Val & Collette Cook Family

It was good to be on land when we arrived at the treehouse. We walked down a boardwalk to the main lodge. There we were treated with refreshing fruit drinks. There was no need to worry about using bottled water they prepared food in the purified water they had brought in. When traveling in a foreign country you have to be careful of the water and anything that may have been washed in water. We even brushed our teeth with bottled water. Why worry about water there is different kinds of bacteria or other things that our bodies not being use to would make one sick. If one had time you could build up an immunity, we would only be there ten days. Not enough time to build up just enough time to get sick :) After our refreshments we were told which tree house we would stay in. There was one that was 75 feet height. It was the most sought after. I did not put my hat in the running for that one. Ours was 35 feet high and that was enough claiming. Our room had a queen bed and two ...

I was privileged to go to Peru with Val his brothers, sister, their spouses and their dad. One of Val's brothers Vance owns the Treehouse lodge in Peru. He invited us down there. He arranged the itinerary all I had to do was keep up. That was not easy but I did it. And after a week of rest I'm recovered. Dinner in Panama Val and I met up with everyone in Houston Texas then off to Panama. We spent a day there. We went to the Panama Canal which was on my bucket list before I knew about bucket list. It was so cool. We then drove to the coast and got on two boats to go out to an island. This is where I had fun taking pictures. After a good nights rest we took off for Peru landing in Iquitos which is an island surrounded by rivers. The airport was small and we walked out of the airplane and down to the Tarmac. Shortly after we landed it started to land. Things in Peru do not move fast and when your traveling with eleven people they move slower....

In December after there rounds of chemo pills I had a scan done. The results are I am stable. That means the cancer has not grown or shrunk. This is good. I had a little brake from the chemo pills because I was suppose to start while I was in Peru. We put it off till I got home. That was a blessing. I started my next round this week. I will have another scan after three rounds in April. I am felling well tired but that is my new normal :) I had a great time over Thanksginving with all my family here.  Here are some picts of decoriting the tree. Kyle's branck finnised product Adam

On day 10 of my chemo pills I started a new chemo pill to go with the ones I was already taking.  It was Sunday well I did alright until just before Relief Society.  Emma was in there with me which was a blessing.  I started feeling yucky and had to leave.  I made it to the restroom Emma got someone to get Val.  He took me home and lots of people offered to take Emma home.  Lets just say the rest of the morning didn't go well.  I was able to sleep and then I felt better  I took it easy and am back on my feet.  Making sure I have enough food in me and taking some anti nausea pills before the chemo ones and this is working out.  Life isn't always easy.  I listened to the women's broadcast to help me relax and it helped a lot. I am so grateful for everyone's prayers.  I feel them daily.  I am continuing to Live Life Happy!

I started my chemo pills last Friday.  I take them for 14 days then off for 7 days.  I was worried about it, it is a little scary to take a pill that the doctor put gloves on to handle.  I drink lots of water with it. One morning I waited to eat and i started to feel bad.  As soon as I eat something I felt better so I have learned to eat before taking them.  I get my blood tested each week to make sure my white blood count is good.  We will do three or four rounds of this then more scans to see if it is having any effect. I've been tired and a bit dizzy at times, but over all I am good.  My scaredness has passed and now I'm ready to do things. I have been working on my personal progress with Emma.  It has been fun setting goals together and having her sign off my goals.  For one of my projects I was to create a piece of artwork to represent integrity.  This is What I came up with.  Clock towers and bell towers are both symbols o...

Well all the traveling is finished so I need to settle down and get back to cancer fighting.  This week I had a PET scan and a CT scan.  All this to get a baseline before I start taking my chemo pills.  I have a doctor appointment on 18 September  moved it a week later so Val could be there. He went to India today to get some work done before the chemo starts again.  He will be gone 2 weeks  I should be fine, but I will miss him.  I will keep busy catching up on my blog, my photo class and if that isn't enough I'm going to finish a quilt I started a while ago and decorate my office.  I feel so blessed to be able to do so much.  I don't know what effect the chemo will have on me it shouldn't be like last time.  I should keep my hair so that is a good thing.  If anyone has questions feel free to ask.  Live Life Happy!!! My samurai guardians, in a restaurant in Hyderabad

Heavenly Father is truly watching over me.  After traveling to India I didn't know if I felt like traveling to Utah for Education Week.  As it got closer I was feeling better and didn't want to miss it.  My parents were coming to California for my Nephew Spencer's wedding. I was able to ride back to Utah with them.  During Education Week I felt good and had good energy.  I wasn't tired like other years when I had been, but I wasn't dashing all across campus either.  Camilla came with me and made sure I took care of myself.  Now that I'm home I'm tired my body must be catching up on the rest I need.  I feel so blessed I can feel His loving hand guiding me each day. Education Week  was sandwiched between weddings of two Nephews.  Spencer Bassett married Brittany. They were married by the ocean at Pismo Beach. Here are some photos.  The happy couple.  Gene and Janna Bassett Beach fun.  Emma  Sp...