Third treatment done!

Painting by Linde Husk

Sorry it's been a while since we've written; just very busy!



I think Jamie is doing great--she was sick for a little bit last week, but bounced back really well.

Last weekend we had some family and friends come help us--we cleaned up the house, organized the shed, got some bookshelves and unpacked all our books. It was a hard, but fun and productive day.

This past Wednesday Jame had her third chemo treatment (of four, for the first part of chemo). She has been really tired--stayed in bed most of Thursday and Friday. Got up for a while this morning and ate a little; even did some laundry (thanks Honey!)

I can't imagine what it feels like. Jamie is a really strong person, it's obvious the chemo just saps her strength and energy. Hopefully the medicine is killing the cancer cells.

My parents got into town Thursday night; they're here for almost 2 weeks. Yesterday Ashley flew to VA for spring break; visiting friends and her father and family there.

We've been reading some kids books about dealing with cancer with the boys, they seem to be doing OK. They are thrilled to have their VA grandparents here.

I think overall we are doing well. Jamie had a great attitude--she just keeps living life.

Thanks to friends who have helped out with meals, and driving and sitting with Jamie when I have to be at work. We are blessed!

No more hair

It was a very up and down weekend. Saturday we had the Bingo Night/Fundraiser that Jamie's sister Linde and friend Beth organized. It was a fantastic night--lots of people, good food, great prizes. The energy was great; everyone had a fun time.

Jamie was feeling pretty worn out, but I think it was encouraging to see so many people there to love and support her.

It was a good weekend, but she was really tired and not feeling great.

On Sunday night she said she was losing a lot of hair and wanted Ashley and me to go ahead and cut it off.

Ashley and I worked together to get it done. Jamie was pretty upset, it was the first time I've seen her cry since we started this journey. It was probably good for her and Ashley to have a good cry together.

I think she looks absolutely beautiful. Her eyes are one of her best features, and they stand out even more now.

This morning she came out of our room with a scarf on her head. Cash climbed up on her lap, looked into her eyes and said, "Mommy, you look beautiful." It was precious!

Jamie has been incredibly strong through this--and we are now halfway done the first part of chemo. She will have two more treatments, then switch to a different drug and schedule.

Thank you to everyone for your support and encouragement!

Second Chemo Treatment

Jamie had her second treatment yesterday and did really well. She was pretty tired today; stayed in bed most of the day, but ate a little and seemed to be in a pretty good mood.

We picked up a wig she had ordered; it looks really cute.

We anticipate that she will start losing her hair pretty soon; but she has a good attitude about it. I'm hoping she let's me shave it once it starts coming out.

We are all doing pretty well. Ashley is busy playing on two soccer teams and managing the boys soccer team at school.

The boys started T-ball this week and had a blast.

We are excited about the Bingo Night Fundraiser Saturday night!

Thanks to everyone who is helping out!

One Week Till Bingo Fundraiser!

 

Pretty In Pink/Lucky in Green

Bingo Night Fundraiser for Cullop Family

Saturday, March 17th

6:30 PM

 St. Patrick's Day!

Big Lake Elementary School

16802 Lake View Blvd.

Mt. Vernon, WA 98274

All donations will go directly to the Cullop family, to support them through Jamie’s fight against Breast Cancer.

The night’s festivities will include Bingo and raffles for fantastic donated prizes including:

• A Logos Bible Study Library (retails for $265)
• Amazing artwork by some great local artists
• Mary Kay Gift Basket
• $40 Olive Garden gift card
• Gift card to the Catwalk Salon in Bellingham (good for one hair cut)
• 2 $25 gift cards to The Music Shoppe in Burlington
• A Seahawks Snuggie
• Woods Coffee Gift Cards
• And many more!

Come dressed in Pink for Breast Cancer awareness or

Green for Luck (for Jamie, her family, and even for you!)

For more details, contact Beth Vaith

360- 420-5628

evaith@swsd.k12.wa.us

RSVP on the Facebook Event Page

Good Week

I am amazed at my wife's strength. She felt pretty bad for the first two days after her treatment, but was doing better on the weekend.

I had hoped she could work some half days this past week. She went to work every day (including today--Saturday) and worked full days, except when she had to leave early for doctor appointments.

I think she's pretty tired, but she's doing great. Her white blood cell count was down this week, so the doc put her on antibiotics to get it up. We need it to come up for her to do her second chemo treatment Wednesday.

Thanks to those who have helped with food and rides for the kids.

We could use help with meals in the weeks ahead. The boys start T-ball Monday; so between them and Ashley we'll have sports and/or physical therapy 5-6 days a week.

Jamie has her second treatment this coming week, and I want her to be able to take it easy in the evenings--so meals would be greatly appreciated.

Please join us for the Bingo/Raffle Fundraiser next Saturday, March 17. I'll post a flyer in a separate post.

Thank you for all your prayers and support!

Hi all,
I just really want to take the time to thank you all for so much prayer and support.   It means a lot to have so many people out there cheering me on and praying on my behalf.  There was a time I was really questioning why I have to go through this, and though I'm still not excited about having to do everything it is going to take, I do know that our God is good, and He will bring me through to the other side in victory, glorifying Him and my hope is just that I can help others going through a cancer battle themselves.
I have to say, Marie De Haan's book, Cancer is a Funny Thing, has helped me a lot!  She really does bring a humerous side to the terrible disease!  I loved it, and it kept me giggling the entire way through!  It's a great read even if you are not battling, you will I'm sure some day know someone that is.
That is the hardest part of learning about my cancer.  The number of people that I have run in to that have battled or are battling currently is overwhelming.  What in the world are we doing to ourselves?    I really believe that the smarter we become as a society the more damage we do to our food systems and abilities to fight off disease.  I certainly don't have the answers, but the only explanation I can give for my own cancer is lack of nutrition (and I thought we ate well), hormone filled drugs and food, and/or environment.


Anyway enough of the gloom....I am not quite 100% yet, but compared to Wednesday evening, Thursday evening, and Friday, I feel much better yesterday and today.  I have an appetite again, not a big one, but I at least have a desire to eat.  I'm up all day (mostly reading, it's been nice to relax), and sleeping pretty good for the most part.

Until next time.......

Oh and by the way....Happy Birthday to the Best Mother-In-Law I could ever ask for!  I love you Helen! Wishing you the best Birthday yet!

New haircut

Jamie recently got her hair cut short; I love it!

Better appetite!

Jamie seems to be doing better today. She got up and was hungry--ate some cream of wheat and some fruit.

She got out of bed and did a couple things; she looks much better.

She is back in bed resting; still pretty weak I think; but I'm really glad she was able to eat.

Hopefully yesterday was the low point and she'll keep improving over the next few days.

Saturday morning update

It's been three days since Jamie's first chemo treatment. She breezed through the treatment Wednesday, but has been increasingly tired and nauseated since.

She stayed in bed most of Friday and wasn't able to eat much--food is not at all appealing to her right now.

We're trying different foods and drinks; hopefully she'll start feeling better in the next day or two.

I've come down with a cold, so I'm trying to stay away from Jamie and be careful.

If you're interested in some ways you can help, please check out Meal Train.

Thanks!

First Chemo Treatment

I think yesterday went well--Jamie had a great attitude all day. She had labs in the morning, then went into the "infusion room" for her treatment.

The IV was put into her port (a small receptor that was surgically implanted in her upper chest last week); then she was given fluids for hydration, then some pre-meds to fight nausea, then two different chemo drugs.

The whole process took about 3 hours--we talked, watched part of a movie (127--really good), ate lunch, visited with other patients, and looked at a wig/hat/scarf catalog.

Jamie's dad came by to visit and offer support.

The staff at the cancer center is wonderful--made a scary/uncertain experience much better.

Jamie was feeling pretty good during the process. She started feeling really tired and nauseous in the evening, but had ginger gum and some anti-nausea medicine to help.

Our friend Beth and her son Alex brought us a wonderful dinner. Unfortunately, Jamie wasn't feeling like eating (but the boys and I loved it. Cash ate more fish than I did!)

Jamie seemed to sleep OK--she's still sleeping as I write this. We'll try to get another update out soon.

Thank you for all the prayers and encouragement!