I want to tell you a bit about the photo at the beginning of my blog. It was taken near Portland, Maine, on a family trip in 2005, so we are all 3 years younger in the photo. I am still learning how to add recent photos along with my text, but I did upload our recent family photo on the side bar which says "view my profile." Since I got sick in 2003, we have tried to do a lot of traveling so we can make memories as a family. One of my favorite hobbies is to make scrapbooks for our trips.
We haven't traveled much since I started chemotherapy in March of 2007. We have taken a few road trips in our trailer: Arches National Park, Bear Lake, Yellowstone, Twin Falls (Idaho) and Nauvoo (Illinois.) The past year has been very difficult for David, as the mortgage market continues to change and decline. He had to sell his company in March and is now working for Security National, doing reverse as well as regular mortgages. Even though we might not be able to afford it, I have a dream of taking David and our boys on an ocean cruise, as we have never had that opportunity. Right now, such a trip would not be possible, because of my illness. Sometimes I wonder if I will ever get well enough to travel again.
Today was relaxing and fun. We watched conference, but we also played some family games and made homemade ice cream. I sent David, Brenton and Jonny each to a neighbor to see if they could gather some ice cubes. Brenton came home with a quart bag full. David came home with a larger bag, but Jonny came back with a huge plastic shopping bag full of ice. At least next time we know which neighbor to ask when we need ice!
I seem to be feeling a little better each day. I am getting plenty of sleep and I even dozed off a bit during conference. I hope this coming week I will feel well enough to do some of my hobbies and cook more for my family. Being sick has sure made me appreciate the times when I do feel better.
Emilee
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22 comments:
It's so wonderful to hear that you're feeling better each day! I could tell that by the cheer in your voice when you called yesterday. I too am hoping that you can feel well enough to work on those photo albums! They are so beautiful and are such a wonderful history of your family's life. As you know, I've been working on our family albums, and as I look at past ones it brings back so many wonderful memories of years past. Keep 'em going!
Mom
Maine! Cool. I'm so glad you're feeling better. Not that you didn't look great three years ago and all, but I encourage you to upload recent pictures too! :)
However, if indefinitely you prefer to focus on those photo albums as previously mentioned, that is more important. Have a great week.
Jennie Kilstrom says anyone can now make comments without needing a gmail account, so I thought I'd try making an entry via the "Name/URL" option. If this works, then I urge others who have not yet said "Hi" to Emilee now to give it a try.
We are glad that Emilee is feeling better because that means that all our prayers to Heavenly Father asking for that situation to come about are being answered affirmatively.
It is a beautiful day. This is the day which the Lord has made. Let us rejoice in it and be glad!
SMILES to everyone and LOVE too.
DAD (I'm Glen for those who don't know me.)
Chrissie and I are looking forward to Saturday and seeing "Aida". We love to go to the Hale Theater and the reviews have been great. We'll probably need to leave around 2:30 and either Chrissie or I will pick you up. We'll let you know for sure.
Hi Emilee!
It sounds like you had a fun time this weekend with the family, going to Conference & making ice-cream! Do people still lay out blankets on Temple Square to listen to Conference on the lawn? That was my favourite part of Conference @ BYU... listening to the speakers, watching nature, a nice picnic in between sessions with friends.
I've sent you an e-mail with some simple-to-make ButterNut Squash Soup recipes and a flower on Facebook.
Happy Autumn
Feel Better Soon!
Karen (Hopkins) Crow
Stockton, CA
PS... Is your friend Ulrike from the Language Ward at BYU or one of the German instructors from Delta? I may know her. The name sounds familiar.
PPS... Did I mention this summer that one of my patrons at Manteca Branch Library is a German teacher? She makes me do the entire circulation transaction with her in German! It is so fun to be able to pracice with someone!
Hey Emilee!:) It's so exciting to see you have a blog. I absolutely loVe the photo at the start of it. You look so beautiful and carefree. I love the wind in your hair... Your family is beautiful! I've really enjoyed reading your daily updates. I love you Emilee and will continue to read away.:) I too, have a blog... But I'm still learning how to update and post new pictures. I haven't done a very good job of updating. We miss you all and think of you and pray for you daily.
Love you Felisa
Hi Emilee,
So glad you're feeling better!
We watched conference from home Sat and Sun. Our kids also kept asking: When will it be over? Plus--Why two days? Why so long? Our response was that we need it. Now we just need to do it. I take comfort from feeling assured that as they mature they're love it too. Maybe some homemade ice cream helps with that process? :)
Hoping you continue to feel better and better. Carol
Hi Emilee,
This is the first time I have posted on your blog. By the way it is a beautiful blog and it has been interesting to read about you and your family and your illness. Thank-you for sharing your thoughts and experiences. You have always had such a lovely attitude and kind nature that it does not surprise me at all to see what a gracious patient you are and the courage you continue to display. We have been updated by your parents about your condition these past 5 years. While our hearts go out to you and your family during this time of struggle I am filled with peace and assurance the gospel gives us that all will be well and that someday we will all be able to live a life free from the struggles of mortal life and enjoy our lives together progressing towards exaltation. You are a special person with many talents and gifts and a willingess to serve others. I am sure you learned much through this illness and so I think this blog is great for you to share your thoughts and testimony to help others. Good luck with the everyday trials of this illness. I know it can't be easy. We love you and pray for you and your family.
Leean Robinson
ps. I noticed you mentioned Jon Schmidt as one of your favorite artists. I think he his fabulous also!
Hi Emilee,
I just noticed that I was entered into your blog under my son's name Travis. He gets on his sister's blog quite often to get the latest update on his favorite niece and so I failed to notice that I was logged in under his name. Hope this is not too confusing. I will watch that next time.
Leean Robinson
Hi Emilee: This is Susan & Lee Dalberg. My husband and your dad are newly reacquainted cousins. I too went through what you are enduring and commend you for your willingness to fight to stay around! I did the race for the cure this past weekend and your name was on my "Praying for" list, plus you are being prayed for by my "Power Prayer" group of 150. God Bless!
Susan
Hi Emilee:
You won't remember me, but I knew you when you were just a baby at Davis. your father and I were in the same PhD program. We had a son, Cameron, that played with you.
The years have slipped by and from a distance and infrequent contacts with your parents in Stockton, I have stayed in touch with what's happening with you and your siblings. You come from a great family.
I'm not certain what I want to say to you and your husband. It is sometimes very hard because I lost my first wife, Gail, to cancer. It's now been seven years ago. I stood by her side as she fought the cancer and she indeed did "fight the good fight." So I've been there, not as a victim but as a spouse and I empathize so very, very much.
This I will tell you with all the sincerity of my heart and from my own experience with Gail's cancer, I learned in my moments of anguish upon my knees that our Heavenly Father is aware of each of us and he hears our prayers. He loves us very much. He and his Son Jesus Christ, do bear our pains and suffering. Our lives are indeed in our Heavenly Father's hands and we have to trust in him and his will.
I hope you can beat the cancer and it's obvious that you are making a valiant, courageous fight. May God bless and sustain you, your husband and family in your efforts, and may you draw strength and peace from God's abiding love for you.
Colin Wheatley
Dubuque, Iowa
Hey, Emilee!
Please be sure to read the comments from your earlier postings!
I just read the comment from your cousin Sterling Baer which he put into your Sept. 29 posting. It is very inspirational.
Keep up the smiles. We selfishly enjoy every word and every smile that comes from YOU!
LOVE YA ALWAYS,
DAD (Glen)
Emilee,
Although I have a better memory of your younger brothers from my time in the Brookside Ward, I believe our paths have crossed before, as the picture of both you and your husband are familiar to me. Occasional interactions with your parents has given me a very cursory awareness of your situation, but a quick spin through your blog made me feel like sending you a short note to wish you the best as you continue to face your ongoing battle. I am sure I cannot fully appreciate the many ways in which challenges and disappointments come your way, but "hearing" the resiliency and hope in your words gives me, and I am sure many others, hope in whatever challenges we each may have. I am sure the trials of Job may be quite familiar to you, but I hope so too are the blessings, current and promised. In my own little world when the challenges seem to conspire against me (nowhere near the level of your challenges, I am sure), I find that blessings of understanding, hope and strength can come more abundantly than at times of greater ease. I witness that our Heavenly Father does not leave us alone to bear burdens beyond our capacity to withstand. As I am sure you are keenly aware, He often does not remove the challenges (although sometimes He does), but he does enable us to bear them up, and hopefully see His purposes and love through them. May this always be the case with you and your family, and if it be His will, may you someday be rid of the health challenges you face, to enjoy physically as well as spiritually, all the wonderful blessings our loving Father has in store for you.
Nate McBride
Former Brookside member while your dad was bishop
Hi Emily
This is my first experience blogging....forgive me if I keep it short.
I am your Dad's cousin Jean from Florida. I'm sure your Dad has mentioned me and my husband Doug in referrence to our trip to Germany with them.
I don't think I have ever met you in person but I have heard about you over the years from your grandmother (my Aunt Betty) and of course through your Dad and Mom and Chrystal Sandberg/NE.
I have read your blog and was so impressed by your strength and courage not to mention your faith.
I was skimming down all the entries and comments. Wow! so many friends and relatives helping with prayers for your recovery!
Amazing isn't it how when you need them the most they seem to magically appear. I thought Doug & I would throw in our prayers too. Even though we have never met we both are amazed at your valor and how you keep smiling and cheering yourself on! You go girl!
I look forward to the day we will be able to meet in person and your beautiful family too.
Loved the history and the pictures.
God bless and I'll be sure to keep in touch too. Now I just have to learn how to attach a few jokes to this blog and bring a few extra smiles your way in the process.
Jean & Doug
Hi Emilee!
Dean and I were in the Conference Center with you on Saturday (we just didn't know that you were there). Dean gets to attend every session. As we now have only one daughter (and no grandchildren) living in Utah, I was able to attend 4 sessions (2 Sat. and 2 Sun.) with Dean. Our daughter joined us on Sunday morning. Wasn't conference great?!
I was remembering an Oct. conference several years ago when your Grandpa and Grandma Baer were visiting at our home in N.S.L. and you and David and your first little baby visited us as well.
Hope you're having a good week! Remember to "have hope" as President Uchtdorf counseled.
Love, Darla Davies
Hi Emilee,I'm impressed with your blog, and I'm glad that we can all keep in touch with you! I was so excited to read that you all got to attend Conference. It was a wonderful 2 days with such a strong spirit of love and hope for all of us. I'm also impressed with your sweet spirit and great attitude. You are in our prayers and thoughts! Love to you,Cathy Roberts ("Thomas" cousin in Simi Valley)
A couple of quotes from Gilda Radner, enjoy...
Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next.
Adopted kids are such a pain - you have to teach them how to look like you.
Gilda Radner
Hi Emilee:
Just to let you know I am thinking of you and praying for you. It was great to hear that you had a good Sunday and felt better as you listened to conference with your family. I too enjoyed it and my heart has been full as I am currently going through a divorce with my wife (she is the one that wanted it) and after the investment of time I made in our marriage and our relationship I am finding it very difficult emotionally to accept it. I have felt much anxiety and sorrow and I am sure that is what your days are filled with. I just wanted to share that with you to simply let you know that as I feel my emotional pain every day, I think of you and pray for you. Keep fighting and don't give-up as I know that whatever happens to us serves a purpose even though we cannot always understand yet. I know that our loving God will provide and all we need to do is to put our complete faith in Him and do what we can and then He will provide for the rest. Thank you for your example and for the person you are.
Sincerely:
Amedee Sanchez (Felisa's dad - in case your forgot who I was)
Howdieeeee Emileeee
I'm knew to these blog things and I ended up leaving my comments on September 29th, instead of October 6th, so please look back on the 29th for me.
Your Dance Partner in the Tall Grass Prairie of Kansas
Paul Sorenson
Hi Emilee,
I am Linda Bonilla, aunt of Paul Shumway and a family friend for many years (since you were a little girl!) Sorry to go through all that, but your Dad said to be sure and identify ourselves well.
Hope that you are feeling better. You surely have a beautiful family - maybe a handsome family would be better descriptive.
Well, with the idea that humor can be therapeutic, here is a story:
A lady was recently widowed and her husband left her $50,000. Two weeks after the funeral, she was complaining to a friend that she was out of money and would have to get a job.
The friend replied, "What? Didn't your husband leave you $50,000.?"
"Well, yes, but I spent $5,000. of that on the funeral, and $45,000. on a memorial stone."
"Wow! What kind of a stone was that?"
Looking at a new ring on her finger, the widow replied, "Oh, about 6 carats!"
Hope that you are feeling well, Emilee. You are a special person.
I am so sorry you were not feeling well enough to join us for baby William's blessing yesterday. We certainly understand and continually pray for your comfort. How hard to now have to be careful with what you eat! You are such a strong fighter -- but certainly it is understandable to feel down. I hope that Jennie found you feeling better today. I look forward to spending the day with you on Wednesday. Hopefully, the doctor will be able to ease some of the chemo symptoms. Please know how much I love you --
Elaine
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