Thursday, April 30, 2009

Expensive Little Pills

Yesterday the UPS guy brought me some pills. One container had 5 pills (zolinza) that were over

$100 each. The other container had enough Tykerb pills for a month. They cost nearly $3,000.

I was just thinking that if a person donated $100 to my healthcare...it would give me one pill.

It's expensive, but so needed. These pills are working and saving my life! Rapamune pills

arrived today and they are free....donated by the manufacturer! Yeah! So helpful.

So today is a very special day for Larry and me. It's our 33rd Anniversary. We celebrated by

going out to dinner together. I'm looking forward to many more years together with him.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

A Wonderful Scripture

Last night, while doing some dishes, a scripture popped into my mind. So, I tried to find it with

Larry's help. It was awesome....just what we needed. You see, we have a problem in our lives at

this time...as most of you know, and that is we need a lot of money. So many people are donating

to my cause and have helped with the MHS Benefit Concert, and it's so wonderful, but I am

thinking about the future bills and how to pay the medical expenses month after month after

month. They all add up. We can't just rely on everyone on a long time basis. So, back to the

scripture. It's found in the Book of Mormon in Jacob 2:18-19. It gives us the answer on how to

get more money. It reads "But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God. And

after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will

seek them for the intent to do good--to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate

the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted." We hope that we

qualify- as we have hope in Christ- and we want to use the money to help the sick and the

afflicted, which is me right now. So, we are in the process of extending our business and will be

selling "EZ Coat Epozy" Floor Kits on line. We are trusting in the Lord that within a few months

we will be making money and that it won't be too long and we will be able to pay all of our own

bills. I know that we will be blessed by the Lord to accomplish this. In the meantime, we so

much appreciate all the help and donations and prayers in our behalf. The Lord is surely leading

us along and giving us answers to our prayers. By the way, My health is improving!

LOL,
Margaret

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Thank you to all who helped with the Benefit Concert

The MHS Concert was fabulous! I really enjoyed the amazing and talented dancers! Then the

basketball competitions were really fun as well, and the adio sol patrol...and I loved the gorilla.

He even kissed my hand. Thank you to Jheri Glover and Diane Hale who did so much work! Also,

Calli Overstreet, Sandy Stones and Max Cox and.....the list goes on and on! Everyone who came

and paid money for tickets and other items...and those who worked there also...thank you so very

much from the bottom of my heart! Thanks for your support and prayers as well!

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Lumps are going down! My doctor examined my lymph glands and reported that many are

shrinking and flattening out. Yeah! I'm constantly feeling the glands in my elbow joints as a way

of measuring how I am doing. It's funny but some of my friends started checking theirs as well.

Larry and I are busy getting some of the paintings framed to sell at the benefit concert. We have

them in our living room in different frames. The pictures look so beautiful! We were blessed to

get money donated to help us order some pictures. That really helped out a lot. Thank you to

everyone who blesses my life each day. I have to admit....I am totally spoiled!


Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Monday, April 20, 2009

Overcome with appreciation

Thank you to all of my dear family and friends! I deeply appreciate your prayers, love and

donations. This Saturday, Jheri Glover is hosting a special benefit "Night of Entertainment" at

MHS for me as well as for Christian and Stephanie. It's so nice of her and of all those that are

giving of their time and means to help us out.


Today, I was driving home from an appointment and I passed a beggar on the corner. He was

holding a sign and asking for money. I realized that we are all beggers... especially me. At this

time in my life I have to have money for my medicine in order to get well. So, basically I am

begging for help. Maybe in a sense we all beg for God's mercy or for others to help us out at

times. It is humbling but I truly appreciate all that each of you have done and are doing for me!

Most of all, I am thankful to my Heavenly Father for His constant outpouring of love and tender

mercies toward me. I am so happy. I trust in God and know that He is tenderly watching over

me and that He loves me. I am very content and trust that He is making me well.




Saturday, April 18, 2009

Last Few Days

Since starting the Rituxin, I haven't been feeling too great. I am not having any reactions to the

medicine, but have been very tired...so I take lots of naps. When starting a new medicine it is

normal to have this happen as it is attacking the cancer cells. Some of them get swollen and then

will flatten out later. I hope to get feeling better soon. Larry and I are going to the Hope Concert

for Christian and Stephanie Nielson tonight. There is no way I would miss it. Life is wonderful!

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Personal Revelation

Today I went to Dr. Kellogg's office for a 4 hour treatment of Rituxin. I met a few people that

inquired of my illness. I told them what I could and of Dr. Burzynski. One of the lady's asked

when I was going to lose my hair. I told her that I wasn't. The head nurse explained to us that

Rituxin is a monoclonol antibody, and not chemotherapy.


I realize that Dr. Burzynski is not for everyone. For some people chemo or radiation may help

them. Others may be healed by just going the natural food and herb path. The most important

thing that I am realizing is the importance of personal revelation. Whatever our trials in life may

be... whether spiritual, physical, emotional, etc., it is so important that we are in tune with the

Lord and He will bless us according to our desires and His will. But, he wants us to ask in faith

and trust Him. I am so grateful that I know what is wrong with me and have found out the

direction I need to take. It's such a blessing to have our own liahonas and to be able to receive

personal revelation in our lives!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Singing

This afternoon I started getting concerned about having enough money to stay alive and pay for

the medicine from the Burzynski Clinic that costs $4,800 a month. So many people have been

very generous and donated money to my fund. I realize that there is a benefit concert coming up

on April 25th at MHS and I am sure that will help financially. But what about paying for the

medicines the following month and the next month after that...? Larry and I are working hard to

order prints of our two sons paintings, so we can sell them. We are also preparing to offer EZ Do-it-yourself

epozy garage coatings to sell via the internet. We hope to make more money with our business

to be able to pay our own medical bills. I found myself lying on the the couch tonight singing a

song of comfort. It is one of my favorite primary songs.

"The Lord commanded Nephi to go and build a boat
Nephi's older brothers believed it could not float
Laughing and mocking, they said he should not try,
Nephi was courageous, this was his reply--
I will go, I will do...the things the Lord commands,
I know the Lord provides a way, He wants me to obey.
I will go, I will do...the things the Lord commands,
I know the Lord provides a way, He wants me to obey."

The song brought comfort to my heart and a big smile on my face. I know that the Lord has

commanded me to be well. He provided the way to be healed through the Burzynski Clinic and I

know that He will provide a way to afford to get the medicine monthly. I know that we will be

guided by the Spirit and it will all work out.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Medicine Approved

Yeah! Finally, my insurance approved the Rituxin medicine. Now I can go to Dr. Kellogg and get

my IV treatments that I need. So, they will begin this week and will be repeated for about 6

weeks, then off for 6 months. Everything is moving along as planned now and I am getting into a

regular schedule with the medicines...my energy is high and life is good! Another blessing is that a

couple in our ward offered money towards getting some canvas prints of our sons paintings so that

we can sell them at the benefit concerts. Where do all these blessings come from? I know...do you?

Monday, April 13, 2009

Pills and Bills

It's incredible to me how expensive little pills cost. I am on 3 different kinds that are very costly.

(Rapamune, Zolinza and Tykerb) They cost thousands of dollars a month due to

research costs. My insurance doesn't cover them for mantle cell lymphoma cancer. But those

are the drugs that are effective for me. I am on them and already some of the tumors are

disappearing and others are flattening out. I have been on-line for days contacting the

manufacturers of these drugs and have filled out forms to apply for free medicine. The

companies like to have people use their drugs so that they can find out what other illnesses can

be cured with them. The medicines that I can't get free are those that are sold at the Burzynski

clinic. The "miracle drug" is well over $4,000 a month. It is the first group of pills started and

the last ones I will get off of. But, really, it comes down to pills and bills for awhile.





Sunday, April 12, 2009

Healing

Larry and I were reading scriptures this

morning and we read about the man that had palsy

(paralysis). Jesus was in his house and it was very crowded with followers, so his

friends lowered him down after removing part of the roof. Jesus healed him because

of his great faith. He told him to take up his bed and walk. Faith is trusting God

combined with action. I love it because this man and his friends did everything

they could to obtain the healing.


I have friends like this man that had the palsy. My friends and family are helping

me to pay for huge medical bills and are praying with great faith. I know that my

healing is coming about. My tumors are already flattening out and some are gone.

It's strange but true. Thank you everyone! It is truly because of my faith and the

faith of others that I will be healed..as I was promised!


This beautiful Easter day, I am grateful for the atonement. Not only did Jesus

make it possible for us to be resurrected, and also be forgiven of our sins, but he

also made it possible for us to be healed of our sicknesses. He suffered for those

things as well! Truly, all of our problems are answered through the atonement! I'm

thankful to God for his mercy to me.


Saturday, April 11, 2009

Lots of Energy

I woke up very early this morning with so much energy. After mopping the floors, organizing

music, shopping at Sam's Club and cleaning off patio furniture, etc. we went to lunch at the

Landmark Restaurant with Larry's parents. Larry especially enjoyed the bread pudding! My

brother, David and his wife Gayle had flown in from California to visit me and my brother

Stephen who is in the hospital. We all went to Barrow's Neurological Institute to visit Stephen

and his faithful wife Mary who stays with him so much of the time. While driving home, we saw a

double full rainbow up in the sky. It reminded me that God keeps His promises. We all decided

to go out for dinner at a little Asian Restaurant that I didn't even know existed. Great food and

fun times with my family! David and Gayle are hilarious and never lack for something interesting

to say. Then, on the way home I could hardly stop laughing as we talked about some funny

family memories. What a great day!

Friday, April 10, 2009

Thomas' Art Picture

Just weeks before Thomas left on his mission, I asked him to finish a large 4 x 5 foot acrylic

painting of the Arizona Temple. He had kind of given up on it and left it unfinished in the back

room. I told him that all I wanted was for him to finish that beautiful painting before he left. So,

he got out his brushes and finished it for his mother. I love the painting. It hangs on our living

room wall and has now been framed. It's beautiful. This is the second Arizona Temple painting

he has done. After being in the mission field only a few weeks, he learned of my illness. He

wrote that he would like to do something for me besides pray. We asked him if we could sell the

prints of his paintings and donate the money to my health fund. He is more than happy to do

that and feels that he is helping...which he is. So, we are ordering some canvas prints of 3 of his

paintings and one of James' paintings as well to sell at the upcoming benefit concerts. I treasure

these pictures that hang on my walls and hope that others will find joy in them as well. I look up

at the large Arizona Temple picture and just think of Thomas and can see him painting. I think

of our eternal family and how dear each on is to me. I am looking forward to attending the

temple soon.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Life is Good

I went to my Oncologist today, ready for the IV treatment of rituxin...but didn't receive it due to

the insurance company not giving the approval yet. So, it will probably begin next week. Dr.

Kellogg is very nice and willing to do what he can to help me out. The waiting room was full of

cancer patients and I am grateful that I have my hair and that my medications don't cause

severe side effect. It was also very nice to have my loving husband at my side during this

difficult time. Larry actually went to see his dermatologist today and has a few operations

scheduled for the next few weeks. Surgery on his hand and nose for squeemish cell cancer and

then an incisional hernia repair on his entire abdomen sometime in May. So, we are helping

each other and leaning more on one another. It's a good thing.

The last couple of days I wasn't feeling too good. It was such a treat to enjoy some yummy soups

that a dear friend brought in. Dinner arrived just in time to feed James, his girlfriend and us.

Then tonight we had some more. Oh, it was sooo delicious. I'm so happy that the Lord is with

Larry and me during our trials. I am trying to study my scriptures more diligently and find so

much strength from them. I have found that personal revelation pours in during this time and I

need to always have a paper and pen available to write things down. Often, the inspiration has

nothing to do with what I am reading. The Lord is taking care of my every need and more. He is

wonderful! In one of the blessings that I received, I was told to read my personal scriptures for

at least an hour a day. I'm so glad the Lord asked me to do that because I need the spirit to

guide me. Dont we all.


Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Home from Houston

It's great to be home. Maria and I arrived home on Saturday night. I've just

been slow in writing and trying to adjust to my new medications and home life. Larry has been

sick with a nasty cold and sore throat. We have been sleeping in different rooms and I miss

being with him. We give each other air hugs. I got to enjoy watching conference in our family

room with Larry and Joseph and Christina.

I think that I have the most awesome family in the world. I feel so loved and cared for. I want

everyone to feel that way. I think of some people that struggle and don't have support systems

and my heart aches for them. But, the greatest support system is from God. I feel of His love

for me and His loving arms wrapped around me. I feel peace and a calmness inside knowing that

He cares. We are all His children, of course He is there for each of us.

I have an organized schedule of pills that I take. I take 33 pills a day. It's actually more than

Larry takes. Getting good at swallowing pills. Most are amino pills others are for specific

purposes. The Sodium phenylbutyrate is to decrease the size of the tumors. Tykerb is to target

my Her-2 receptors. This medicine stops messages from being sent to cancer cells that tell

them to grow. So, I am diligent about doing what the doctor tells me to do. This Thursday, I

meet with my oncologist and will start another medicine through the IV to target my CD20 that

was found. What a blessing to know what I have wrong with me and to have medicines to help.

At the same time, I am on a very healthy diet. Lots of greens, very little meat if any. No red

meat. A variety of fruits and vegetables...wheat grass..xango mangostein, sunrider products,

essiac tea, lemon water, apricot kernels...etc.

Basically, I've been told that this particular illness is caused by chemicals or genetics. My

brother, Stephen has had a health problem that he is dealing with. They are still trying to

discover if he has lymphoma as well. They really don't know what he has. So....I have a list of

people that I am praying for and I remember to include myself. Thank you

for caring, praying, donating time or money or both to my cause. I really do appreciate all you

do for me and I need your help. We each have our own individual trials that help us to grow and

draw closer to God. Like one of my friends said to me, "It's just a test".

Monday, April 6, 2009

First Benefit Concert for Margaret



THIS IS GOING TO BE A TON OF FUN!

Friday, April 3, 2009

Come What May and Love It-Part 2

After much prayer and fasting on the part of so many loved ones, as well as a tremendous amount of research from family, the Lord let me know that it was His desire for me to go to Houston, Texas to see Dr. Burzynski. Peace poured into my mind and heart and I knew without a shadow of a doubt that it was the path to take. But, it is so expensive and I don't have the money. How would it be possible and in such a hard economic time? But, when the Lord gives a commandment, He always provides a way. I was praying for guidance and for financial help, when I received a phone call and was told to give someone a call. It was within a few days that some wonderful people, of which I can't disclose their names as they swore me to secrecy, donated a good amount of money to my cause. That money as well as the money so lovingly offered from other loving people combined to make enough money to pay for the initial visit and expenses. We were also fortunate to be accepted by "Positive Impact" which is 501 C3 organization which makes it possible for all donations to be tax deductible.
Then, Chase and Tricia C. called and offered us to stay at their home. They picked us up at the airport at midnight last Sunday night and have provided a beautiful place for us to stay. They have a guest room and a private bathroom for us as well. And to top it off, they have let us use their car and their GPS to get around. Chase gets rides to and from medical school.
Larry stayed the first two nights and went to the initial doctor's appointment with me. Then he had to return home to run the business. Maria has been such a sweetheart and has been here the whole week. She left her son Tate, which is a hard thing to do.
Each day at the clinic they have run different tests, started new medications, given seminars, etc. We have had so many experiences, including a near accident, getting to see the Gulf of Mexico, and hanging around the house with me being sick due to a reaction to the medicine called rapimune. Driving the freeways is sometimes exhausting especially when we get lost. It's so wonderful to have family and friends that love me at this time.
About the Burzynski Clinic...I knew that this is where I was to receive medical treatment well before arriving here. But again, the Spirit testified to me when arriving the first day that I was at the right place for me.

Here's a little schedule of what has happened each day:
Sunday, March 30th-arrived at midnight at airport. Went to the Campbell's home in Pearland, Texas
Monday, march 31st-Went to the clinic and met Dr. Burzyinski, did genetic blood work, attended a very informative seminar, had a near fatal accident but we were protected.
Tuesday, April Fools Day-Took Larry to the airport, went to Doctor's appointment. Started on Dr. Burzyinski's miracle drug which is called Sodium Phenylbutyrate (PB) which is his oral version of antineoplastons. On the way home from the clinic we stopped at the presidential monument which was off the side of the freeway and got pictures. Tricia made us a very healthy and delicious quinoa salad.
Wed. April 2-Got lost, went to the clinic and started Amino Care and Brain Longevity supplements as well as Zolinza. We drove to Galveston and enjoyed walking along the beach of the Gulf of Mexico, and getting a natural foot massage in the sand! Tricia made us delicious fish taco's for dinner. What a treat.
Thurs, April 3-Had a nutrition class where they told us that people with lymphoma have an over reactive immune system. I need to avoid chlorine in my bath water as well as avoiding any chemicals, sprays, etc. They started me on rapimune of which I had an allergic reaction and got very sick. I was so weak and achy. I Couldn't do anything until 12:30 at night, but just flop on beds and stuff. Maria was busy massaging me. Maria made a delicious tortillas soup for dinner. Yummy! We had some real miracles again today. Dr. Kellogg in Arizona has agreed to continue me as his patient and work under the prescribed care of Dr. Burzynski! What a blessing. He will perform the intravenous treatments of Rituxin off and on for the next 3 years. Although I was so sick, it was the highlight of my day to talk to Jonathan/Carrie and their 4 children through the webcam. It was fun to see the kids faces and talk to everybody.
Friday, April 4th-We have been slow this morning as I have been recuperating. We will be leaving for the clinic soon.
Just know that Heavenly Father loves to bless us all! I'm overwhelmed with the blessings that continue to pour in to my life. Miracles never cease!