[Sara Arell]

Bobbie did well with her chemo yesterday - so well that she said Mike took her for a yogurt afterwards! The side effects have been pretty bad - she's already lost so much hair that she's shaved her head - she wore a wig for about two hours, took it off and said "to heck with this"! She put her ball cap on and said "no more wigs" Her fingers are numb so she can no longer carry her weapon but she's still going into work for a few hours each day. She amazes me more each day!

We have two other officers who are dealing with cancer now too so on the 23rd of this month there will be a big benefit for all three of them. Law enforcement always comes together in support of things like this and I'm hoping the turnout will be spectacular and that we can raise a lot of money to help these friends out. And, as usual, Bobbie says she will be there to help with the benefit - because of the other two! Her heart is so big and she's more concerned about them than she is herself. What a gal she is!

[Smiles]

Thanks for the update, Sara. I'm glad she is doing as well as she is. I know you and your friendship are a great comfort to her. Continuing my prayers.

[AggieB]

How wonderful that she has such a positive attitude about this. I hope all works out well in the end for her. Good luck with the benefit.

[Jane in N.Z]

Thanks for the update Sara will keep Bobbie in my prayers and also for the other officers

[Sara Arell]

Thank you all so very much for your prayers - Bobbie has had her second chemo treatment and is not doing so well - the side effects are building up and she's sicker each time - breaking my heart but she's still her happy and sweet little self - she hides her emotions so well. Her support group is just awesome and she is at her loneliest when Mike is working - that's when the tears began to flow - Bobbie is such a brave soul - at least on the outside.

Thank yoiu for all of the thoughts and prayers - they mean the world to me and to my dearest friend Npnnl.

[Smiles]

more prayers coming

[Sara Arell]

My best friend, Bobbie

[ValerieT]

Thanks for all the updates, Sara. She is one strong lady, keeping her in my thoughts.

[Sara Arell]

Bobbie has had a hard time since her 2nd chemo treatment. But in spite of being so sick, she's managed to keep her wonderful sense of humor and is very upbeat. I know when she's feeling good cause she calls me and we talk for hours on the phone and when she's feeling bad, she will text me - it's a lot easier to not see each other's tears when we're texting!


I really appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers - they mean a lot to me to know that many prayers are going out for Bobbie.

[yellowrose]

Sending up a prayer for Bobbie.

[teecee]

I'll continue to keep Bobbie in my prayers Sara. Hugs!

[Sara Arell]

The fund-raiser was huge and a great success! The last I heard $5500 had been raised and funds would be coming in until mid-July so I suspect it will be a lot higher than that - and I would think they plan to divide the money raised between the three.

It's just so heart warming to see a community come together! Our rescue helicopter, MAMA, flew over the event and landed in the parking lot - there were fire trucks, ambulances, and lots of police cars parked throughout the parking lot - all with their emergency lights flashing - there were hugs and tears, but mostly lots of smiles as we embraced the fact that we were all together! It's an amazing feeling to have EMS, State Troopers, Deputies, Police Officers and all of the families together at one time. The support is just phenomenal and the love is just huge.

Some of the "contributions" come in the form of the "giving up of one's sick day" to allow one of our cancer-stricken friends to have yet another day of sick leave without losing pay. It's a huge gift in that usually one just does not have enough sick days with pay to cover all of the days they will miss from work and I am so proud of our law enforcement officers for their kindness in giving of themselves.

Just walking around the event, one could see shades of pink anywhere one looked - I think everyone wore a pink shirt dedicated to the cancer cure, so it was a sea of pink mixed in with all of the uniforms and just a wonderful sight to see.

Bobbie is doing fine - getting ready for her next treatment and then she has only one more chemo session to go before she starts radiation. Yes, she's lost her hair, her eyelashes and her eyebrows, her skin is broken out, the inside of her mouth burns, she throws up a lot, but she still comes right back with that wonderful, funny sense of humor for which we all love in Bobbie! She looks absolutely precious with her bandanna covering her now shaven head and is cute as a button! She's never without a smile or a funny story to tell about her treatments and she keeps the chemo staff in laughter all the time.

Thank you all again so much for your many thoughts and prayers, your emails and pms - they mean the world to me and to Bobbie

[KayMitch]

What an amazing effort for all concerned and I was blown away to read of folk giving up sick days. Very emotional. What can be achieved when everyone does even a little, hey? Well done to all. Kay

[Smiles]

Thanks for the update, Sara. Continuing to hold good thoughts for her!

[LauraS]

Lots of prayers Sara. I participated in the Susan G Kohman race for the cure this past weekend. We had one locally. It was the first time I ran a race since highschool (almost 15 years). I finished 8th out of 33 and ran 4 miles in 50 minutes. I was so excited and it was for breast cancer.

[Sara Arell]

I really do appreciate all of the prayers for Bobbie and I so appreciate hearing from so many of you daily asking how Bobbie is doing.....what a great support Scrap Girls is! Bobbie has finished with her chemo and is starting her radiation treatments now. I think there are four radiation treatments in all if I'm remembering correctly. She is very tired and her spirits go up and down, but she still manages to be spunky and i am just in awe of her "spunkiness' every day.

She has experienced everything - every side effect that you've all been kind enough to share with me that some of you have been through and I have to tell you what a huge help it's been for me to know what's coming. Knowing what to expect beforehand has helped me know what to do on those bad days........and on the good days too. And i'm hoping that it won't be long before they will all be good days.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

[tinkerbell11]

So sorry your friend is battling cancer, I will pray for her Sara!

[Smiles]

I'm glad to hear she has finished the chemo and hasn't lost her will to keep going.
More prayers for this next phase.

[Amanda OutsideTheBox]

Just catching this thread today, Sara. I will add my name to the list of pray-ers. Say an especially big "Hey" to that Carolina girl!

[Sara Arell]

Amanda OutsideTheBox, on 15 August 2012 - 01:59 PM, said:

Just catching this thread today, Sara. I will add my name to the list of pray-ers. Say an especially big "Hey" to that Carolina girl!

Thanks, Amanda! That is so sweet!

[Sara Arell]

It's been a difficult week for Bobbie - she's been having lots of numbness in her hands and feet - not good for a cop who really wants to go to work every day even if only for just a little while. Numbness means she can't carry her gun of course, so she can't wear her uniform and because of the numbness in her feet she's having difficulty staying upright at times. But even so, she remains ever-spirited and pushes ahead.

Thank you all so much for praying for my friend - it means a lot to me and to Bobbie with whom I do share all of these prayers. She's overwhelmed by all of the goodness here!

[Belle]

Sara, my best friend and neighbor just finished his chemo a while back. He also has problems with his hands and feet. This is the one after effect that was left from the chemo. Because of seeing this, I know what she is going through. She is in my thoughts and prayers.

[Sara Arell]

Belle, on 16 August 2012 - 12:43 AM, said:

Sara, my best friend and neighbor just finished his chemo a while back. He also has problems with his hands and feet. This is the one after effect that was left from the chemo. Because of seeing this, I know what she is going through. She is in my thoughts and prayers.

Thank you, Belle. And thank you for telling me that about your friend because for some reason no one told Bobbie about the numbness until AFTER she began experiencing it. I don't know if they don't tell you all of the side effects upfront because they may or may not happen, or why, but they didn't tell Bobbie about it. I'm amazed at the things I learn on here from others who have either experienced these effects themselves or have friends who have, so I really do appreciate you telling me about it. I'll be sure and tell Bobbie. You're a sweetheart!

[ValerieT]

Sorry to hear Bobbie is having some nasty side effects. Please know she is still in my thoughts, she is very lucky to have a friend like you.

[Jane in N.Z]

Just reading your update Sara and praying that these side effects will not be to severe. Big hugs to her and her family

[Scrappin_LYB]

Just wondering how your friend Bobbie is doing with chemo. I don't know you gals, but one thing I do know ......when 2 or more are gathered in prayer..... I will continue to pray for Bobbie. I've done a lot of charity events with the breast cancer fund raising, and I've been astounded at the positive attitudes and light that comes from so many of these women! Inspiring!! I understand your urgency...my precious niece (15 yrs) was just diagnosed with neuroblastoma. My scrapbooking, and it looks like yours too, is therapy for me! Pleasure to meet you online. <Laura>

[Sara Arell]

Scrappin_LYB, on 30 August 2012 - 10:25 PM, said:

Just wondering how your friend Bobbie is doing with chemo. I don't know you gals, but one thing I do know ......when 2 or more are gathered in prayer..... I will continue to pray for Bobbie. I've done a lot of charity events with the breast cancer fund raising, and I've been astounded at the positive attitudes and light that comes from so many of these women! Inspiring!! I understand your urgency...my precious niece (15 yrs) was just diagnosed with neuroblastoma. My scrapbooking, and it looks like yours too, is therapy for me! Pleasure to meet you online. <Laura>

Hi Laura, and thank you for your prayers for Bobbie. Bobbie is having a lot of issues with some of the side effects from her treatments and hasn't been feeling well at all. She's experiencing a lot of numbness in her hands and feet which has really caused some difficulties for her. Just walking, she topples over because she just can't feel her feet, so right now things aren't going so well. We're just waiting for the side effects to run their course and go away!
Thank you for your prayers and for thinking of her -

[JenniferZ]

Adding my healing thoughts to the rest! (And I just turned 40 and had my very first mammogram...)

[Smiles]

Sending more prayers her way, Sara.

[Sara Arell]

Thanks everyone!

Bobbie was on Main Street last night with me at Apple Festival and the good news is that her blood count is now normal! She still has more radiation treatments to go, and her hands and feet (well, fingers and toes) are still numb, but she's pushing on. She has to qualify with her gun before December 31 or she will lose her qualification so we are praying, praying, praying that the numbness in her fingers at least goes away so she can qualify. If she can't qualify then she'll have to take a medical retirement (at her young age) and she would be devastated if that happened. She's still trying to go into work a few hours a day and she's still got this amazing attitude about it all.

She's my hero!