Poor Rufus!!

Happy Christmas Eve!! So here is a funny story:
Last night Rufus was sleeping on our bed as he does ocassionally...okay, so maybe he sleeps on our bed almost every night but so what, right?! Anyway, at around 2:00 am he got restless and I made Steve move him to his kennel. For some reason he wouldn't go in very easily like he normally does. Steve shoved him in and we went back to sleep. About 1/2 an hour later, I woke Steve up because Rufus was whining in his kennel and now I was totally annoyed! Steve got up to see why he was whining and reached in his kennel. I guess sometime yesterday afternoon, Keegan, the most adorable grandson EVER, decided to play in the dog's kennel, (gross) and....Keegan took many toys in with him which none of us realized. Steve took all of the toys out and the poor dog settled back down and went to sleep!! Funny dog, funnier grandson!!


All of these things were in the kennel...even the little bench and the 8lb exercise ball!!
Have a wonderful day!!

Merry Christmas.....sort of!!

Hi Everyone!
Steve is in REMISSION!!! Yeah!!! His blood levels are all looking great!! He will see his doctor every 6 weeks or so and they are going to introduce that eye-swelling drug, Rituxin, again. The doctor feels this is Steve's best chance at staying in remission. So, they will introduce it VERY gradually, kind of like allergy shots to build up his system so he won't have those severe reactions anymore. He is taking a two month sabatical from Intel in February and March. He has lots planned to do. We are going on the Stake Trek in July as a "Ma and Pa." We need to get in shape...at least I do or those kiddos will run me ragged!!
Here are a few pictures of Rufus' first Chrismas!! This dog is CRAZY! The first picture is our living room tree and brand new poinsettias. The next picture is of one of my Snowmen. The last picture is our family room tree and how I think we will decorate it!



Have a wonderful Christmas ya'll!!

Me again!!

Hi Everyone! It has been sooooo long since I last blogged. So I thought I would catch you all up on the goings on at the Terry's.
*This Friday is Steve's last (hopefully) chemo treatment. He will see the doctor for his PET scan results, but we feel that all is well. From what we can tell, it looks like his cancer is in remission!! Yeah!!
*Just about 4 weeks ago, Tracee and Rees got married! It was a beautiful day and a wonderful evening reception. They are living in Tempe and working an schooling!
*Joshua is now in stationed in Korea at Fort Humphries near Seoul. He is having fun exploring the country and working. He will be there for a year.
*Keegan is still adorable and my favorite grandson!
*Kristen is expecting again in May!! Yeah!!
And most recently...our kids and Steve's mom surprised us with a beautiful weekend in the mountains for our 30th wedding anniversary! We stayed at a darling bed & breakfast lodge. What a terrific family we have!!

Here is what we found from our kids when we got to our room, (picture taken after some of the strawberries were devoured):

We went on a hike to Walnut Canyon and visited some awesome Sinagua Indian ruins. It was a beautiful day. It was so worth the trip...except for the 280 stairs back out. I highly recommend this hike, it was fascinating:






On our last day...we picked up Keegan and went to a pumpkin patch...he preferred to drive his trucks through the pumpkins! Then we went out to the woods and built a camp fire and let Keegan and the dog run around. It was a great weekend!!

Well...my little guy is a mountain dweller!!

Thursday and Friday, Jamon and Kristen and Keegan moved to Flagstaff! We had wonderful help from Rees, Tracee, Uncle Danny and some friends from the ward on this end and once up in Flagstaff we had help from 8 missionaries and the Elder's Quorum president!! All went well and the kids are so excited to start this new journey!! Their apartment is on the NAU campus and is small but perfectly clean with new paint and new carpet!! We already miss them like crazy, but we know they are happy and that matters more than anything!! I told Kristen I need a "picture a day" sent to my phone!!

Keeg's couldn't quite understand why all of his stuff was outside. At one point, he looked in his empty bedroom and said, "oh no!!"
And they're off:
One tired little boy:
There is a play ground right outside and down a few stairs:
Ughhh, unpacking!
Welcome home, Kristen!

Days 5-8

Well....at least we can see a pattern! Steve is feeling like crap; nausea, headaches, fatigue, just overall gross. We think we figured out that days 5-8 after chemo are gonna be bad! Steve has been sleeping alot, when he isn't trying to work. Finally, yesterday, the anger and bitterness came. I wondered when it would rear it's head. But, at least it is out and we can deal and move on. I think Steve can be mad if he wants to be mad! I just feel helpless as a spouse. There isn't anything I can do.
Thanks for allowing me to vent. Otherwise I might just run away to Tahitti!

At least we have this angel to help us smile!!

My poor man!!

Hi everyone. Yesterday sucked...really bad! Steve is not feeling well. He is tired; he is flushed from the prednisone; he is worried about his eyesight changes; his BP is not normal for him; he hates to be down; he is tired! I hate cancer in ALL it's forms! Maybe today will be better. I hope so.
Love and hugs,
Wendi

It happened AGAIN!

Well, the good news is that Steve IS NOT allergic to Demerol. The bad news is that he seems to be allergic to Rituxin, the best chemo drug out there!!! Steve had his second treatment today. About half way through the Rituxin, he started feeling the scratchy throat, and the tickling ears and then he started getting sinus crap again. In a few minutes, his eyes started hurting and he let the nurse know that he was worried about another allergic reaction! Sure enough...his eyes began to swell and then they kept swelling. So...again they stopped the Rituxin and gave him IV steroids and more benedryl. He hadn't had Demerol this time so it is pretty obvious the reaction is caused by the Rituxin. The doctor said we will try it one more time in three weeks, although they will spread it out over 7-8 hours. If this happens again, we will then have to come up with a new game plan. Yuck!
This is right after we got home:
This is later tonight:
The other good news is that he still has his hair! He is such a trouper!!

Steve is doing Awesome!!!

Hi Everyone! I thought I would let you all know that Steve is doing great!! He is feeling good and already has more energy. His hemoglobin levels have already come back up, too! Kicking cancer's butt for sure! He has been climbing at the rock gym with Tracee two or three nights a week and working in the back yard on his patio. He is feeling so good just in time for another chemo treatment on Friday! He is the man!!

Congratulations Courtney!!!

Beautiful day! Beautiful daughter!

Chemo #1

Steve had his first chemo therapy this week. He was admitted on Tuesday night. Here is the run-down of how things went:
*Three nurses tried 2 times each to start a line in his chest port. (One nurse told Tracee to glove up and watch and learn)
*Three nurses realized there must be something wrong with the chest port.
*Peripheral IV line started and pre-medications given.
*Chemo started.
*After 1st chemo med was administered, Rituxin begun.
*Reaction to Rituxin, "rigors" or severe shakes and chills. Expected.
*Given Demerol for shakes and chills.
*Welts and severe itching from Demerol spreading up arm and shoulder to chest.
*Eyes start to swell and sinuses plug up.
*Benedryl given to counter act the Demerol. Told to never take Demerol again.
*Eyes continue to swell, not just the eyelids, but the EYEBALLS.
*Eyeballs now swelling outside of sockets, eyelids can't close completely,gross.
*Chemo stopped and steroids given IV.
*Allergic symptoms begin to get better. Eyes slowly start to un-swell.
*This morning, x-rays to see what was wrong with port.
*Port is flipped over. (Dog clobbered Steve a few nights ago when they were playing.)
*Steve needs surgery for new port.
*Steve doesn't want surgery.
*Steve flips his port back over through his skin.
*Radiologist and nurses amazed.
*Port works and chemo continues.
*Eyes are back in sockets
*Chemo done, eyes better, home!!!!!




He is doing well here at home tonight. And he is cute again!!

I am so computer illiterate!!!

This blog entry is for all of my sweet and wonderful friends who blog or who make sweet and wonderful comments on my blog! I DO NOT know how to put comments on your blogs when I read them. I have tried to figure it out and I am so computer dumb! And today, I want to thank all of those very kind friends who have commented on my blog, I appreciate you! To Brianne...thanks for saying I am beautiful. And to my good friend Denise....I totally loved your blog today! It is awesome.
Smile!!

Changes

Hello. It has been a wonderful sabbath day. The Gila Valley Temple dedication was beautiful. I love hearing from our Prophet, President Monson and I have always loved to hear President Eyring speak. I am anxious to have our temple here, in our very neighborhood, dedicated and blessed.
The reverence of the morning allowed me time to ponder on some changes that are going to take place in my life. So many changes, all so sudden. But, they are good changes. Happy changes. It's time changes. Prayerful changes.
*Joshua is doing awesome in the Army Intelligence Training. He will get his permanent assignment in June. Then by July or August he could be anywhere in the world! And I will be missing him!
*Kristen will be teaching this fall....in Flagstaff! Jamon will be attending NAU. Keegan will be on a new adventure. And I will be missing all three of them!
*Tracee's best friend returns to the states in about 5 weeks. She has worked hard and saved and is ready to move on to another phase in her life. And I will miss her!
*Courtney graduates from High School this week. She has been accepted to Kohler Academy, for cosmetology. She is going to be busy. I will miss her!

Hmmm...so this is "empty nest syndrome?" I always wondered what it would feel like.

Just for FUN..for a change!!

Whats left of Steve's and Courtney's fishing trip!!

My most recent picture of Joshua!!

Courtney's bedroom wall! She painted canvases and hung them up!

Kristen and someone really chubby sitting next to her!

Tracee and Keegan with his "sticker pox."

Rufus and his best friend, (AKA-Steve,) taking a nap!

Have a great week everyone!!

Happiness/Joy

I have been kinda grumpy lately. I find I am not smiling as much. So, I have been thinking. About my family, about life, about my house, my health and about my job, among many other things.
My family: starting to spread out and it is tough to cut those old apron strings.
Worried about each and every one of them
My life: not where I thought it would be at my age.
My house: really getting old and needs alot of work.
My health: just feeling older and starting to hurt here and there and we won't
mention chubbiness!
My job: same ol' thing week after week. Isn't 50 a little old to be unloading a
semi-truck??
Other things: too many to list here.

This is reality. This is life. It's not a bad life, it's a good life. I am not meant to be happy ALL of the time. That is not the Plan. It is what life is made of; ups and downs and downs and ups. Fullfilled and unfullfilled dreams and ideas. Moments of great happiness. Moments of sadness and disapointment. However, what I know is that even when I am not always happy, I always have JOY! I have joy in having my family to love and knowing they love me, I have joy that I have a home not just a house, I have joy that this weary body is still ticking, I have joy that I have a job and can help out financially, and I have joy that I am blessed with an array of trials that help me grow. I taught a lesson once on the difference between happiness and joy. Yes, there is a difference. Think about it. Have a great Sabbath!

Sunday Afternoon

Hello everyone! Today has been such a good, relaxing day. I have needed a day like this. We have been going 90 miles an hour lately! Work and doctor's appointments and yard work and the dog and bills and groceries and on and on! I decided last night that I was not going to go to church today. "I needed a day to not visit or be asked questions and just be by myself." But...I woke up this morning and I knew that church was where I needed to spend my Sunday morning and I got ready with my family and went. How blessed I am that my Heavenly Father loves me enough to let the Spirit whisper to me! We had a sweet testimony meeting and then I attended two of the best lessons. My friend Bev taught in Gospel Doctrine about the Israelites and their wandering days. She had us compare our lives to theirs. It was such a great way to help us know that the Lord knows us and loves us just as he knew and loved them. Then I was grateful for my other friend Nancy's lesson in Relief Society. She taught about our personal stewardship. We have a great responsibility. But then again, we were reminded of a loving Savior who is always there to help carry our burdens. And both of these lessons reminded me how patient our Father in Heaven is with me!! I so needed to be at church today! I am grateful!
Here are a few new pictures:
This is Steve's new project: an outdoor patio and kitchen!
Family fun cleaning up in the back yard!
Favorite place I like to be: reading to the babies!
My newly brunette daughter, Courtney!

Have a great week!!

Just an Update

Hi Everyone! I thought I would post a little update. Steve is continuing to undergo tests for his lymphoma. Last week he had a bone marrow biopsy. It was pretty amazing to watch! Steve didn't think it was so amazing, though. We will get the results of that test next Friday. Next week, it is a PET scan on Monday and then he will have surgery to remove the lymph node in his left arm pit for a biopsy and he will also have his chemo port-a-cath inserted under his skin over his left clavicle. He will be a little out of sorts for a couple of days, but if I know him...he will be up and going again really soon. (Probably sooner than his doctors would like!!) We conitnue to remain very positive about Steve's prognosis in this latest Terry adventure. We fully trust the Lord and leave it in His hands. Thanks for all of the prayers. We are truly blessed with great friends and family and we love you all!!

Here is a picture of Steve and his buddy as they are EVERY night...together!!

Anticipation= Lymphoma!

We finally got the answers we were anticipating; my sweetie has lymphoma. I didn't like the word "anticipation" last week, but now I have a new word I don't like. It is the word "cancer." Not that anybody likes that word. The thoughts that one word conjures up!! However...that ugly word could have been worse. We are sticking to the phrase: "this is the best bad news we could have gotten." My hubby will be okay, I get to have him for years, and he will feel better in about 6 months, after the chemo is done!

How we found out about this is a long story. It involves my husband's work, a game of tug-of-war, a guy's knee and my husband's rib cage. The Lord sure works in mysterious ways. Maybe someday I will blog the story.

Anticipation!

I have figured out that "anticipation" is a word I am not very fond of. To me, it is just another word that means "we don't have the answers yet." In fact, here is the dictionary definition: an emotion involving pleasure in considering some expected or longed-for good event, OR irritation at having to wait. I am really feeling the second part of the definition! This week, the word definitely causes some emotion; anger, fear, nausea, lack of patience, grumpyness...etc. This week, anticipation makes me lose my temper at my favorite little boy and at my beautiful daughters and at my sweet husband and it takes the smile off my face at work so everybody asks me,"what's wrong?" At least this week, this is what the word anticipation is for me.
Maybe next week this word will mean something different to me. I really hope so!


How could I possibly ever get frustrated with this face???

Half of a CENTURY!!!!

Hello again.
Yesterday was my birthday. It was a wonderful day full of warm wishes and thoughts from family and friends. Joshua came into town so I had all of my kiddos home. My husband and children gave me the perfect gift: a hair makeover. I was pampered for about two hours! New trim and fresh color! It was so relaxing and just what I needed. I came home to a spotless, clean smelling house. I was told to relax and so I sat on my squishy couch and crocheted on my throw for several hours while watching a movie. (No, I did not finish my project. I am still a newby!) A surprise from my great visiting teachers produced chocolate and Diet Coke! For dinner, my family fixed New York steak and baked potatoes, a green salad, rolls and Kristen made me a birthday cake: white cake with strawberries in the center and lemon buttercream frosting! So delicious! After dinner, I again was told to do what ever I wanted, the evening was mine. So....I sat on my squishy couch and crocheted on my throw for several hours while watching a great movie!
The PERFECT birthday! Thank you dear, dear family and friends! I am so very grateful that I am loved!
Have a great week,
Wendi

It's Been A While!

Hello again. It has been seven months since I have blogged. Not since my sweet sister's death have I posted at all! Life has been tough, funny, exhausting, exciting, emotional and joyful.
Here is the latest:
Steve is SWAMPED at Intel. He is living temporarily at the plant in Chandler. (Totally just kidding....he is just there very long hours.) I am still working at Michael's five days a week and I still kind of like it. Steve and I had the chance to travel to New Hampshire in October-he had business and I went along. It was beautiful. Steve is working on the backyard landscaping and it is going to be so great!

Joshua is now down in Sierra Vista at the Fort Huachuca Army post. He is getting his advanced training and will get his assignment in July. He graduated from basic training in Fort Jackson, SC. with honors! We got to fly there for his graduation. We are very proud!!

Kristen and her husband Jamon are living with us temporarily to save up some money. We enjoy having them and love having Keegan here. We are crowded but it is only for a while. Jamon is in school and working at Costco. Kristen is working part time and she is still busy with wedding cakes! Keegan is working on his snowboarding and skateboarding talent and is very much a two year old!
Tracee is doing awesome at her phlebotomist job at Banner T-Bird. She works the early morning shift so she is the one who has to wake people up to draw their blood! She has great stories! She is also back at school working on her math degree.

Courtney is ready to graduate in May and has been having a blast checking out cosmetology schools! She is excited to get going in that field. She recently went to LDS Prom and had a great time!

And....we got a horse, uh, I mean a dog. He is huge and his name is Rufus!
Here are a few pictures. Have a great week!!