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)

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!