This Will Not get the Breast of Me !

THIS WILL NOT GET THE BREAST OF ME.....


Today was the day of "the first Chemo treatment". One down and only 15 more to go. I have dreaded it and welcomed it all at the same time. I was nervous about all the unknown but so anxious to get on with this show. Here are some things I have learned:

The cancer community is a complete sub-culture that I didn't realize even existed. They love, lift and support everyone.
I keep meeting people who want to "give back". For example, today at Chemo they gave me two gifts. One was a bag full of things to help you during Chemo like several books, a journal, a crocheted scarf and hat, a ball cap, lotion, mouthwash, a little notebook that you can put in your purse to take notes and more. The second gift was a little padded fleece pillow-like thing that you use with your seatbelt strap so it doesn't rub on the Port-a-Catheter ( a device that is surgically implanted just under your collar bone that they use to administer the ). Now here is the amazing part - the first gift is from a cancer support group and they provide these for everyone. The second gift came from the husband of a woman currently going through Chemo. He comes to all of her appointments with his fleece, batting, needle and thread and while she is getting her treatment he makes his gifts. I will share some other stories later. This has caused me to think, HOW CAN I GIVE BACK? I'm working on that.....
I just read an article written by Elizabeth Edwards (John Edwards wife) who is battling cancer. She said this, "We spend our lives weaving a tapestry of sorts. The largest ribbons of color are our family and closest friends. But a tapestry made up of just these has gaps. The other people we weave into our lives - some only as thin threads - are what give our life its texture and its strength. They fill the gaps in the most amazing ways. Their colors reflect on the ribbons and on us. Weaving them into our tapestry creates for each of us a magnificent, dense and interesting life. And when life takes a wrong turn, that tapestry becomes a blanket (bound together by our faith in God) that we can wrap around us or a safety net into which we can fall."
Thank you to everyone for your phone calls, email's, gifts, cards and prayers. You have all taught me the true meaning of friendship, love and compassion. I LOVE YOU !

Love,
Linda

"KEEPING YOU A BREAST"

September 11, 2007, I had an appointment for my yearly mammogram. It was uneventful except for the usual "fun" associated with such tests. Then I got the phone call to return for a second mammogram. This one confirmed that there were some microcalcifications present in the right breast and the radiologist recommended that I do a biopsy of the area. The 3 days that I waited to get the results from that biopsy were very long days. Unfortunately, when the call came from Doctor Noorian, he substaniated the diagnosis that I had BREAST CANCER. When I hung up the phone I just stood there waiting for my brain to catch-up to what my ears had just heard. I didn't cry because it didn't seem real. Had he just told me that I had The Big "C"? I called Doug at the office to tell him and thus began a very strange journey.
Since that time I have had a chest X-Ray, Pap-smear, MRI, another biopsy this time on the left and right , a CAT Scan, an Ultrasound, blood work, EKG and a PET Scan and another biopsy. I am starting to feel like a lab rat. Tim, my son-in-law told me that they should donate me to science. From all this they determined that I have Stage II Invasive Breast Cancer with 2 enlarged and suspicious lymph nodes. Wow! When they tell you this news it is like somebody just sucked all the air out of the room or punched you in the stomach. Then came the unpleasant task of calling my family and friends. Those were difficult phone calls to make especially to my children. I knew that this news was going to be shocking, frightening and painful and I could hardly bare that thought but I knew that it must be done. To further complicate the situation Morgan, who is playing soccer at the University of Utah, tore her ACL, LCL, the lateral and medial meniscuses, while playing in a game this same week. How would she handle my news on top of what she was already dealing with? What about McKay serving his mission in Indiana? How would he deal with this news and would it distract him from his mission? All I can say is that I seriously underestimated the strength and faith of my children. They circled the wagons and in those moments when I needed their strength they carried me. I wrote a letter to McKay to tell him and the letter that I received back from him astounded me. In it he said many comforting things and then he closed with this, "I love you guys so much and thank you for everything that you do for me. I miss you all very much and this mountain that we have all run into is nothing. Think of it like this. When you are mountain climbing you can't do it by yourself, you need a team to work together to get things done and to give support. We need to do that very thing. The Lord gave us a mountain so we could learn how to climb. We need to stick together and become stronger. I love you guys!!!!! Love Elder Skeen" Lead by Doug, everyone jumped into action. Megan became a breast cancer expert in a week and everyone was helping and supporting each other. I'm telling you they are truly amazing.
At this point I have surgery scheduled for Friday, November 16. Deciding on the surgical procedures was a grueling process, some of the most difficult decisions I have ever made. That is a whole blog post all of it's own. The most amazing part of this journey has been all the blessings that have come as a result of it. I have learned so much. There have been little epiphanies and personal revelations and deeper understandings and I have seen the hand of The Lord working in my life every single day over and over again and I feel very grateful.
I have come to see this as a difficult experience with many blessings and countless opportunites attached to it. I have been handed a very special chance to teach my children and grandchildren how we deal with difficult times and challenges in our lives and to demonstrate by example, my faith that the Lord knows us and loves us and He is the source of the peace that we seek.

NEWS FROM INDIANA

McKay has become very close with a family in Columbus named the Pesce's. Sister Pesce has been battling cancer for quite some time and it has now returned for a fourth time. There isn't very much that the doctor's can do for her and they are telling her that her time is short. This has been a difficult experience for McKay to watch and he talked about it in his last letter.

"......she is just the coolest lady, next to the Dre of course, but she is just amazing. She is like my Mom on my mission because she is always telling me what to do and about life and marriage and all this stuff. Every night when I am praying, I get to the point where I am praying for her and I start to cry. I wish I could take on some of her pains and just let her sleep good for one night and feel good for just one day. I want to help her and she says that I do, but I want to do more than just clean her car and things like that - I am struggling with it right now.

.....We are playing dodge ball today and we are taking some of the youth with us, it should be fun. I am sending some pictures of our dodge ball team, we are really sick!

Paul is getting baptized this weekend and I will be baptizing him. I am really stoked for that and I want to feel extra worthy and in tune so I have been focusing on that.

Someone tried to break into our house last night through the roof and someone stole a bunch of money from Vic, the guy who owns the furniture store we live in, so we are going to start carrying knives with us ( ha ha ha, just kidding don't freak out Mom). But I have to go. I love you guys very much. I got the pictures of Clayton. I love you all and thanks for everything.

Elder Skeen

MORGAN BECOMES A UTE

Morgan is settled into school and soccer at the University of Utah. Her schedule is rigorous and it requires good balancing skills ( good preparation for motherhood - all you new mother's will appreciate that). She has been in school for 3 weeks and she has been to Arizona, California, Colorado and Washington with a scrimmage against Weber State in Salt Lake. Megan and Ryan will be blessing Addison next week and Morgan has two games in Salt Lake that weekend so we are able to pack a lot of family bonding into one weekend. Doug and I plan to fly up for several more games and the schedules even permitted a BYU football game or two. Doug has had a little trouble switching from Blue to Red but he now proudly wears his Utah Soccer T-shirt and red Utah hat.

GO UTES !!!!

Our family tree

Here are some recent pictures of our family. We had Tracy and her kids down this weekend and Kelly and Tim came down also. The grandkids almost drove Doug to a hotel but when they were asleep it was great. We also went to watch Morgan play soccer for the first time. She is on a soccer scholarship to the University of Utah and starts as a freshman!!! We are very proud parents. There is also a picture of Linda at Caden's first soccer game giving him some directions during half time!

MORGAN RIVER RAFTING WITH YOUNG WOMEN

Morgan went to 's Camp this summer with the young women in the ward as a Youth Camp Leader. Girl's Camp always pales in comparison to the the High Adventure, Repelling, Rock Climbing, Motorcycle Riding, Water Skiing adventures of the boys program. For years I have wondered why the girl's never do any of the fun things that the boys do. Well this summer they finally did. Their destination was the Kern River. Apparently a well known and highly rated river for rafters. From the stories that I heard recounted it sounded like they had a lot of fun along with a few hair raising, heart stopping moments. Here are some fun pictures.

MISSIONARY MESSAGE FROM INDIANA

.....Sunday was cool Tim got the Aaronic Priesthood and was ordained to be a Priest, so that was very cool. It is the best feeling in the world to see your converts get the Priesthood and see how they can change in a minute. Tim is just amazing, he is like Bruce Tharp. They are both just made for leadership in the church. Tim is stoked about his home teaching assignment. I gave Tim his scriptures and he was like, "What? For me? He liked them so much ! I know that you have spent a lot of money on scriptures but there are blessings that come from them, I hope that you feel it. I know that they have really blessed the lives of the people here. I am so grateful for your willingness to help my gators, thank you so much. It means a me and to them also.

It was a good week. We went to get Buffalo Wings with Cindy and her son Chris. I got some blazin' wings. they are the hottest ones you can get. Cindy and Chris said, "Are you sure that you want those?" I said, "Oh yeah, I am sure . I am the son of Doug Skeen, hot stuff is in my ."

...........I got the bishop to start having Missionary Correlation meeting. They have never had it before, so that will be good.

......I am excited for Kelly's new "something" to come. I want pictures. Maybe you could tell Sister Pesce, Mom, and she can call us. Well I love you all and have a good week.

Read your scriptures and pray for missionary opportunities. They are always there, we just have our blinders on. If we are always in tune with the spirit then the blinders will be off and our eyes will be open to the opportunities and The Lord will give us the words in the very hour, even in the very minutes that we need them. So take the Prophet Joseph Smith's advice and do it.

I love you all very much,

Elder Skeen

REFLECTIONS ON LEAVING THE NEST

There was a time and it doesn't seem like that long ago that we had 5 little birds in our nest. One by one they have learned to fly and left our nest. Kelly was the first "fledgling" to take wing. I remember dropping her off at her dorm at what was then called "Rick's College" in Idaho. I had a big lump in my throat and struggled to repress my tears. My mind kept reviewing a laundry list of unanswered questions. Would she be happy there? Would she like her roommates? Would she do well in school and be ready for the challenges that lay ahead? Would she manage her finances responsibly? These were a few of the thoughts that flooded my mind. After helping her unload her car she turned and said, "Thanks, Mom I love you and I'll see you." "Wait, wait just a minute, where's the tears? Where's the pleading for me to stay, or at the very least, to not just leave her there with these total strangers. After all, didn't I teach her not to talk to strangers?" I hugged her and we left. On the long drive back to Utah my Mom, who had accompanied us, assured me that all would be well and reminded me that, "This is just the way I wanted her to feel, confident, happy and excited to begin life outside the nest." What I didn't know was that this was the beginning of what I call the "BIG PAYOFF". It didn't take very long after my return to the nest before the letters and phone calls of appreciation for home and family started. Don't get me wrong, she was deliriously happy and having the time of her life but she had move to the next level.

We have now seen 3 other fledglings take flight and their experiences have been very similar to Kelly's experience. I am the one who has changed. I no longer watch them leave with a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye (just a second I have something in my eye....) because I love to see the wonderful transformation that takes place from fledgling to soaring Eagle. As my last fledgling stands on the edge of the nest preparing to fly I reflect on my job as The Original Wing and I hope that, just like all her siblings before her, she will take to the sky with confidence and soar.

MISSIONARY MESSAGE

McKay is a missionary serving in the Indianapolis, Indiana Mission. In this section you will find pictures and excerpts from his weekly e-mail.




"Hey guys,


How is everyone doing? I hope that everyone is doing well. I am doing great! We had transfer calls this morning and we didn't get a call but Elder Christensen did. He is the one I came out with. That sucks because I didn't want him to leave, we had fun together. But yeah we are all staying besides him. I think this is my last transfer here but I will get to see Paul get baptized and see Tim get the priesthood. I am excited about that. I can't believe how fast time goes by. I know I say that every week but you guys don't get it, it's unreal. It's not good, I don't like it. I don't want to sound mean or anything but I really don't want to come home. I love this. I don't think I have ever in my life felt so strongly about something, well besides BYU football and Angels baseball of course, but that's not counted. I don't know, it's weird, I would love to see everyone and everything but I like this a lot better than being at home. We had a very good week. A very balanced week which is very good. We had 6 with a member presentations and 11 others and 6 less actives and 2 new investigators and 2 recent converts. Very balanced, I like that a lot more than just getting 20 other lessons it's more effective when you balance it and it gives the Lord a chance to bless us in all aspects of the work not just one or two. Church was good, Paul was the only one who showed up but it was a good Sunday. We had to bless the sacrament and I haven't done that for a long time. I think I have only done it one time before this so I messed up on the prayer but I got it, it was fun though. Then in Gospel Principles Brother Renner ( He is like my best friend in the world out here. He is so cool and we are very close) was talking about the sacrament in his lesson and he said that everything has to be done to the "T" and he said when the sacrament prayer is not right, I will not point any fingers, Ha Ha Ha. I just laughed and said I did it because I knew you were teaching this lesson and I wanted to help you out a little. He just busted out laughing and everyone else too.


Last week on Thursday we went over to the Peaces, they are the ones from Costa Mesa. They are both 52 and they have 5 kids. The oldest ones are 2 sons in their mid 20's and a daughter 18 who was planning to come to California to attend Saddleback College but for now she is going to stay home and help with the family and take care of her Mom, and then Dallin and Oliva who are 10 and 11. Sister Peaces has had cancer like 4 times and it has come back and the doctor's are only giving her a few weeks left to live. We went to see her and we talked about life and everything and we talked about her and she said that it is crazy how think the veil is right now for her. She went to the temple and she said that she was in awe at everything that she saw, heard and felt. She is very in tune with the spirit. We talked about A's Burger's and the beach. She was very good friends with the Schelin's in your ward and it is Brother Peaces sister that lives in Newport Beach and she was very good friends with Gordon Jump. When she said that I got all choked up. All the feelings I felt when me and Dad would go see him and take him the sacrament and everything came back. I told her about it and what he would tell me, it was a very special moment."................"Sister Peaces invited us for brunch on Saturday and that was really cool. We talked about life and movies and plays and I told them that you guys had seen Wicked and they were very jealous. I sang some of the songs with them and they were impressed. I told them that this is what you get when you have 4 sisters and all they do is talk about Wicked. Jenna and I talked about how much she loves her family and me too and I told her that when I was a teenager I was away from my family and how much I missed them and she started to cry a little and said that she hopes that she has a family like that someday.


Sunday we had a lesson with Tim at his house and he is soooo freakin' cool. He wants to go to the temple sooo bad. We watched a movie called "Between Heaven and Earth" and every time he saw the temple he said I have to go now, I have to. I was like WOW this guy is amazing, he hasn't even been a member for a month and he has already grasp the importance of temple work. He is starting his genealogy so he can baptize his ancestors, like he is all on it. He is amazing, he is just WOW, I wish you could meet him.


Elder Jensen is doing a lot better. I told him a quote I heard from Tim Salmon at the baseball camp I went to a long time ago, The Mark Cressy Camp, "You don't have to be the best to be the best". He liked it a lot and he is doing a lot better.


I hope that everyone is being obedient at home, keeping the Sabbath Day holy and everything. FHE that is so important, more important than anything else on Monday night, it is so vital, it must happen MUST. Okay King Benjamin will stop but I love you guys very much thank you for everything.


Elder Skeen




I want everyone to read Alma 32 and to liken it unto themselves. Take your faith or your seed and make sure you are watering it with the gospel (scriptures, daily prayer (over meals also EVERY even out at dinner places, be an example) President Hinckley said it best, "Our muscles, if you exercise them they will grow but if not they will shrink. It is the same with our testimonies and our faith, there is no idle station on the road of faith, it's up or down. I hope we all, including myself, are always going up...


Douglas M. Skeen (remember the M)

ADDIE'S ARRIVAL

For the past several weeks we have been sleeping with our cell phones nearby on the chance that we might get the "Mom, I'm in labor" phone call. When they decided to induce Megan on July 20, I took a chance and scheduled my airline reservation using the Southwest Rapid Rewards Reward that I have been hording for just this occasion and then I frantically threw myself into preparing to be gone for a week. On July 18, I was shopping at Costco, the logical place to prepare for anything, when I got a call from Megan, about 3:30, informing me that she was leaving her Doctor's office with orders to go directly to the hospital to prepare for delivery and could I somehow get to Salt Lake that evening. As with all compulsive list makers, I was still crossing off the items on the July 18 list in preparation for the birth of the July 19 list, while making preparations for Tracy, Jeff, Taylor and Austin to arrive July 19 to attend Tracy's 10 year high school reunion, Kelly, Caden, and Carter arriving for the weekend and Morgan working and packing to leave for college. My heart sank a little as I realized that Doug would have to navigate all of this without me here. Tim did a masterful job of changing my airline reservation and reserving me a car, all I had to do was get home from Costco, pack and get to the airport by 6:00. With Kelly's help I made it.

As I climbed on the airplane and sat down, amazed that I actually made it, I phoned Megan and Ryan notifying them that I was on my way. By the time I reached the car rental agency in Salt Lake, it was midnight and I was more than a little anxious to get to the hospital. Fortunately for me, not so fortunate for Megan, she was still in the beginning stages of labor. It wasn't until 26 hours later that our little Addison Linda Spiers made her entrance. Her sweet disposition became immediately apparent as she snuggled, wrapped in a blanket in Megan's arms. I had commented to Ryan earlier that I thought it would only take minutes for her to wrap him around her finger and I was wrong, it took seconds, as is evidenced in the picture of her holding his finger seconds after delivery.

I have now returned home after spending a little more than a week with this new little family. As mother's we are given the wondrous and terrifying responsibility to raise, teach, train and love these little spirits that have been entrusted to us by our Father in Heaven. When you then see your children become parents you realize that you have come full circle and you hope that you did your job well. A quote that I like goes like this, "A mother is not a person to lean on, but a person to make leaning unnecessary." Megan and Ryan have begun their journey of parenthood and Addie is really in good hands.

"A mother laughs our laughs,
Sheds our tears,
Returns our love,
Fears our fears,
She lives our joys,
Cares our cares,
and all our hopes and dreams she shares.

Julia Summers

YOU CAN TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS

The Skeen's have entered the age of the Blog! After harassment from my Blogging children, I decided that Doug and I would try our hand, liver spots and all, at blogging. I can remember, that alone might come as a shock, when we first started using a computer. There was no such thing as the internet, Al Gore hadn't invented it yet, and for that matter there wasn't a fax. Communication was limited to our brave men and women in grey or Alexander's phone. When you think how much has happened to catapult our communication forward starting with the internet and fax, cellphones, The Blackberry and now the iPhone, it makes my grey rooted head spin. I have managed to conquer to varying degrees the above mentioned devices with the exception of the iPhone, which I have managed to avoid. The computer still offers me some challenges now a then, however, I have become Queen of the Email. It has become my preferred method of communication to the dismay or joy of my family and friends.

As with all new techie things, I have discovered that there is a new vocabulary to be learned. Here are a few of the terms that I have discovered:

• Blaudience - The readership of a blog
• Blawg - A blog focusing on a commentary about the law
• Blog Carnival - A blog with links to other articles
• Bloggernacle - A blog written by and for Mormons
• Bloggies - a blog award
• Bloglet - a small blog with one or two sentences
• Momosphere - A blog written by mothers
• Plog - A political bog
• Gulog - A blog so depressing it's as if it were written in a Soviet labour camp
• Blogoneer - A person who blogs with an expert or pioneering attitude.

Well so I guess I can now call myself a blogger. I don't know if I will ever become a blogoneer with a bloggie on the mantle and I hope never to write a gulog but I can tell you for sure that I plan to have a blogtastic time.

ADDIE'S ARRIVAL