October-10-2007

A busy weekend for the Nelson family!

Happy Wednesday everyone!

My oh my, what a busy weekend my family and I had! First of all, I want to thank EVERYONE who came out to the two fundraisers that my friends planned for me. My second degree nursing program at GMU set up a very fun yard sale Saturday morning, which had a fabulous turnout. Then Saturday, hundreds of people showed up ( including my cousins Jessica & Anthony from Wisconsin!) at the fundraiser at Eyebar in DC, and we had a blast! I am so blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life and cannot thank all of you enough. I also added everyone who had donated on my website to this email list, so if anyone wants to be deleted or added, please let me know!

THEN, right before I went to the fundraiser Saturday night, Kristin (my sister in law) went into labor!!! Too many places I wanted to be at one time! Miss Evin Noelle Nelson was born at 2:20 Sunday morning 10-7-07 at 6lbs 3oz and 18inches long. What a little peanut! I went to meet her Sunday and she is gorgeous! Kristin was amazing and both her and Teddy are doing well at home now! Attached is a picture! She was born almost a month exactly from when I was diagnosed-what a blessing for my family!

I began chemo without a problem on Monday (well, i shouldn't say without a problem, of course insurance had to give me problems but we figured it out!) Today is day three and I feel great! Days two and three are supposed to be the worst, but I have no pain, no nausea, no drowsiness, no anything! I am only taking one antemetic (anti nausea drug) because I have no symptoms, making the other two pointless. The one I am taking makes me feel hyper for a few hours, which I suppose is a good thing right now! Ben makes fun of me though for being so chatty!

A lot of people have asked the type of chemo I am receiving, which is adriamycin with cytoxan every other week for four cycles (8 weeks total), then taxol every other week for four cycles (8 weeks). My last chemo treatment is Jan 21st and then will have surgery 2-4 weeks later. The common side effects of chemo, such as vein streaking and staining, I haven't experienced yet, so please continue praying for me as I continue on this battle! I am so relieved that I feel so great! I went to the gym yesterday, have been drinking at least a gallon of water a day, and eating really healthy. I believe my approach, attitude, and your prayers are signs of God's wonderful grace and I feel so lucky!

I pray that God continues to provide fundraising opportunities for my friends and family, especially since the medical bills are already coming in. Kaiser is paying for me to go outside of network, but I still have to pay 30% of all expenses with no ceiling. Yikes! I trust that this wont be a problem, since God has been providing for me this entire process! His love is amazing!

Thanks for all your support and prayers and be comforted that I am in great spirits and health!

Love,
Jami