February 2019

1st Round Done…

Written on Thursday, February 21st @ 11:30am

The sun is out in Iowa. It is so bright it hurts your eyes but I wouldn’t change it for the world.

The last update I had told you how Crystal was excited that she would have dance and not another surgery but with this weather we have had, we really have not had dance. But I can tell you she has finished her 1st round of chemo.

How is Crystal doing? Well, she has had some rough days. She has been pretty nauseous but she is pushing though it. Her chemo is just like last time, 14 days on – 14 days off. So as of today, she has a break. She just needs a few more days and hopefully she will be feeling a little more like herself. We did meet with Dr. Wilbur at the Mercy Hall Perrine Cancer Center before she got started with chemo, it brought back memories of last time but Dr. Wilbur’s personality sure makes you smile.

Crystal tries her best to live life normal. She continues to workout, stay positive, and focus on upcoming events. She smiles through it all which makes everyone around her feel positive that she has this but somedays it is hard. Maybe you can say a little prayer for strength right now.

I can hear them laughing in this photo!

Since our last update we had a fundraiser for Crystal. Mr. B’s and my brother Casey, gave a night to Crystal. The money raised will be going to hotel expenses at our stays in Rochester. Here is a post that I had put on FB…

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. What a fun night. Let’s see, I smiled, I laughed, I cried that makes for a full night.

I tried my hardest to chat with you all but it just seemed like more people kept coming in and I could never get ahead. I am sorry for all the people that drove there and couldn’t get in. I tried to go outside to see some of you and just know I appreciate you trying. 

As for bartending…Extremely hard job. And I know that no one would ever hire me to do that job again but I loved that I knew most of you around the bar which made it easier. And by the way my daughters did not help behind the bar😂 On another note, people please appreciate your bartenders💜
As for the fundraiser, we are Thankful, so very Thankful💜 Originally we didn’t think Crystal would be able to attend but she didn’t have that surgery and chemo has not started so this was her second fundraiser that she could attend. And she said, “Mom, it’s so nice to see everyone. I can’t believe all the people”.

Valentine’s Gift from Dad & Mom…Another adventure coming soon!

I also got to witness a thankful huge smile on a couple of faces, their eyes said it all. Crystal and Gage received a beautiful thoughtful gift from her/our family doctor. I must say, it made me cry. Such a kind heart he has and a blessing to call him a dear friend. Thank you.

And of course, Valentine’s Day just happened. Gage sure loves to spoil his wife and I am so thankful that they have each other.

God has given my family many blessings but what is even more important is that he has helped me to see the blessings. I try so hard to focus on that everyday, which in return gives me Peace. It is not that this journey is easy for me, or for us. Somedays I want to cry and give up. Somedays I question God and the deck of cards he has handed me but that helps no one around me and it doesn’t make me feel better. So as they say, I try to be the person that I needed when I was younger.

A family photo before Amanda & Nathan say I do.