December 22, 2006

Hello,

Yea! I finished all my stuff tonight and now I get to rest and enjoy!!! Tomorrow Bonnie and I are going to the Nutcracker with friends. We are so excited. It has been a mother/daughter tradition since Bonnie was 5 years old. Of course last year daddy filled in and made it a special day. Napper and Brian also plan something fun when we go, and this year they were invited to go to a KU basketball game. They are pumped.

We are all doing great. We, like everyone, have been very busy, but it has been a fun month. Brian & Bonnie started winter break on Thursday. Napper and I are both taking time off over the next week or so. We are looking forward to lots of R & R. Snow would be welcome.

We have enjoyed visits with family recently. During the Thanksgiving holiday we had a wonderful weekend with my family. The weather was exceptionally warm. We were able to spend time outside hiking through the woods at Weston Bend State Park.

Last weekend we had a whirlwind trip to Minnesota for the annual Curley Christmas party. It was great to see everyone. We went Christmas caroling and had lots of good laughs.

We are looking forward to 2007. 2006 has been of year of great abundance. We feel so blessed. Our lives are enriched with the many kind special people.

Merry Christmas and many blessings for a wonderful new year.

Love, Denise and all

P.S I was thrilled to celebrate my 46th birthday Monday.

November 21, 2006

Hello,

What a difference a year makes. I finished my chemo and radiation 1 year ago this week. Wow! We are looking forward to Thanksgiving. We have so much to celebrate. This year I will definitely participate. Tomorrow my sister and her family will arrive and thursday my brother and dad will get here. We will actually have our Thanksgiving meal on Friday.

I have been feeling wonderful! I think I am back to my full energy level, if not better. I continue to practice healthy habits, hoping to keep my immune system strong. I have been doing a lot of reading and research in this area. I am very interested in natural, holistic ways to keep myself healthy.

I am working part-time. That is working out well. I do take call for surgery 1 day per week. Brian & Bonnie are doing great. They have been busy. Bonnie with cheerleading, choir and dance. Brian with soccer, basketball and science olympiad. They both enjoy time with their friends, but still like hanging out with mom & dad once in a while. Bonnie is 10 and Brian will be 12 in January. Napper is also doing quite well. He just finished tiling our downstairs bathroom. Quite an accomplishment. He has been busy with work and business is going well.

Napper's sister Terri and brother-in-law Gino were in town from California this past weekend. They bought some property here in K.C., so they will visit periodically to manage it. It has been great spending time with them.

This has been a growing year. I have heard some people refer to cancer as "the gift of cancer" and I in many ways it has been a gift. Some very good things have come from this process. I have made a list of them, but I won't bore you with the details. Mostly, I just appreciate what I have, and the wonderful people who bless me each day with their presence. I am grateful for your concern, and your prayers.

Love and blessing to you,

Denise

October 16, 2006

Hi

I am doing great. I feel good and I am enjoying each day and all those I encounter. I had a CT scan of my chest last week. The scans show scar tissue to the original tumor site. So of course that was a relief. Even though I feel great I do start to get nervous a couple weeks before my scans. By the time the scans are here I am feeling more relaxed again, and of course after the scan I feel really fantastic.

So, thank you all for your prayers. I am very grateful and feel very blessed. I have been busy working and keeping up with our two busy children. Napper, Brian & Bonnie are all doing well. Our dog Kelly (16 1/2 year old lab) passed this summer. I miss her sweet face, but she was definitely ready to go. We still have our cat Amos and he has adjusted well to being our only pet.

Happy Halloween!!!!

Love, Denise

September 10, 2006

Hello,

Our relaxing summer has come to an end and the fall schedule is in full gear. Brian is playing fall soccer and enjoying his first couple weeks of middle school. Bonnie has been practicing cheerleading and starts her dance classes this week.

The drought is over, isnt' it great. The temps are very pleasant. The grass is green again and growing fast. Our potted flowers and gardens are loving the change in weather.

I quietly celebrated my 1 year anniversary of my diagnosis of lung cancer. I feel really good about the changes this event has brought about for myself and my family. Each day is truly a gift.

I am very grateful for my health. I feel wonderful. To regain and build strength, my focus has been on nutrition and exercise. Each week my endurance and strength improve. I have really enjoyed this process and I have let go of any guilt associated with taking this time for myself. Napper & the kids have been very supportive.

I so appreciate all the love and support I receive each and everyday from family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and other parents. You have all inspired us to want to help other people and to give back in any way we can! Thank you.

It will be interesting to see what the next 365 days holds for us!!

Feeling blessed,

Denise

August 2, 2006

Wow it is hot! Our lawn is brown and keeping the flowers alive has become a challenge. There is a chance for rain today or tomorrow, let's hope it happens.

Other than the heat, all is well here. We have had relaxing, fun summer. The kids are getting ready to go back to school. They start on the 17th of this month. I have been feeling great. My weight is good. My esophagus will eventually have to be dilated, but for now it is fine. My next scans will be the first week in October.

I took a part-time job at the hospital where I currently work p.r.n. and that will start Aug. 21st.
I will be working in surgery. I will continue to work in other departments p.r.n.

Have a great rest of the summer!!

Love, Denise

July 2, 2006

We just returned from a two week vacation. The first week we were in Dubois, Wy. We rented a cabin in the mountains with my brother Dave and his wife Tracy, and my sister Dee and her husband Mike ..and kids Casey, Allie and Chris. It was a great spot, with beautiful views and smells. We made frequent treks to Yellowstone National Park and The Grand Tetons. It was wonderful week filled with hiking, fishing, horseback riding and sight seeing. I got along great despite the high altitude. The uphill climbs did make me cough a bit more, but was not limiting.

The second week we all went our separate ways. The Curleys traveled on leisurely to Thermopolis, Wy where we spent the day soaking in the hot mineral baths. How relaxing. We made our way across Wy and the breath taking Big Horn Mountain range. A route I would definitely recommend. We spent the remainer of our week in South Dakota. We saw many of the sights there, but one of our favorite spots was the Spearfish canyon in Spearfish, SD. The streams were so clear you could see the markings on the trout that inhabited the waters. We also visited Mt. Rushmore, what an accomplishment! We drove through Bear Country, USA and saw some of the wildlife we missed in Yellowstone, though the setting was not quite as majestic. The Badlands were quite impressive too. Our last night in SD we stayed in Sioux Falls and then we headed home. It is nice to be home. Our neighbors kept things going here, despite the heat. We are grateful for the time together and the many special people in our lives. Happy 4th of July!!!!!

Many blessings,

Denise

May 31, 2006

Hello,

We had a great family weekend. The bike ride was fun and challenging. The temp. was 95 degrees. Unusual for May. We would like to go back in the fall. Napper and I were thinking it might be a good anniversary get away.

I had my PET scan yesterday. Everything was clear. The lungs showed "radiation fibrosis" to the original tumor location. Basically, scar tissue formation in the cavity left from the tumor. I am so grateful and just in awe of how life unfolds. Each day is such a gift.

Thank you for your prayers, support and concern.

Love & blessings
Denise

May 24, 2006

Hello,

Well the school year is winding down. Tomorrow is Brian & Bonnie's last day of school. Where did the year go. All in all they both had a great school year.

Last weekend friends Nancy from Colorado and Sue from St. Louis visited. We loved seeing and talking with them. Next weekend we are going to bike ride part of the Katy Trail. This is a old railroad trail converted to a recreational trail between KC and St. Louis. We will ride part of the trail on Sat. spend the night in Booneville, Mo. Sat. and ride back to our car on Sunday. We have talked about doing it for a long time. The kids are at a great age for it now.

Have a great Memorial Day Weekend!!! Thankyou for your thoughts and prayers.

Love & blessings,

Denise

May 16, 2006

Hello, It has been awhile since I updated this blog. Overall, I am still feeling great. I did develop a cough, and after watching it for a few weeks I let the doctor know and my CT scan was moved up. There was some concern in reading the CT scan that a recurrent tumor is growing where the original lung tumor had been. The lymph nodes are still negative and the rest of the lungs are clear. Consequently, we will follow up with a PET scan on May 30th. I will keep you posted.

My brother Dave and his wife Tracy visited this past weekend from Indiana. We had a great time. We opened the pool on Saturday. They were a tremendous help. We got done in one day what it would have taken us a couple weekends to do. The kids were a great help too. We all enjoyed being outside.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers.

Much love,
Denise

April, 25th, 2006

Hello,

Everything is going well. We have been busy, like everyone else. Brian is in the middle of his spring soccer season. That keeps us busy on the weekends. Bonnie has her dance recital this weekend.

I have been working part-time. That is going well. I am exercising on a regular basis and feeling very good. My swallowing seems to be progressing and most foods are not a problem. I anticipate that some time in the future I will need to have my esophagus dilated.
For now it is okay.

I have not had any chemo or radiation since November. My next scans are scheduled for the first part of June.

Thank you for your prayers, thoughts, optimism and cards.

Much love,

Denise

April 7th, 2006

Hello,

My how time passes so quickly. All is well here. Napper & I had a great visit in California. We got to see friends we have not seen in a long while. I had Sushi several times and I think I got my fill.

I have enjoyed visiting with my sister this week. She headed back to Colorado early this A.M. It was fun to catch up with her. We are all ao spread out that we very much value the time we have together. I look forward to getting together with my siblings and families for a trip to Yellowstone and The Grand Tetons this summer.

I continue to feel good. I appreciate your prayers and support. Napper, Brian & Bonnie are all doing great, as well as Kelly, (my 16y.o lab) and Amos our cat. We have started working outside on the yard, and we look forward to being out more. I might even throw caution to the wind and get a tan! whoo whoo

Much love,

Denise

March 29, 2006

Hello,

I am doing great. Feeling better all the time. Oh and by the way, I DID eat suschi. It was wonderful.

My sister is coming in Friday to help us out while Napper & I make a quick trip out of town. We look forward to visiting with her when we get back.

I have increased my work hours a little bit this week and that has worked out fine. It has been fun to see people that I have not seen in months. Of course sometimes they don't recognize me right away. That's understandable. My hair is much darker, wavier and shorter and I am still thinner than before tmt.

Thank you everything.

Sincerely,

Denise

March 21, 2006

Hello, Spring is here and it is snowing. Our seasons are mixed up this year. We had a great time in St. Louis. It was a fast trip. Bonnie had a good meet. She didn't quite have the scores she had hoped for but she put up a good fight and we are very proud of her.

I am doing great too. I am continuing to gain weight. I have enough energy to start exercising and I am not near as tired at the end of the day as I was even a week ago. The last couple days have been terrific.

Thanks for your continued prayers. It is good to be out and seeing people again. I am ready for the "real spring"

Feeling grateful,

Denise

March 15, 2006

Hello,

Things are going pretty good. I met with my Oncologist this week and we are still calling it a partial remission. No treatment prescrbed. I will follow up in June with a CT of my chest. All my doctors are thrilled with my response to treatment thus far.

I did return to work last week. Just about 12 hours for the week. I have to ease into this. It was tiring, but this week I felt stronger yet so I am coming along.

My esophagus cooperates most of the time. Once in a while if I forget to eat slow and chew well, I will get food stuck. That is pretty tramatic. Thankfully, so far I can get it to go one way or the other with water. I have gained a few pounds and happy about that. Probably need to gain more, or at least that seems to be the concensus.

We head to St.Louis on Saturday for Bonnie's State Gymnastic Meet. She is pumped. We plan to get together with Uncle Larry and Aunt Judy while there, we are looking forward to that.

Thanks so much for all your prayers. I feel so fortunate and blessed to be writing this letter. I am looking forward to Spring. Our bulbs are emerging and are such a symbol of new life.

God Bless,

Denise

March 6, 2006

Hello,

I had CT scans today of the neck and chest. Everything looked good. There is no lymph node enlargement. I will meet with my Oncologist next week to get the official word.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

Love, Denise

March 3, 2006

Hello,

Yes, I am continuing to progress with my eating. No sushi yet but I am getting most of my calories from solid foods. Eating is still somewhat of a chore, though improving. I am able to maintain my weight.

I have CT scans of my neck and chest on Monday. I feel confident that they will look good. Next week I do have some work hours scheduled. I am very much looking forward to that.

Tomorrow we head to Springfield,MO for a gymnastics meet then to St. Louis in a couple weeks for the state meet. That will wrap up the gymnastics' season. I think Bonnie is ready!

I continue to be blessed with the kindness of so many people. I appreciate your cards, calls, visits, emails, meals and prayers.

Love, Denise

February 15, 2006

Hello, I am doing much better. My esophagus is really beginning to heal. I can "chugalug" my water with very little pain. I have been longing to do that. I have not had sushi yet but maybe for Napper's birthday at the end of the month we could do that.

I have finished this round of hyperbarics and will take a few days break before I do another round. We are making such good progress that we thought we should continue.

Hopefully after I finish that I can start to pick up some hours of work. That would be great.

Everyone is doing great. The prayers are working!!!
Thank you so much.

Love, Denise

February 7, 2006

Hello, Hope you all are well! I am doing better. I have been able to get some solid food down recently. My esophagus feels like it is starting to open up. It has been a slow process, but each week seems better.

Thank you for your continued prayers.

Most sincerely,

Denise

January 31, 2006

Hello, Monday, I started going for hyperbaric oxygen therapy again. I will have at least 10 more tmts and if it helps we will do another 10 tmts. I continue on liquids and overall I am doing pretty well.

Thanks for your prayers and support.

Love, Denise

January 23, 2006

Hi, I am happy to report the biopsies of the esophagus came back negative for cancer. A big relief. It is just going to take a long time for the esophagus to heal. That's okay, I am getting this "liquid thing" down. Anyway, the plan will be to scan again in March and regularly there after.

Thanks so much for all your prayers and support.

Love, Denise, Napper, Brian & Bonnie

January 17, 2006

Hello, I hope the new year is treating everyone well. I am doing fine. I had my EGD last week. My esophagus is still painful and I am still on fluids. There is one area of the esophagus that is not healing. They had done some biopsies before and they show atypical cells. They did more biopsies this time to check for cancer of the esophagus. I will find out on the 23rd when I visit with my Oncologist if there is cancer there and if so what to do next.

I continue to be optomistic. I am working on a nutrition program to try to get stronger.

The rest of the family is doing great. The kids are back to school and busy with all their activities.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers!

Love, Denise

January 3rd 2006

Hello, Happy New Year!! I continue with my hyperbaric oxygen tmts. I have four tmts left. I will have another scope of the esophagus on January 12th, with dilatation. I am getting stronger and maintaining my weight on pretty much all liquids. I am trying to advance abit this week, and have added some baby food. It is nice to have a little variety, but I am still craving suschi.

Napper & Brian are going on a big ice fishing trip to Minn. this weekend with many other scouts. They are very excited. Bonnie and I will stay home and enjoy a visit from Aunt Mary and Aunt Colleen. They are coming from Minn. tomorrow and will stay for the weekend. Bonnie got some knitting supplies for Christmas and she is hoping Aunt Mary will teach her how to knit. Thanks so much for your continued support, prayers and cards.

Sincerely, Denise