Until We Meet Again

1931 ~ 2012
Myrl Sargent Vernon, 80, died Monday, June 11, 2012 at her home.
She was born in Hoytsville, Utah on November 24, 1931 to David James and Lucille Carpenter Sargent. She attended North Summit schools and was active in sports, cheerleading, and all activities and graduated as an honor student in 1949.
She married Louis O. Vernon on June 1, 1949 in the Salt Lake Temple. They have five children-four sons, L. Craig (Margaret), D. Blake (Ruthie), Donald F. (Jacki), Clayton M. (Colleen), and one daughter, Kala Ann Vernon, 18 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.    

She was an active member of the LDS church and worked in the Primary, Young Women, Relief Society and was a visiting teacher for many years. Myrl worked for the North Summit School District as a teacher aide for five years and as Summit County Deputy Assessor for 13 years.
Surviving are her husband, Louis and children, two brothers-Norman (Nola) Sargent of Ogden, Ray (Lois) Sargent of Bountiful, one sister-Donna Keyes of Coalville, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Glen Sargent.
In lieu of flowers please make contributions to Huntsman Cancer Institute or Primary Children's Hospital.
Funeral services will be held Friday, June 15, 2012 at 11 a.m. at the Wanship Ward Chapel, 31000 Old Lincoln Hwy, Wanship, UT. Friends and family may call at the church Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Friday from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m.
Interment, Wanship Cemetery.

My grandma was an amazing woman.  I miss her dearly.  She was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer about 8 weeks prior to my diagnosis.  We kinda did it together, this cancer thing, only on different paths--me fighting through surgery and chemo and her fighting through the remainder of her life.  She was such a support to me.  She would hug me and say, "I should've been able to do this for both of us, Bree."  I'd tell her it was okay and that we'd do it together. And we did.  Every step of the way.  My Dad, when he spoke at the funeral, said that he felt my Grandma was holding out for two things before she would allow the angels to take her to the pain free paradise on the other side: she was waiting to celebrate her 63rd wedding anniversary with her sweetheart on June 1st and she was waiting for me to have my last chemo treatment on June 6th.  Waiting to be here with me through ALL of my fight. To hear that I had been deemed cancer free.  She WAS with me every step of the way and often I still feel her close.   I'll never forget the sparkle in her eyes, the "bugs" she'd use to calm a fussy child, the marshmallows in a saucer cup, reading Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss, sugar sandwiches, and how she loved.  I love you Grandma, always and forever.

Almost 3 Weeks Ago

Well, almost 3 weeks ago I was sitting in my chemo chair taking it all in for the last time.  Boy it felt good.  I celebrated.  It was my No Mo' Chemo day.  I even took ice cream and rice crispy treats to share with all my fellow fighters.  One of us was missing though....her absence was evident....I wondered where she was, we'd talked about celebrating together today just 2 weeks prior.....I later found out she'd lost her fight.  I missed you Tish.  You would have loved my No Mo' Chemo party, but I'm glad you fought your fight so hard and with such amazing optimism and courage that simply by sitting next to you every 2 weeks you made my life better.  You touched me.  Thank you for that.

Now, here I am almost 3 weeks later.  I have stubble (he, he, he), I'm growing armpit hairs, and I had to shave my legs again.  I'm a SURVIVOR.  It feels amazing and scary all at the same time.  I've been forever changed by cancer.  I'm working on a list.....the Top 10 Things I Learned from Cancer.  It's been hard to put into words what I've learned and what cancer has taught me, how it has changed me, but I'm working on it and I'll post it soon.

BreeAnn Allred/Cache Valley For Hope Golf Tournament

I cannot say how humbled I have been by the love and support of those around me.  Longhurst Mortgage group here in Logan threw this golf tournament in my behalf.  It was an amazing event which raised money that nearly eliminated the financial impact of cancer in our lives.  I cannot thank them enough.  It is nice to not have to worry about the medical bills, the lost income from time needed off work, and how we are going to pay the next bill.  It was a huge success thanks to this wonderful community!  I had a blast and I think everyone else did also.  Thanks to all involved for your donations, your time, and your love!  You've made a lasting impact on my life. 

On a second note, I have to add a shout out for the organization Cache Valley for Hope.  This organization has made it possible for us to not be taxed on the earnings from this wonderful tournament and they are an amazing organization.  This organization helps families in Cache Valley dealing with cancer cover medical and non-medical (utilities, mortgage payments, etc) expenses.  If you are looking for a good cause to donate to they certainly fit the bill.  Check them out at http://www.cachevalleyforhope.org/.

The Twins are 18 months

Time has flown by.  My beautiful babes are 18 months old.  I guess they are now classified as toddlers.  We had pics taken at JC Penny for the occasion, and I even posed with my bald head to document this time in all of our lives.  Trav and I can't imagine what life was like without them anymore.  Being a parent has enriched my life beyond measure.  It has challenged me, stretched me (literally physically as well as mentally and emotionally).  It has brought me more joy than I ever thought possible.  I am so blessed to have these two in my life.  I love you Tayson and Brielle.  My sweet Bubba and Sissy.

The "Twin" Pics

A Bald Mommy at 18 Months Old

Tayson David Allred

Weight: 20 lbs 13 oz

Height: 31 3/4 inches

Tayson is such a sensitive little boy.  He is afraid of the vacuum and any loud noise (ie paper shredder).  He loves his sissy soooo much and comforts her when she cries by patting or rubbing her back. He is a little bit of a Mamma's boy and hates it when she goes to work.  He loves his naps, his binky, baby einstein movies, his blue and green blanket, jumping on the tramp, and dancing.  He is talking up a storm learning several new words a day.  Today he even said Brielle and Tayson for the first time.  His favorite food right now is corn.  He looks just like his Daddy and takes after his love of cooking and cleaning.We love our little man.

Brielle Collette Allred

Weight: 15 lbs 15 oz

Height: 28 1/4 inches (may be inaccurate though)

Brielle is a little tough girl.  She often beats up on her brother and takes advantage of his caring nature knocking him to the ground and sitting on him.  Her hair is finally long enough to pull into to true pig tails or a pony tail.  She is tiny and adorable just like her Mommy and has a feisty stubborn personality.  She loves to snuggle her Daddy especially before naps.  She loves being outside no matter the temperature and, much to our dismay, will often be found with her finger in her nose. She would eat only milk if we would let her and tolerates other foods when coerced.  She loves to be flipped, thrown, and swung--I wouldn't be surprised to see this girl as a gymnast or cheerleader someday.  She still wears her glasses, although getting a good picture with them on is tough due to the reflection.  They have really helped and her eyes hardly ever cross anymore.  She is really into making animal sounds and can spot an animal from what seems like miles away.  Big things come in small packages and by small things are great things brought to pass.  We agree wholeheartedly.  Love you baby girl!

Taxol

Overall, Taxol was better than my previous 4 treatments.  I didn't get nauseated which made everything so much easier to deal with.  I still had no appetite, I got REALLY achy for 4 days (instead of 5), and still generally had no energy.  Not feeling nauseated makes it all tons better. So, now I'm down to 3 treatments left!  YAAAAAAAAY!

Chemo #5

Well, I'm sitting at chemo during my 5th treatment.  I'm officially over halfway through after today!  Only 3 more treatments to go.  I switched to a new drug called Taxol today.  We've heard mixed opinions on whether this drug is better or worse.  I guess I'll find out over the next few days.  It is kinda funny....I've had more anxiety over this treatment than any other.  I think a lot of it is because I'm switching to this new drug.  My first treatment I didn't know what I was getting myself into, now I know, but at the same time I don't know anymore.  With my prior treatments I knew how I was going to respond.  Now I feel like I'm starting over, but with more knowledge of how chemo truly is.  I hate not knowing how I'm going to respond or what to expect.  I'm praying it is easier.  Just keep swimming! 

Chemo Cycle 3

Chemo Cycle 3 was not any better than 2. Still just awful honestly. I'm resigned to the fact that it is just going to miserable for 5-7 days after a treatment. Then, to top it off just as my immune system plummeted, on Saturday I came down with a cold. Worst cold I've ever had. Darn chemo! I had to call in sick for 2 days.....for a stupid cold! I've never done that before. Here's a shout out to my awesome co-workers who cover for me. You guys are awesome.

Today, I'm on the rebound for sure from chemo and I think from the cold. I feel better, but I sound awful. I have a terrible cough and an awesomely raspy voice. Too bad it isn't Halloween! I'm going to try to attempt work tomorrow. Hopefully it goes well.

On a different note, I had one of those hit-you-right-between-the-eyes moments today. One where you know your prayers have been heard. This common cold hit me hard and in turn stole some of my "good week" between chemo treatments. I was so angry, but with no place to turn my anger, I went to my knees. I prayed for strength, for there to be some way that my immune system could recover more quickly, for my white blood cell count to rise more quickly than it has previously. You see, I need my white blood cells to fight this cold, and they are those that are most easily knocked out by the chemo. This has been my prayer since Saturday. So, today, I went in for my weekly blood draw after chemo. They do this to check my blood counts to determine if I am on track to receive another treatment the next week. Today my white blood cell count was 3.7. After my previous 2 treatments it was 2.5 and 2.3. An entire point higher today. My immune system an entire point stronger. Coincidence? No. An answer? Absolutely.

I AM SO BLESSED! And to top it off, I get loves from this cutie....even with a bald head!