Life is always a journey... here is mine!

The LONG overdue post!

2010-10-26T19:49:00.000-06:00

Hey everyone. It was not until the other day where I realized how long it really has been since I posted something on here. Im not even sure how many people really read my blog still. Anyways, I thought I would update everyone on what had been going on lately.

Today I got my 12 staples out of my stomach! On October 18th, I had yet another surgery! Yes, I know... it must be a hobby of mine. That makes 4 stomach surgeries in about a year. This time it was for an umbilical hernia. It was due to having so many surgeries, opening up the same scar each time. It was kind of a weird but good way I found out about it. I ended up going to the ER for lung pain, breathing problems, back pain, etc. I was discharged with unknown causes to the pain and was told nothing was wrong with me. It was not until a week later when I saw my regular doc when she went over the CT results and told me I had kidney stones along with a hernia. She was irritated that they week before she called the ER and had me go there and to only be discharged with no answers to the problems.

Along with all of those issues, I have gained about 30 pounds in 5 weeks. I was tested for Cushings disease and that turned out to be negative. However, seeing an Endrocinologist yesterday, he wants to do some more testing on that. So, I will be doing those tests this next week. I also have to see a Pulmanologist this week to go over the nodule I have on my lung. Its about 4mm and is on the left side. I also have to see that doc due to my many lung issues along with possibly having sleep apnea. :) Wonderful eh? Next week I also have doc apt with a GI Specialist along with a Colonoscopy. Just want I have always wanted!!!! :)

I have noticed that anytime I go to the doc, all of mine end in -ist... meaning that its $50 just for me to show up! Crazy huh?! I sure do hate it. I can never go to the doc with a minor cold or the flu. It always is something not usual. haha

Ok enough of the stupid health issues. Since I last posted I have also started working at Clear for a part-time job. I wanted to get something I could use the extra money to pay off my student loans. I have not been able to work there much lately due to being sick but hopefully that will start to pick up again. I was able to travel to Grand Canyon and Victoria, Canada for work. That was so cool to be able to get out and be able to travel again. I also was able to fly in a helicopter for my first ride ever and having it be over the Grand Canyon made it even cooler. :) I posted pictures on Facebook and will on here too. In August my roommate Emily got married and I was able to be apart of the wedding along with being the Photographer. It was so much fun! As for anything else happening, nothing too important has happen. I pretty much work and go see doctors! :) I LOVE MY LIFE.

I want everyone to know how thankful I am for the love and support I continue to have! I would never change what has happen to me. Granted the health problems have sure sucked over the last year but I have learned so much about myself!!! I have been able to prioritize my life to a way that will benefit me in the long run. Life is all about what you make of it. :) I will post some more pics on here soon.

Surgery #3

2010-05-14T16:42:00.002-06:00

Since my surgery was March 31st I figured I would just add it to the happenings in April.

On March 31st I hope to have had my final surgery throughout this cancer process I have gone through at the wonderful IMC in Murray, UT. I had a 3 third abdominal surgery... this time for a full hysterectomy. This surgery was a little more complicated given that I still have the blood clot in my brain. I had to stop my blood thinners a week before the surgery in order for my blood to be thick enough. I didn't have too much of a problem, I just a minor headaches.

Im happy to say the surgery was a success!!! I had no major issues with the blood clot. I ended up feeling more pain this time due to me not having an epidural. It was a better choice just because I didnt have to transition over to pain meds once the epidural was removed. The pain sure was intense at times.

One thing I remember clear as day was my recovery nurse!!! She was awful! I remember trying to wake up from surgery and her telling me to stop crying. She said if I didnt she would punish me and take away my pain pump... and she did!!! She wouldnt let my mom come be by my side and made me feel like an idiot for being in pain. I heard her call the nurse I was going to have once I got to my room and tell her I was acting like a teenager and so on!!! When she got off the phone I asked who the nurse was and it was MY FRIEND KAYLEE!!! All I could say was, "Oh thats cute" because I knew once I got to my room I was going to talk to Kaylee about her. When I got to my room and saw my mom, the first words out of my mouth were, "My recovery nurse was a B****!!!" I was in tears and it was mostly because I was in pain but also because of that awful nurse. I was so glad to see Kaylee when she came into my room and I asked her about that nurse and what she said. Kaylee could not even believe what the other nurse told her and all she could think about is how that woman had no idea who I was, what I had been through, or that Kaylee and I were friends. (Pics are with Kaylee)

ANYWAYS.. on to better things!!! I really had the best nurses and treatment again! The first couple of days were rough and I dont remember too much. My mom said they would ask how my pain was and I would tell them Im in pain with the biggest smile. hahaha That was probably because I hate having people see me in pain! :) The one thing I hate about being in hospitals is its always so hard to sleep. No matter what I just could not get a good nights sleep. But come think of it, I never sleep well even weeks after surgery... so maybe its not the hospital.

Here are some pics of my stay!

This is what I had to eat on just 1 day!!! :) So much better then the week I had to do before.

Kristee, Jill, and Melissa came to visit me. :)

My mom and my grandma went on walks with me.

Kaylee brought me these cookies. They were fantastic.

Yay for Grandma Loa!!

Ali Thorderson!! :)

I was finally feeling a little better.

IM OUTTA HERE!!!

I got to leave April 3rd, 2010!!!!!

Flowers from the Palick's!!!

Flowers from Ali!

A foot relexology thing Tina showed me to help with my insides. :)

To end my surgery week off... STUPID SNOW!!!!

March 2010

2010-05-14T15:42:00.001-06:00

2 dozen daisies and 1 rose from my Mom!!!

March 2010

March was a good month!!! I started to hang out with my friends more and get out of the house. I also met with a new doctor, Dr. Karen Zempolich. She actually listened to me and decided it was best I do the full abdominal hysterectomy. Even though that is a hard decision, it was also the easiest decision for me. I felt so good about the decision and knew that it was what I needed in order to go on with my life and be healthy. The surgery date was set for March 31st!!!

However before surgery, I just wanted to have fun. Not to mention is was MY BIRTHDAY TOO!!!!!

Here are some pictures...

Whitney and I at a party after the WSU Women's final home game! :)

Sarah Conor, Megan Patterson, and I after their game.

Its amazing to see how fast my hair has grown in just 1 month!!!

I went down to Monroe, UT to visit Jen and while I was there I visited my great-grandparents grave. Its amazing to drive around Monroe and know that my family settled a lot of that town.

Zoey will soon be quite the photographer since she loves to take my camera!

I went to the Jazz game with my uncle!!! It is my favorite thing to do with him! :) (I LOVE RAY ALLEN!!)

Pretty much the Jazz Bear got us!!!

This was the start of my 25th birthday morning!!! :)

THANKS MELISSA AND JILL!!!!

Grandma and Uncle Gary took me to El Matador in Ogden and then we came back for my favorite cake.

German Chocolate Cake from Parsons Bakery in Bountiful, Utah!

Emily's parents wanted to take me to Wendover, NV for my birthday!!! So Emily, Richard and I went and had a great couple hours. The best was this old lady that sat right next to Richard and one spin on the slot and she won about $20! Richard... nothing! :)

I was not a winner! :(

Whitney and I also went out for my birthday a few days later!!! Iggy's is SO YUMMY!!!

Notice the hair growth!!! :)

Here is a cool random picture from my balcony

February 2010

2010-05-14T13:39:00.004-06:00

February 2010

My mom and brother came out to visit for some Music auditions for Ryan. :) Well my mom was here we went to the place I got Chemo to thank the nurses who helped me. We brought them a loaf of Great Harvest Bread and reflected on my time spent there.

I brought some of my scarfs and hats I was giving that I didn't need anymore. I felt that another cancer patient could use them.

My sweet brother Ryan text in at a Jazz game and won an autographed Korver jersey. I was giving him a hard time that he should give it to me and the whole time he was planning no it!!! :) He is the best ever, I LOVE HIM!

My mom and grandma stopped by my office to visit me before my mom went back to WI!!! I love having my family come visit!

Three generations going strong BABY!!!

February was also the month I decided to get a little more brave and venture outside of the house. :) I was sick of always being invited to go out with my friends and always having to say no because I didn't feel good. So, I buckled down on a couple of occasions and WENT OUT!

I realized I didn't really have a good picture of my steps like I thought I did!!! DUMB! So this one will have to do!

January 2010

2010-05-14T12:48:00.003-06:00

Fantastic Brazilian Lemonade! :)

January 2010

Time for a new year and a new start!!! In January it was 5 months since my how battle began! I started to have more increased pain in my abdomen but didn't really think much of it. I went to see Dr. Jolles who did my second surgery about the pain and for a check up. I mentioned to him what would be the possibility of just having a full hysterectomy to avoid having more issues and to get rid of the pain. He suggested against it since he wanted me to have the ability to have children. I went in for an ultrasound and it showed something on my left side again where my left ovary use to be and then my right ovary was the size of a grapefruit. Either there was another tumor inside or there was a bled into the ovary due to my blood thinners. Who knows! I didn't feel comfortable about what I was being told so I felt that I needed to keep searching for answers.

The best part of January was Bobbie Boeing and Trevor Siegman coming out to Utah to visit! :) We met up, including Tricia Koch, in SLC and went to The Pie. It was so fun to be around friends I grew up with and just talk about old times. I knew that I could be myself around them and they would not look at me as some sick cancer patient! :)

The next day I drove to Park City to meet the WI crew and hang out with the day. We went to the Outlets and just had a blast!!! Afterwords we went back to SLC to go to Tucanos!!! :) That food there is so good!!!! After dinner... why not drive down to Provo and hang out?! We ended up going over to Devin and Lori Abe's house and played the Wii!!! It seriously was the best weekend ever and was exactly what I needed!!!!

Trevor and the "homeless" that got him!

All of us around the cozy fire at The Gateway

Bobbie and I! :)

All of our shoe purchases in Park City

I LOVE WISCONSIN!!!

Here is a random family photo via iChat! :)

Christmas 2009

2010-05-12T15:53:00.002-06:00

Christmas 2009

I would have never of imagined myself bald on Christmas! Sure enough though, I WAS!!! It didn't change anything though. My head a little colder then normal but I was surrounded by family and I could not have asked for more.

Tina and Peter joined us via iChat!!! Best thing ever invented!!!

MELISSA!!!

RYAN!!!

Helping Dad put the new TV in! :)

More pictures of Christmas Time...

My Gram Cracker House!!! No one else made one! :)

My Moms cool little village in the piano room!

My back yard!

My attempt at helping my dad shovel the driveway! :)

Time to catch up!!! (December 2009)

2010-05-12T15:31:00.001-06:00

I'M BACK!!!

So I have been saying for a while that one day I will finally catch up on my blog... well that one day is TODAY... 4 months later! I wish I could say I have been crazy busy and had no time but in reality I have had a lot of time... just not energy really to write about everything that has happen in the last 4 months. So now its time to go back through my calendar and pictures and tell my story! :)

December 2009

I already wrote a little bit about what happen up until the 20th of December 2009 but I thought I would finish up the year. Since my last Chemo was December 14th it was only a matter of time until I felt the affects from that and it was only a matter of days. I ended up having the worst bone and muscle aches. On the worst night my mom had to sit next to me and hold my hand as she watch my body pretty much seizure in pain. I could do nothing but cry... it was the most intense pain I have ever felt yet I was still able to overcome it and move on!!!!

I was able to meet up with my Best Friend Katie Boschi Clayton and catch up on old times. It was so great to see her and talk with each other about the wonderful past times. We talked a lot about government stuff and work benefits which I never thought we would but I LOVED IT. We went to Applebees and I miss her tons!

Its so hard to imagine myself now without hair back then. :)

WISCONSIN DELLS

On Christmas Eve my mom, dad, Ryan, Melissa and I went to WISCONSIN DELLS!!!! I totally love this place. This time it was harder for me to enjoy it since I was bald and had to get into a swim suit. We stayed at The Wilderness for one night. We were thinking we might have to stay another since we were hit with quite the blizzard that night. I wanted to see if I could make it down a waterside and I was only able to go down once! It was SO hard for me to walk up the stairs. I literally had NO energy and that was for sure something I was not use to since I LOVE WATERSLIDES! Everyone should experience The Dells atleast once before they die!!!

After The Dells we picked up the new family dog, RUSTY!!! He was suppose to be a mini dachshund however I do not think mini was the right classification! He is so cute and way different from Abby!

This is where we picked Rusty up!

The post I forgot... MY LAST CHEMO!!!

2009-12-20T10:03:00.000-07:00

LAST CHEMO!!!

How could I possibly forget to write about my last chemo treatment?! Oh I don't know... maybe because I was too distracted with coming home or maybe the fact that I PASSED my two classes for this semester even though I was not able to go to class pretty much at all. I had the BEST professors ever and they worked with me in any way they could. It was a HUGE blessing. Anyways... my last chemo!

This is my "chemo" blanket Holly Hirst and Tina made for me. :)

My grandma took me to my appointment and Rosey met up with me after her dentist appointment. It was so great to have her there and just sit with me while I got my last doses of poison. :) She has been the bestest friend ever have while going through this and Im thankful for her everyday. She sat with me at the hospital while at the IMC and then through chemo. What a trooper!!!

However I don't want to take away from everything my roommate Emily and Richard have done and all of my family! :)

So pretty much we just sat there and talked and she gave me these fantastic boots for Christmas. I was a slacker and didnt prepare good enough to have something for her. :( I have my ideas though!!! I dont have a picture of the boots yet because I want to be able to wear them, Im so excited!!!

When chemo was done, the nurses brought over a bottle of sparkling juice stuff with a candle in it and sang to me... Happy last Chemo day! :) Woohooo!!!! After all of the celebration, Rosey, grandma and I went to MacCools. Its one of my favorite places to eat in Layton... mostly because its Irish. It was OH SO YUMMY!!!!!!!

Home sweet home!!!

2009-12-19T12:37:00.001-07:00

MUKWONAGO, WISCONSIN

Well I do not really have much to do right now so I thought it would be a good time to update my blog! :) Sorry i am just not so good updating it often but Ill get better.

Flying into Vegas!

So I flew home to Wisconsin Tuesday, December 15th. :) The ride was not too bad... some bumps here and there. However, I hate turbulence due to my bad flying experience 2 years ago to Chicago when my plane took a dive at the runway. :) Not good!!! But it was 5 degrees not including windchill when Melissa and I landed. Needless to say, it was DANG cold!

"You know when you you are in Wisconsin when you have to come to a dead stop on the freeway due to 3 deer running in front of the car. hahahahaha"

On Wednesday I made the lovely trip to the hospital Medical Oncology at Waukesha Memorial with my mom! :) Even when Im not in Utah Im still at the doctor. But I saw a doctor there just incase something were to happen while Im home. Its always better to be prepared and have people know whats going on when most times I don't even know whats going on!!!! :)

While there I was told my INR level was at a 3.2 which is good, thats high but it is sure better than 1.0 and my brain feeling like its going to burst through my skull. The doctors and nurses there were so nice and really caring about my situation and of course I heard...

"Wow. 24?! You are so young to have had Ovarian Cancer. And everything you have been through, its a miracle."

Yup, thats me. A miracle. :) I am so thankful everyday that I have another day to live and be with my family and friends.

Thursday I went with my dad to his painting shop and took some pictures for the website Im going to build for him. :) I got see Marty and Corey!!!! They are so great and I especially miss working with Marty. It was cool to see the shop is still busy and there are things to do. Man I miss the good ole days of going to work with my dad and just doing hard work. Yes, I said it, I miss the hard work! After the day was over though... I was beat!!!! I came home and slept for maybe 2 hours. Im so not a nap person but I just sit down and fall asleep, IM OLD!!!

The best part of Thursday was CULVERS.... AGAIN!!!! It was my third time going there since I have been home. Culvers will never get old. :) Anyone who has never been to Culvers, check out the site, you will totally want to go there. BEST BUTTER BURGERS EVER!!!

Friday mom and I went to the Bowers to watch Joshua for a little bit however he pretty much slept the whole time. Once he woke up I think he was a little startled by us being there so we just left and headed for the hospital for me to get some fluids. I have learned to listen to my body and break down to say I need something. Its something Im not use to but its for sure something I need to accept. haha

My levels were checked again and my INR level was up to a 4.4 which is now really high! :) My blood does not know what it wants to do. So I was told to hold on taking my Coumadin a night and continue starting today. I also got a bag of fluids but it was switched to Potassium since my levels were really low. Since that burns going in sometimes it took about 2 hours and my hand was pretty sore after. However I was all sorts of hydrated!!!! Im not about to go back to the hospital and have problems due to my blood clot.

My new ride!!!!

Friday night it was just dad and I!!! We went to Walmart and I rode around in the auto cart thing and had a blast. My bones get so achey that it just hurts to move so to not walk around is wonderful. We got a Papa Murphys Pizza and the movie Julie & Julia. I convinced dad that it would be a good movie and of course, I was right!

We ate pizza, made my favorite Thumbprint cookies, hung out with Melissa and the Bowers kids, and I attempted to watch the movie however I passed out. Its a good thing I finished the cookies though, that could have been bad! I love Friday nights that are just low key especially with family... Its so fun to hang out with my dad and just be with him.

What has happen. :)

2009-12-08T22:24:00.000-07:00

Since I am not very good at keeping up with my post I seem to always play catch up!!! Sorry!!! But since my last post nothing too exciting has happen. I have been to many doctor appointments! But I will give some random updates...

My INR level right now is back down to a 1.0. Now for the normal person that is the normal level rate at which your blood is suppose to clot. Never in my life have I heard that Im not suppose to be at the normal level but I am suppose to be at a 2.0 - 3.0. So right now my blood is too thick and is having a hard time draining from my brain... What does that mean... that means I have killer headaches ALL DAY LONG!!!! :) I spent most my day in the ER yesterday getting head scans, blood draws, and fluids due to my calves aching and my headache only getting worse. What did the doctors say?! Take medicine and hope that the headaches will go away. :)

I did go to the Christmas Devotional with my sisters, Peter and Kaylee and it was fantastic. It was great to see Kaylee, who was my nurse for my second surgery, not in the hospital and in a normal environment. :) She really is such a cool person and has this wonderful spirit about her that is so fun to be around. It was also great to be with my sisters and Peter... not in the hospital or in my apartment with me not feeling good. I love being able to get out of the house and enjoy life! My family and friends are the BEST ever and I could not ask for better support.

I was able to change my flight home to a week earlier and Southwest actually credited my dad $55!!! I have never heard of an airline doing that!!! I go home December 15th now and come back to Utah January 2nd. I really cant wait to be home and spend some time relaxing and getting better so I can return to work on January 5th!!!

Since I have not been able to work I have kind of felt like I have been going crazy! I love working and being able to wake up and go to my office and work an 8 hour day. I have not been to work since November 6th and really am SO EXCITED to go back to work and feel normal again. Right now it is still very hard to think and concentrate on basic daily things. Im hoping that will change once my chemo is finished and my blood slot starts to dissolve.

Here are some other photos I have taken throughout the week...

Kris Allen's new song!!!

2009-11-28T22:56:00.003-07:00

I fell in love with Kris Allen when he was on American Idol. He was my favorite from the start and then he won American Idol. His new song has so much meaning behind it and LOVE listening to it. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do!

VH1 TV Shows

Music Videos
Celebrity Photos
News & Gossip

Sometimes we fall down and can't get back up
we're hiding behind skin that's too tough
how come we don't say I love you enough
till it's to late, it's not too late

Our hearts are hungry for a food that won't come
we could make a feast from these crumbs
and we're all staring down the barrel of a gun
so if your life flashed before you
what would you wish you would've done

Yeah... gotta start
lookin at the hand of the time we've been given here
this is all we got and we gotta start pickin it
every second counts on a clock that's tickin'
gotta live like we're dying

We only got
86 400 seconds in a day to
turn it all around or throw it all away
we gotta tell 'em that we love 'em
while we got the chance to say
gotta live like we're dying

And if your plane fell out of the skies
who would you call with your last goodbyes
should be so careful who we live out our lives
so when we long for absolution
there'll no one on the line

Yeah... gotta start
lookin at the hand of the time we've been given here
this is all we got and we gotta start pickin it
every second counts on a clock that's tickin'
gotta live like we're dying

We only got
86 400 seconds in a day to
turn it all around or throw it all away
we gotta tell 'em that we love 'em
while we got the chance to say
gotta live like we're dying

Like we're dying oh-- like we're dying [x2]

We only got
86 400 seconds in a day to
turn it all around or throw it all away
we gotta tell 'em that we love 'em
while we got the chance to say
gotta live -- like we're dying

We never know a good thing till it's gone
you never see a crash until it's head on
all those people right when we're dead wrong
you never know a good thing till it's gone

Yeah... gotta start
lookin at the hand of the time we've been given here
this is all we got and we gotta start livin it
every second counts on a clock that's tickin'
gotta live like we're dying

We only got
86 400 seconds in a day to
turn it all around or throw it all away
we gotta tell 'em that we love 'em
while we got the chance to say
gotta live like we're dying

Like we're dying oh -- like we're dying [x2]

We only got
86 400 seconds in a day to
turn it all around or throw it all away
we gotta tell 'em that we love 'em
while we got the chance to say
gotta live like we're dying
live like we're dying
[Fade out]

The newest edition to the Mortimer-Palick Family!!!

2009-11-28T22:49:00.000-07:00

DAISY!!!

No it is not a child.... but A WIENER DOG!!!! Peter and Tina got the cutest Wiener dog EVER!!!! After much thought Tina decided to name her Daisy which is only suiting considering Tina's favorite flower is a gerber daisy. :) After much time spent together, Daisy and I are the best of friends... she told me I'm her favorite. Since I am not allowed to have dogs at my apartment I will be doing a lot of babysitting of Daisy and I can't wait. THIS IS GOING TO BE SO MUCH FUN!!!!! Can you tell I'm excited?!

Lights at Temple Square!!!

2009-11-28T22:35:00.000-07:00

Friday, November 27, 2009 after all the festivities in Provo... Ryan, Kassidy, Tina, Peter, Dad, and I all met up Temple Square to see the lights be turned out. Honestly, nothing is prettier and more peaceful then to walk around temple square and look at the lights. :) Melissa and Mom were not able to make it due to Melissa having knee surgery. Here just some of the pictures I took... I cant let everyone see the "goods!" hahahaha

Black Friday!!!

2009-11-28T21:52:00.001-07:00

Mom and I got up at 4am and went to breakfast then Best Buy!!! We got in line about 4:45am and we were in the store getting our deals by 5:15am. Surprisingly enough... we were out of the store by 5:45am!!!! I cant say what we all got since some of the stuff was Christmas presents and I cant have people reading what Santa got them. :)

From there grandma, Ryan and I made the journey down to Provo we I took pictures of the Petersen family. They are on my moms side... my grandmas sisters family. It was so much fun to just get out and take pictures although it was exhausting. I loved how all the pictures turned out and cant wait to give them all the CD of the pics. :) Here are some of the pics I took which are not fully edited.

The Family

The Siblings

Marianne who is my moms cousins also had a mini baby shower while we were there. She named her daughter Katherine Marie... HOW CUTE!!!! :) Another highlight... Dad and Peter hiked some unmarked area above Aunt Julias. hahaha

Katherine Marie and Catherine April... the bald ones! :)

Can you see them?!?!

Thanksgiving Week...end...

2009-11-28T20:53:00.001-07:00

What a great week... weekend its been... well minus the stupid Chemo side effects. :) November 25, 2009 I went to see my GREAT chemo doc, Dr. Anna Beck. Since my blood clot she has been very cautious about how my recovery goes. I went in for fluids to make sure I do not get dehydrated again. The nurse Tina also accidentally tested my INR level and it was at a 5.2. INR is the level at which my blood clots and 5.2 is deadly high. So I was advised not to take my blood thinner for 3 days to make my level go down. Hopefully it works. :)

Waiting some more for IV fluids. :)

The Chemo room at the SLC Cancer place.

Wow do we look a lot a like with a bald head.

After a rough day of Chemo side effects.

Bawling our eyes out after I gave Tina a "Caring Angel" Willow Tree.

Thanksgiving was great!!!! I could not taste most my food but it was so fun to be around family! :) Especially the Packers winning was a highlight!!! Tina and I played a game called Hit the Deck, I was not up to playing much but it was still fun!

Tina and Peter!!!

My cute parents!!!!

My mom and Uncle Gary!!!

GO PACKERS!!!!

This is for Linda who works at Energy Solutions Arena. She got me this special shirt!!!

A song that has definitely helped me through my days!!!

2009-11-24T08:38:00.000-07:00

Laura Izibor

Wake up one morning you realize
Your life is one big compromise (compromise)
Stuck in the job you swore was only temporary (was only temporary)

Feel like the world is passing you by (do do do do do)
Never done all the things you would need to try
Stuck in one place, got a pain in your face from all your stressin’ out (all your stressin’ out )x2

You ask yourself there’s got to be more than what I’m living for (what I’m living for) x2
You ask yourself there’s got to be something else, something more, more, more

Well let the sun shine on your face
And don’t let your life go to waste
Now is the time, got to make up your mind
Let it shine on you, let it shine on you

Feel like there’s nothing nowhere to go
You try and fight but you can’t let go
Roll the pain, got so much to gain
Now is the time

You ask yourself there’s got to be something else, something more, more, more

Well let the sun shine on your face
And don’t let your life go to waste
Now is the time, got to make up your mind
Let it shine on you, let it shine on you

You ask yourself there’s got to be more than what I’m living for (what I’m living for) x2
You ask yourself there’s got to be something else, something more, more, more

Well let the sun shine on your face
And don’t let your life go to waste
Now is the time, got to make up your mind
Let it shine on you, let it shine on you

Well let the sun shine on your face
And don’t let your life go to waste
Now is the time, got to make up your mind
Let it shine on you, let it shine on you

Well let the sun shine on your face
And don’t let your life go to waste
Now is the time, got to make up your mind
Let it shine on you, let it shine on you

Second Chemo Treatment

2009-11-24T08:08:00.000-07:00

Monday, November 23, 2009 was my second dose of Chemo. I had my same seat and my parents were both able to be there for me. My appointment was at 10am and we left at 2pm. Pretty good timing considering the last one was about 6 hours due to the allergic reaction. This time I was pumped full of Benadryl which saved me from the reaction I had earlier. 4 hours seemed to go pretty fast. I was in and out of sleep and I was thankful that most of the people who walked in did not look too sick. :) However I was the only one with a shaved head!!! :)

The beanie hides my no hair! :)

Hooked up with NO HAIR!!!

My fantastic dad who has been here in Utah now for three weeks!!!

My fantastic Mom who has and would do anything for me!!!

My wonderful nurse Nurse!!! She is the best!!!

My Weekend of pictures.

2009-11-24T02:17:00.003-07:00

I was finally feeling good enough to get out of the house here and there and take some pictures. Being out of the house for just a short amount of time was a life saver to me. :) So here are some of the pictures I took!!!

Weber State Women's Basketball WIN 78-41 over SUU!!!

WSU Women's Volleyball loose 3-1 vs. Montana

WSU Hockey looses 10-2 vs. EWU!

WSU Football WINS 41-14 vs. Cal Poly!

After the great weekend of pictures taking I decided to take a break. It was something we all needed. So my mom and I went to the great Jazz game!!!! We totally won in Overtime!!!

The hair is gone!!!

2009-11-24T01:15:00.002-07:00

After I got out of the hospital my hair started to fall out like crazy. I originally had a hair appointment to get my head shaved when my mom flew out but I couldn't wait that long. I decided Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 was the day my good friend and old roommate Jill would shave my head. :) I didn't really know what to think or how I would react but it was not bad at all!!! Below are pictures to show the process.

Before the hair came off!!!

The final product!!!

The catch up everyone has been asking for!

2009-11-24T01:03:00.001-07:00

Tina... MY LIFE SAVER!!!! :)

My wonderful family who came to visit me often!!! :)

Well it has been a crazy two weeks in the life of Catherine Mortimer. :) Whats new huh?! Since November 6th was my last post it only seems fitting that I start out with the happenings of the night of the 6th and the wonderful day of Saturday, November 7th, 2009!

The night of November 6th I went to Walmart with Emily and Richard. I drove but could hardly see on the way there. When we go into Walmart I had to ride the little cart thing around because my head hurt too bad to walk. What an interesting experience that was!!! Then we got home and they went to a movie to which I actually declined to go to. I NEVER do that but I was seriously not feeling good. After that, I really do not remember what happen. I do not remember talking to my sister Tina and my mom that night. I went to bed early hoping that would make my head feel better.

The morning of November 7th I woke up with a pounding headache. Now remember... I do not really remember much but Im going of off what I have been told. My mom said I talked to her that morning and told her I felt like I had crickets attacking my head. I told her I was getting in the shower to see if that would make me feel better and I guess I also told Emily and Richard... Im sure they all thought I was weird!

So... I get in the shower and I remember thinking to myself, I think Im going to pass out. I passed out the first time and while I was trying to stand up Tina opened my bathroom door to tell me she was there. Then she asked what I was doing and I didn't know what to say to her. I was so confused as to why she was in my bathroom. She said I didn't look like myself and she went to Emily and asked if she knew I passed out. HAHA Tina is SO funny. From there, Tina and Emily had to help me out of the shower and get some clothes on take me to the ER. Walking out of the door, all I could say was make sure you grab my camera, yeah Im weird, I know!!! I really have no memory of all this...

I get to the ER and Tina said I was put right back into a room and from there they did all these tests. I had an MRI and CT scan of my brain which revealed I had a blood clot in my brain that was about 9 inches long that went through my transverse, sigmoid and jugular vein. I was told that my grandma, uncle, Tina, Peter, Melissa, Emily, Richard, Bishop Henry, and Ben Barazza were all there... too bad I don't remember ANY of this!!! I also had my first Ambulance ride and Peter rode with me. I guess I talked to Nate in the ambulance and he told me to have them turn on the lights and sirens. Man, I wish I could remember this. HAHAHA

I was taken to the Neuro ICU at the IMC in Murray, Utah. When I got there I do remember being bombared with questions from the Neuro doctor. All I could say to him was, "I don't know!" He then went and asked who found me and Tina explained to him she did and all he said to her was, "Well it's a good thing you did because she would have died 30 minutes later!" Poor Tina... first she saw me take my second fall, takes me to the ER, and then has a doctor say that to her... what a trooper and a LIFE SAVER!!!

Side note: I have the BEST family ever!!!! Tina, Melissa, and Peter stayed at the ICU until about 12:30 am with me!!! Then, my dad flew out on Sunday to be with me. Since my mom works a pretty set schedule now she had to stay home which gave my dad the opportunity to be with me again! :) I LOVE IT!!!

Man do I look wonderful in the ICU!

Can I just say... the ICU is NOT my favorite place. I was the most alert patient there and I felt like I was a bother since I had to be help to the bathroom anytime I needed to go. I was hooked up to so much stuff that my dad called The Tree of Life! HAHAHA My IV that was put in my right arm just kept giving me problems so a nurse tried to put an IV in my left arm and it felt like it was on FIRE!!! Then of course I had the slowest nurse EVER trying to fix it. I was seriously about ready to rip the IV out myself because it hurt SO bad. Oh man... then the bathroom... I just had a curtain! HAHAHA A curtain?! How embarrassing!!!! :)

On Sunday, November 8th, 2009 Emily and Richard came to the hospital in the morning to be with me. It was GREAT!!! They kept me company along with all the craziness of doctors, nurses, tests, etc. Rosey and Jake also stopped by when church got over. It was so great to see her and meet Jake. However, not the best look to meet someone in a hospital gown. HAHAHA Anyways, It was just great to have people there to be with me until my dad got to the hospital. When I got done with an Xray on my back Emily and Richard left and my Grandma, Uncle and dad got to the hospital. It was so GOOD to see them all!!!! :)

Monday, November 9th, 2009 I had the coolest nurse. Her name was Brooke and she was from Ohio so we bonded instantly. She was just so nice and caring and easy to get along with. :) She gave me the great news that I was getting moved out of the ICU and to the 7th Floor!!! Room 724... In the ICU I was 424 and for my second surgery I was in room 1124... Interesting huh?! BUT, FINALLY!!!! I was so excited to be in a normal with a door on my bathroom and a private shower. It was great to be moved and then Rosey came to the hospital. It was SO fun to have her and my dad there with me. She stayed from about 3pm to almost 9pm. It was so fun to just hang out with her and laugh. I love that my dad and her get along so good and we can just all have fun together.

The only injury I sustained from falling in my shower, a bruised foot!

Some NASTY juice I had to drink for a contrast test on my abdomen.

The Keith's, Abe's, and Rosey came to visit me. (I think we broke the limit of 2 visitors)

Flowers from Devin and Lori!!! :)

My beautiful pictures from Shooter and Alaina!!! :)

I look WONDERFUL, NOT!!! Tessa, Brent and Tina came to visit me too!!!

Heidi Smith TOTALLY surprised me and came to visit me as well. We had a great LONG visit, I LOVED IT!!!

After my Spinal Tap I was not allowed to move for 4 hours!!! This is how I drink my smoothie! :)

Thursday, November 12th, 2009 I was moved from the 7th floor to the 9th floor. :) Room 925... just one room over from my usual view. I was kind of thrown off from the normal view I was use to but it was great to have a different look. :) This was the Medical Oncology floor. I was told I might be moved back to the ICU and all I did was hope and pray I would not be moved back to that place!!!!!!!! I was hoping to go home on Friday but my dad said I would not be moved to another floor if I were going home the next day... Dang it!!!

Addy came to visit me as well!!! It was GREAT to catch up with her!!! :)

My new look with a backwards hat. HAHA

Emily, Richard (with his gloves), and Michelle came for a visit full of laughter. :)

On of the best things ever was being able to iChat with my mom and brother almost everyday. Tina and Peter let my dad and I use their MacBook to the whole time I was in the hospital. I makes such a difference to talk to someone through video rather then just on the phone. I LOVED every second of it. It was so fun to show my mom all of my nurses and keep her up-to-date with everything that was going on. It was also cute to watch my mom and dad interact on the computer. It was a true showing of how much they love and respect one another, not to mention how much they missed each other. :)

Seriously, iChat was the best thing ever invented. If anything this is what changed my mind about Mac's. Two thumbs up baby!!!

Heather a great roommate of mine came to see me before her night shift on the 7th floor!!! Who knew?!

Kaylee!!! The best nurse EVER and great friend I made while going through all this!!!

On Sunday, November 15th, 2009 I was FINALLY released from the IMC. Although it was a nice stay I was SO excited to finally be able to leave and go home. :) I am hoping that was the last time I would ever have to be hospitalized and go to the IMC resort, as my dad refers to it. :)

I didn't write about ever day I was in the hospital because quite frankly, I don't remember everything that happen every day. However I do want to say I had that BEST Nurse Practioncers. Dave and Susan!!! Not mention Susan was from Menomonee Falls, WI!!! I had Dave most of the week and he was just the best ever. He explained everything so good to my dad and I and we understood everything that was going on. I think he was by far the BEST medical doctor I have ever had at the hospital. It was great.

Also, my Oncology doctor, Dr. Jolles came to visit me EVERYDAY!!! It was so nice to know that he cared that much about my situation that he came by everyday to inform me of who he was talking to and just to see how I was doing. :)

Just some side notes: In an 8 hour period, my WBC count went from 1.9 to 26!!! That threw everyone off which then I had to do all these different tests. Come to find out, it was mostly the shot I was given the day after my first Chemo apt. :) Below is a list of ALL the tests I had done while at the hospital:

Spinal Tap

Chest X-Ray

Pelvic X-Ray

Contrast CT Scan of my Abdomen

MRI of my Brain

2 CT scans of my Brain

3 EKG's

Ultrasound of ALL my veins (Arms, Heart, Legs)

I just want to say... I really do appreciate everyone who came to visit me (not pictured Bishop Henry, Ben, Dan Schwab, Lisa and Chuck Jensen, Grandma and Uncle Gary). It meant a lot to know people cared about me that much that they would take time out of their day to come see me!!!

November 6, 2009

2009-11-06T19:45:00.000-07:00

Up until today not much has happen. Melissa and I went to do dinner at Chilis and I got the Potatoe Soup... it had no flavor what so ever to me. :( I even had her put her green onions on mine and I could taste nothing. Its amazing to me how much my taste buds have changed!!!! Tina also cooked me dinner and it was Cheese Pototoes, yeah those had no taste too. The only thing with taste was OJ... but I have to be carefuly with that stuff since my GERD has been acting up like crazy lately and causing a lot of pain!

Andrea and Aaron also cooked me dinner!!! :)

I went to see Dr. Jolles today and he had to do an exam on me. Gotta love those!!!!! He requested information from Dr. Johannason about the extra fluid I have in my abdomen. Until I get to a point where my WBC count is high enough, I can not get that drained. :(

My next stop was Cutlers Deli in Bountiful. Grandma and I went there for lunch and my sandwich kind of had a taste to it but not really. Man this eating tasteless stuff is getting annoying!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My last stop of the day was to get a CT Scan of my chest. I had to have more dye injected that makes you feel like your are peeing your pants. (Weirdest thing in the world) Now its just a matter of time to see what those results say since I hurt to breathe!!! Emily was so kind to come with me and we stopped by the mall after to get some hats. :) Hopefully they dont look too bad but all I care about is my head staying warm!!!

I already kinda look like a cancer patient!!! HAHAHAHA :)

Weber State Mens Basketball vs. UCCS

2009-11-06T19:31:00.001-07:00

After my long day of Chemo I decided to go to the Weber State Mens Exhibition game! Taking pictures and getting out of the house is what relieves stress and so I was so excited!!!! It was also great to the see the girls on the Womens Team. They have all been so SWEET to me and so nice about everything. I know that if I ever needed anything I could call them and they would be there for me in a heartbeat!!!

Weber State won this game 110-58!!!!

Theses are just some of the pictures I took. Man, I love basketball!!!!

Day 1 of Chemotherapy!!!

2009-11-05T22:30:00.002-07:00

Chemotherapy!!!

Well November 2, 2009 was the dreaded but happy day I started Chemotherapy. You might ask yourself why I would say happy... Well that just means I am one step closer to having all this be over with!!!

So I was hooked up with the Aloxi first to help with the nauseu after effects getting Chemo. The next drug that was given to me was the Taxotere... This one caused the most reaction out of all the drugs. My felt like I was sufficating and my kidneys were bring ripped out!!! My face went bright red and it was the scariest thing EVER... I couldnt even say anything to my grandma but grab my throat and say suffocating. The nurses ran over to me so fast and stopped the medicine. They had to shut the machine off and then pump Benadryl through me. No matter what, I was going to get the Chemo medicine. :) What should have taken 3 hours to get the Chemo, took 6 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Chemo part was not scary, just the reaction. Once the medicine went smooth, everything went just fine. :) Now its onto the next Chemo Apt!!! November 23, 2009.

*The best news was... My family is coming out for Thanksgiving!!!!!!!* Whoo hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Im so excited to see them!!!!

Halloween!!!!

2009-11-05T21:52:00.001-07:00

Well seeing as I was not feeling the best on Halloween... go figure... Nate, Sue, Jared, Candice and I had a little shindig at my apartment. They came over and cooked us all quesidillas (Nates speciality) and we just played games and hung out. We had TONS of candy too. Oh yes and how could I forget... we watched this movie called The St. Francisville experiment. It was creepy but kinda stupid after seeing Paranormal Activity.

Creepy and weird movie... would never see it again! :)

The girls won Battle of the Sexes... THATS RIGHT!!!!! :)

This was one of my 10 suckers for the NIGHT! :)

Even though I did not carve pumpkins on Halloween, I thought I would include some of what Richard and I carved a couple weeks before.

Continued October 30, 2009

2009-11-05T21:38:00.000-07:00

Bowling!!!!

After a long day of info Richard, Emily, Leslie and I decided to go bowling!!! It was exactly what I needed to get out of the house and not think about starting Chemo on Monday. We went to Fat Cats and just had the best time ever. I really love being around them and knowing that no matter what we will always have a good time!!!!!

Yeah... thats my lack of a butt....