Landon had a fun birthday. Things got rolling in the evening. Leslie, Greg and the kids came over for ice cream and cake. Landon loved being the center of attention. He also loved all of his presents and the fun singing cards he received from Auntie Nat and the kids and Grandpa and Grandma Dee. He also got a cool shirt from Dave's parents that read " I AM a dream come true. " I love it. He is my little dream come true. Thank you all for being part of Landon's birthday. Love you all!

Happy Birthday Landon!

What a happy day for all of us. Hunter had waited 9 long months for his "best friend" to come. Hunter had a stuffed dog that he would take with him everywhere so that he would be ready to give to his brother to welcome him into the world. Hunter treated Landon as if he were his own baby and it really hasn't changed. Hunter is still helping Landon and playing with him. He teaches him and is very patient with him. They are so close and it warms my heart. Hunter has been making a big deal about Landon's Birthday and Landon is extra excited. As for me, it is a day to look back on all the happiness we all shared when Landon came into our family. I was in labor all night and my mom drove from Albuquerque to be there with me. She made it just in time. Then the next day she made Hunter feel like the special big brother he was by taking him the Chili's. There was a guy making balloons and he made Hunter a "big brother hat." All of my family soon came to meet Landon. He was the baby with bigs hands, looked like Grandpa sanchez and seemed to come out smiling. I am so lucky to have two special boy's. My family is complete. Landon has grown up so much in three years. He smiled through it all and brings sunshine wherever he goes. Happy Birthday Landon! We all love you!

Landon is ready for his Birthday

It was really sweet today when I overheard Landon inviting the bird's to his Birthday party. There were about ten birds in the tree and Landon was having a huge conversation with them. He asked them if they could come to his party and that they would have to ask their mom. He also told them that we would be having cake and ice cream. He even mentioned it was chocolate. He has always had a strong connection with nature. When he was little he would talk to the trees. He would goo and coo until he could talk. So, it is only fitting that he is now inviting the birds and the fish in our pond to his Birthday party. I can't beleive he is almost 3.

My Golfer

Hunter has been having a great summer playing golf. He has won 4 tournaments. What is most important to me is that he is having "FUN." He has been enjoying playing against his friend Alex. They are both very good sports and are happy that they are both getting medals and trophies. They are both relly cute. Even though they are both only 7 years old the tournament coordinators make sure that they take this very seriously. They have to have their shirts tucked in and they have even taken on professional golfer's manerisms. It has been cute to watch him become a little golfer. He went out to play with Dave today. He can't get enough!

Always have HOPE!

My sister Natalie sent this to me before we knew the goods news. Hope and Faith have been my words to live by. I noticed that she ordered this from Hope and Faith Gifts. How awesome! It brought a tear to my eye because we were all filled with so much HOPE. We all, in our own little ways, were looking for signs of hope. This is a beautiful reminder to always have hope. If I would have listened to the early prognosis of the SPTCL Lymphoma, I would have lost hope and resigned to the fact that I only had 6 months to live. That was not an option for me. Instead, I was full of hope knowing that I would get through this. I was and am still glad that you all shared in my hope. Collectively, we sent so many positive hopeful vibes into the universe. This figurine will remind me that no matter how bleak things seem, I will always have hope. It also helped me through some dark times and it brought light to my situation. I know it will continue to help me to have HOPE. I hope everyone will remember this and never lose HOPE! Thank you, Nat. I love you!

Eye of the Tiger!

Thank you for being my biggest fan and always being there for me! Landon took this picture of us and I love it. It shows the happiness that we share together. I have been so lucky that despite us living in different states we see each other quite often. I am so grateful for that. In the past few years we have had to summoned the courage that comes with our saying "Eye of the Tiger." I remember telling that to you when you had your open heart surgery and now lately you have returned the favor during my knee surgery and now throughout this. You reminded me daily to have courage and that I could get through anything. I know I can always count on you to be there for me. You always are. Near or far I can feel you cheering me on. Even when I was little and playing in my tennis tournaments you were always by my side. I remember driving in your truck all the was across town so that I could have the best coaches. You would sit and watch me play tennis for hours just to make sure I was prepared to fight any battle and win. Little did I know then you were preparing me more for life and that I would be fighting even bigger battles and could still win. I had the courage because I knew I was prepared. Thank you for all that you have taught me and all you continue to do for me. I love you!

Dave is my champion!

I have been thanking Dave privately because I know he doesn't think that what he does is extraordinary. He would say that I did it all and I deserve all the praise. Now, I feel that it is time to praise him publically. We both rode this wild ride everyday together and he is my rock. I received a copy of a letter written to him by my mom and I had to share it with all of you.

Dear Dave: I have wanted to spend some time to express to you my deepest admiration and gratitude for what I know you had to do for Heather. That first day when she called me crying and frightened the only thing that seemed to matter was that you were on your way home. While we in Alb. and Seattle were in various forms of shock and devastation I knew in my heart that once you were physically by her side she would be ok. I didn't call that night because I knew the two of you were doing what you do best - taking care of each other, investigating the internet, staying positive and looking for all the bright sides of life. You are her greatest champion and cheerleader. She has the utmost faith in what you are to her because you demonstrate it daily - she has told me this many times over the years.

And now, the result of staying positive with the highest hope was given to you on Tuesday. What you live daily and model to your children is true testament of the power of the human character and positive mental capacity.
You truly live what you feel.

I am thanking my God many times over for giving you to her. I am blessed to know that you are Hunter and Landon's father and the husband champion to my beloved daughter. These thoughts sustained me over the past several weeks and I thought you should know them....Mr. Greatest Coach EVER!

Have a beautiful day.
Love,
Evangeline


It brought tears to my eyes. I am so lucky to be married to Dave and have someone who would give his life for me and the kids on a daily basis. He told me last week that he knew 100% without a doubt that we were going to make it out of this. I could feel he had complete certainty. The positive energy in our house has been buzzing. Some of you couldn't understand why I was so happy and positive. Dave being my cheerleader and coach was a big reason why. We make a great team. Dave "I love you and thank you."

Mom, thank you for sharing your beautiful thoughts. Thank you for trusting in me that I had things under control and that if there was ever a moment that things got to hard to handle you knew I would call on you to come back. I'm glad we never got to that point. I could feel your love and concern accross the miles as if you were sitting in my living room. I am lucky to have you as my mom also. I feel so blessed and grateful that I have such a wonderful family and great friends. I even had people that I didn't know praying and lighting candles for me. Everything produced this wonderful outcome. I'm one lucky girl!

I am lucky to have my friend Leslie!

As most of you know, Leslie was there for me every step of the way. I know it made my family feel better knowing that I had help since they were further away. Leslie helped me by taking care of the kids while I went to appointments and on the day of my biopsy she cleaned my house while taking care of Landon, Hallie (3 years) and her 5 month old Allyson. Not an easy task. Most importantly, she was there to support me emotionally. I knew I could call on her day or night for anything. I remember the day after my first diagnosis, Leslie came over and I was pretty scared and crying. She reminded me that I was and still am a champion. She reminded me that I needed to use everything that I had learned through sports, college and life to do whatever it takes to beat this thing. My fear and sadness quickly turned to determination. It helped to have a fellow athlete to remind me that I don't like to lose. She knows it because she is just as competitive as I am. Give us both a challenge and we will beat it. That same determination in her pushed her to find out as much information as possible. When I would get tired, she would continue on the Internet looking searching for something that would help me. That is when she found Trisha's website.
Leslie wrote me this e-mail the day after I talked to Trisha for the first time.


" I am kinda pesky and very determined - I knew someday my relentless qualities would pay off. I think I went through about 6 to 7 pages of Google before I found hers. I clicked on every single site too. I was almost ready to give up for the night (or at that point, should I say morning). I don't think that I would have gotten that far into again. I was pretty tired and bummed out from reading the same thing OVER and OVER. Anyway, I do think that we are guided and I know there is more than a coincidence to all this. The way I emailed that article to you this morning at the same time as Dave email. Then the way she got back to me SO fast and willing, it was like she was waiting for it. I just know that this is the path that you are suppose to be on. Either way, you are now where you need to be and answers are going to start coming. One day at a time.... We have accomplished a lot in 2 days. Time to rest..."

We are such good friends because we think alike. Another perfect example of how great she is happened on the day that I received the second bad diagnosis. I was so scared to convey the news. She called to see if I was going to volleyball and I had to tell her the bad news. She then turned down my street and came immediately to my house. We both cried for a couple of minutes and then the feeling quickly turned to determination again. She told me we were prepared for this and at least we knew exactly what we were dealing with. She then said get in the car and we're going to volleyball. I said "I don't think I can," and she told me "Heather, you can do ANYTHING!" So we went to volleyball and it was the perfect thing to do. It reminded me to trust my inner knowing and that I was fine. I felt fine, I even played without my knee brace. That was the last morning that I cried. My strength was restored and I was able to give everyone the news because I still knew that no matter what I was going to be ok. I have received this kind of support from my family and it is extra special when it comes from a friend. I have only known Leslie for a year and a half but it feels like a lifetime.

Leslie, I hope you know how much I appreciate you. I remember when you were pregnant and I helped you paint baseboards, then I helped you when you brought home the baby and you said "I hope someday I will get to return the favor." You didn't know it would be this big of a favor and you helped me head on and full force. You are the very best friend I could ever have. You are awesome!

Thanks Trisha!

I want to extend a huge "thank you" to you. I was so lucky to have found you so early in my journey. I had just met with my doctor who looked at me like I was crazy because I asked the question "Do all lymphomas mean cancer?" She looked at me like, you poor dear, yes. So I asked what the treatment would be. "Most definitely Chemo." I then asked her if there were any other treatments and she said "no." I had read your story because my friend Leslie found your website. That in itself gave me a glimmer of hope. I could relate. Then Leslie got in touch with you and I ended up calling you. That is a moment I will never forget. I knew it because we were both jumping out of our seats and had simultaneous chills. You gave me more hope than you will ever know. My biggest fear before I talked to you was going though chemotherapy and having my children watch me "be sick." You told me that Chemo doesn't always work for these specific types of lymphomas. That lifted a huge weight and started me on a path to find natural treatments and to read as much as I could. You also said that you would be with me every step of the way. Even if it wasn't a misdiagnosis. That made me feel safe and secure in the midst of chaos. You also went through the ups and downs right along with me. As with everyone waiting for results was torture. I know people warned you not to get to invested in my cause because it hit too close to home. You knew as I did that after that first phone call something special was going to come out of this. Thank you for staying invested. Everything you went through 4 years ago helped me in more ways than you will ever know. I am proud to call you my friend. That is a gift I will forever treasure. You are an angel and our journey does not end here. There will be other people that will be or are going through what we have just been through. We will use all of this positive energy for good. Thank you again. I will forever be grateful to have you in my life.

For those of you that don't know Trisha's story or would like to read what she wrote about me on her blog please visit

http://trishatorrey.com/

I was also excited to read that Trisha was honored by CNN's Heroes of Patient Empowerment. She deserves to be honored for her outstanding contribution to this WORLD!

I do not have cancer!

I am shocked and amazed as I write this to you all. I saw the oncologist today and he showed me a little result that had a big meaning. Bottom line my cells are not cloning. My biopsy was sent for further tests to California and I never got these result. These turned out to be very significant results.

" T-cell Receptor Gene Rearr. TCR Rearrange , QL, Cell -NEGATIVE. This specimen was negative for the detection on clonal T-cell rearrangement by PCR." This was put later in the report. "The presence of a clonal T-cell population is reported as positive and is consistent with malignancy."

Therefore, since it came back as negative, it is not malignant (non cancerous). I still have lymphosites but they are non cancerous and can be treated with a good diet. Since it is such a rare type of lymphoma, there aren't many people who know what to look for. Luckily, my oncologist treated or didn't treat someone in a similar situation and she has been fine ever since. Even though I am elated, my journey does not end here. I have started on a path of eating raw foods, have eliminated all foreign chemicals coffee, processed food and sugar. I am feeling healthier than I have ever felt. This just put the icing on the cake. Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers and love. It has all helped tremendously. Many good things have come out of this experience. Love you all!

I wanted to update everyone that there was a change to my appointment with the oncologist and I will be going tomorrow at 10:15. I have all of my information and questions ready. I will let you all know how that goes. I am suprisingly calm. I have an inner knowing that everything is going to turn out great. Love to you all, Heather

Happy Birthday Natalie!

I am so excited that it is my sister Natalie's birthday so that I can honor her for the wonderful sister that she is. For those of you who don't know, Natalie drove 11 hours with her two beautiful twins Jenica and Xavier to come spend the week with me. We were hoping to hear the results of my second biopsy during that week. We were both a little jumpy every time the phone would ring but other than that we had an awesome time. We celebrated Hunter's birthday, went to an amusement park and just hung out. We laughed and had fun playing with the kids in the pool. We had fun cookouts and most importantly I felt the love of my sister. I know she would do anything for me as I would do for. I remember and reflect on the day that I gave her the first round of bad news and she told me to "breathe" and that everything was was going to be alright. She told me that it was now her turn to remind me of all the things that I always tell her to help her. I need that right now. Well, it came to the end of her visit and we still didn't have the final results. We were sad to see the week end but we were left with wonderful memories that will last a lifetime. I put together this montage on Monday. I found an appropriate song out of nowhere. I've never heard of it before and put all of our pictures to the music. It was special then and then the news came in on Tuesday and it made the even more appropriate and special. So I have been saving it to share with everyone on Natalie's birthday. I love you Nat and think the world of you. Thank you for being there for me and making it a wonderful week spent together. Have an awesome day. I know I will with you and the kids in my life. We miss you!

Happy 4th of July to everyone. This morning we had a community 4th of July party at the Fairgrounds. They had an airplane drop candy from the sky for the kids and then water games in the grass. We all had so much fun. Hope you are all enjoying your 4th.

The local fire department also stopped by to spray the kids down with water. What an amazing day!

This is my Hope and Faith page. I will be putting updates on here about my health. As most of you know, I was diagnosed with T-cell Lymphoma. Even though the final diagnosis came in, I still have a calmness about me. Ever since the lumps were seen as "suspicious" I have taken the time to get my body in great shape to naturally get rid of whatever is there. I feel awesome. I am eating raw foods and running as much as I can. I feel optimistic and have been able to use a lot about natural healing that I have studied. It is all coming into play now. My biggest challenge that I plan to face head on and WIN! I wanted to share with all of you the story behind these golf balls. The day after my first diagnosis, Dave took Hunter to play golf. They hadn't played in a while and Dave hit a ball way into the desert but could see the bush it had gone behind. So, he ventured out into the desert and as he looked behind the bush. There it was perched up with the "HOPE" in full sight. He couldn't believe his eyes. His ball was no where to be found and instead was this message of "HOPE." He continued on playing and later Hunter found the second pink ball. They brought both balls back to me that evening. Hunter came running in and said "look what we found for you." Tears ran down my face. They found more than they will ever know. They found a wonderful sign of hope and I have held on to that. I see it everyday as a reminder that everything is going to be ok. It is sitting next to my "braveheart" mug in my kitchen. It is a perfect reminder to be brave and always have hope. I want you all to share in my outlook. Thank you all for your love and support. Use this blog to leave me messages and connect. We can all get through this together! Love you all!