tell you about our days-Alicia

Her great listening skills –Shaun and Cat

Loves to dance and shares that with others. –Amberlyn

I'm grateful for mom's positive attitude no matter what life brings her. She has taught me how to deal with harsh things in life and I will treasure that forever. – Breanna

Her desire to know EVERYTHING about my life, even the small trivial things. –Shaun and Cat

I am thankful my mom let me try out for everything and had me participate in so many different things as it shaped who I am and I never have to look back at my life and ask what if?-Chad

Loves movies. –Amberlyn

Thankful for her excitement and support in whatever avenue her children pursued. I'm personally so thankful for her support in my theater, singing, piano, flute and dancing. I'm thankful she taught me well as a child to dance. I'm thankful she came to all my concerts, plays, etc. and genuinely cared about what I did. – Cara

Her ability to ask me the right question to get me to open up to her. –Shaun and Cat

That you make lists and are organized-Alicia

I am thankful that Jeanie is always up for a laugh and a good time but knows when it’s appropriate to be serious. Very well balanced.-Amber-Rose

How great/special she makes us feel when around her. –Shaun and Cat

Loves to laugh. –Amberlyn

I am thankful for my mother. Not a day goes by that I don't see her influence in my life, the way I act towards others, the way I teach and guide my own children, the way I love my wife. Her, and Dad, opened a vision of what a celestial home could be. Of course there are moments that aren't perfect, but she loved and love unconditionally. I love her so much and I want her to know that she isn't just in my prayers but she's in most of my actions, words, thoughts and feelings. –Kelby

Thankful she taught us to be clean, look nice and take care of ourselves and home. –Cara

Her many wonderful talents. –Shaun and Cat

I'm grateful for her pillow and her smile. It's always nice to get her hugs and see her smile at me. – Breanna

You cried when our boyfriends broke up with us-Alicia

Thankful for our "mother experiences" and memories that make us laugh and cry. I will specifically remember the Salt Lake! –Cara

Her ability to push me to do things that exceeds expectations of me. –Shaun and Cat

Enourages her children in ANY pursuit they venture into. -Amberlyn

When I have gone through extremely hard trials, she has been the one there to listen and then push me through. I do not know where I would be with out my mommy!-Brendon

Her thoughtful advise and consideration to our feelings. –Shaun and Cat

You were always up for a late night when we were teenagers--and now I am exhausted and have no teenagers-Alicia

Thankful for traditions, birthdays and holidays in our home. It always made them mean more. Thankful for the decorations, the movies, the Christmas Eve programs, etc. –Cara

Loves her grandkids.-Amberlyn

Her ability to give great constructive critisms –Shaun and Cat

I am thankful my mom made me go to church and taught me the gospel. It has given me a sense of dedication and sacrifice I see missing in a lot of the youth today.-Chad

That you taught us just because you are poor-- you can still dress cute, look nice and make your home a haven-Alicia

How she makes Cat feel like a part of the family. –Shaun and Cat

Puts the Lord before anything else in her life. -Amberlyn

I am thankful that she lives so close and is able to come over lots and spend time with me and baby and Jason.-Mindy

Her many care packages she sends in the mail to let us know she is thinking of us-Easter package gift from 1 dollar store –Shaun and Cat

You taught me how to do a mean cleaning of a bathroom-Alicia

Is strong!!! -Amberlyn

How easily excited she gets –Shaun and Cat

I'm grateful for her love for me for without it i don't know what I'd do. She is my best friend. I can talk to her about anything and she understands. - Breanna

You encouraged us to do EVERYTHING and EXPERIENCE so much in our lives-Alicia

How quick to laugh she is –Shaun and Cat

Is beautiful both inside and out. -Amberlyn

That you wrote REAL letters to me on my mission even though you have 8 others to worry about-Alicia

How she was able to raise so many upstanding children that are all strong in the church –Shaun and Cat

I am grateful for the moments that my heart was broken how she was there to comfort me and hug me and help me to mend my heart -Kelby

That we never felt neglected, or a number even though we had 9 children-Alicia

Can do the best "Dance of Life" I've ever seen!!! - Amberlyn

You would pray about us-Alicia

I'm grateful for her involvement in my life. I know sometimes I yell at her for it but really she knows everything and can help me most when I need it. – Breanna

Makes and honors traditions –Amberlyn

You would still make me have FHE with no phone, even though I fought it-Alicia

I am thankful for Jeanie's forgiving heart. We had quite a big fight near the first of my marriage (Cara's graduation) and have now become very close and I truly enjoy and look forward to our conversations and time together.-Beth

Will stay up late to laugh, giggle and share -Amberlyn

You took us to go and see the culture we lived in-we were educated/versed in our nations culture-Alicia

I am thankful my mom expected more of me than I could give, and loved me more when I didn't measure up. It let me achieve more than I ever thought possible and allowed me to understand failure was a part of the process.-Chad

Likes Pride and Prejudice (the 6 hour version) almost as much as I do!!! -Amberlyn

You drove me to the beach and back in one day (3 hours one way) since I could not spend the week there with my alcohol friends in a beach house for spring break-Alicia

Thankful for Jeanie’s love for her family-she will do anything for them and has done everything for them! -Amber-Rose

Encourages her children to serve missions and get married in the temple. -Amberlyn

You LOVED having babies despite the lack of sleep and sacrifice that comes with them. I never felt like it was hard for you-Alicia

We are grateful for her willingness to help out even though she is sick.-Mindy

Loves to eat cookie dough!!! -Amberlyn

You spent hours and hours and hours in the car and sports games-Alicia

I am thankful for her support of me in my dancing, football and every other extracurriclar activity. I could always expect to see her there -Kelby

You gave me luggage for graduation and encouraged me to go and grow wings...leave home and learn to be independent

Education was always a priority-Alicia

Gives the best hugs!!! –Amberlyn

Her smile to light up an entire room –Shaun

Thankful for her testimony, example and showing us her love for the gospel. I'm thankful for FHEs, family scripture and prayers and for her sharing her testimony. I'm thankful she has gone through the temple with each of her children and continues to go. –Cara

You have always made me feel beautiful even when I have gained weight-Alicia

I am thankful for the conversations we had at 2:00 am about Amber-Rose before we got married- Kelby

I have had a job since I was 12 and was taught to budget, buy my own clothes, support myself through college and a mission- WORK ETHIC-Alicia

Love for Scouts and dedication in pushing me to get my Eagle -Shaun

I am thankful for Jeanie’s ability to testify of the truth. She knows what she believes and isn’t afraid to share it.-Amber-Rose

I ALWAYS have someone on my side...even when I am wrong :) –Alicia

Her chauffer capabilities driving us everywhere- Shaun

I love her dearly. I am grateful for her "pillow." I think all the boys in the family have loved it at one point. To be able to lay down on her lap, give her a giant hug, and then to be loved back. It is one of the greatest feelings in the world.-Brendon

A house of order is a good thing-Alicia

Her Cat face – Shaun and Cat

I am so grateful for the unconditional love she showed, when we would make mistakes she would help us overcome and just love each and everyone of us through the diffcult times. -Kelby

Holidays are a reason to CELEBRATE and make

traditions...LOTS of traditions-Alicia

Thankful for her neverending love for me and for all of us. –Cara

I am thankful for her listening ear, her spiritual insight and her persistent guidance that help us make righteous decisions - Kelby

I am thankful for Mom’s hugs- Shaun and Cat

You gave me some groove. I can dance! -Alicia

We love you, always and forever...

Cancer Update-By Jeanie

November 4, 2011

My dear family,

Time to do a cancer update to the family.

I had Alicia here for a week and she pretty much summed it up in the e-mail that she sent out. I still think that was my roughest week both physically and mentally. She truly was a miracle and blessing even though she was as sick as she was.

I think most of you have heard at least some about Utah. The one day in Provo was very rough on me and having company was even tiring, but it was an amazing week of rest, being spoiled, and running away from cancer so to speak. It gave me the boost I needed to come back and do more. Grand kids are truly wonderful medicine, as was music, good food, birthday celebrations, seeing family and friends I love etc. Sally gave us money that is helping us survive right now.

I am supposed to get ½ pay, but my paycheck this month was only $39.00. Still have to go talk to them about that.

Cara and Alicia were both SO SICK while they were here. However, Cara also did an amazing job. She did my hair every day, helped me get dressed and took good care of me. We went to a couple of big tests and doctors while she was here. It allowed dad to go to work. She actually got to see the plastic surgeon and oncologist. She rubbed my head and combed my hair over ½ hour one night. She gave me a really good back rub another time. Ahhhh, heaven. She helped me set up a cancer spiral- which has sections for all my meds, dr. etc.

So, here is my latest:

Cat scan. Showed fat in the liver, gall stones, and a hernia….but nothing that needs taking care of now. Good to go for chemo. That test was hard as they accessed my port for the first time and it stung most of the time. I also had to put my right arm over my head- the one that is dead and can not move. That was very painful. Laying flat does the vertigo thing too. Other than that, no biggie.

Echo test. Fun test. Not too uncomfortable. Very interesting to see ultra sound of heart. Lab technician and I were talking and laughing through the whole thing. My heart falls in the normal range and is safe to start Chemo.

Plastic surgeon. Had drains pulled a week ago Monday. Was so excited to get those out. He cut stitches and just pulled and it didn’t hurt. YES. I cried to Cara afterwards in the room because I was so relieved and happy. Showers have steadily felt better- but hard still with my aches and pains. My left side is doing very well. He had to pull out a clip and stitch that worked their way to the surface this week. I have some spots of leakage and it is still trying to heal. It is in very doable pain. The drain on my right side caused a lot of problems and pain and he pulled it out a little early on purpose. After a couple of days I had terrific swelling and pain and we thought it was extra storage of fluid. However, this week he tried to aspirate it and nothing came out. It is actually edema in my tissues. Not good, because that takes forever to subside if it ever does. Right now that is my worst pain. So, can’t go off pain pills yet, and still need lots of ice and pillows. That and lymph node pain is my hardest thing to deal with. Still getting saline pumped in each week. He puts it through a magnetic port and it does not hurt, other than the stretching, pressure and pain. Only have 150 cc left. Not much of a breast and misshaped right now, but that is OK. I have other issues.

Oncology. Went this week and met with him. He answered two pages of questions and was very nice. I am ready to start Chemo as soon as we figure out about the clinical trial I qualify for. We got the 25 pages of paper work. Kent and I each read over it and then had a long discussion about it. We were ready to talk to them at another appt. Thur. But miscommunication really got things messed up. I also went to chemo training on Thur. Another nurse taught it besides my nurse. She was very good about general info and the side affects etc, (took over an hour) but knew nothing specific to my Dr.. or his meds or protocol. We were frustrated last night when the clinical trial lady left a message on my phone that she was in her office all day and did not get messages. I wrote an e-mail to my nurse and Dr.. last night.

Today the nurse called and apologized over and over and answered lots more questions. Then I finally got in touch with the clinical trial woman and we also talked about an hour and went over lots. I feel really good about the trial. I have a 50/50 chance of getting the HER 2 medicine that the trial is about. It adds on 8 months of shots, but my hair can grow back, and I can still start radiation etc. I can also withdraw at any time. It won’t help if I don’t get it and there is no promise it will if I do, but I feel very strongly about paying it forward. That is the least I can do. I will get 10 years of close observation too which isn’t a bad thing at all. I will keep you posted on how that goes. We still have to meet with her and do a bunch of legal stuff, but I could start chemo as early as next week. I will have it every two weeks on my first 4 rounds. Then every week for 12 weeks. So fun…but a 3 week break in-between to recoup.

Well, time for more pain pills and some ice.

Love you all,xoxoxoxoxoox Jeanie (MOMMIE)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

Our family was ALWAYS INTO HOLIDAYS and we ALWAYS did it all OUT. Now that I am a mother I realize how much time and energy goes into that whole process. We ALWAYS had decorations up, we ALWAYS all carved our own pumpkins and we ALWAYS had a HALLOWEEN themed dinner with spook burgers, orange salad and all....Iam no grateful for the money, time and SLEEP that went to that cause for our benefit.

I also very much remember my mom introducing us to the movie "watcher in the woods" when we were tweens. Although it is a Disney production I believe...we would ALWAYS freak oursleves out watching it. In Pennsylvania we had no curtain on our back sliding glass window that looked into the woods--and I remember after watching that movie not being able to go into that room afraid of what was watching me in the woods. We also were having a birthday sleepover and we had talked about the movie so much every girls was in an absolute panic and my mom had to clean up that "mess" :)

I LOVE LOVE holidays with my mom--she always made them so fun we would hardly choose friends over them--we wanted to be with them

-Alicia

I remember a few years ago, we went to my parents Trunk-or-treat with Chad’s family. Mom was dressed as a pirate. With her teeth all rotting out on the bottom (due to diabetes), she REALLY looked like a pirate J We took lots of pictures and still laugh about it to this day. I know this year she REALLY wanted to go topless as her Halloween costume because she says she looks so scary (with all her scars and missing breasts). She is in good spirits and can still joke around about her condition which is a positive thing.

-Mindy

The Trial and Journey....

THE AFTERMATH, SCARS & DRAINAGE:
When I first arrived I was very impressed with how good mom looked. She had allot of color and was as vivacious as ever. Her disposition was so temperate of the chaos that consistently surrounds her. She only had positive things to say about everyone and every situation. She kept telling me to hold off my observations until I saw the scars. The first time I saw the double mastectomy scars, stitches and cuts I was not affected in the least. It seemed "normal" in a strange way for some reason and did not worry me, or gross me out. BUT it is far from normal. They cut clear across her body and up the middle. Her skin was smooth and absolutely concave (sorry for the description)--there was nothing left. The good news is all that loss was for some good.When going to the surgeon with mom, the surgeon informed us that she is very meticulous about getting extra skin grafts above and below the actual sight to ensure as they cut/slice and test each tiny piece above and below to ensure that she had indeed gotten out all the cancer. SHE DID! The surgeon said her prognosis was 100% :) . The part that was a little eery to my tummy was the drains. They run on both sides of her body and drain excess fluid and blood from the surgery site. The blood pouches always looked kind of like a pepto bismol solution to me...but then you get use to seeing her cart them around in her pockets. It reminded me so much of when Colton was carting his pee around on his back after one of his kidney surgeries...so it should not have bothered me too badly...but the bloody chunky solution was sometimes too much. She has to drain them at 2 exact times each day and they keep a log on the computer of how much is in them each time. The less the better and means that she will get them out sooner. I went to the plastic surgeon...who is managing that part of her care with her as well-and he felt like keeping the drains in for a bit longer was wise. She has much more fluid the more active she is. She is not allowed to do exercise of any form until they are out. She was nervous about some redness and irritation around one of the drainage sights that had occurred after her 2nd surgery a couple of days before I arrived (to have the port placed directly into her blood line in her chest), But it turned out to be some irritation from the tape and cleaning solution they had used for surgery.
THE DOCTOR VISITS:
The one thing I really appreciated during this visit was meeting some of the doctors whose mom's life is in their hands. I was absolutely impressed with her surgeon. She is a woman doctor who TAKES TONS of TIME with her patients. She got close to mom and answered all her questions (she could tell mom was having a nervous day). She is spunky, lively and certain in her work. She is concerned and really worries about each case. She is the one who would call mom on the weekends and work late hours for her. It could also help that she is a quilter and has a personality too. Mom kept asking what her cancer was staged at...the doctor seemed to want to not classify it necessarily but gladly pulled out the classification sheet- there are MANY MEASUREMENTS and things that goes into the prognosis...but it came back at a stage 3c cancer, the next stage being 4 (the highest rated) according to the American Cancer Society Website--that stage gives you a 49% survival rate for 5 years. Mom made me look that up and at times I regret I did...she is really holding onto that. That is why I think the doctor is hesitant to go about doing it. She only has to see the surgeon now every 6 months. The surgeon told her for the rest of her life all blood draws, blood pressure, etc. has to be done on the left side of her body--the side where the cancer was not as aggressive or in her lymph nodes. The cancer was only detected in the right side lymph-nodes--but it does mean it has entered her blood stream.
The plastic surgeon has a little to be desired in way of bedside manner...he has a dry smile and humor. BUT HE HAS ONE. You can tell he is very educated in his field, and there is no doubt he knows what he is doing. All wounds and dressing care go through him. He pumped the first set of fluids into mom while I was there. People talked about it being painful. so we were leery...but she was fine. So fine in fact, he pumped double the amount he usually does. She fared well despite her narcotics withdrawals :) (more info forthcoming). She is half way the size she is going to be in way of reconstruction--she is not going to be very big--but its not like cosmetic...it is using what you have :) you saw immediate results and was not concave anymore!!! She will be seeing him weekly until she is more healed and pumped full.
The oncologist will oversee her chemo, radiation and all medication. I did not meet him.
THE BAD AND THE UGLY:
By the end of the week mom was 'losing' it on a regular basis. She had anxiety and panic reading, talking or hearing about cancer. It was weird because it seemed to come on so quickly. It was her birthday and she cried through the whole thing hoping it was not her last. She has earned this right to mourn. It is part of the process I am sure...it is hard to not see hope at those moments and allowing her to think about what could be. But those moments are brief as opposed to her moments of HOPE. That is the only option we have. her new MOTTO is HOPE! While I was there mom also had an AWFUL day. She woke up kind of grumpy...she gets that way when the narcotics begin to wear off. BUT by the end of her doctor visit she was pale, throwing up, having tremors, drenched in sweat and cold and clammy. She was having hallucinations between vomiting (at one point I caught her "sewing" with her hands)I spent a majority of the day in doctors office bathrooms...trying to get her into the office to be seen, wheelchairs and all. After seeing an on call surgeon he recommended we go to our family practice doctor (who LOVES mom and dad and talks about his life with them). After a change of clothes (whoever helps her-ALWAYS have a change of underclothes and clothes with you) After listening to her symptoms and recording her narcotic history he was certain she was going through narcotic withdrawals. She was pretty panicked thinking that this might be how chemo will be. IF it IS (which it should not be- with their advancements in nausea) she will need someone with her. She thought her pan medications were as needed basis--so after feeling a little better she went from 10 pills in a 24 hour period to 1 pill in about 12 hours. The results were catastrophic. We learned she has to ween down. We also went home to find out that somewhere between the last surgery, pharmacy and doctors her narcotic levels had been doubled accidentally in her medications-so she was actually taking 20 pills worth of narcotics in a 24 hour period. Now that we know we are bringing her down slowly. They say it is a very natural bodily response to narcotics.
IN CLOSING:
I deep down don't feel like we are going to lose her to this battle. BUT I feel it is going to be a very hard hard road. She needs as much support and love as possible. She cannot be around children during chemo, or ANYONE sick for that matter. It would be wise to get our family in and out of there as much as possible. We absolutely have HOPE. We see a future. We are bunkering down and taking just one day at a time. I know she would LOVE to go wig shopping with some trendy ladies that she is close too, and would LOVE LOVE massages and pedicures. Besides that, CALL HER, bring her bright flowers, happy stories, warm bread and allow her to cry. I love her and hate cancer--but it is and we will ENDURE.

-Update by Jeanie's daughter Alicia

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!

Today is my mom’s birthday. To celebrate her birthday I want to recount the story of another birthday past. This birthday was actually neither my mother’s nor mine. It was a good friends birthday. My friend was going through a hard time in her life and I wanted to show her that there were people who cared about her. I put together a big sign and decided that it would be fun to TP her house and leave candy bars around the lawn. However I had decided this way too late on a school night and none of our other friends were available to help. I was about to abandon the idea until my mom came to the rescue. At about 1:00 am my mother drove me out to my friend’s house in our car shoved full with toilet paper. I began the process of “tree decorating” and figured it would take me a while to do the job so told my mom she could just take a nap. As I began to throw the paper into the branches, from behind my head comes another roll of toilet paper perfectly launched over the top branches. My mom helped TP my friends house at one in the morning because that’s the kind of mom she is. She loves unconditionally, teaches constantly and goofs off with the best of us. I love you MOM. Thank you for all you have done for us kids.

Love, Kelby

The Beginning

Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer a little over a month ago. She was vigilent in getting yearly mammograms...and had been in for follow-up s a couple of times for lumps-with no outcome. After explaining a recent excperience with a loss of my friend and a growing lump in her breast, she figured she should get it checked out. It came back positive. She has had many blood tests, surgeon visits,nurse visits, doctor visits and tutorials. She owns a HUGE notebook on cancer and its options.She is majoring in cancer. She then had multiple biopsies done as well as a full body scan. The cancer seemed to be contained in one breast. BUT with the type of cancer she was told she had, the risk of it going into the other breast was high. She opted for a double mastectomy with beginning reconstructive surgery on September 26.

The surgery took about five hours at which time they found that the cancer had indeed spread to her lymph nodes on the right side of her body, where the cancer was in the breast. However, they felt as if the tumor was smaller then the original size they had thought from testing. They placed the right implant under her muscle so she could receive radiation treatments that would probably come with the discovery of lymphnode cancer (as her lymphnode biopsy's had come back negative-as well as a full body scan that was negative).

Mom received a phone call on Friday September 30th early evening from the surgeon telling her that her lab reports had returned early. She has a combination of 2 cancers called ductal carcinoma and lobular carcinoma-typically undetectale on mammograms. The cancer was found in BOTH breasts and was found in 14 of the 19 lymphnodes. The tumor was actually 11cm and allot larger then the original scans had indicated. She is classified as stage 3 or 4. She has not gone to the oncologists yet, so she is unsure what this all means. HOWEVER she has to heal from this original surgery before pursuing chemo, radiation and removal of her other side (left) lymphnodes. There is a great chance of metastasizing of the cancer in her body. Her treatments are going to be aggressive and inlcude IV chemotherapy as well as pill chemo (she orginally qualified for pill chemo only), Radiation and a myraid of other things. We will know more as she has appointments with the oncologists and recovers from her mastectomy's.

She is unable to use her arms at this point, and that is integral in her movements and mobility as she has very bad knees and leg joint problems. She was kept a day longer in the hospital because she could not eat much and her diabetes needed a vigilent watch of its levels.