And the Good News Continues...

I finally remembered to call the doctor's office today to check on the results of my echocardiogram that I had back around Thanksgiving. Good news...everything is still good and normal with my heart =] So now I have to schedule an appt with an ear,nose, and throat specialist to see if my dizziness has something to do with an inner ear infection. I also need to call CHLA and schedule my next re-check which should be sometime this month, but will probably be next month because I am so late in calling...I still have not gone down to see Gaynon after my last appt but as far as I know I am still in the all clear :)
In other more exciting news...I have finished my first semester of college!!! I am soo excited that I have 2 mths off for Christmas break before I go back for the spring semester. I have been baking almost everyday...I made mint-chocolate chip cookies, shortbread brownies, banana-chocolate chip mini cupcakes, and holiday almond bars. They were all delicious =] I have also been riding Levi because I have decided to do youth rodeo again starting in March.
If for some reason I forget to blog again (which I will try to remember ) have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!

-Jesus is the Reason for the Season :]

-Carlene

Happy Thanksgiving :]

Before I go into everything that I am thankful for...I had my echocardiogram on Tuesday. It was really nice that I was able to have it here in town instead of driving down to CHLA. It took about 10 minutes and I'll probably have the results next week with the holiday and all :)
Now on to Thanksgiving...I am thankful for my family, my friends, and my health, and my God for providing me with all of my blessings. Today my family and I had a day at home where we ate amazing food and play WII Fit (which is awesome)...now we are getting ready to watch a movie and eat some more amazing food for dinner..
So I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving :)

-God Bless
Carlene

p.s. What are you thankful for??

W-O-W!!!

Today I just found out that my blog has been keeping track of pageviews since about May of this year....I stumbled across it by accident but what I found was just amazing. I always wanted to put some type of view counter back when I first started the blog but couldn't figure out how. But since May 2010 to now my blog has had about 1,575 views...which to me is just mind blowing...and it makes me feel so humbled and blessed...and it also showed me all the countries that have viewed it and there were some from Japan, Germany, Lithuania (idk on spelling), and others but that is just crazy...I hope to all of you who read this...whether you know me or not...I hope it has and continues to provide you with inspiration and hope in all things :]
-So this a huge thanks to everyone who has viewed my blog..it is truly amazing...soooo..
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!
It would have been even more mind blowing if this page viewer was available back when I started but in any case...thanks so much for your continuing support :)

-God Bless
Carlene

Blood Work Results...

So the good news is that my blood work came back completely normal...no anemia...no relapse of anykind..no nothing :] Since it did come back so good I have to get an echocardiogram next week to take a look at my heart and then compare it to the last one I had down at CHLA...but for this one I get to have it done here in town...and then probably in a week or so I'll visit an ear specialist in case it is an inner ear infection that wouldnt cause me to be sick but it could cause me to be dizzy and off balance...
I am extremely happy that my blood work came back good so now I just hope they can figure out whats wrong :)

sUnShInE & sMiLeS =]
and
God Bless
-Carlene

My Absolutely-Positivly Favorite Time Of Year =]

...Yep....its that time of year again...the time of year with some of my fav holidays rolled into a small 2 month window...but im lovin every minute of it!!! I love the smells of fall...all the delicious food...seeing friends and family...hanging out by a cracklin fire (still waitin on that)...and of course Christmas music :)
So I still have yet to rescedule my Gaynon appt that is like 2 mths over due....but i did get my blood drawn today at my doctors up here becuase ive been havin these dizzy-nausous-extreme fatigue spells...today my doctor guessed that its probobly anemia...but we will find out in a few days
My verse for today is John 16:33 'In this world there you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!' That just brings a smile to my face and peace to my heart :]

Sunshine & Smiles
and
God Bless
-Carlene

CHLA Gaynon Appt. Postponed

So today I was supposed to go down to Children's today for my check up with Gaynon about my CT Scan last month. Instead we have to reschedule cuz i got sick... so i just hope i dont have to wait another month to go down there... ill post again when i know when ill be goin again..

-Carlene

Sunshine & Smiles

CT Scan

So today was my 3 month CT scan...it was set for 12:30...I got there right at 12:30 and like always...immediately sat down to wait. I did bring something to read to occupy my time but reading a biology book just isn't very exciting :) At about 1:15 ish they finally called me back into the CT prep area, where they put the IV in for the contrast during the scan...I was back in that room for about another 45 minutes but instead of reading biology I played with this box of toys they had back there..it was very entertaining... Finally at about 2 o clock i went into the CT room and had my scan which took about 10 minutes...and then I left :] My Gaynon appt wont be until October because of my school schedule that was only time that wasn't conflicting with any classes.

Sunshine and Smiles

-carlene

Fair Time!!!!

Its that time of year again...Fair!!! This year my sisters and I are all showing a pig, lamb, goat, steer, and turkey. We have spent this entire weekend giving them all haircuts :] We take them to fair this coming Thursday and then have all the shows over the weekend. I am very excited that my energy level is back to normal so I can help out a lot more this year.

My next CHLA is Sep. 2nd and this time its for a CT Scan...and then a week or so after I'll go back down to see Gaynon. Since I start school next Monday...I'll most likely have some homework to occupy all the down time at the hospital :) and of course a book or two...right now I am really into Karen Kingsbury books...Her book 'Like Dandelion Dust' is being turned into a movie and I think its coming out sometime next month..anyways I strongly recommend any of her books...

Some of my other fav books are:

Walk 2 moons- Sharon Creech (i have read this book so many times i lost count)

The Last Song-Nicholas Sparks (i believe only great books can make u cry)

Pride and Prejudice- Jane Austen (no explanation needed :0 )

Flipped- ? (i forgot the author...but its bein turned into a movie as well)

and any book from 'Love Inspired Romance' - my sister just gave me a bunch of em and there great

so theres some of my top books just so the next time u have some down time...you'll have something to do :]

God Bless

and

Sunshine & Smiles

-I'll prolly post again after my CT

1 year down...

So last Tuesday, the 27th, was my 1 year remission anniversary!!!!!!!! I would have posted sooner but our internet is down so I had to wait to get internet access...Anyways...I can't believe it's been a year. I feel so blessed and humbled to have this in the past instead of the present. I thank God everyday and I wanted to give another thank you to everyone who has been there for me...so Thank You!!! I know now that whatever life throws at me I can handle it with God on my side just like my life verse says..Phillipians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me...That is sooo true...

So it's 1 year down....and a lifetime more to go as a CANCER SURVIVOR!! Again, I feel so blessed being able to say that...

Thanks and God Bless

btw...my next check up CT Scan will be sometime in August

SUNSHINE and SMILES

Happy Birthday America!!!!

WooHoo!!! Its that time of year again....the time when we get together with all of friends and family and start up the BBQ and light those fireworks...Its the time where maybe, even if its just for one day...we can put aside are differences with others, and just be united and proud to be Americans!!!!
I am sooo excited for the PBR (professional bull riding) tonight!! And the rural olympics and of course...the fireworks show!!!!

I hope everyone has a safe and totally awesome 4th of July!!!!!

God Bless!!!

Sunshine & Smiles :)

PICTURES!!!

Here are some of those pics I've been promising...





4th of July Flag Cake




Levi and I at out last rodeo



Cupcake Cake :)





Graduation!!!!

I'll post again soon...or atleast when somethin happens :D

$u$h1n3 @nD $m1[3$

Summer Time...

I am officially a college girl...last week I registered for my classes!!! To fill up my summer days I am taking a cake decorating class. It is soooo much fun, I love it. In my last post I put that I was looking a car, well....I got it!! It is awesome.
July 4th is approaching quickly and unlike last year, there won't be any starstruck moments or flights out of the state. Instead I will be attending the PBR (professional bull riding) at out local fairgrounds and then watching a fireworks show with friends and family.
I promise to post pictures of graduation and some of my cakes soon....

SuNsHiNe AnD sMiLeS...

Got the Alll Clear from Gaynon!!!

Yesterday was my appointment with Dr.Gaynon. We arrived down there at 2:30, expecting a speedy visit because I had my blood drawn and echo done all on last Friday...but nothin is ever speedy at CHLA :) The computers had gone down so they had to look thru all the blood results by hand and they couldnt look at the echo but Gaynon says because my blood is still good, that I am still in the all clear!!! WooHooo!!!!- It's the greatest feelin in the world!!!!

Today I am goin down to look at a potential car for myself...its a blue 2004 Honda Civic...I am sooooooo excited :)

-Carlene

Celebrate Life

Yesterday was the Celebrate Life event down at Paramount Studios. It was awesome!!! I recieved my certificate and blue laptop, for the HOPE scholarship, and I will get the money in the mail soon. It was sooo much fun...Alyna and I made clay bowls and had a really good time. We bought some raffle tickets and we thought we heard alyna's name, so she ran up on stage, fell, scraped her knee, and then they said that they didn't call her name...she was very sad. :( On the way home we stopped at Arby's (they have the best sandwiches eva).

-me and alyna...

Today we have to go down to CHLA for my appt with Dr. Gaynon...hopefully we get out of there and can head home before the the traffic.

-Carlene

CLASS OF 2010!!!!

I GRADUATED!!!!! Last Friday was my graduation and I was/am sooo excited. I love being able to finish high school in 3 years, not 4...its sooo awesome!!!
In other less exciting news...Tomorrow I have another check up down at CHLA. I don't have an appointment for the chest x-ray, so we'll see how long that takes. Hopefully I can get my blood work done also, that way when I go back on Monday to see Dr. Gaynon, they don't have to wait for it.
Since its now summer vacation..i signed up for a cake decorating class!!! I cant wait for it to start...

I will post again...probably after Mondays appt.

-Carlene

Updating

It seems that the gap between blogs is getting larger and larger, but just remember that no news is good news. My next check up is coming up sometime during the first week of June. I currently have 19 days left (including weekends) until I graduate!!! I am sooo excited. This fall I will be enrolling in the community college here, which I have also recieved a $500 scholarship for. I also recieved a scholarship from the HOPE program for $1000 and a lap top computer... How awesome is that??!! Do you guys remember last year when I went to Celebrate Life, which is put on by the HOPE Program and it is a huge festival for cancer patients/survivors and their familys to go to and just celebrate life. So this year at the festival I will be presented as one of the scholarship winners. YAY!!!

Happy Mother's Day to all you mother's out there!!!!
- We went camping and I rode a quad and loved it!!!!

-Carlene
I'll defenetly post about my next scan in a timely manner :) :)

SPRING BREAK

I am super excited to be going up to Laughlin for my tutu's birthday!!! It should be alot of fun and I have never been there before. On Thursday, my aunt and cousin flew down and we had fun hanging out and playing with the WII. For the rest of Spring Break I have no other defenite plans except for the Leona Valley Gymknana on the 27th and work. Other than that I will be enjoying the time away from school and spending it with my family and friends.
My goal for summer (as silly as it may seem) is to be able to put my hair into a ponytail even if its really small and some hairs still fall out. Right now only the very back will go into one. If it still won't go into a ponytail by summer at least it will be short and off my neck anyways. :P

-Carlene

My Birthday

Today I turned 17!!!! YAY!!!
Last Friday my friends and family planned a surprise party for me and i was completely surprised!!! We all ate at primo cafe and then went and saw new moon (it is finally at the dollar theater). Then we went home and played WII!!! On Saturday we went dress shopping for prom!! My sisters and I all found super cute dresses. (pics to come) Tonight I went to BJ's with my dad and gramma and I got a free pizookie!!! It was delicious. Overall I had a wonderful birthday!!!!
It was drastically different than last years. Last year I got a massage and went and picked out some wigs and just hung out with my mommy (which was awesome)!!!

Thanks to everyone!!!
God Bless
-Carlene

Scan is Clear!!!

So I am still in remission!!!! :) The scan came back good and so did my blood work. My next check up is not until June, so I have quite a wait. This is a really short blog...but there isn't anything else to write. :P

-Carlene

Gaynon Appt.

On Wednesday I had my re-check CT scan. I got down there around 11:45 and didn't leave until 2:30. The CT only took about 5 minuntes, the rest of the time I just waited around...what a shock :) I go back down on Monday and meet with Dr. Gaynon for the results of the CT. Hopefully that won't take forever, but no garuntees.
I have become very good at bringing stuff to occupy my time, for example:
-homework (not fun, but necessary)
-computer
-movies
-books
-rubix cube
-crosswords
-coloring
-ipod
are just a few of the 'must have' items at Children's which, from experience, is notorious for long and tedious waiting periods. Along with these things, a cell phone also comes in handy, I am constantly texting or talking to someone at the hospital. It is very entertaining!!!


-Carlene

PS- Go Colts!!!!!

CT Scan

Next Wednesday, February 3rd, I have a CT scan at Children's. This is my first check up scan. I have enjoyed not getting poked for a while, but next Wednesday I get another needle poke. Then on the 8th we'll meet with Dr. Gaynon for the results and his check up.
In other, more exciting, news.... I got hired at Round Table Pizza. It's my first job where I get paid, and I am sooo exited. Today is my first day!!!!!
This Saturday is supposed to be a high school rodeo, but it might be rescheduled because of all the rain last week and a little this week.

-Carlene

Thinkin...

So I looked back to my post exactly a year ago, and I wrote about just having my surgery to remove my lymphnode and disenrolling from school. I am so happy to still be in school to finish out my final semeser.
I know that I say this alot now but, I can't get over the amount of people who have showed their love and support for me. I don't think that I could ever show my gratitude enough.
I have decided, or at least am thinking about, turning my experience with cancer into a book, using these blog entries. I really want to share my story to just inspire others. So tell me what you think: good, bad, or any ideas

-Carlene

Alot can change in a year...

First Post of the New Year

HAPPY NEW YEARS EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!
I stayed up and watched the ball drop and my phone change years...it was awesome!!!! All the people in Times Square looked freezing but full of joy and i think it would be fun to go there one year.

I can just feel the excitement and mystery of what lay ahead in this new year and I know it is going to be amazing. I also want to wish all of you a happy, healthy, and just plain fantastic 2010.

Love,
Carlene

-Sunshine and Smiles :)
(thats what lay ahead)