We have finished 4 sessions of chemo!
Just thought I would do another update of how mom's last round of chemo went last week. She visited with the doctor prior to starting chemo on Monday and he was AMAZED at how well she is responding to treatment and also how good she looks! Looking at her, you would never be able to tell that she is going through all that she is! She continues to have chemo every three weeks- so she gets two weeks off and the third week she is in for her session. The doctor is so impressed that he is talking about doing radiation treatments as soon as she completes her chemo!
It continues to amaze all of us how she continues to fight every day without any complaining and with a smile on her face. She continues to give her whole heart in everything she does and continues to put others before her first always. I am so proud to have the mother that I have- she is a pillar of strength and and inspiration to all who face trials in their lives.
As you continue you with your next week or so, please think of mom, pray for her and lift her up to the Lord. Everyone that knows her would be completely lost with out her if something were to happen.

Mom:
Tonight, I lift you up in prayer and ask that God continue to be with you and give you the strength and courage you need to continue fighting the way you do. I thank God for giving you as my mother and teaching me so many things. I hope I can one day live up to the woman you are! I ask that God heal your body, take away any pain and fears that you might have and give you comfort. I ask this in his name, Amen.....     I love you mom! 

Time to catch everyone up!

WOW- how time flies when you have a baby! I apologize for neglecting the blog.... I'll go ahead and recap the past several weeks! My last post was after mom's second week of being diagnosed. Since then, mom has undergone two more sessions of treatments (6 treatments total) and has three more sessions to, with two week breaks in between each session. She was scheduled for an MRI of her brain in mid March, however shortly before the test was to be performed, the doctor was informed that mom has a TENS unit or pain stimulator in her lower back and could have actually be killed if the MRI was performed. A PET scan of moms brain was the next option and has been completed! By the grace of God, the cancer has not moved to moms brain (that tends to be the next place it will go as well as the bones). Mom has been such a trooper and fighter throughout this and the doctor is amazed at how well she is responding to treatment! He seems optimistic about the future months and is planning radiation on mom's lung when the the chemo is treated! For those that don't know- MOM QUIT SMOKING! Hooray for her! It's been a struggle and she still has her cravings but once again, she is providing to us all that she is a fighter! Her blood counts continue to remain stable each week and she has been able to remain illness-free (thank God) over the past few weeks which helps her blood cell count remain in good range!
Last week, mom was able to receive a visit from her nephew Zach Hamer and his wife Sarah and their adorable little boy Wesley. Sue had promised Zach that for their honeymoon, he could choose anywhere to go and she would take care of the air fare. Zach and Sarah and chose to come to Utah to visit with mom- something that touched mom (and all of us really) beyond what words can describe. While out here, Zach decided to shave his head in honor of my mom- it made us all cry... however mom has accepted losing her hair quite positively and always continues to see the bright side of things! Let's all continue to pray for mom as she continues to endure her treatments in the upcoming weeks and that she remain healthy and that her blood counts remain stable! Mom- you are a fighter and a true inspiration to everyone you meet! We love you more than words or actions could every express. You are the light of my world! I love you!

I'll post some pictures of the last few weeks once I remember how to upload pictures from my iPhoto and onto the blog!

Week 2 in Review! It was a GOOD week!

We couldn't have asked for a better week for week 2 into mom's treatment! Mom had the week off from chemo to allow her white blood cells to build back up ensuring that her immune system can handle another round of treatment. She had a follow up visit this morning (Monday, Feb 13th) and her cell count remains good! Now we just need to make sure that she stays healthy so we can keep her treatments on schedule! She won't go back in for chemo treatments until the 26th of February. She will typically have 2 weeks off between treatments, but due to the holiday next week and insurance (how political can you get?), the doctor decided to hold off and give her one more week to get her body ready for another round of chemo! She did get a touch of the flu like symptoms with vomiting but we are hoping that it is related to the immune booster shot that she received last week and not the chemo itself!

Mom has her glow back! You can see it in her eyes when she smiles! It makes me so happy to see that she still has her fighting spirit! She is such an inspiration to us all!  I hope that she continues to have the faith that she does and continues to fight without hesitation! She admits that it's scary- so please everyone, keep her in your thoughts and prayers as she continues this next battle...

We had a GREAT visit with Jeremy and Michelle this weekend! They came in and spent the weekend at home! We celebrated Jeremy's birthday with a late birthday dinner and had a great time- mom and dad gave him a stock certificate for the Green Bay Packers so he (along with mom and dad) are now Shareholder for the Packers! I am so jealous! It's unfortunate that Jeremy and Michelle's visit had to be so short, but they have jobs and lives that they need to get back too. Hopefully we will be able to have them up for another visit soon!

Shopping for a wig!

                                                                   Simply Beautiful!

                                                       He looks like a young Ken doll!

                                                                      Chase having fun!

                                           Woot, woot! What a stud!

 
So this morning, Melissa, Mom, Ty and I decided to venture out into the world of wigs to see what moms options might be when she starts to lose her hair due to the chemotherapy. We ended up at a shop where the woman helping us was so nice and helped mom pick styles similar to how she wears her hair now! We decided to buy two wigs and have mom start wearing them now so as her hair begins to thin and fall out, she will already have been wearing wigs and it can be more of a private process for her. The wigs look wonderful and mom walked out of the store wearing one! Ty gave his seal of approval when Nana looked at him and asked him what he thought and he gave her the biggest smile! As awkward or sad of a situation this could have been, it was actually very therapeutic and mom had a smile on her face the entire time! She couldn't have looked more beautiful today and had her "happy glow" back to her! After coming home and receiving rave reviews from everyone at home, the boys decided that they wanted to try on moms wigs. It was nice that we were all able to get a laugh and share this experience with mom! We were blessed to have a day today that was filled with smiles and laughter! With or without hair, my mom will ALWAYS be beautiful, but at least we found her a few wigs that help her feel the way we see her (beautiful) during her chemo treatments! Love you momma!

Week 1 in review

So, we have completed mom's first week of chemotherapy to treat her lung cancer. She completed chemo treatments on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday- each day, one of us would make sure that we were there to take her to her treatment and sit by her side throughout. She handled her first round of treatment well however she continues to be tired. On Thursday she received an immune booster shot. The shot is injected into the fatty cells and produce excess white blood cells in the bones. This can cause bone pain, which she is experiencing in her neck and some flu like symptoms which she is now starting to experience. Hopefully she won't have these symptoms too long because she seems to be drained a bit from them! She has the next two weeks off from chemotherapy and will resume chemotherapy on Feb 20th. Our goal is to keep her active and involved on her off weeks! She always seems to do better when she is keeping herself active and involved! Ty and I continue to spend a lot of time at Nana's.... He lights up like a star when he see's his Nana and brings such a sparkle to her eyes! Even though Chris has moved out, he continues to come by the house each night (I think he misses the family and wants to spend time with mom).... They watch Jeopardy and America's Funniest Home Videos every night! My dad has been such a pillar of strength to the entire family! And we would be lost without Melissa- who seems to have filled every role possible and without, I would be lost! It's hard having Jeremy in California during times likes these as we know he needs our love, comfort, hugs and care too. Despite it all, it seems we all have been each others rocks when we need to be over the past few weeks. Mom continues to have a smile on her face and says that although she is scared (which breaks your heart as a daughter hearing) she is NOT giving up! She goes to her chemotherapy appointments with a smile on her face and manage to even make the staff smile! Let us pray that the next two weeks allow mom some time to rest and heal before having to go through her next round of treatment! I'll keep everyone posted on how she continues to do! Please continue to pray for mom and our family! Much Love!

So True...

I think we all need this right now!

Just what the doctor ordered!

This smile is just what I needed to make me forget even if for a minute, what is going on around me! Ty is definitely a blessing to our family!

Ty and Nana

Tyler just adores his Nana.... He smiles, giggles and wiggles whenever he see's her face or hears or voice.... She is definitely one of his most favorite people in the world! 

Mom's pre-oncology appointment picture with dad! Come on mom! We LOVE you!

Ready to kick cancers ass!

Update as of today, January 30th

We finally were able to speak with Mary’s oncologist this afternoon.  Following the PET scan he ordered both an echo-cardiogram and a bronchoscope to look at her lungs.  She has been diagnosed with ‘small cell lung cancer’.  This is a rapid growing cancer that, per her doctor, responds well to chemotherapy.  Today was her first treatment and she will have three treatments (Mon- Wed) every three weeks.  While this is not what we wanted to hear, Mary has assured us that she has her gloves on and will fight this with the help of the Lord.  We were fortunate to have a number of friends from our church here to pray for the family and especially for Mary.  Jim and Kathy are still here and can relay their own thoughts as to how things are here.

We know that only through the healing hands of the Lord, Mary will overcome a new hurdle.

Mom's fight starts tomorrow!

So tomorrow, my mom begins her next battle against cancer... We are treating lung cancer and her lymphoma with chemo sessions more often than any of us would like or had expected. Tonight I invited a great group of people come pray over her as she endures her next trial. Thank you so much for Jeff L., Jeff & Shaunna, Ivy & Kelsey, Lisa (Grace), Norm & Karen, Uncle Jim & Aunt Kathy, our immediate family and of course Jeremy & Shelly via Skype! I am sure having you all there brought comfort and peace to he heart! Please keep my mom and entire family in your prayers and add us to any prayer chains! Without having to say it to each other, we are all very scared and doing our best to put it in God's hands! I love you momma more than words could ever describe except you're my soulmate! Please fight harder than you ever have and know that we are here with unconditionally love and support!

If I Had Only Known

I thought I would share this poem that my mom wrote shortly after my grandma's death.... It makes you appreciate the time you have with your loved ones....

 

If I Had Only Known

For Thora Kraus (Grandma)

If I had only known it was the last walk in the rain,

I’d keep you out for hours in the storm.

I would hold your hand like a lifeline to my heart,

Underneath the thunder we’d be warm…

If I had only known it was our last walk in the rain.

If I had only known,

I’d never hear your voice again…

I’d memorize each thing you ever said.

And all those lonely nights,

I would keep your voice alive inside my head.

If I had only known I’d never hear your voice again.

You were the treasure in my hand,

You were the one who stood beside me.

So unaware and how foolishly I believed,

That you would always be there…

But then came a day and you slipped away…

If I had only known it was my last night by your side,

I’d pray a miracle would stop the dawns…

And when you smiled at me, I would look into your eyes,

And make sure you knew my love for you goes on and on…

If I had only known, for the love I would have shown,

If I had only known.

Written By: Mary C. Braun

Loving my johnny jumper!

For Christmas, Ty got his first Johnnyn jumper and he loves it! He spins around and goes between two rooms and gives us a break when we are trying to get dinner together! Whoever created this was a genius!

Letter to my mommy

Mom,
I have so many thoughts and emotions running through my mind and heart... I am lost, broken and can't begin to figure out where to pick up the pieces.  We think of soul mates and you are mine. Without having to speak a work, we understand each other and know exactly what the other person is thinking. I have never had a friend like you before and can't imagine my life without you in it. I will also need my mom! I will never forget the time that dad called to say he was coming home from work early and we were hiding 100+s presents throughout the house in fear that he would figure out how much we spent! Driving in the car and singing and dancing to complete strangers in the cars next to us..... Hiding our purchases in the trunk until dad went to bed and then wearing it a week of two later- "No, I bought this ages ago"!  There are so many memories that I have with you mom and so many more to make! You CANNOT give up the fight of your life- you need the passion in your soul and heart that you had before! Think about your amazing grandchildren who deserve to have such an amazing and loving Nana.....and all of the people who lives you have touched in one way or another! I love you mom more than words could every describe! You are my best friend and I would be completely lost without you, your guidance, your love or support! You are my rock! I love you, I love you, I love you!

Love your daughter,
Erika Elizabeth
xoxoxoxoxo

Mom's next fight!

On Monday, January 17th, mom went in for a routine PET scan. The scan was just to check out her lymphoma and ensure it was still in remission. She had just finished maintenance chemo sessions in November with the outlook pretty optimistic. This past week, Monday January 23rd we heard the devastating news that not only was her lymphoma was back, but they had also found a mass in her lung. After undergoing tests, it has been determined that mom has been diagnosed with a new lung cancer, in addition to her lymphoma (both of which are currently active in her body). She has undergone a heart study to determine if her heart is strong enough to endure another round of chemo treatments. This round of chemo will be much stronger. Instead of going once next week to begin her treatments, she will go through treatments next Monday,Tuesday and Wednesday- definitively planning on taking a toll on her body.
As expected, we are all very scared about the months that lay head but also have a faith in God that he will once again give our family the strength to get through this trial. Lucky for mom, she has a great family who will help bear the cross with her! 
As her treatments begin, I will continue to update you- post more pictures of mom and hopefully get her to enter her own blog entries about how she is feeling! Please keep our family in your prayers and thoughts! 

Welcome to our crazy life!

Well, with all the changes that happen in our day to day lives and the inability for us as a family to get together as often as we would like, I thought I would create a blog that would let everyone interested in checking in on the Crazy Utah Braun Haus.... It seems like things change everyday and with a new baby- we learn new things and find happiness in life's simple pleasures.


With the changes between Tyler's growth (I want him to stay a baby for ever), Evan and Hannah who are turning into teenagers, the twins, Christian and Cera and of course, Chase who keeps everyone on their toes and of course how mom, dad, Jeremy and Michelle are doing.... My goal is to update this at least bi-monthy to keep you all posted! Happy Reading! Love to you all!