BYU Athletics Support Alexis

Alexis has once again been surrounded by people who are cheering for her and have made an effort to show their support.



Jess Mullen, Alexis' academic adviser, took time to have 16 different sports teams sign posters for Alexis. Team members from cheer, volleyball, football, basketball, etc., etc., etc., all signed their names next to personal messages to Alexis. Then Jess Mullen delivered them to Alexis at home. These 16 posters will surely make amazing wallpaper to study over the next few months of bed rest and few visitors. And (as you can see) each poster also was decorated with the custom design AK 10 that the woman's basketball team also wears as a patch on their jersey. Thank you to everyone! But especially Jess Mullen for all she does to keep Alexis on track in school and bringing this little bit hope to home.

What an overwhelming show of love. It is moments like these that the battle seems a little less overwhelming.

Quarantine, So it Begins

Sunday was Alexis' first day of home confinement. Her doctors have instructed her that she has officially had her last day of church. They are starting to limit her outings (and also her visitors) in order to keep her healthy. So with her first day home Alexis spent some time on You Tube (of course!), watching Mormon Video Clips with Porsche. Hmmmm, I suppose there are more resources then just the Mormon Tabernacle Choir broadcast, devotional re-runs, and that sacrament meeting on TV now-a-days. I think that is good thing.

Yesterday another letter from Bronson also arrived, and he challenged Alexis to read the Book of Mormon with all her new down time. He then added, "read it and finish it." A true missionary at heart in every situation.

Corbin will also play a big part in this quarantine. He will be given the responsibility to give the sacrament to Alexis each week. What a great missionary prep experience. But Alexis laughed when I said he could help feed her spiritually each week. I wonder why?

Perhaps Sundays will be a day of rest amid the chaos of doctors visits and the roller coaster ride of this disease. It is a day when Alexis knows no new news will come in, and no new information will be collected (we hope). A day when the world gathers with their families (regardless of religious views) and takes time to renew those relationships and remind one another why they love being a family.

My Blog Debut!

Hello Everyone!

I thought I ought to post something on my blog... this is my first time blogging in general so I'm kind of new at this. I want to thank everyone for all their support and love! As well as all the prayers! My family and I really appreciate everyone and the kindness that has been shown. I'd like give a shout out to my team, the BYU Women's Basketball Team! Great win yesterday and thanks for everything! I'm expecting great things the rest of the Conference season as well as into the NCAA Tourney ladies! Also want the teams in the my conference (Air Force, Utah, TCU, and SDSU) who have gone out of their way. Thank you for the cards and gifts. Thank you to my family and extended family for always sitting with me all day long and taking care of me. Also to my neighbors who bring an endless supply of food at all hours of the day. Also to my friends, you guys always come visit me and sit with me... sorry I'm no fun but I will be normal again. As well as my friends from all over who check up on me everyday, thank you. I have the greatest friends and family ever! Thank you everyone for everything! Lastly, Thank you to my cousin Hillary for making this amazing blog!! I love you all and don't worry, I got this! Give me a few months and I'll be good as new, just without the hair. Thank you again! I can't say that enough...

Love,

Alexis

Cancer Party Time!

Tonight Blake Roney hosted a Cancer Party for Alexis and her basketball team (and of course the Kaufusi family came too!). The night was full of wipe outs, catching waves on the flo-rider, a little basketball in the pool, and some serious hot tub time.

The end of the night was highlighted with Alexis cooking pancakes for all. And if there is something I want to hire Alexis to cook for me, it's pancakes and omelets. WARNING to those who indulge: you will dream of them all night long, and the breakfast you eat in the morning will not taste the same.

Good times, good friends, and I hear Alexis may have even squeezed a nap into the evening. Let the good times roll!

Game Day

Today Alexis attended the BYU vs. TCU Women's Basketball game. At the Marriott Center today they had the Huntsman Cancer Institute present as a part of cancer awareness and women's health.
Highlights of the day that honored Alexis included (but I'm sure not limited to):
* The Team sported a new purple patch on their left shoulder to honor Alexis, #10.


* The BYU team had pink warm up jackets (as fashioned on Alexis as well) to honor women's health and cancer awareness
* The entire team also had pink shoe laces on
* After her introduction, a TCU player ran over to Alexis and delivered a nice card with a hug.
* Friends and family there to show Alexis they are supporting her.
* BYU won!

Update: Feb 18

Today Alexis spent the morning at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. Most of the time she was inside a tube having a head to toe PET scan. She couldn't listen to music or have any medications and had to spend her hours napping off and on and entertaining herself. She also received a few CT scans on specific areas. Dr. Glenn continues to thoroughly look and evaluate the tumors and the cancer before beginning chemotherapy. At this point she anticipates treatments to begin by the beginning of March.

On Tuesday Alexis will again visit Huntsman (and the UofU) for surgery. During the surgery they will remove another lymph node from her neck. A doctor specializing in Lymphoma Cancer will assist with this and evaluate the lymph node after its removal. Also, at the same time, they will put in a port in the area of her clavicle (just below shoulder). This port is to give the doctors and nurses access to Alexis veins throughout her treatments. They anticipate this port to allow them to draw blood, give medicines, and administer chemotherapy. Hopefully the port will remain in place and not get infected allowing them to use it for approximately 6 months.

Some days (in the life of disease) are full of waiting and anticipation. Some days are full of news and change. At the end of any of these medically taxing days it is easy to feel so many things that you feel nothing. Other times you feel so much that tears escape and you have no certain reason why. Whatever the end of the day brings, we rally around Alexis and her family and hope that during some hour they will feel some peace and find a few reasons to smile.

A Good Night Out...

Tonight Alexis ventured out to Corbin's Senior Night with the Timpview Basketball Team. She cheered Corbin on while he showed off his talent, took time to play with all the kids, gave out lots of hugs, and made sure to capture a few moments on camera.

Alexis with her cousins...actually her cousins kids, so what are they technically?

Steph, Alexis & Corbin celebrating a good Rival win

Alexis and her "little" brother...she's done such a good job with him!

At this point Alexis knows that there is a day on the horizon when she will no longer be able to venture out into these types of crowds. Her immune system will not be able to handle all the things we each carry around and spread around. It was a great night to be out and feel the thrill of victory, accomplishment, friendship, and love. Good memories are invaluable.