Where are YOU from?

I am amazed by all the new supporters that I run into, get emails from, or actually have friends and family see them wearing "Jamie" shirts and the random strangers assure them that they have been praying for me...because they have followed my story from my blog. 

Well again today I received more awesome comments and even one from Canada -Thanks A. :)
So I was thinking it would be fun to see where all of my followers are from...It would actually kind of be fun to see how far my story is reaching.  From California to Indiana to Florida and in between to out of the US. 

So how about this...comment below and let me know where you are from...and perhaps how you became a follower.  This will be fun...I will then make another post and let everyone know. 

I have an average of about 1500 readers for every post...so lets see how many of YOU will respond? :)

Ready, Set, Go...

Until next time...Thank you all again for your continued support and prayers. xo

Songs...will YOU pray?

Many of you know that I relate a lot of  "my life" to songs...I think I will start sharing at least a song a week to let you know what I am relating "my life" to maybe at a particular time.

Well with that being said...I have contemplated on whether or not I should mention this...but instead of sitting here and worrying for the next 2 weeks...I am coming to ALL of YOU. I am asking that you pray...and pray some more. You share this blog on and get more people to pray.

As you all know I have to get my labs taken before I start any chemo.  They are concerned with my blood counts making sure they are high enough to receive chemo. Along with my complete blood count...they are interested in checking my liver function and of course my "tumor-marker" my CA19-9.

You are all mostly aware of the reason why I went for a "2nd opinion"...that was the fact that my CA19-9 kept creeping up...a little at a time...but it has been creepin. Which I really haven't shared this...because "some" will  talk and I don't need the negativity...I ONLY need positive vibes and people in my life that truly care...those that are here to help me, pray for me, send me texts from the heart, emails that mean so much, cards in the mail, surprise gifts in the mail, and phone calls that brighten me day. (Believe me...I appreciate them all...you'll never know how much you all mean to me.)

I have to remind you that when I was first diagnosed back in November 2012 the CA19-9 was at 1617.  The "normal" should be under 36.  So ummmm yea...that is a concern...well then I had the WHIPPLE and my counts dropped to 121.  I began chemo and radiation and it bounced around back to over 1000 and then back to the hundreds...then as low as 54...but it started to climb...and has been climbing for a handful of months now.

My count as of yesterday is at 471.  My awesome team of doctors mentioned at my last treatment 2 weeks ago that if this round showed an increase still...scans would be ordered.  Well as you can see...they are elevated...so in 2 weeks I will have had 2 months worth of this "go-round" of chemo...so I will have a PET scan prior to round 5...yes, on the same day even...we will determine if there is...DON'T even want to say this "C" anywhere else...and if this regime of chemo is what is best for me.

NO...this isn't a "I am giving up" post...instead it is a "I am a bit discouraged" hoping that this chemo is what I need to be doing since it has been so brutal on my body.  I am posting this because I know I have a TEAM behind me that prayers, cares, and loves me...I need YOU all more than ever to send me positive vibes and prayers.  I need to feel at peace these next 2 weeks as I am dealing with this round of chemo and "trying" to get the what-ifs out of my mind...before I have another PET scan. 

 I pray that this is what I need to be doing... I pray that God continues to give me strength as I deal with this fight...I continue to pray for my babies that they continue to be strong as they are 2 of the toughest little girls you'll meet...I continue to pray for my doctors that they are so knowledgeable and never lose hope on me...I pray for my family and friends that are watching me fight this battle...I pray for a CURE!

Until next time...I will remind myself of this...I can. I will.  Phil.4:13

By the Grace of God...

For those of you that truly know my "situation"...you know it has NOT been an easy one.  I am not just dealing with my "C" stuff...but all the stuff that comes along with being a "single" Mama raising 2 little beauties that I call mine.  This song speaks a lot...one day I looked in the mirror and decided to stay...well I never left...I have been here raising my girls and trying to do the best that I can with what I have.  All that life has thrown my way has only made ME a much stronger person. Thankful for the Grace of God that has kept my feet one in front of the other and been with me through it all.

New Year's...Thanks

I just wanted to say Happy 2014...Sorry I haven't blogged for a few weeks...I rang in the New Year by getting some extra fluids at the clinic.  I had round 3 on the 30th...9 more to go...but who is counting right?! ha! 

This chemo is BRUTAL...yes I have been told that now by most of my doctors and several of my nurses.  It is harsh...my side effects include nausea pretty much all the time...and then some neuropathy in my fingers. BUT...it hasn't stopped me from being me! :)

I continue to pray that my nutrition will keep going in the right direction.  With the change of my pancreatic enzymes by my GI doctor...I actually put on 4 pounds-whoo hoo! So for the most part on my "off" chemo weeks I store up the pounds like a bear going into hibernation...because on my "on" chemo weeks...that is a different story.   Can I just say I can ONLY drink so much "ROOM-TEMPERATURE" liquids for so long then it becomes YUCK!!!! UGH...enjoy your ICE-drinks...you never know how good they are till you can't have them.

Moving on...I just want to say THANK YOU to ALL of you that made our Christmas extra special and the burden of everyday things a little easier. I  would love to give a little shout out to the following people/companies/schools...however I know some of you dear people would rather be
"anonymous" and I will keep it that way.

However I want to recognize a few...sorry!

*Nancy E and all her angel Friends/family
*Yuma Lutheran School
*Carrie U, Sage, Kandice and all those that took part/helped at the Holiday Boutique
*Morgan Stanley Employees
*Ted B and friends
*"D" Family
*Dr P and family
*Superior Show Pigs and all the Yuma peeps

So if knowing that I have an ARMY of prayer warriors and supporters behind me wasn't enough...I received 2 special little envelopes tonight from "Miss Pammy"-my Mama.  For those of you that don't already know my Mama has directed the preschool at her church for 30 years now...well when she returned from Christmas break she had something waiting for her...that was to be given to me.

2 of her former students now elementary students...had a lemonade stand for me.  So I want to say THANK YOU to sweet Lili and Camryn for thinking of me, too!   You 2 are very special and it just goes to show you that no matter how YOUNG or how OLD you may be...YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.  Thank you to their sweet families for raising such kind hearted little girls.

Well with that being said...it is just another day for me to be THANKFUL to be able to be ALIVE, BLOG, and enjoy being a MAMA. 

I am not setting any "New Years Resolutions"...instead I am just living each day to the fullest. I do plan to blog more though...continue to "work" on my book...and to take life one day at a time...because we all know we do not know what tomorrow may bring.

I ask that you continue to pray for my strength...the will to keep fighting (which I know I have)...the ability to continue to eat (all things really taste-GROSS)...and that my body stays strong as my treatments continue on. I can. I will.

Continue to pray for those still fighting the fight...praise God for those that have won the fight and uplift those family members that have lost love ones to the fight.

Until next time...I am Thankful for the little things...which we know are NOT things!








For those that have asked...please use the following info for mailing. Thank you so much!!!

Jamie Daniels

PO BOX 5373

Goodyear, AZ 85338