The Unstoppable Alena Kesti!!!!(Until I make her stop!!)

Here are some funny events that happened to Alena last week. Anybody that knows Alena knows that she doesn't slow down for anything, especially if she has the opportunity to be outside doing yard work. Well, our best buddy Josh and his sweetheart Holly are getting married in July, and the reception will be in her backyard. There is a lot of preparation and landscaping to do. Alena has wanted to help out, but of course she can't be in the sun very much. Wednesday of last week, she told me that she had gone to Holly's house to help with the yard. I was thinking, okay, Alena went to her house and probably gave some advice on the best way to care for the plants, and how to do some other plant things. I talked to her that night, and she was exhausted. I figured she would be. The sun takes an extra toll on her. Well, the next day, we were talking, and Alena was still really tired, and she was throwing up, and not doing well at all. I was worried. She rested, and later she was feeling better. Well, we were talking about how she needs to take it easy. I repeated that she needs to TAKE IT EASY!!(she will never do it, but I say it anyway!!) Alena then proceeded to reveal to me some very surprising things, yet not really that unusual for Alena.
She said, "I guess I shouldn't have used the pick axe that much, or lifted and moved big heavy rocks." Why was I not surprised! Here is little Alena, on chemo, with a lower immune system, and an extremely sensitive energy level, telling me she probably should not have tried to be super woman. Well, she is super woman, and she has to watch out for the manual labor kryptonite. I think Alena will always push her limits, which is one reason why she will succeed in all that she does.!! I love you Alena!!

-Sammy

midnight chat

I know that a lot of you check the blog often and I feel bad that you look at the same entry that has been there for days. I really don't know what to write, but here I go. I surprisingly have done incredibly well during my Chemo. I truly have to thank Heavenly Father for the amazing strength that I have received. I feel like I need other people to tell me what is happening to me right now. I don't realize the reality of having cancer. I feel great and life seems better than it has been at other times in my life, so why now is life so good, when it seems like it should be so hard. I consider myself to be a positive person, but I am now realizing how important my thought process is. For instance, today I was sitting in church thinking about how tired I was and how the open seat next to me looked nice and comfy to lay on. Then I started thinking, "but then I would get nothing out of the lesson, so why not challenge yourself to really enjoying the lesson, maybe even participate and really begin to understand and appreciate the rest of the people in the room!" I did so and the lesson became very alive and important to the strengthening of my own testimony and I grew even more love for the women in that room. I was really taken by the power of having a change of thought. I don't know if any of you have heard of the movie and book called The Secret. I was recently given it as a gift and I began reading it. One of the quotes in the book reminded me of my current situation.
I have known about my cancerous spot for a long time. I just didn't know it was cancer. It stayed the same size for a very long time and that is why I never budged about getting fussy with it. I just left it alone. This is seen as stupid by others and sometimes myself, (Honestly a 22 yr old with no past history has no thought to cancer and being concerned with cancer) but as soon as cancer was brought to the forefront of my mind I began thinking about it constantly. I, one night, stayed up thinking about it so much that the spot actually began to hurt. Also, it began to increase in size dramatically. Well, thats when I finally went in an here I am on Chemo. It was I think, one week and four days after my first treatment when I was at work talking to a coworker and I felt the spot were the cancer was and it was gone to the touch. I was able to cup my hand and the tumor would fill the spot before treatment started. As I touched the spot I began finding myself searching for it. I could no longer feel the spot anymore. I was flabbergasted. I didn't even know how to carry a conversation except to say "I cant feel it anymore!" I could owe this to many things why this happened, but one that I find a very important key is the power of positive thinking. Even though the effects of chemo were not encouraging and many were opposed to me going through it I had a lot of faith in chemo. After the first treatment I was completely not scared about having treatment or having cancer. I put all trust in God and also myself that I would get through this with a positive attitude and a life learned lesson. When i put good thoughts into focus this cancer thing became a breeze and if I may, enjoyable.
I'm going to put out there... the challenge: I don't want this to be supper cheesy, but with all sincerity, because you all have helped encourage me so much. At this time I don't know what is ailing your life at this time personally, and I know that each of you reading this is that someone or knows someone who deals with the daily battles of self persecution, physical pain or unexpected troubles. Learn anyways to always look for the good. I truly know the value of having a grateful heart, having faith, being positive and most of all treating others with kindness. These are key ingredients to my happy life and I would like to share it with you!

Sunny Dog

Here's the doggy on Loan! Sunny! Last night I had had a fun time shaving her. This was my first experience shaving a dog and I had a lot of fun giving her a hair cut. Thanks Hargadon's for allowing Sunny to visit for such a long time. She is doing well and my family loves visiting with her. She looks so pretty!!!!

Second Chemo down, four more to go!!

Well, here is a little update: Alena is moved back into her parents home in Granite Bay, with a freshly applied coat of paint in her room. She will miss her cute little cottage in Roseville, but she is so grateful for the comfort of being at home. She needs her parents, and I am pretty sure they need her too.
Alena and Amy are already having roommate withdrawals!! Alena sports the bald head very well, and she was blessed with a perfectly shaped head. Heavenly Father blessed her with that so she would be comforted during her trials!! Alrighty then, Alena had her appointment at 11:15 this morning at Kaiser, and everything went so unbelievably smooth. Alena got to be in the corner of the room in a hospital bed that was very comfortable. We also watched Robin Hood: Prince of thieves!! Talk about a plush chemo session! We were in and out in no time(well, 3 hours), and Alena does not have any nausea, which is great, and the only thing she is experiencing is fatigue, which is easily solvable!(sleep)
She is now resting, and doing very well!! Thank you so much for your love and strength!! Bye for now.

I really like putting pictures on the blog it makes it look so colorful. These are some wonderful women in my life. My grandma whom I got my love of the out doors and gardening from. Also, she gave me my first sewing lessons and now it is one of my favorite hobbies. My sister Jenny who is my greatest strength and mentor when life gets scary. Thanks Jenny! Hilary and her cute Brennie Bear thank you for coming and seeing me and for your amazing support even thought I can't see you as often as you wish you could. You still make me smile. Sarah Landford in the cute apron. Even though life is crazy for you I love seeing your strength in your ability to serve and lift others. Amy Patterson, this is my wonderful roommate. Whom I am going to miss much. It was so much fun living with you and I will miss our wonderful bright yellow cottage. I am so glad I was able to grow so much by your example daily. I will miss you much! Well, I hope all of you can enjoy these pictures they tell their own stories. I am surrounded by your comments on the blog, cards, hugs, phone calls, and visits. This makes the smile on my face last forever. Thanks for all keeping me feeling wonderful at this time.

Parents are the Best

This was my hair cut before I shaved off my hair. As you can see I finally learn how to put pictures on the blog. Thanks Mom and Dad for all that you do for me!

Sammy love

yes, Melanie Sam shaved his hair off too! He Still looks handsome as ever and even more so for all the love and support he is giving. Thanks for raising such a good man! Love you much. Charene, I give cinnamon hair cuts for free or actually for a good laugh call me if you want one! You'd look HOT. Cinnamon licking good HOT. HHAhA

Hair Cuts

My hair finally got to the point where I could not take it any more. It started falling out by touching it this weekend and then by this morning I had to wear a scarf to work because if I didn't I would have looked like a tree in fall. My hair would have been blow'n in the wind. After work I went over to Sam's and we both shaved our heads. My Nephew Talon (3) Said "where is Auntie Lena." He also kept saying "I see that head!" I was a little sad but it is pretty funny. I go for another round of chemo on monday. I'm not looking forward to the nausea, but after a few days it goes away. I'm moving back home this weekend and I am very happy to have my parents close by to help me. Thanks for all you support.