The Downhill Side NOT

So, we are definitely on the back end of this nightmare. We can see the end in sight (Last day of radiation is TODAY!! Last day of chemo is set for Nov. 6th). We can even count down the weeks on 2 hands. But, we can't really count all of the days of exhaustion, nausea, hair falling out (again, after it started to grow back) and just complete anxiety that Matti is still facing as she finishes up the end of chemo.

I start this way, because that is what Matti and I were specifically talking about yesterday. It was rough. We met with Dr. Wright (the best in the world) and she was helping plan out the rest of Matti's treatments, and how to weave them in and out of all of the things that Matti wants to do over the next 2 months. Matti started feeling slight anxiety...because she knows what to expect. It's not a surprise to her anymore, she knows what's coming and it is not fun. But, I know she can do it. She is so strong...literally. She does get frustrated, and anxious, and pissed, BUT she won't let this stop her. She has goals, and things she wants to do her senior year, and she is doing them.

1. She received the honor of being one of the Student Conductors at school. This is a big deal. She LOVES working with the choir, helping them learn music, learning from them, teaching them. She has such respect from the kids this year! It's so awesome to sit back and watch a group of high school students respect each other the way I get to witness when I watch them all working together.

Matti with the Academy Singers at Las Vegas Academy

2. She applied and got accepted into Northern Arizona University! This is so thrilling for Matti to have that overwhelming question of "where am I going to go to school" out of the way. This summer her AMAZING (Emily Meyer) voice teacher and AMAZING (Megan Franke) choir director got her all hooked up with the most AMAZING Director of Choral Studies (Dr. Edith Copley) at NAU. She is thrilled to have Matti, and Matti is thrilled to be there. She will audition for the Music program in a few months, but her future is heading in a great direction.

Matti, Emily Meyer and Dr. Edith Copley at NAU

3. She has some really awesome friends and family supporting her. She has had the opportunity to be a part of so many amazing things. Too many friends to mention, too many good things to share...but here are a few. She has been able to grant a little girl's Make a Wish. She has seen the power of prayer in her life. She has helped raise money for Candlelighters. She has made friends who are going through the same thing that she is. She has relied on the power of priesthood blessings. She has learned a lot about people. She has made her own "Make a Wish." It's overwhelming to think about all of the good things that have come into her life - and our family's life.

Mrs. Franke sent Matti some important
instructions that resulted in LOTS of
LAUGHTER!

Jordan surprised Matti this weekend!

Trey sending love from his Mission

4. She is somehow managing her senior year, despite everything. She is doing it. She goes to school every day (when we are in Vegas) and is doing the impossible every day. Her doctors are all amazed by her. She would have every reason in the world to stay in bed and do nothing. But that would be letting cancer win, and she won't do it.

My brother (Josh) and sister-in-law (Beth) are a part of an organization that is doing a fundraiser for Primary Children's Hospital. They are doing a short documentary on Matti and her experiences there. My brother asked Matti, "What does it mean to you to beat cancer?" After thinking about it for a minute, Matti said "I think that being cured of cancer is one thing. But, not letting cancer affect your family relationships, not letting cancer affect your friendships...not letting cancer take the things away from you that matter most...that is what it means to BEAT cancer."

And that's all that needs to be said about that. I love my family and all of you!!

Matti, Beth and Josh