Secret Santa

Yesterday we had a slip in the mail that indicated we had a special letter waiting for us at the Post Office.  The slip stated that the letter could be picked up after 9:00 A.M. on Friday (today).  I took the slip to the post office today.  I gave the man at the counter my slip.  He went back and picked up the letter.  Before he would give me the letter I had to sign and print my name on the card reader device. I then had to print my address on the car reader device.  I told the post man it was like writing on a magna-doodle.  He didn't say anything...He just handed me the letter.  Inside was a Christmas card with a typed letter and a pre-paid Visa card.  Thank you Secret Santa!  Words cannot express our gratitude for your kindness.

The case of the missing neck gaiter

My hands are still itchy today, so I am still taking benadryl.  I didn't feel the need to sleep today, but I didn't have much ambition to get much done either.  I guess that isn't totally true.  A few weeks ago Will lost his neck gaiter.  He had had it since preschool, so I think we got good use out of it.  I just couldn't stomach paying shipping and handling for what is basically an outdoor turtle neck.  I bought a 1/2 yard of fleecy fabric and matching thread.  I had a little insulation lining left over from another project.  It went together easier than I thought it would.  I made it in orange, so hopefully Will won't lose this one.  Now I want want one.  I would like it in a color other than orange though.

My life in the fast lane-- I mean pick-up zone

My last day of prednisone was Sunday and I am still not fully recovered from my allergic reaction from the chemo.  Once the benadryl is out of my system my hands start itching and I know that nothing good will follow. The benadryl makes me very dry.  My lips are dry, my nose is dry, my throat is dry.  I am dry like the desert.  I am also fighting off a little cough and lucky for me I don't have a fever.  

With all my issues plus benadryl I was exhausted today and I could tell I needed to rest.  I was all ready to snuggle in for a nap this morning when I discovered Will had forgotten his lunch on the table in the dining room.  I went out and fired up old red, so I could deliver the lunch to the school.  Since I was out I decided I had better drag myself to Walmart.  (We were almost out of Ted's special drink.)  By the time I got home it was time for lunch.  After lunch I slept until it was time to get in line at the "zone" (the pick-up zone at school). 

 There is definitely a strategy to the pick-up zone. I've noticed that the people in green zone either need to get in line before 3:00 p.m. or they  need to come after dismissal time.  The people in the Purple zone can come at any time.  We are red zone and I've discovered that I need to get in line as close to 3:00 as I can.  If I get to zone too much later I might as well just come "late".  The line for red zone is long, so I can either wait in line before dismissal or wait in line after dismissal. Of course today the sliding door wouldn't work.  I had to climb out the passenger side and force the door shut. (Sometimes the door thinks that something is in the track.  The door won't shut and it dings until everyone inside the van is sick with a headache.)  

By this time I just wanted to get Ted and head for home.  Ted's friend Chase was not happy when he realized Ted was leaving.  Chase usually leaves first, so...poor Chase.  I made special spaghetti for supper, so Ted could have some too.  The special spaghetti does not cook up as nicely as regular pasta.  (Maybe I over cooked it or didn't stir it enough...I'm sure I'll try again another time.)  After bath time Ted got his finger caught in his IKEA wall lamp.  He has a cut on his cute little pointer finger now.  Poor Ted.  He didn't cry, but I thought I might.  Tomorrow is another day.  I hope it is an itch-free day!

Sunday Surprise

Ryan's parents called this morning and said that they would like to come up and see us.  They arrived around 11:00 A.M. and we ordered chicken from the Villager.  It was a little like having a second Thanksgiving.  After dinner Ted took a nap and Ryan, Will, and Ryan's parents went out to rake up all the leaves.  They worked for 2 1/2 hours.  We wouldn't have been able to get the leaves raked without their help.  

After the raking was finished,everyone enjoyed fresh baked brownies and hot chocolate.  (Will had warm apple juice and fruit snacks.)

After the snack, Jeff crawled up under the family room to see if he could find out why the sink in the family room powder room wasn't draining.  Ryan had already discovered that the problem was more than a clogged drain, so we knew there was a problem deeper in the plumbing.  Jeff discovered that we will need one of the pipes replaced. It had rusted through and was leaking into the crawl space.  I'll call the plumber on Monday.  Until that gets fixed we can just keep draining the sink into a bucket.

Today wasn't at all what I had expected when I woke up this morning. It was nice to see Ryan's parents.  I was glad that I felt well enough to enjoy their visit!  We are so grateful that they could make the trip and help out around our house!  Ted had lots of hugs for Grandma and Grandpa.  Will really enjoyed working outside with them!  I think we all had an excellent day!

Black Friday and no shopping

Today passed without any Black Friday shopping for this girl. I didn't leave the house. Our whole family has a touch of a stomach bug.  Ted was out of sorts.  He is normally very happy, but today he just wasn't himself.  He didn't nap very long today, so he was very tired tonight.

Ryan is announcing tournament games tonight for two Basketball games at BVU. We all had an early supper.  Since the games were tournaments we didn't know if food would be available for Ryan at the games. Ted is in bed and Will and I are watching Wheel of Fortune.  I hope that we all wake up tomorrow and feel great.  Oh yes, Will saw the Menards commercial on TV and realized the deals are still good tomorrow!

Our Thanksgiving Blessing

This isn't the first time that Ryan and I haven't been able to join one of our families for Thanksgiving. But since I am still dealing with the after affects from my allergic reaction to chemo, I really didn't feel up to the challenge of cooking the traditional Thanksgiving dishes.  We had accepted the fact that we just weren't going to have a "fancy" Thanksgiving.

My long term sub, and fellow Lakeside Presbyterian church member, Kim Anderson had sent me an e-mail asking what we were going to do for Thanksgiving.  She said that she would have more than enough food and would love to share with our family.  I can't tell you what a blessing this was to our family.  It brings me to tears to think about her kindness.  There are so many things that I can't do right now, but it meant so much to me to be able to enjoy the traditional Thanksgiving dishes.

I am so thankful for all the people in the Storm Lake community that have aided our family during this difficult time.  Ryan and I don't have family close by, so even the small offers of assistance make a HUGE difference to our family.  We know that we are not doing this alone!

Thankful Thanksgiving

I'm so thankful that I got into the doctor yesterday.  Hopefully I will be feeling relatively good this Thanksgiving weekend!

Today I am resting and trying to catch up a little bit on laundry.  Last night Will asked me why he only had one clean pair of pajamas in his drawer.  I told him that I can't be doing laundry when I'm recovering from my chemo.  He said that I need to do the laundry so that he has his favorite pajamas.  (I guess we all need to make sacrifices during this time of recovery.)

Will was so very tired last night.  He was in his own bed and asleep by 6:30 p.m. I had gone down to start a load of laundry and when I came back up to read a book with him I discovered he was fast asleep.  School must be wearing him out!

Ted misses his friend Chase.  Linda said that Ted was saving toys for Chase so they could play together.  OH MY GOODNESS!  That just melts my heart!  I love that Ted has a best friend at daycare!

I wanted to go to Fareway this morning, but then thought better of making the trip.  the doctor told me not to go anywhere for Thanksgiving, and considering I was back at the doctor yesterday...I'm staying home!

It will be interesting to see how they change my chemo drugs since I had a definite allergic reaction this time. I just need to get through three more treatments!

Our little family is experiencing a rough patch right now, but I am so thankful that we have each other.  I'm thankful for the Storm Lake Oncology nurses, and I'm thankful to know that there are many people rooting me on during this difficult time.  I hope that all of my friends and family near and far have a Happy Thanksgiving!  Our little family couldn't get through this without your continued support!

It's just me, your rashy friend

Well, I can't tell you how thankful I am for the Oncology nurses here in Storm Lake!  I called them today to tell them that I was breaking out in small rashes. They said that they would call Sioux City.  Then in the afternoon I called back and said that I had welts on my feet.  They told me to take a Benedryl and a Pepsid and they would call Sioux City back.  They also said that I could come in and they would look at me.  I'm glad they did!  They told me that I had thrush in my mouth and that I definitely had an allergic reaction.  They sent me over to my family doctor to be seen immediately!

I now am waiting on my medication to be filled at Walgreens.  (Thank goodness I got into the doctor's office because now I have a rash on my back!)  Don't worry, I'm not at the pharmacy.  I'm at home and Ryan will pick it up.  I think that our family deserves a quiet night!

The Power of Pictures

This chemo was quite dramatic with Ryan's stomach flu.  Ryan's mother came up on Saturday to help take care of Will and Ted.  This time my throat hurt the worst it has ever been.  It seems like every time is different.  My heartburn was extreme this time.  If I had stronger heartburn medication I wonder if my throat wouldn't hurt quite so badly.  I know that my stomach wouldn't have been quite as upset.  I didn't sleep hardly at all Saturday night, but when I did get a little sleep my dreams were HORRIBLE.  Yuck!  Looking at photos on Facebook is what got me through...my niece making cookies, my cousin's new baby, my friend from high school shooting archery from her horse (even her horse wore a hat!)  The power of pictures!

My skin has gotten quite sensitive.  Sunday night I felt itchy all over, but I didn't have a rash.  I took some Benadryl and woke up this morning feeling not itchy.  Tonight my arms were getting a little rash.  I put some Eucerin cream on them and took Benadryl and the rash went away.  Its been a couple of hours now and I'm doing O.K.  All I want to do is sleep through the night.  I only use baby soap on my skin and either Cheer Free or Dreft on my clothes.

Ted's friend Chase isn't at daycare this week.  Linda told me that all day Ted was looking for Chase. At lunch time Ted went back to where the high chairs are stored because Linda didn't get Chase's chair out.  Then at nap time Ted was looking for Chase.  I love that Ted misses his friend.  I also love that Ted has fun at daycare.  I know that whether I'm at work, or home recovering (like I am right now), Ted is safe and happy!

recipe ideas

Here are a few "safe" ideas for my family.  I will keep adding more so you can check back...

LOWER CARB NON-DAIRY CHICKEN STROGANOFF

When I make this I use the mushroom soup and soy sour cream.  The soy sour cream can be found by the other sour cream in the cooler at Fareway.  The mushroom soup can be found at Fareway by the Gluten free foods.  I also use Gluten free noodles for Ted.  I usually just cube some chicken breasts and cook those up in a pan on the stove top. 

Baked Porcupine Meatballs

There are no special ingredients needed for this recipe.  Please just don't put any bread in with the meatball mixture.  The rice is something that both Will and Ted can eat safely.
Gluten-Free Meatloaf
Gluten Free crackers and bread are really expensive.  I would use a wheat free cereal instead.  Many of the chex cereals are Gluten free (I would also check corn flakes?)  Don't get sucked in to the "Gluten free isle".  If you make this, keep 1/2 for your family!  We don't need the whole thing!

I'm half way there for chemo!

My mother appears to be doing well after her eye surgery!  She should be at her recheck appointment right now, so hopefully all good news for her!  My cousin and her baby appear to be doing well.  I can't wait to meet the new baby.  It will probably be in a few months, but something on my list of things I can't wait to do and see when I get better!

The boys got off to school and daycare and Ryan is upstairs sleeping.  He is under the weather now.  It has been a little too much around the Harder house and Ryan needs to take care of himself, too.  I plan to rest on the sofa today and keep my self hydrated.  My job is to flush out the chemo and rest!  My oncology doctor told me three times before I left yesterday, No rashes, No rashes, No rashes!  If I develop a rash to call him immediately!  I will go back to oncology today for my white cell booster shot.  I pray for Saturday (my notoriously worst day following chemo) to not be too down.  So when I make it through Saturday, I will consider myself 1/2 way done with chemo!

Treatment today

It was quite the ordeal this morning at my pre chemo evaluation.  Since there had been so many medical problems between my last treatment and now, it took a long time for the nurse to debrief me.  They also checked one more time to make sure I didn't have a urinary tract infection.  My blood pressure was elevated today, so that was a concern.  They are thinking that since I had been on a steroid for my flu shot reaction and then immediately started my pre-chemo steroid , that maybe the multiple steroids plus my stress is elevating my blood pressure.  The first time they took it it was in the 140's over 100.  (They just took it again and it was 141/88, so it has gone down!  My last was 136/83.  Relief!)

Anyway, I had to explain all of my medical issues AGAIN to the Oncology doctor.  I saw the doctor 1 1/2 hr. after my scheduled appointment.  He told me to watch the area where I had had my lumpectomy to make sure it doesn't get infected.  He said that there is quite a bit of scar tissue and fluid still in the area.  I told him that the fluid in the area has greatly decreased, but fluid does still collect.  I also explained that I am now able to sleep in my own bed again instead of sleeping on the sofa propped up by pillows.  (I slept on the sofa like that for three months!  I guess Ryan and I invested in a good sofa almost 9 years ago.)

 The doctor then asked if I felt well enough for treatment.  I told him YES!  (If I didn't have my treatment today I wouldn't be able to get my treatment for two more weeks.  That would push every thing back by two weeks.  If I didn't really feel good I wouldn't have taken my treatment today, but Ryan and I agreed that I was well enough for treatment.)  The nurses all told me that the next time I have something strange happen I should just come in to Oncology and then they will contact the Oncology doctor directly.  They felt awful that I had been having so many problems and not getting the answers I needed.  The doctor also told me to call him  in Sioux City if I ever have another problem.  He does not want me to suffer.  Everyone stressed how important it is right now to focus on my health.  (They were emphatic that I need to take it a day at a time.  I have two young children at home.  I should limit my stress as MUCH as possible and TAKE CARE of MYSELF!)

I almost forgot, today is my 1/2 way point for chemo!  I will only have 3 chemo treatments after today!  Then I will have two weeks off and then 6 weeks of radiation.

Meal Train

Angels around us

There is no doubt that I was feeling low after days upon days of dealing with medical problems.  Today I made it to Fareway and an angel appeared to me.  Her smile was contagious and she talked to me for about 10 minutes.  I needed that today.  Another angel appeared to me at the post office. (I had to mail my nieces anti-nausea bands back to her, so she could have them to fly home.) He was a jolly man waiting in line behind me.  He also brightened my day.  

The other night Will was looking at a picture of us and said, "I miss our memories Mom".  I asked him what he meant.  I gathered that he meant that I'm not able to do many of the things I did before my cancer and he misses doing those things with me.  This morning Will asked me when Celeste would be back from her conference. (Celeste is an ESL teacher at our school and graciously picks Will up each morning.)  I think that Celeste is Will's angel right now.  (Will has many angels.  I am grateful for all of them!)

My cousin went to the hospital at 3:00 A.M. this morning to have her first baby.  I pray that she has a smooth delivery.  I pray for my mother and her eye surgery tomorrow.  I pray that my treatment goes smoothly and I have a speedy recovery.  Most of all, I pray that each of us can feel God's love and that we have the wisdom to recognize God working in our lives to carry us through difficult times.

Just get me a bubble

My sister, mother, and niece came to visit today.  My mother will be having eye surgery on Thursday (my next chemo), so Alys and Audrey flew from Virginia to take care of her.  I did not plan on spending an hour in the doctor's office again today.  The latest thing to make my life miserable, a strange fungal infection.  My immunity is down and I guess I'm going to suffer.  I now have two more medications to add to my collection.  I am not supposed to consume alcoholic beverages while on these medications.  (As I recall that is a big "no-no" for chemo too, so not a problem.)

Alys, Audrey, Will, Ted, and my mom were all gathered at the table waiting for me to return from the doctor.    After our lunch, Will returned to school for the rest of the afternoon.  My mom went to the pick-up-zone with me.  You know all the times when a car has stalled, or someone has crashed,or a car has been abandoned, or goes through driving the wrong direction (some of you know what I am talking about).  Anyway, today I got to be the person holding up the zone.  The automatic sliding door wouldn't close.  A kind lady, who only spoke Spanish, was trying to tell me how to close the door.  She had her granddaughter interpret.  It was a desperate situation.  I ended up climbing through the van, out the passenger door, pushing the button, and pushing the door shut.  This does not always work, but I am so glad it did today!

Will and Audrey played nicely this afternoon, and I did get some time to visit with my mother and sister.  Ted was perfectly charming, except when he spit up on the kitchen floor.  (He saved that one just for me after I returned from the pick-up-zone.)  He gave everyone lots of hugs and impressed everyone with his ability to say "cheese" before a photo was taken.  He is not consistent with his talking, but it is fun to hear his occasional words.

I sincerely hope that tomorrow I can get to the grocery store before my chemo on Thursday.  I pray for better days ahead in the not too distant future.  I am so ready for fun and feeling GREAT!  I am tired of being sick and spending hours at the doctor's office every week.  I also pray that my mother has a successful eye surgery on Thursday.

My mother brought lots of kind greetings from old and dear friends in Ames.  I appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers.

Brrr it's cold outside

The wind is bitterly cold today.  I'm cold in the house without a hat.  I look like I belong in a ski village.

Will had a really difficult time getting ready for school today.  I don't know if it is the colder weather that blew in or that we just didn't have a normal weekend.  It is really difficult for Will when I don't feel "well".  I feel bad too.  It makes me sad when I know my children need me and I can't help them.  Illness is hard on the whole family. I pray for God's grace to carry our family through this difficult time. 

Day of rememberance

Today is Veteran's Day.  Today would have also been my grandfather's 100th birthday.  This is the grandfather for whom Will is named.  Today Ryan and Will drove down to Avoca to celebrate Ryan's Grandmother's birthday.  Today we celebrate and remember many important people.

Since Ted has pink eye and I am recovering from my flu shot disaster, we are resting at home today.  Ted took a 2hr. nap this morning.  I rested while he slept and then I heated up some potato soup that Ryan purchased at the campus book store.  It was Panera brand soup and apparently it was quite expensive.  It was a good treat, but at $5 for one serving of soup without the fancy Panera bread I guess I won't be eating it every day!

Ted's eye is looking better and I seem to be on the upswing.  You can still see where the welts were from my rash.  I'm still itchy, but I feel like I am now going to recover rather than have unending misery.  No one at urgent care yesterday could believe that the Storm Lake community does not offer doctor services on Saturday except for the ER.  Our insurance companies make it abundantly clear that we need to try and make good health care choices and not rush into the emergency room.

Our health care system is at a cross roads.  If Ryan hadn't been able to drive Ted and I to Sioux City yesterday, I think that Ted and I would have had no other choice BUT to go to the emergency room.  We would have ended up spending $2,000 for both of us to see the doctor rather than pay our co-pays.  The people in the urgent care were extremely concerned about both Ted and I. The receptionist was friendly AND helpful, the nurse was well trained and the doctor was outstanding! (The receptionist even told a patient that didn't have insurance where she could find health care free of charge!  She treated everyone with dignity!)  If we need care on a weekend I would feel confident returning to that urgent care facility, but the drive is almost too much especially when you are sick or if the weather is bad.  (Winter in Iowa isn't always perfect.)  Everyone deserves outstanding health care with dignity and respect.

Urgent Care in Sioux City

Today Ted woke up with an angry red eye.  My rash was getting worse.  It had spread to my hands and feet.  I thought that I was going to go out of my mind.  Unfortunately, none of the doctors' offices in Storm Lake see patients on Saturday.  We really didn't want to pay for two E.R. visits, so we decided to visit urgent care in Sioux City.

It wasn't a fun ride.  Ted had a bad case of car sickness.  We had to carry him into the urgent care office wrapped in a blanket.  We filled out the paperwork and then Ryan and Will ran to Old Navy to buy Ted more clothes.  Luckily they were having a clearance sale on toddler clothes.  Everyone at urgent care was extremely nice.  I am so glad that we went to Sioux City rather than pay for an emergency room visit.

After our big day at the doctor's office, I think we all deserve an early bedtime.

The aftermath of my flu shot

Wow, yesterday was a bipolar day for my overall feeling of well being.  In the morning I felt itchy, but otherwise fine.  I went to school and printed off a list of parent contact information so that I could work on sending out an email for parent volunteers.  It was wonderful to be out and about.

Then after lunch the wheels fell off my day.  The arm where I had gotten my flu shot hurt like I had hit my funny bone.  It hurt like that all night.  My back ached and I had huge welts on my legs that would get better if I applied hydrocordozone cream.  It was a ROUGH night.  I kept thinking that I would need to go to the ER.  I feel better this morning, but I'm going to rest as much as I can!  I am thinking that I probably should not get another flu shot.  Last night was unbearable.  (The doctor's office called me back and they didn't think it could be a reaction to my flu shot.  I don't know what else it could be from!  Why else would my arm hurt like it was going to fall off!?

On a happier note, Ted is 18 months today.  We sang him "Happy Birthday", Hickory Park style.  He loves all the clapping.

Meal Train

My next chemo is Thursday, November 15.  I have added a sign - up for dates following my chemo.  The Saturday following my chemo was purposely omitted.  People have been extremely generous and are continually asking how they can help.  We appreciate everyone's care and concern.  This is a journey that we realize we can't make on our own.


 Meal Train Link

Wednesday night surprise

Last night Ryan said that there were two packages delivered to me from the UPS man.  Hmmm. . .I was expecting boots for Will and Ted, but what was the other package.  Ryan told me it was from Flowers.com. One of my mother's friends sent me a message in a bottle.  It was rather exciting to get a message in a bottle.  Ted thought it was a game while we tried to get the message out of the bottle, and Will asked me numerous questions about the cork.  (I am remiss that I don't have more knowledge about cork.)

Wednesday was a good day.  I felt energized and so I vacuumed the family room.  I really vacuumed the family room.  I moved the sofa and chairs and Ted's little kitchen set.  It had been months since the floor had been vacuumed that thoroughly.  The family room just feels "fresh".  I love that feeling!  Tuesday I was an "off" day.  I was just happy to get some laundry folded and put away.  Every day is different.  Some days I feel like my old self and other days I just need to rest.

After I picked Will up from school yesterday we went to the doctor's office and got our flu shots.  I missed the flu shots offered by the school district and BVU.  I'm relieved that have that done and Ted will get his next week.  The shot didn't hurt, but my arm ached last night. I've never had a reaction to flu shot before, but  last night and today I feel itchy.  I guess my body is hypersensitive right now.  My wig also makes my head itch.

Managing the paperwork, insurance and medication is tedious.  In October I called our utility and insurance companies for copies of our bills.  Mid American  and our insurance sent us copies right away.  Alliant Energy said they would send us a copy, but never did.  I called them back today to tell them how disappointed I was that they didn't follow through with my request.  After I went around in a circle with them for a while they agreed to e-mail us a copy. (We are going to apply for a special grant that is offered for people currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer.  There is no guarantee that we will be awarded the grant, but it is worth a try.  The application is tedious.  I hope that we can complete it SOON!)

Friday afternoon will is going to be coming home rather than going to Adventure Club.  He is suffering from a cold right now, so I am questioning if it is a good idea for him to be home with me.  I suppose it is no different than him being home all weekend.  He appears to be boarder line needing to go to the doctor for this possible sinus infection.  I may end up taking him back to the doctor on Friday.  I wanted to make Christmas ornaments with him.  I thought that would be a special project for us.

Around the house

So Friday night I was reviewing insurance papers and realized that at some point one of my insurance cards wasn't returned.  I think the last time I had to show my insurance cards was prior to surgery at St. Luke's in Sioux City.  Either way, I'm surprised that whatever medical facility had my card last wouldn't just mail it back to me.  I went online and requested a new insurance card.

Saturday morning Ryan took the drain apart in the little 1/2 bath off the family room.  The sink had been slow, but it had gotten worse. (I think someone washed quite a bit of sand off in the sink.) Now Ryan needs to snake the drain since the clog seems to be further past the sink.  Yep, fun times at the Harder house.

Today was time change and Will woke up at 5:30!  Ted is under the weather and Ryan has a migraine.  I am thankful I didn't have a treatment this past Thursday.  I can't even imagine...

Losing your routine

In my mind things at school are pretty much the way they were when I left.  Everyone has a general routine that they follow and students and staff that are apart of that routine.  Today I pray for one little person.  He and his family returned to Mexico and I will miss him.  This student played a part of my routine every day.  I never had him in reading group, but every day we said "Hello".  Maybe it was at the beginning of the day or at a different time, but every day our paths crossed.  I could tell that he wondered where I was this year.  When I would come to school at the end of the day to pick up Will this little guy would come up and say "Hi".  In his eyes I could see his question, "Where are you this year?"  

Good luck little man!  I will miss you!  I pray that you are safe and happy!

Who goes to Fareway in the middle of the morning?

Will and Ted had fun last night handing out candy and watching the trick-or-treaters.  Ted had a rough night of sleep.  Ryan took him to the doctor today to make sure it wasn't an ear infection.  The doctor said it was viral.  If we hadn't taken him it would have been an ear infection.  Will is so tired tonight that he fell asleep at 6:40, but Ted is still going strong.  You can tell he is tired though. My throat is starting to hurt tonight, so I really hope I just wake-up fine tomorrow.

Today I went to Fareway.  I went at a non-busy time as suggested by my oncologist.  It is strange to go to Fareway at 10:00 A.M. the store is NOT busy at all! I was able to walk through the store at my own pace and not have to worry about two children. 

 I wanted to make a taco pie that I had found on Pinterest.  Before Will's dairy allergy I made a taco pie with a bisquick crust.  This taco pie called for crescent rolls (they don't contain dairy, but they do contain wheat).  Ted couldn't eat it, but Will could.  I used soy sour cream and Ryan and I added the shredded cheese and salsa at the table.  I should have omitted the olives.  Ryan and Will picked them all out and I didn't use the expensive Fritos, I used store brand corn chips.  I thought that Fritos were way too expensive to just smash up.  I really wanted to use Doritos.  They were on sale at Fareway, but Will can't have them.  Overall it turned out great.  Here is the link if you want to make it too. http://www.navywifecook.com/2012/09/taco-pie.html

Ryan and I had lunch at King's Pointe to celebrate another Chemo DONE!  It was nice to watch the lake and not need to entertain children.  

My wig makes me feel like I am playing dress up every day.  Some people don't recognize me with my fancy new wig.  I really don't miss my hair.  This morning Will had to remind me to put a hat on before I ran out to the van.  He told me to "Put a hat on!  People like a hat Mom!"  Last night I made the mistake of taking my wig off in front of Ted.  He doesn't care if I don't have hair, but he cried and cried when my wig came off.  I guess my hair either needs to be on or off.

Ted Watching the Trick-or-Treaters