Cancer Free!!  I just had another bone marrow biopsy and I continue to be free from cancer. I am so grateful! I am getting closer to my one year mark of being a cancer survivor. June 25th was the day I was admitted to Huntsman. I continue to take daily chemo drugs and will do so for another year when I hope they tell me I am cured. I am feeling great and so grateful for my body and its ability to fight this cancer. I have been so blessed. Not only to fight the cancer but blessed with better perspective and understanding. I really am grateful for this experience and what I have learned from it. I continue to have weekly visits to Huntsman for labs. They keep an eye on my blood levels and I am really thankful for there commitment to their patients and the concern my doctor has for my health and his desire to see me continue to raise my children. Each time I go I look around at the other patients and wonder what their story is. I have learned that each one is so different. Everyone has a different story as to how they ended up at Huntsman and it is fascinating. I meet people who are full of hope and will fight to the end but I also meet people who are full of fear and wonder how they got their and what will happen to them. I would tell those people to replace their fear with faith and that all of life's obstacles give us experience. Isn't that what this life is all about? Don't let our trials define us. It is what we do with them, what we learn through them, that makes us who we are. I have learned that Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us and we must have faith in that no matter what that is. We can't be afraid to die because we all will one day. That is part of the plan. Our trials and afflictions remind us how much we truly need our Savior Jesus Christ to get through this life, and each day. I love this time of your, Spring and Easter! It is beautiful. A time to celebrate life and that Jesus lives! Happy Easter

For those who want an update on my 2 year old son and his glaucoma. He is doing well. He had an examination the end of March and the pressure in both eyes had gone up so the doctor added another daily eye drop to hopefully bring the pressure down to normal. His next examination is the first week of May and if pressures are normal then they can measure for glasses. I can't wait to get to that point. It is very clear to see that he is near-sided and with glasses it will open up the world to him. I believe in miracles and continue to pray for healing in his eyes. He is an amazing boy who is so happy and has such a sweet heart. He is a big helper and always looking for ways to help others. He teaches me so much. Love my boy!!!

Thank you for all your continued thoughts and prayers that you send our way. Much Love, Shantel

I am so thankful for this time of year to celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. My heart is filled with so much love with the service and gifts of love given to me and my family. "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brotheren, ye have done it unto me." Matthew 25:40.

I am so grateful to be alive and to celebrate Christmas with family and friends! I want to update you on what is going on with my health. Earlier this month my doctor ordered a bone marrow biopsy to see what was happening in my bone marrow. Well the wonderful news is that the results show that I am cancer free! My body was taking some time to recover from the last chemo treatment so my doctor ordered the the test just to be sure all was well. A week after the test I met with my doctor and my blood levels sky rocketed. Finally! Well, having the results of the biopsy back, my doctor and I both felt that the last round of chemo would do more harm. We called it a day and he transitioned me into maintenance. So no more chemo infusions but for the next two years I will be taking daily oral chemo pills. The hope is that after the two years my doctor can say I am cured. That is what I am praying for! The drugs make me a bit sick but I will do my part and pray for a continued bill of health.

My little guy has now had surgery on each eye to help decrease the pressure. His next examination will be Jan 2nd when they will check the pressure and possible surgery if needed. I am praying for a miracle! I pray we can get his eyes to where he can see beyond the length of his arm. This will be a process but I am grateful for doctors and the ability to help my son.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Sorry everyone! I know I am not so good at keeping this blog updated. Anyway, since my last chemo treatment my body recovered quickly. The chemo drugs did not seem to affect me as much as I thought they would. I had two or three rough days and then I started to regain my energy and back to taking care of the kids and life. I was scheduled for my last chemo treatment on November 4th and looking forward to it. It didn't happen!! Yep, my ANC level was low and so chemo was rescheduled for the next Monday. I am getting used to rescheduling and just rolling with it. I have decided that when it does not happen when scheduled that I better hold on because something ends up happening and I say to myself "thank goodness I did not have chemo." Well again my ANC went down and so no chemo but this time a bone marrow biopsy was ordered if there was no improvement. I went this past Monday and again the ANC was down so I had my biopsy yesterday. It went very smoothly and results should be back in a week.

In the middle of all this my little 2 year old son was diagnosed with glaucoma in both eyes. Yikes! The doctors wanted him at PCMC the next day for an examination and possible surgery. This was all very overwhelming to say the least. When it rains it pores right!! The doctors decided to hold off on surgery and prescribed three medications to help decrease the amount of fluid his eye is making and decrease the pressure. It is working. What a blessing. It is obvious that he can see a little bit better. He is scheduled for another examination tomorrow and I am anxious to hear how effective the meds were and what we can do next to help this precious little boy see past arms length.

I am so grateful for doctors and medicine that can help us! So grateful for Huntsman and PCMC and that they are so close to our home. The doctors and staff have blessed me and my family.

My heart has been so touched by the prayers and support that continue for my family. I could not do this without all your love. Thank You!!!!

Chemo Treatment Underway

Finally! After two appointments rescheduled and three weeks gone by my third round of chemo is underway. My immune system levels were just at the cut off mark to receive treatment yesterday but they gave me the ok to proceed. I would have cried if they did send me away. So I go today for one last treatment for this round then wait for my body to recover again and then I have one round of chemo left. I am so excited!! I continue to pray that all goes well.

I want to thank my neighbors and community from the East and the West for your outstanding love and support and acts of kindness towards me and my family. I continue to feel your prayers on my behalf. Cancer is so unpredictable but also are the trials of life that so many of us face. It is what we do with our trials and that we learn from them. My heart goes out to those who suffer in any way and pray they may find strength in knowing they are not alone. Some days I don't feel sick at all until I look in the mirror and see that I don't have any hair. I believe we all have struggles but some of us have to wear the symptoms on the outside. I pray we will have love and compassion for all men. You never know who's lives you will help.

Chemo Rescheduled

It has been awhile since I have given an update so I better get on it! I have been preparing to have my 3rd round of chemo this week and went to the doctor on Wednesday and my blood levels had not recovered enough so it did not happen. I wasn't completely surprised knowing my levels were pretty low the week prior and not rising quickly at all. The doctor didn't seem too concerned but does hope my body will make some progress in the next week. The doctor did look at some blood smears and saw some maturing white blood cells and did not see anything concerning so I was very relieved. So, chemo has been rescheduled for October 2nd, 3 days before my wedding anniversary (sorry hun). My sweet husband has been so patient and supportive through all this and I love and appreciate him so much! I know that everything happens for a reason and I continue to trust in my Heavenly Father and in his plan for me. Cancer is so unpredictable and treatments are not all going to be perfectly planned. I will enjoy this time of feeling good and take advantage of every minute. 

Thank you so much for the thoughts and prayers that you send my way. I feel them and draw strength from them. My family and I continue to be blessed with the love and support of so many good people. It is so hard for me to be on the receiving end but our lives have been touched with the acts of service done in our behalf. I am grateful for parents, family, friends, ward members, and many others who continue to serve our family. There is still a long road ahead with 2 more chemo treatments and we will continue this fight! Please keep the prayers coming!!