Infusion Round 3

On June 21 first we went in for round 3. Probably the nicest thing about round 3 was how uneventful it was. We were a little nervous about the port and if it would work or not; having the port probably saved around an hour or more of getting an IV placed based on our past experiences.

Anna's blood levels have been very good and this was probably the 'easiest' round of chemo physically. Anna had a couple of days of the 'yucks' but otherwise rebounded quickly and was able to do some things she had been looking forward to.

PowerPort Procedure...say that three times fast!!!

After the debacle of trying to get an IV going during the second round it was decided to give Anna a port. This is a device that allows the medical team to easily and quickly get into Anna's blood stream. The way it works is a small disk, a little bigger than a quarter lies beneath her skin. The disk has a tube that is inserted into her jugular vein. The disk has an opening that allows a special needle to gain access to the blood supply.

Anna was really nervous for the procedure. On the morning of June 17th we went to the University of Utah and had the port placed beneath her skin. We were the first surgery of the day so we needed to be there by 6 am. Her IV was placed quickly and she was taken back for the procedure which lasted about 30 min. Everything went really well and the port has been a huge blessing.

Genola Rodeo

Anna's brother Brad lives in Genola and invited us to the Big Rodeo. Here are all the kids getting ready for the candy run. They all line up and then run into the middle of the arena and gather as much candy as they can.

Daphne did an amazing job. We trained her well. She came back with all the chocolate candy bars. Our niece came back with all the taffy.

Ryker was just along for the ride. He was helping everyone else around him fill up their cowboy hats with candy.

All the cousins showing off what they got.

Our niece Mckaylee participated in the Mutton Busting and won 3rd place in her age group. Daphne and Ryker LOVED watching all the sheep.

Here is how Ryker was the whole Rodeo. This is what he enjoys.

The group

It was so nice to get out and do something on the weekend Anna doesn't have Chemo.

Daphne's first dance recital

After Moving to Bountiful Anna was looking around for a Preschool for Daphne come Fall. Anna went to observe Expressions Dance and Preschool and left with a teaching job offer. The beginning of March Anna, Daphne and Ryker started school. They let Ryker just come and hang out in the classroom while Anna taught. Included in the preschool was an hour of tumbling and an hour of ballet. Daphne was in HEAVEN!!!

Daphne just had her first dance recital and couldn't have enjoyed herself any more then she did. She was LOVING every minute of it.

Here she is getting ready to start.

Daphne Loves to dance and we were so impressed with how she stayed with the beat and knew all her steps. She even kept losing her tutu and would just pull it up and keep going like nothing happened.

The smile on her face was there most of the dance!!

She had so much fun. She can't stop talking about the Big Stage

Daphne with Grandma and Grandpa Farmer

Daphne with Grandma and Grandpa Mabey

Our Family

We really enjoyed being apart of expressions dance. We are excited to continue in the Fall.

Head Shaving Party

Anna's hair started to fall out shortly after her second round of chemo. She decided that rather than 'shed' all over the house she would like to have a Head Shaving Party. On Thursday June 9th the party was held with fanfare and excitement!! We had ice cream, family, and clippers. As we waited for everyone to arrive the tension was building as Anna & Ben were nervous, Anna because 'What is my head going to look like?' and Ben because he was shaving Anna's head! We shaved her head, shared some laughs, and ate ice cream; pretty awesome party.

Anna really has a beautiful noggin.

Look at that smile

First Family Pic sans hair; Ryker isn't too sure about what's going on.

Anna's support team; sister/on-call nurse & mom.

To Answer your Questions...

Many of you that are following the blog have said 'Just let us know what to do' or 'What do you need?'. To answer those queries we say, we are not sure. It has been a very interesting experience to try and figure out what we 'need'. We mostly need this cancer thing to go away. Since that's not going to happen we are left unsure as to 'what we need'. We want you to know how much encouraging words/stories/experiences have helped us, how much acts of kindness and generosity of helped us, how much your thoughts and prayers have supported us through all of this.

One of the hardest parts of this whole experience has been the feelings of vagueness that we experience on sometimes a daily basis. We sometimes feel that things are out of our control. It has been strange to look into the next couple of months and know that we will still be going through chemo, still dealing with body aches, still riding an emotional roller coaster, and asking the questions of 'why did this come to us' and 'what are we supposed to learn/gain from these experiences'.

Another thing we have noticed is it's also difficult for those on the edges or the periphery of this experience; all our friends and family who desperately want to do something to help but just don't know what, if anything, they can do. We know there are some of you who would take this from us in a heartbeat if it could be done, we are so thankful to those who have sacrificed so much of your time to step in and watch kids and to be with Anna. We would like to offer some ideas for things that can be done for those of you who are far away at this time.

Here it goes. We would like to hear uplifting thoughts or experiences that have helped you during difficult times. Those things that you fall back on during hard times that help you to re-center and keep things in perspective. As these stories or thoughts might be of a personal nature we would offer our personal e-mails (keyextra@yahoo, annafarmer.30@gmail) as a way for you to share those stories or thoughts with us. We would love if you would be willing to post them on the blog but realize some hesitancy of sharing those thoughts with the public.

Currently the thought that is helping Ben is the Proverb 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths."

The things that have really helped Anna are the notes, phone calls and service/time from family and friends. She knows she can not do this alone and is very humbled with the kindness offered to her. Anna is so grateful for the power of the Priesthood and the opportunity to have blessings; they are a huge comfort to her during this time. Her faith in her Savior has grown so much as she studies the scriptures on a regular basis in order to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost in her life. What a great comfort the gospel brings into our lives.

Infusion Round 2

On June 8th Anna went in for round two of her chemo treatments. There was a doctors appointment before the infusion in which they did some blood work to see how her body was reacting to the chemo. All of her levels were good. Once again they struggled with placing the IV and she was poked 4 times!! After this experience it was decided that a port would be placed in Anna. A port is a catheter that rests under Anna's skin so that each time they do any kind of blood sampling or chemo administration they will access it through that area. This will require that she have a basic out patient procedure on the 14th. In the doctor consultation he adjusted her medications (they reduced her steroids) and this time things are going much better. She is staying active and feeling a lot more hopeful about things this time around.

This time around Janet, Anna's mom, was able to stay with Anna during the infusion. Anna feels very blessed that so many of her family have been there to support her during all of this; especially her mom.