Not much happening...

I had so much I wanted to write about today, but it has all slipped my mind (what's left of it, now that I'm almost 50). Everything is great here at the Schmitt house (except for the cancer but we're working on that too!)

My sheets are in the dryer and it's time to go to sleep, so I have to say good-bye now so I can get the bed made.

I think this is what publishers refer to as "writer's block".

Dreaming Big,
Dor

Endless Weekend

After what seemed to be an endless weekend...I'm finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. We've all had our plates full...Amy and Melana went to Desert Aire to study and not be interrupted by phones, tv's and garage sale shoppers. Angie and Shannon didn't study anything, instead...they sold garage sale items until they were blue in the face (actually they were red in the face from the 90 degree weather..) The garage sale was a hit and they made lots of money. The Dream Team is approaching their $20,000 mark and we still have 12 days to go. Jake spent the weekend in Seattle with the Bride (Megan) and her family. After preparing for the garage sale, I've been motivated to throw away more STUFF. I have other names for the junk I've been finding but this is a family website so I'll refer to it as STUFF. Today I feel like I made some progress. Rick, "pyrotech man" has been burning a pile of stumps with our neighbor for the past 2 days. They get their big machines and push the stuff around until the flames get higher...Hey, doesn't that sound like a song?

The concert I went to last night was amazing. It was a late night, but well worth it. I'm not sure why, but I woke up earlier than usual, so Rick and I went to the Duck In for a fundraising breakfast. If I keep going to fundraising events, I'm going to have to have a fundraising event for groceries. :) Just kidding...

Honestly, we're doing well around our house. It's funny how staying busy takes your mind off all the things that would otherwise make you crazy.

I'm not sure if I've mentioned this before, but if our health is still good as we approach January, I'm hoping to leave Rick for a couple of weeks and go to Haiti on a missions trip. I've wanted to do it for a long time and there is no time like the present. Truth is, sometimes we don't have a future so why not do whatever we want whenever we want to? Like Dr. Eaton says "if it brings you joy, do it". Or was that it Dr. Nike who said "just do it"? Either way, I'm hoping to journey to a land very different from the one I reside. I'm sure I'll learn more about life in those 10 days than my first 50 years.

Until tomorrow...Surround yourself with people you love....

And don't forget to ~
DREAM BIG!

Dor

P.S. Don't forget to place your order for a "There's no place like Hope" bracelet. I tried again tonight to put the order form on the blog. I'll keep working on it, but if you're interested in ordering now, go back in the blog a few weeks and get the information on a day I called "bracelets for hope". If you have any questions, call me at 360-629-4398 and I'll direct you to the right person. Cindy Cutforth who designed and is making these has sold over 50 already. Keep up the good work Cindy :)

Heat Wave

I woke up this morning...stepped outside and thought I was in Hawaii. Well maybe not Hawaii (I didn't see blue water and palm trees) but the weather has taken a complete u-turn from our usual rain and wind. At 10am here in Stanwood it was 81 degrees. I believe we may have a summer after all.

Since I haven't been home much lately, I had great intentions to get lots of things done today. So far, I've disappointed myself. I did go to town and have my car washed at Eagle's Nest for their fundraiser, picked up lunch for Rick and I (it's too hot to cook), paid some bills, went to the bank and now I'm going to get started on productive stuff around the house.

But first, I want to share a little story. Yesterday, Angie's dear friend (and ours too) Shannon had a present sent to Angie, for me. It is a device called Keyfinder. Since I've been losing my keys so frequently, Shannon thought this would come in really handy. I hook one little remote in my purse and one on my key chain. When I can't find my keys, I push the button in my purse and it makes my key chain beep. It's actually really helpful. Except, this morning when I was at the bank, I stepped outside, looked for my keys and couldn't find them so I pushed the button to see where in my purse they were located and I didn't hear the beeping sound. When I looked back inside the bank, people were looking all around (as though a bomb had just been detonated) and I realized I'd left them on the counter in the bank. Long story short....it really works but you should look a little harder for them before sounding the alarm. Thanks for my present Shannon. I hope it never gets me arrested.

I'm going to a concert tonight (Steven Curtis Chapman) with my sister in law tonight so this will probably be the only blog I write today. Enjoy the weather and don't forget to wear sunscreen.

Dreaming Big,
Doreen

Garage Sale Update

Did I ever mention how much I dislike garage sales? How... when other people look at your "treasures" that are marked a dollar...they insist they only have 50 cents left? Are you kidding me? You come to a garage sale and only have 50 cents to your name? You need to go home. That's what I want to say, but instead, I shake my head and smile and say "oh sure, you can have it for 50 cents.". Again, I keep reminding myself that this is for a good cause...Relay. The first day went pretty well. Angie is hoping to sell out tomorrow so she can close the doors on Sunday morning.

Rick is starting to feel better now. Once he's back on the mend I start to sleep better. I'm pretty sure as tired as I've been these past few days, I'm going to sleep like a baby tonight anyway. So, until tomorrow...

Love you more than all the "junk" at garage sales across America.

Dream Big,
Dor

Celebrating Livestrong Day

Yesterday was the "official" Lance Armstrong ~ Livestrong Day. I e-mail Angie from SCCA to tell her about it and she took it one step further. She cut yellow strips of paper and took them to every classroom for the kids to decorate to celebrate someone they love with cancer or someone they've lost. (Some of the kids wrote amazing things about Grandparents & Parents - I can't wait for you to see them). She collected over 500 strips and attached them like a chain of Livestrong bracelets. They are hanging in her gym at school and the kids are very excited to know they were a part of it. I've asked Angie to bring them to Relay to decorate our tent. I'm attaching a photo of Angie with her amazing project. Look close and you might notice a black eye. She took an elbow to the eye socket while playing basketball last night. Ouch.

I spent hours at Angie's house today and helped get ready for the big Garage Sale happening this weekend at GlenEagle. I've decided that garage sale preparation is my least favorite thing to do (besides cleaning bathrooms). I didn't mind doing it today though, because I know the proceeds go to a good cause.

Rick is completely exhausted from chemo this time. I called to check on him (at work) a couple of times today and he sounded drained. Each treatment has been a little worse than the last. The neuropathy in his hands and feet continues to worsen and is lasting a little longer each time. He never complains, but I know he hates the constant fatigue. Like any of us, we don't want to be held back from doing all the things we love to do. Chemo doesn't always cooperate.

I'm heading to bed early as well. It's been a long (but productive) day.

Happy BELATED 40th Birthday to my dear friend Kelly Lloyd. I guess I've had too many things on my mind lately to remember she would be joining me in the 40's..... Hope you had a very happy one, Kelly. You deserve it!

Dream Big & Livestrong,
Dor

Update from SCCA

It just dawned on me that my blog from yesterday didn't post. Apparently, it wasn't news worthy. So, I'll just give you a little update today.

I got lots of little jobs done yesterday. Took it easy like I promised to do. Then Rick and I headed down to Seattle to spend the night for Chemo today. He's currently upstairs being "infused" with some poison that will help him stay well. I wonder if it's anything like infusing a chicken with garlic? Probably not.

The oncology/anti-coagulation pharmacist just told Rick he gets to stop the shots in his belly. He's very excited since his tummy looks like he's been to battle. I don't think he planned on being a stomach model anytime soon, but just in case, the bruising and knots should go away soon.

Rick was resting when I came downstairs to use the computers. These first couple of days wipe him out and it starts almost immediately. He has chemo the week of Relay so we're keeping our fingers crossed that he's feeling ok by Friday.

I'm missing Taco Tuesday with the girls, but Pam said they would order lunch and eat it for me as though I was there. I love those girls.

Time for me to head back upstairs to check on my honey. I've been feeling about the same. The respiratory infection seems to be better, still a little cough (nothing I haven't dealt with before), and my daily backache but after a while you get used to that.

Happy to be ALIVE and Dreaming Big,
Dor

Happy Mother's Day

We've been at Desert Aire for the past few days celebrating Mother's Day. On Friday afternoon, 7 of us piled into Mom and Dad's van and drove over for the weekend. I was in my element because I was cooking for everyone, and I had the kids following behind me, cleaning up. That's when I do my best work...when I don't have to clean up after myself. (I'm one messy cook) We played games all weekend...Sequence (a board game that we all love) and a horse race game that my dad made. It's a good thing we weren't playing for real money....Rick would have cleaned our clocks.

On Friday night the kids gave me my mother's day gifts. The first thing I opened was from Amy. She knew how much I loved the movie Juno so she brought it for me along with the soundtrack and some dark chocolate. She also bought me a HUGE card (the size of an album cover) because she said "size does matter" (when it comes to cards for your mom). Angie (and Shannon & Fuzz) got me an adorable Life is Good sweatshirt (that was originally on my birthday list). I loved it the moment I saw it! I'm sure you'll all get sick of me wearing it, but it's my new favorite. Then came Jake's gift. It was a mother's day letter he had written me as a 3rd grader (he'd framed it) and this is what it said. " The best mom today is Doreen Schmitt because she taught her son a lot of things. Like how to clean up his room and to put soap in the dishwasher and she goes to every game of her dautuer's and sons games. But she is a good cook and the best mom because she sniggles with her son. Love, Jay" We've been teasing Jake all weekend because I don't remember sniggling with him. I did however SNUGGLE with all of them. I'm a little concerned that he thought I was a good mother because I taught him how to clean. No wonder he's always picking up after me...

It's 7:00pm and it's time for the busy schedule to begin again. I'm going to try to slow down a bit this week. I know I always say that, but this week I'm actually going to work on it. Friday is the beginning of Angie's neighborhood garage sale and I'm going to help with it. I'm going to stay close to her house and not buy too much. I know the money goes to a great cause "Doreen's Dream Team" but I don't need more junk in my house.

Love you more than all the mothers who've ever sniggled with their children :)
Dreaming Big,
Dor

Chemo Eve,

I followed my own advice today and just did things I needed to get done.  We are down in Seattle for the night since Rick has an early morning chemo.   It's so nice to stay at "Hotel Melana" (that's what I like to call it). 

This week is the big garage sale in Angie's neighborhood.  I'm hoping to go over to her house on Wednesday and help her get pricing done, make signs, price tags....It may seem like a big pain in the patootie but after looking at some of the items that have been dropped off this is going to be one successful Relay Fundraiser.  While Angie is at work on Friday, Shannon and I are going to sell anything that isn't nailed down.  If you see Angie, please don't mention it :)

I'm very sleeping tonight and I really need to get some sleep for tomorrow.  When I get home from Seattle; Megan, her mom and I are going to meet our friend Judi who is a wedding consultant and go over some ideas for December.  I know it seems like a long time away, but I know better....we'll turn around and it will be here.

I'm so sleepy tonight I'd better to bed.  Tomorrow morning at 6:00am comes very early.  Ugh!

Dreaming Big,

Dor

Another exhausting day

I found my keys.   On Tuesday, I planned on stopping by the dealership to have a new key made (for only 100 dollars) but I got to the dealership late.  Later that evening, the restaurant I lost them in, called to say they had found them.   Is that considered a divine intervention?

Today was another very busy day for me.  It started with making soup for a fundraiser for Jake's school, then I went to a Chamber of Commerce meeting with Pam and presented the award for the 2007 man of the year.  The winner was Randy Heagle, a dad of one of my former cheerleaders.  The woman of the year was Pam Lindahl, but I told her I would not be handing my crown over.  She would have to get her own.  After the luncheon it was off to the grocery store with my mom and aunt (my Aunt hadn't done her major shopping in over a month...so my SUV was loaded to the top), then to dinner with our friends the Gums.  We don't get together often, but when we do we always have a great time.  (Bill and Jane, I'm working on a menu for that pub/restaurant we're going to start some day...you keep working on the venue).

I met some great people today at the luncheon I was at.  A man introduced himself to me and said he had just been diagnosed with lung cancer in December.  Another woman from Hospice was a speaker and she talked about Hospice and how most people think it is for people who are dying.  Instead, she reminded us that it's for people who want to Live.  She introduced herself to Pam and I and we made an instant connection.   My day was filled with lots of hugs and well wishes so it was worth every exhausting moment.

I know it might seem early for me to feel the effects of acupuncture, but honestly, tonight I feel better than I have in months.

Until tomorrow,

Dream Big, Live for the Moment, Dance in your underwear...and hope no one is watching.

Doreen

Successful Relay Meeting

Tonight, teams brought in over $30,000 towards our total. We've now broken the $110,000 mark. We also learned tonight that we are ahead of our goal from last year. If we keep it up, we're going to break more records and set new standards. What a great community we live in!

Dor

Happy Hump Day

We had a pretty good day yesterday when it came to Rick's dad. We got him out of the hospital, met his new cardiologist (who was fantastic), had a couple of doctor's appointments and got him on his new schedule. It has to be hard when you're 83, independent, and still want to be active ~ for someone to say, you need to take all these pills (which is our biggest battle with him), don't push yourself, change your diet, etc.... We're working on a game plan to make this new lifestyle as easy as possible for him.

I had a wonderful massage yesterday before I started the rest of my hectic day. Today, I'll be trying acupuncture for the first time. I've been reading up and by the sounds of it, acupuncture is good for overall health. I could use a little of that.

While doing a little lung cancer research over the past few days, I discovered a darling little 10 year old girl with rare childhood lung cancer, and a 32 year old new dad who had stage 4 lung cancer (like mine) who moved so he could be close to a transplant hospital in case some lungs became available to him. (I've been told that cancer patients don't make good transplant patients...but he fought hard for what he believed in). He now has a healthy set of lungs in his chest and looks like he's doing really well. From the onset of my diagnosis, I've read some horrific stories about how grim lung cancer can be...but the truth is...we need to show the world that there is HOPE no matter what kind of cancer you have. Which brings me to relay (again). We only have 23 days until the big day (and I do mean big). So, if you're not involved yet, put on your ruby red slippers and slide down our rainbow...we promise, you'll have a great time.

Dreaming Big,
Dor

Happy Cinco De Mayo

After what appeared to be a long drawn out day waiting for new prescriptions, Rick and I met his sister and brother in law for a Cinco De Mayo celebration at Amigos. We had a great time...until Rick, Vickie and Tom left and I stopped to say hello to a bunch of kids who graduated from Stanwood over the years. When I got to my car, my keys were missing so I spent the next 45 minutes emptying my purse, backtracking my way through the restaurant, taking the booth apart, to no avail. I believe the keys have been abducted by aliens. Rick had to come back over to the restaurant and bring me his keys. Hopefully, I'll get a call tomorrow from someone at Amigo's after they were turned in. Keep your fingers crossed. Otherwise, I'll have to lock and unlock my car with a key. Ugh!

Happy Anniversary to Jeff and Dawn (my brother in law and sister in law). Just remember, love makes the world go round. So keep spinning :)

I'm on an antibiotic to try and get rid of this crud in my chest. Hopefully, I'll be feeling better by tomorrow when I take Rick's dad to the Cardiologist. He's still in the hospital, but Vickie and I are hoping to pick him up and take him to his appointment so we can learn what's really going on with his health. I'll keep you posted as we learn something.

Keep dreaming big,
Dor

P.S. Best of luck this week, Carolyn. You're in our thoughts and prayers.

Successful Team Meeting

For those of you who are not on my Dream Team...Watch out. We had a meeting tonight and we're a team to be reckoned with. Many women. One Reason. This year's relay is going to be so much fun. If you're not signed up but you want to participate...we'd love to have you stop by the Stanwood High School Stadium on May 30th...you won't be disappointed. Please e-mail me at dreambig@wavecable.com if you are a survivor and want to join us. You don't need to be on a team to participate in the survivor ceremonies.

Rick has more energy today than he has in a week. I hope this next week treats him well. I'm still not feeling up to snuff (what does that really mean?) but tomorrow will be a new day and I'm expecting great things from my body.

The internet has been down most of the day which is why I'm writing so late. It's way past my bedtime so I'll talk to you tomorrow. Sweet Dreams. :)

Sleep well,
Dor

I've finally planted flowers :)

Most of you know I'm a sunflower fanatic. But for some reason, I have to plant these daisies every year. When I look at a daisy (of any kind), somehow the corners of my mouth turn up into a smile. I hope they do for you as well. In between rain spurts, I went outside and planted a few flower pots. I also bought a huge fuchsia (named Angel Dream). Beautiful foliage, but no flowers yet. The one that was blooming however was beautiful. This one was just bigger and greener. I can wait for flowers (it gives me something to do with my time) Sometimes I buy things for their names. Like today, Jake picked out a geranium with the name of Lavender Grand Slam. I said, go ahead...throw it in my wagon, we're a baseball family. We left the plant farm with a variety of blooming beauties. Give them a few weeks and we're sure to have overflowing baskets on the porch.

My father in law is still in the hospital. Still running tests. Still no definite answers. The good part is, he's being taken care of by great nurses, and if he has a problem he's in the right place to receive care. We'll be checking in on him tomorrow after church.

Tomorrow we have our team relay for life meeting. I'm excited to see all my team mates and help get them excited about the next 3 weeks. So far, the dream teams have raised over 15,000 dollars. I'm so proud.

Rick took it easy most of the day. The fatigue he's having is a little more than he bargained for. My respiratory "thing" is feeling about the same, but I'm hoping for some improvement by tomorrow.

It's bedtime for people who are 49 and 11/12ths. Hey, that's me. Talk to you tomorrow. I'm predicting sunshine so we can mow our lawns.

Dreaming Big,
Dor

Dreary Saturday Morning

I have still not planted any pots for my porch yet because the weather has been so terrible. When I woke up today it was raining (no surprise) but I'm still motivated to do it.  So today, Jake and I are going to purchase some potting plants at Jordan's Nursery.  They are a little nursery close to our house and they sell out so fast if you don't get there within the first few weeks everything is gone.  They just opened last weekend, so I think I'm still safe.

Rick's dad went into the hospital again yesterday.   With Rick feeling so fatigued from this last round of chemo, and with my cough and respiratory stuff going on, we stayed away from the hospital yesterday.  If we're feeling better tonight we may go down and visit.  I think the best thing for Rick's dad is REST right now and with a room full of visitors, it defeats the purpose.  The problem is trying to get his heart beat regulated.  It's just seems to be working overtime, all the time.  I hope the doctors can get this figured out soon because he's not very good at being a patient.  He's a much better farmer. 

My hip aching again today...it must know I'm slowing approaching 50.  Isn't that something that aches on old people?  I don't know, I'm not there yet.  :)  But, I'll soon find out.  

I'd better go now and get some work done around here.  You'd think with all my time off I would be organized and have all my wifely duties completed by the weekend.  Not!  

Only 27 days 'til Relay..."There's no place like hope"

Dreaming Big,

Dor

Happy Belated May Day

Most of my time yesterday was spent with Rick's dad at the doctor's office. He still isn't feeling well since his hospital stay. It's always a little draining to sit and wait for answers . The doctor said what he's experiencing is side effects from his new medicines. When you're 83, German and a little impatient it's even harder to sit around and wait for results.

I found a May Day basket of flowers on my porch after my busy day yesterday. What a wonderful way to brighten an afternoon. We should encourage Hallmark to make that a new holiday (because we don't have enough reasons to buy a card as it is). "Happy 1st day of whatever month it is.

When I got up this morning I had a raspy voice and a deep cough. I'm going to lay low today and rest. Well, that's my plan...but you know how plans change?

Rick's sensitive hands and feet have been the worst they've ever been during this round of chemo. As long as they stay warm he can tolerate it. With my hot flashes and him needing heat...we're a great combination.

Happy Friday :)

Dreaming Big,
Dor

2 Year Scan Report (sounds official doesn't it?)

Yahoo! I hope that gave you an indication that today's appointment went well. Dr. Eaton's first words to me (us) were "the scan looks good". Nothing has changed. Everything is still there. But...it's stable. I couldn't help but ask "are you sure nothing has been shrinking?". He told us that he is the Dr. known for lowering patients expectations. I am suppose to be happy with stable he said. Tarceva has made it known that it's not preforming up to capacity, and that I am not to expect shrinkage, only stability. Are you kidding me? How can anyone be stable when they have an "oncologist"? I told him thanks and I'll see him in a month (after I've celebrated my 50th birthday and walked the RELAY). Today's appointment was my first birthday gift :)

Now for the funny stuff (remember how I said there is always something funny?) Today he asked if I was losing or gaining weight. I wanted to answer...."TAKE A LOOK...what do you think?" but instead I said I was "stable" but I know I need to go on a diet. His words (with the family in the room) were "I don't want you losing weight. You can get exercise by being active but no diets." Oh, shoot. Darn it. I was so looking forward to salads with no dressing.

All kidding aside, I'm thrilled with today's appointment. Even the report didn't look as scary. No mention of 36 tumors (though Dr. Eaton said they're all still there)...just, NO SUBSTANTIAL CHANGE from the March 2008 scan. All my blood work looked like I was a healthy person (which I am, minus the lung cancer stuff).

Thank you for all your prayers and hugs these past few days. I felt every one of them.

Dream Team members...don't forget we have a meeting at my house this Sunday at 6:00 ish. Please bring any money you have to turn in, I'll help you post it to your account. Thanks!

I've added a couple of photos of the before and after Dor. The skinny one (with the superman shirt) was me a few days after my diagnosis before Tarceva. The plump, happy one is me this past weekend on the Oregon Coast, after a Blue Moon beer and some clam chowder (oh, and Tarceva)

Dreaming Bigger than EVER,
Dor

Bracelets for a CURE...

Well, we made it through chemo and scans, now we're just hanging out in Seattle waiting for good news tomorrow. Rick is always drained the first few days after treatment so he's just resting in a comfy chair watching baseball on FOX sports (I know, surprise...surprise) I know that good news isn't always the outcome. But, for those of you who know me personally, you also know that I can laugh my way through most situations. So, whatever we hear tomorrow will probably be followed by a giggle (and possibly some sniffling but we're not going there yet).

When I had my CT scan today, I got to see my favorite radiology tech. She always seems happy to see me and reminds me that I definitely don't look like a cancer patient (she sees a lot of them, so I'll take her word for it) and she's so glad things keep going well for us. I asked her to please inform the doctor who reads the results to only look for good stuff. She said she'd pass on request.

I've been going through the same motions for the past 2 years. Telling you how everything is going to be fine~yadda, yadda, yadda...well apparently, that's the SECRET. If you keep saying it over and over, it will be true. When I hear survivor stories of people who've lived with cancer diagnoses or re-occurring cancer for years and years, I can't help but admire their strength and attitude. I hope you'll all be saying that about Rick and I when we celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary...many years from now (that's my next big goal-first it was to be 50 years old...now it's 50 years of being married to the same cute guy).

Every time I turn around I get news of friends or acquaintances who are being challenged by the threat of cancer. That's where ACS comes in. If you or someone you know are diagnosed (or even a scare) with any kind of cancer, if you want to explain to your children about a grandparent or someone they know who has cancer, you can call 1-800-4-CANCER and request information to be sent to your home at no charge. When you give to Relay for Life, you're helping make this benefit possible. Don't forget, Relay is only 31 days away so you still have time to GIVE.

A friend of mine, Cindy Cutforth is making silver bracelets in support of a cure. I've attached photos of the bracelet & side options (the packaging is really cute too but I can't get the photo to attach to the blog...I'll keep working on it). Cindy made me a bracelet the week I was diagnosed and I haven't taken it off since. It's beautiful...and made with so much LOVE.

Visualizing Healthy Lungs,

Dor

Bracelet Info:

Available for order now! In keeping with the 2008 Relay For Life Wizard of OZ theme...Sterling Silver HAND STAMPED bracelets with -"THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOPE"stamped on outside - and "TODAY I WALK FOR A CURE" stamped on the inside. (Custom stamping on the inside is available upon request). Bracelets are$30 each. If you want to personalize your bracelet, please add $5 to the cost.Due to the hand stamping process, bracelets will vary slightly from the ones pictured. Each bracelet will come to you in a gift box, with a handcrafted enclosure card - designed and assembled by Sonia Kline! Please allow 10 days to 2 weeks for your bracelet to be made and delivered to you. If you wish to send a bracelet to someone as a gift, I will gladly ship it at no cost! All proceeds from the sales of these bracelets will be donated to RelayFor Life. I will need to cover only the cost of the sterling silver. All other materials & labor have been donated. Once sales for the braceletsclose, I'll post the total amount donated!

Cindy Cutforth Secretary, Lincoln Hill High School 360-629-1340 (ext. 2201)

Order Form:

Relay For Life
“There’s No Place Like Hope”
Sterling Silver Bracelet Order Form
Name:___________________________________ Phone:____________________
Address:_________________________________ Phone:____________________
City/State/Zip:____________________________ Email:_____________________
All bracelets will have “There’s No Place Like Hope” stamped on the outside.
Check which design you want for the outside of bracelet (see pictures):
______ Swirls
______ Awareness ribbons
______ Plain
Check what you would like the inside of the bracelet to read:
______ Today I walk for a cure - $30
______ Today I walk for___________________ - $35 Name of person
(quanity:______ Total Cost:______
Send your order and payment to:
Lincoln Hill High School
7600 - 272nd St. N.W.
Stanwood, WA 98292
Or (for SCSD School Employees only)Via Interoffice mail
Please make checks out to Cindy Cutforth.
If you have any questions please call Cindy at 629-1340.

ccutforth@stanwood.wednet.edu
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A copy of this order form will be sent to you, along with your bracelet, as a receipt

Sleepless in Seattle

Tomorrow is scan and chemo day so we're staying in Seattle tonight as well as tomorrow night (I don't get results until Wednesday morning...) Melana is gone on a business trip so we'll take over her condo while she's gone. I meant, we'll take good care of it while she's gone.

Bob and Dy left to go back to Spokane this afternoon, I finished unpacking from Oregon and started packing for Seattle, then took care of some health stuff for my father-in-law. My folks stopped by this afternoon and I surprised them with their jar of oysters (yuk). All in all, it was a pretty uneventful but busy day. At least it took my mind off my scan and Rick's chemo.

Hopefully we'll be trying Northlake Tavern pizza tomorrow (for lunch or dinner). We hear about it all the time but have never tried it. If Rick's appetite cooperates, we'll give you our personal review.

I'm going to bring my laptop along this time and keep you posted on how things are going. I promise. :)

Dreaming about clear lungs,
Doreen

Alive and Well (ok...Alive)

I would love to say how much I've missed writing this blog the past few days but that would be a little white lie. I've had so much fun in the sun on the Oregon Coast that I didn't even think about it.

I'm attaching a few photos from our journey to Cannon Beach and Seaside with our friends, Bobby, Dy, Dave and Val. We had an unforgettable road trip and have already set our sights on another one next year, to San Francisco.

We arrived in Cannon Beach (actually Tolovana Park) on Thursday night (pretty late after all the stops we made along the way). We rented a 3 bedroom condo a block away from the beach. We really wanted to spend time together and what better way to do that then to share a condo? We were so full of energy once we arrived (couldn't find the key to the condo we were renting so we had to go back to Cannon Beach at 11:00pm) that we stayed up way past our bedtimes. The good thing was we didn't have any set plans for Friday morning so we took our time getting ready for what ended up being a wonderful day. We went to Cannon Beach and Seaside ~ sightseeing, shopping, and lunch then headed to Astoria for the Crab and Seafood Festival (lots of wine vendors too!). We bought our friends each a little wooden sign while we were shopping around Cannon Beach. It said "Friendship isn't a big thing. It's a lot of little things". This weekend summed that up!

Saturday we went to Tillamook to see how cheese was made, played around in little towns along the way, then headed back to our condo before heading off to dinner at Mo's on the beach. Another wonderful day and lots of laughter.

On our way home today, we took the long route...I stopped by Pam's daughter's house in Seaside and peeked in her windows (Sorry we missed you Erin and Cody but you were at church). Then, we drove along US101 and though a little town that Val's mom used to live in. We swung by some famous oyster shop so Dave and Val could buy some of those stinky little things to bring home for dinner. The music, laughter, food and friendship was priceless.

It's another very late night and we have a busy week ahead of us so I'd better get to bed. Thanks for being patient with me. Sometimes it's nice to just go away, be silly and just forget about the serious stuff waiting for us back home.

Dreaming Big (with sand between my toes)
Dor

All is Well

This is just a quick little message to say "All is well in the Schmitt House". Mom and Dad went down the Oregon Coast for a few days with some friends. I'm sure Dor will tell you all about it when she gets back tonight. I know she was disappointed not to have wireless internet service. Jake and Megan are at Desert Aire, Angie is in Portland, and I have been in Stanwood most of the weekend keeping an eye on mom and dad's house and taking care of some Relay stuff.

We are well... don't be worried. :)

Amy

Rick's Test Results

According to Rick's oncologist, Dr. Whiting...the results are good. Here's what he had to say: Nothing has changed. All the tumors in his lungs, liver, lymph nodes are all where they were 2 months ago and they are all the same size. The good part is, NOTHING is BIGGER. As long as his body can tolerate the FOLFOX chemo cocktail, he'll continue to do it every other week.

We were hoping for some shrinkage but Dr. Whiting explained that it's only been 2 months with this new chemo so he wasn't surprised to see everything looking the same. Rick was a little down when we left the Cancer Care Alliance, so he came home and mowed the grass. A little lawn therapy is just what he was needing (that and a Dick's Deluxe hamburger on the way home).

I've gotta head out for our Relay for Life meeting. Only 5 weeks to go before our big night.

Dream Big,
Dor

We're off to see the Wizard

I've felt like Dorothy in the field of poppies on the Wizard of Oz lately. I seem to be sleeping much more than usual. Not only do I sleep in, but the moment I get in the car my eyes seem to close (unless I'm driving), when I sit still for any length of time my head starts bobbing... As you can imagine it's a lovely sight. Drool down my face, a constant sleep mark down my cheek, bloodshot eyes. Hey, that also sounds like I could be drunk. Let me assure you, that's not my problem. YET.

I promise I won't be sleeping when we get to Seattle today. My ears will be wide open as I hear the doctor tell us that Rick's chemo is kicking cancer's butt. I'll write a quick blog when I get home this afternoon to let you know how it goes. I have a Relay meeting tonight and our friends are flying in from Spokane so I won't have lots of extra computer time to chat with you for hours.

The plan is for Rick's dad to come home today. They found a small leaky valve in his heart and it doesn't pump the blood out of his chambers like it should, so his heart is working overtime. They've put him on blood thinners and a beta blocker to prevent a stroke. Apparently, this kind of problem happens as we get older. They figure once the meds start doing their job, he'll feel much better. When Rick and I talked to the doctor yesterday, he didn't seem very alarmed. He reminded us that Smitty is 83 and things just start wearing out. Other than this heart thing and the fact that he's a skinny old fart he's doing ok!

Love you more than all the miles we've put on our vehicle while driving to doctor's visits...On that note, I forgot to wish you all a happy EARTH DAY yesterday. Live Green :)

Dreaming Positive,
Doreen

Happy Birthday Jake!

Happy 23rd Birthday Son. I'm hoping to be around to celebrate many more with you. :)

Rick and I had full intentions to leave the house for Seattle (scan day) by 7:00am. Instead, we woke up at 7:00am. Oops! The good thing is...it doesn't take us long to get ready and the traffic cooperated with us, so we were actually in Seattle EARLY. I'm not sure if I'm not sleeping well, or just what's going on, but I was groggy most of the day. I slept in the chair while waiting for Rick's scan to be complete, I slept the whole way home (until Rick stopped for lunch), then once I got home I laid on the couch and woke up to the phone ringing at 3:45. That better be counting as beauty sleep or I've just wasted some precious time.

This afternoon Rick's dad was taken to the hospital (by ambulance) because of an irregular heartbeat. He was having some pains in his chest and they can't seem to get his resting heart rate regulated. When we got to the hospital, Smitty had just eaten his dinner (and cleaned his plate with is unusual for my 130 pound father in law). He actually looked better than usual. Perhaps the IV drip to hydrate him and whatever meds they had given him to calm his heart down was the answer. They are keeping him in the hospital for a day or two for observation. I think it's a good place for him. I'll let you know how things go.

I'm off to bed now. It's been an exhausting day.

Dreaming Big,
Dor

Blog Entry #600

Holy Crying in the Night...Can you believe I'm still writing this thing? 600 entries and I still haven't run out of things to say.

Megan was up visiting Jake for the weekend and it turned out to be a busy one. On Friday night we went to the MOPS auction, Saturday I rode with Jake and Megan to Mt. Vernon and did a little shopping for his birthday, on the way home Rick called and said we were going to dinner for the Dairy Farmer's of Snohomish County so we got ready again and went out for prime rib (and the crowning of the Dairy Princess). This morning, we got up early and went to church then out for breakfast (Pam joined us and got the senior citizens special...she wasn't going to order it because she said she was too young, but when she found out it was cheaper she jumped on it). Amy was waiting for us when we got home and boy is she BROWN. She finally made it home from her vacation (after an overnight stay in Dallas because her flight from Cancun was 4 hours late). I figure as long as she made it home, the plane touched down without shooting flames or without the wing falling off and she's in one piece...what's a little delay? We're glad to have her back.

Angie is in Portland helping her friend Shannon paint her newly remodeled basement. You can never have too many helpers for a job like that. When I talked to Angie last night she said that it took 13 gallons of primer to cover the walls. That is some serious painting. I'm hoping she's on her way home now before it starts to snow again. Ok, I don't know if it's going to snow...but around here you never know. It's WASL testing again this week and stress levels are high at the schools. I wonder what happens when it snows on a WASL day...can you cancel school?

We woke up yesterday to a couple of inches of the white stuff covering the ground. I love the stuff, just not in the spring. We have Relay coming soon and I would hate to have to wear snow shoes around the track. :)

Tomorrow is Jacob Charles' 23rd birthday. I can hardly believe how fast the time has gone. It seems like only yesterday we were pulling names out of a baseball cap to name him because we couldn't all agree what to call this new family member. I think Amy and Angie were rooting for Jacob Tyler, but still call him Chuck or Charles. Whenever our friend Vic sees him, he calls him Nathan. Growing up, all his friends called him Jake. Now at school, he's lovingly referred to as "Mr. Schmitt". Happy Birthday son...whatever your name is :)

Rick's hands, feet, ears (actually any extremity that is out in the open) is really causing him pain. It doesn't stop him from going outside, but he's all bundled up when he does. The moment he gets inside he steps in front of the fireplace and thaws out. The severity of the pain gets better just about the time he's due for another treatment.

Tomorrow is scan day for Rick. Results follow on Wednesday. Whatever we learn will just be another step in this journey they call life. Hopefully this chemo cocktail will remain on the menu, but if not...they have many other concoctions to try. We have friends coming over from Spokane on Wednesday night and we're all heading down to the Oregon Coast on Thursday. We can't wait. The timing is perfect.

The 29th and 30th I have a scan and results. These next couple of weeks will be emotional ones. Not because we'll learn bad things, but because we don't know what we'll learn. That's the worst kind of worrying to do.

Since I haven't done much of anything productive this weekend, I think I'd better get off the computer and fold some laundry. Ugh. Where is that maid when I need her?

Dreaming Big,
Dor

I'm dreaming of a white April...?

I spent a great day helping my friend Cathy celebrate her last day in the 40's. She's going to do just fine as an older woman. I could tell by the way she was handling her walker this afternoon. Ok, just kidding...she doesn't look a day over 35 and I'm jealous.

I'm still tired but I'm not ready to go to bed yet. We went to an auction tonight and bought a few things in support of our sister-in-law Dawn's MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) group. The dinner was good and the entertainment was fun. On the way home (I was driving) I had to pull over because I couldn't see in front of me. It was like driving in a blizzard. I frightened everyone in the car so Rick insisted on driving instead. For safety's sake.

I'm not sure what's going on with our weather but I'm now thinking of planting plastic flowers in my flower beds. This might be the only way to guarantee colorful blooms that don't freeze. When is that "safe" time frame to get your plants in the ground?

I'm going to take a little something for my cough tonight. It's a little more annoying than usual and I'm sure this weather doesn't help.

Be safe...don't drive in this stuff unless you have to. Amy gets home from her vacation tomorrow. I'm sure she'll be thrilled with the blizzard conditions.

Love you more than all the snowflakes in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

Dreaming Big,
Dor

Wide Awake ... at 3:00am

It is 3:07 am and here I am wide awake.  Oh, I'm sure I could find something constructive to do around the house (but I'll use the excuse that I don't want to wake anyone).  Now I'm not awake because I fell asleep too early in the evening, or that I took a nap this afternoon.  As a matter of fact, I was exhausted around 3:30 this afternoon and I thought I wouldn't make it past dinner.  Instead, tonight was one of those nights when I closed my eyes I couldn't help but think about STUFF.  

When we saw the orthopedic surgeon today for Rick's shoulder, he explained that Rick had a tear in his rotator cuff and he has now developed frozen shoulder.  I guess any one of those things by itself can be painful, but having both of these problems at the same time is a double whammy.  We also learned that although surgery could repair the partial tear, he would have to stop chemo and that option isn't even on the table.  I have a husband who rarely complains about pain, or sickness so when he moans from his fingers hurting from the cold, or when he walks on a cold floor and the pain is like walking on broken glass, or when he tries to put his shirt on but can't straighten out his arm, I just want to get get mad.  I want to yell at the guy in line at Haggen who isn't getting service fast enough because there is a new girl getting trained, or the woman at Starbuck's whose latte has too much foam.  I want to remind them to focus on all the amazing things we have to be thankful for, and start appreciating the things that really matter.

On Saturday, I will hit my 2 year survival mark.  Now to some, 2 years doesn't sound like much but for me, it's a year longer than "statistics" gave me, it's over 700 days of laughter, and love, and determination.  It's the most important life lesson I've ever learned.  On the 29th of this month I'm scheduled for another scan.  I'm a little nervous for the results this time because of all the changes in my last report.  I know there is a good possibility that we may try new medications/chemotherapy.  Something new that may or may not change my quality of life.  Something new that might work really well.  Maybe I do have a bunch of things on my mind that are keeping me from sleeping.  Perhaps I should have gotten up around 11:00 and shared my worries with you then.  I may have actually caught some shut eye before it's time to get up.

I'm heading out early in the morning with my buddy Cathy.  We're going to the tulip festival in Mt. Vernon to celebrate her 50th birthday.   I'll write tomorrow and let you know how the  day went.  (unless my lack of sleep catches up to me and I'm asleep on the couch at noon) 

As much as I want to plant my flower boxes, I heard we may be getting snow again this weekend.  If I don't get them planted soon, I might not have anything blooming until the fourth of July.  Maybe I should choose a red, white and blue flower combination...

Have a spectacular weekend and stay out of trouble.  If you can't stay out of trouble, then at least have a good time being bad.  :)

Wishing I was dreaming big...

Dor

What I've learned about cancer...

We all believe that cancer effects a certain part of your body. Hence, colon caner...we worry about your colon. Breast cancer we worry about your breast. But the truth about cancer is that the way to fix it it generally by putting poison into our veins and destroy bad cells along with the good cells. These good cells can be attached to your gums, or your joints, or your bones, or your hair follicles. And what seems to be an easy fix, turns into mini nightmares and unknown possibilities.

Rick's newest problem is a torn rotator cuff and a frozen shoulder. It's been bothering him for over 4 months, but he decided to pick his battles and just take care of the cancer first. Now the shoulder hurts so bad he doesn't even think of the cancer. Tonight, Angie stopped over and played Dr. Ang. She ran him through some exercises until he makes it to physical therapy on Tuesday. I know it's going to hurt more before it starts to feel better. We feel so fortunate to have someone in our household with the knowledge to help him through this battle.

I just worry about all of it. I want him to be pain free. I hope he will start to sleep better. I want the scan results on Wednesday to be positive. I like him to smile. I am so thankful for all the great things that have happened in our lives as well. Friendships are stronger, joy is brighter, Love is immeasurable...

Oh, and I also have to worry about me a little too. I'm sure everything is super dooper, but after the next scan we'll have a better handle on it. I will remind my oncologist that I'll be turning 50 in about 40 days so we need to find a way to keep me feeling well until then.

I'm getting to bed early tonight. I'm going to spend the day with Cathy to celebrate her 50th birthday. I'm telling you...all my friends are getting old right before my eyes. I'll wear sunglasses so I won't be spotted with all these old folks.

Love you more than all the tulips blooming in the Skagit Valley,
Dreaming Bigger than Ever~
Dor

Heading out the door

I had a wonderful massage yesterday, stopped by the office to help out with a little project, came home and took a long (apparently very needed) nap, then woke up in time to play Bunco with my bunco buddies. I got home at 10 and went straight to bed.

Rick's hands and feet are very painful this time around. He was told that each time he had chemo the build up would eventually be rough on him. He's feeling it now.

We're just heading out the door now to see the shoulder specialist then have his chemo disconnected. I'll be home later and write more.

Until then...Dream Big,
Dor