Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!

I was going to blog sooner, but I couldn't remember my password to log on, but my mom just called me with it...so here I am!!!
Christmas was fantastic for me. I hung out with family, ate the best food, and got really awesome presents. Our big family gift this year was a Wii, and we all love it!!!! Often in this time, many people forget that Christmas isn't just about presents (like a Wii), its a time for us to rejoice in the birth of our Savior all those years ago in Bethlehem.
This Christmas (well the whole holiday season-since Thanksgiving) as been really humbling for me. I can't get over how many people, some of whom I have never met, have shown their love and support for me. I know I am constantly saying how much I appreciate all of you for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers, but I honestly thanky you from the very bottom of my heart. This year was a definetly challenging, but having such an amazing support system made it that much better.
I want to wish everyone a Happy New Years and a blessed 2010!!!!!

Love,
Carlene

After Port Surgery...

My surgery went really well. I got to the hospital at 6:30 and we filled out paperwork and I got checked and ready for surgery by 8:20. By this time I was very hungry. Since I have had a cold I wasn't sure if they would still let me do surgery but they did. Once I got up into the surgery waiting and recovery room a nurse asked how I was with getting the anesthesia and I told that I didn't care once I was asleep with the mask. Then she said that they don't usually use the mask on older patients and she would have to 'check and see.' Lucky for her, she said that they could do that, because of course I would have demanded it. :) So I got to use the mask and it worked good because I don't remember anything after they put it on me. I woke up back in the recovery room and this time I didn't wake up crying for morphine, like when they put in my port. One my parents came back in I was basically awake, just kinda tired. Once I was functioning enough I started texting Heather, Oli, and Alicia and telling them that I was still very hungry. Since I ate my ice chips the nurse gave me jello. I got wheel chaired out to the car and then I went to sleep. This whole time my port was barely hurting me but around 2ish I took some tylenol and kept up with that all of Tuesday, but I haven't taken any today and it feels pretty good. As for my cold, that is basically gone but since I am such a giver, I shared it with Alyna and she's not to happy today. 8)
Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!
-Enjoy food, friends, and family...
-God Bless
Love-
Carlene

Port Surgery

So tomorrow Im supposed to arrive at CHLA by 6:30 am and my surgery is scheduled for 9am. I am very excited to get my port out. I will be very hungry tomorrow since i cant eat past midnight tonight. Today I am sick so I hope that I am all better by tomorrow or i cant get my surgery.

Children's

So Friday was my EKG and echocardiogram. My mom and I left right after school and got down there around 2:30. I had my blood drawn then instead of having to wait forever on Monday. Then we went up to a floor of the hospital I had never seen before. We never even had a wait. They took us back into a room where they attached some wires to me and then they did an ultra sound of my heart. That gelly stuff is so sticky and it got all over me, it was disgusting. Then they put alot more wires on me and I was done. It took about 15-20 minutes. Afterwards I had a thrifty ice cream, it was delicious. Tomorrow I have to go back down to meet with my doctor about the appt on Friday. So no school for me, I have a 3 day weekend... sorta. I also take my drivers test tomorrow, i hope i pass!!!

-carlene

Children's Appointment

So I have an appointment down at Children's next Friday. It's not a scan, like I thought. Instead they are doing a EKG, something to check my heart. Hopefully, it wont take that long. Then I see Dr. Gaynon on the 2nd for a check up.
Okay, this coming up Monday i am taking my drivers test, man i hope i pass the first time. I really want my license.
The leona valley pagent was incredible and everyone did amazing. Alyna did really awesome on Levi. I had so much fun running the flag for the last time, even though i was sad too. On coronation day, i wore an amazing dress that my mom and john designed. When i had to say my goodbye speech, i was a wreck. i was cryin even before i got on stage because of my jr. miss donna's speech.
I am sad that my year is over, but i am very happy for all the new queens.

-carlene

Its been awhile!!!

So school has been good so far. My hair is growin so fast and thick. Its even kinda curly when I gel it. I absolutely love leavin at lunch time to go to Saddle Up, it is so much fun. I am not sure when I am goin back in for another scan but it should be later this month sometime. This weekend I give up my crown as the Leona Valley Gymkhana Queen and I am very sad, but it was an amazing year. Alyna is running this year for little miss and she is doin great on Levi.
The only thing that has happened that is worth writin about, was Friday at school when I got dizzy. I've had a cold for the past week so I guess my equillibrium was off. I was in first period when all of a sudden I felt really dizzy and the room was spinning and I thought I was goin to pass out. I told my friends and they told the teacher. I asked to sit on the floor, because I really didnt want to fall out of my seat. So I sat on the floor with my friends and waited for the security to come with a golf cart to take me to the nurses office. I went home and took a nap and when I woke up I felt alot better but I still went to the doctors and they told me it was just because I was sick. I am still sick, but I havent gotten dizzy or anything which is very good, because I dont like that feeling.

To everyone who has ever written me a card or anything: THANK YOU!!!!
I will be sending cards out really really soon. :)

God Bless,
Carlene

Just postin

No More Hat

Monday was the first day I went to school and didn't wear a hat. It felt really great and anyone who did say anything said my hair looked really nice. It's getting alot longer, I am soooo excited. I am still very exhausted but other than that I am doing great. I hope the fire stops soon and I hope no more homes or lives are lost. I also want the smoke to be gone by this Saturday for the gymkhana.

-Carlene

School Again... and fair time

My first day of school was on August 10th, and it was amazing!!!! I hardly slept the night before because i was so excited to see everybody again. For the first week I had 6 classes but then I switched to only 4...so I leave at lunch time. Oli and Alicia have only 4 classes also. On September 2nd we will start going over to Saddle Up Theraputic Riding Center after school to volunteer for credits.
Fair went really well and we all did really great. I was unable to show my lamb or goat because I was to exhausted so my sisters showed them for me. I was able to show my pig though and she got first in her class. This year was my first year that I didn't compete in showmanship. Overall fair was amazing and I cant wait to get my check!!!! :)

-Carlene

Hats Approved

After having the VP tell us "No" to the chemo hats and having the secretary for the principal say it would not be fair to the other students, my mom sent an email to the district superintendent before our appointment to meet with the principal. It was obvious that the superintendent had paved the path because the principal had absolutely no problem and never even questioned the request. It was a nice surprise. When we got home from the appt we had an email from the superintendents office saying that we were to contact them if we had any further problems and thanked us for bringing it to his attention.

God Answers Prayers!!!!

Went to doctor today and he told us that I am in...

REMISSION!!!!!!!!!

I have to go back every 3 months for a CAT Scan to monitor my remission, but for now I am enjoying the thought of no more chemo, no more radiation, and no more doctor's appointments!

I am still very tired and have to get my strength back, but each day is better. The doctor says that the fatigue is different for each person and sometimes it lasts forever. I sure hope I can get back to normal. I really want to be back in the saddle again and able to compete a full day at my rodeos and gymkhanas!

Next I get to go back to school...I can't wait! I am sad summer is over because that means Olivia and Alicia have to go back to their mom's house, but I am excited to be able to go back to school and see all my friends. School starts on August 10th and I will be a senior!!!! It has been hard, but I have kept on track to graduate a year early so I am skipping my junior year.

Thank you so much for your constant support and prayers. I couldn't have gone through this without you all! Through the last 7 months I have been blessed with the best of friends that didn't desert me. You stood by me and helped me through it all! From my diagnosis, to shaving my head, to chemo, to radiation, to remission....THANK YOU for helping me through it! My hair is beginning to grow back, but I will always wear the super cute hats/scarves I received at my "hat party". Thank you...thank you...thank you!

Now my mom has to take on my school because they do not want to allow me to wear my hats at school because "dress code" says that only school hats are allowed. My social worker at Children's Hospital put us in touch with a disabilities attorney who can't believe that the school won't make an exception. I will keep you posted on it all.

I also want to thank God for helping me through this also because I relied on Him through it all.

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

-Carlene

AV Fair Tickets

For those of you who live near by and attend the Antelope Valley Fair, I have discount fair admission tickets and 1/2 price carnival cards for sale. I am selling them as a fundraiser for the Grange Fair Team I am part of. We use this fundraiser to help pay for the supplies we need for the fair like shavings, grooming supplies, etc. This year my sisters and I are raising beef, sheep, swine, goats, and turkeys for the fair. We currently have over 40 animals on our farm, 19 of them we will be taking to the fair!!!

Admission tickets are $5 (save $3)
Carnival cards are 10 rides for $10 (save $10) - the carnival cards are only good Mon-Fri

Fair dates: Aug 20th -30th

Email me for more information:

orangekrazeecowgirl@hotmail.com

PETScan & Doctor Appt.

My next PET scan will be this Wed July 22 and my follow up with the doctor is Monday July 27th. He seems to think we will have results by then, but we have never had them that quickly so I doubt it. I will keep you posted on if I am in remission as soon as I know!

JONAS BROTHERS!!!!!!!!

So on Friday the 3rd a limo came to my front door to pick us up. It was amazing and full of soda and a DVD player, but we didn't know to bring any DVDs. I sat next to Oli on the plane ride there. It was really pretty when we got into Utah. Our rental car was a Sequoia, or a really big SUV :) We went to The Melting Pot, a fondue restaurant, for dinner and it was delicious. Our hotel room was very cool because it had an ihome in it=) On the 4th we went to Provo's festival and walked around the park that was set up with vendors of all types. It was so big and so much fun. Then we went to our hotel and I took a nap to get ready for my big evening. When I woke up it was time to go to the concert. Our make a wish coordinator, Candace, met us at our hotel and then we drove to the Stadium, which was like a minute from the hotel. We rode into the stadium on golf carts and got badges to get us into the back. Our meet and greet coordinator was Stephanie and she introduced us to Kevin's fiancee Danielle. They gave us a goodie bag of basically everything you could buy at the merchandise stands. Everyone was very nice. As we were standing around waiting to go see the firework set up, the Jonas Brothers walked right past us and smiled and waved. It was sooo awesome. They were surrounded by a dozen body guards and one of them told us not to charge them. I guess we must have looked a little starstruck.

While we waited for the Jonas Brothers to finish with their meet n greet, we rode in golf carts up to the top of the stadium to see how the fireworks display is set up. There were soooo many and the fireworks people said I could push the button to start the whole show! After that, we went back down and waited for our chance to meet the Jonas Brothers. We kept hearing girls screaming so we would think they were coming back from another building, but there were a lot of false alarms until... THEY CAME. Stephanie walked over to them and motioned to us. I was sooo nervous!!!! We all shook hands and introduced ourselves and they were very nice and welcoming. Then I was able to ask them one question so I asked "What is your favorite song to perform?" Kevin said "World War Three", Joe said "Same, World War Three", and Nick said " Burnin' Up 'cuz every one sings along, what is yours?" I told them that my favorite was "A Little Bit Longer." Then I took some pics with them and Alyna, Oli, and Alicia stepped in too. They signed a photo album and a plaque for me. Then we all hugged and said our goodbyes. It was soo amazing! They were soooo friendly and easy to talk to.

After catching our breath, Stephanie showed us our seats. We were 19th row, floor right by the stage walkway! After She Daisy sang, I got to push the button to start the fabulous fireworks show and then the Jonas Brothers came out. Oli and Alicia were up at the stage the whole show but I couldn't find them in the crowd so I came back to my seat. I jumped and cheered and sang along the whole time. It was sooo awesome. I never wanted that night to end. After they finished singing there was the most spectacular fireworks show I have ever seen. I started sprinkling just as it started and it was awesome to see the rain and the fireworks at the same time! Because I was soo energetic on the 4th, the next day I did not feel well. I was weak and naucious. So we had to cancel the plans for the day and I watched movies in the room all day. On the 6th we flew home and I sat with Alicia. The limo picked us up at the airport and drove us home. The whole weekend was absolutely amazing and I'll never forget it!!!!! Thank you Make-A-Wish for making my dream come true!!!

Radiation #14 and Disneyland!!!

So Wednesday July 1st was my very last day of radiation. I got a certificate of completion from the staff. Everyone there was sooo nice. After my appontment we went to Disneyland with our friends, the Broskey's. I got a wheelchair again so everyone had a chance to push me :) We went on soo many rides and had a blast!!!! While we were on the buzz lightyear ride they rushed us out of the building and we have no idea why. We got back to the Ronald House at around 1:30AM. It was soo nice to come home the next day.

Sorry its been soo long since the last blog.

Radiation #10, #11, #12, and #13

These past few days of radiation have been really easy and fast appointments. My skin is beginning to become a little irritated and red so they gave me a lotion to put on it. My throat is also starting to get a little sore but its not that bad. Today we went to the beach with our cousins and it was sooo much fun. Tomorrow we are going to go to Disneyland again and I can't wait. This time I get to go with Olivia and the Broskey family our friends from Sacramento area. Tomorrow is also my last day of radiation so I'm very happy!!!! I go in for another PETScan in about 3 weeks and will hopefully be in remission!!!!!! This Friday I'm flyin' to Provo, Utah to see the Jonas Brothers, I can't wait!!!!!

Radiation #7, #8, & #9

This week radiation has been quick appointments like they are supposed to be. In and out in half an hour. This week we went to the fashion district in Los Angeles to try to find leather for a dress that I plan to make for Carlene. However, since she wants lime green it is going to turn into an internet search! Can you believe we found orange, but not lime green? Go figure...but, it would not be the same without the search...that's always the main part of any project with Carlene's colors=)

Last night John and Alyna went on a father/daughter date to the Griffith Observatory so Carlene and I could go to the Pantages theatre to see the Dirty Dancing play. We found out that 2 hours before the performance, they sell extra seats for $25 so we decided to try and get some of those seats and we got in! It was a well done show and we enjoyed some mother/daughter time away from everything! What an experience =) I particularly enjoyed driving 5 minutes back to our room instead of the usual 1 1/2 hours back home! That just topped off a great evening with a quick trip to my pillow =)

Radiation #6

6 down and 8 to go! Seems like we have been away from home forever...came home today and it sure feels great to be here. Only home for tonight though because we can't be away from the Ronald McDonald house for more than 24 hours or we lose our room. We would love to checkout for a weekend, but they are so booked we might not get a room for the next week so we don't dare. We are trying to make the best of our stay down there and have some fun, but we do miss being in the country with all of our animals! City traffic is getting to me!!!

Radiation #5

Today's appointment was also a quick 15 minutes. Then we headed to the Santa Monica Pier...mommy took John to work at 4:15 in the morning so we could have the car today! We spent a couple of hours at the beach and then went and saw the movie UP. We all loved it! Tonight we are going to watch So You Think You Can Dance and I am going to do more school work.

Radiation #4

Today we were in and out of my appointment in 15 minutes! Today is a quiet but fun day here at the Ronald McDonald. We cooked up some Chinese Pepper Steak for lunch then played X-Box in the game room. We also cooked up a batch of cookies and some apple crisp. Yesterday we went to Universal Studios and Alicia pushed me around in a wheel chair. It was a lot of fun! Tonight I plan on working on my US History summer work. Tomorrow we hope to go to the beach.