Well 3 months ago today Dan & I sat nervously in two different surgeons offices to find out what kind of brain tumor I had and what the best approach would be to get rid of it. Not knowing then how this would all play out, we did know I would be having surgery and I would be deaf in one ear. We also knew only time would tell on how well, or not so well, my recovery would actually go. I'm happy to say that exactly three months later (to the day) not only am I doing great, coping well with the hearing loss and feeling even better than I did before surgery...I am also RELEASED from my ENT surgeon and don't have to go back for a year...woo-hoo! Who would have thought only three months from start to finish? CRAZY!
I will have to go back in one year for an MRI just to make sure nothing new has started to grow. He also gave us some information regarding a "BAHA" ear device to help with surround sound for hearing but doesn't recommend it any earlier than 6-8 months post op. We'll have to do more research on this and see if I'm a fit etc. etc. I do still have to see the eye doctor and neurosurgeon within the next month and get their release but the ENT doctor didn't seem to think there would be anything to worry about!
I know I've said it many times before but I truly am so BLESSED!!!!
Thank you All once again for all of your support and prayers and thank you God for taking such good care of me!
Love,
Jen
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
Too old, too fast.
What a great weekend we had with family and friends. However, as great as the weekend was, weather included, I felt some sadness too. It seems that no matter how hard we try, our kids are getting too old, too fast.
It hit me on Saturday as Nolan (our 9ish year old) and me spent some time together, just the two of us. I could tell something was on his mind. I asked him “Nolan what’s going on?” He replied “nothing really…but dad is there really an Easter Bunny?” I have to admit I wasn’t quite ready for this question on Easter eve at 5 o’ clock. Especially from the child who will go to great lengths to have any excuse to get candy (fictitious character delivery included). Somewhat stunned, I went on to explain the true meaning of Easter and how it really has nothing to do with the Easter Bunny but rather the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Satisfied with my biblical response, I then went into a long explanation about the spirit of the Easter Bunny and promised him that no matter how it arrived; an Easter basket would be waiting for him in the morning. “Just believe in the spirit of the Easter Bunny” I told him. I could tell by the look on his face, the jig is up.
Somewhat saddened that the Easter Bunny fairy tale was over for him, my thoughts turned to finding out who told him. I was thinking of how to address the child that “let the cat out of the bag” about the Easter Bunny. What neighbor kid could this have been and did he/she tell my younger two as well? Was it my oldest son that hasn’t believed for a few years, but does a convincing job of telling his mother and me he otherwise. When I find out who did it, what will I say to them? What will my oldest son’s punishment be? After all, they weren’t lying. Already having a few names in my head that it may have been, I asked Nolan “who told you there isn’t an Easter Bunny?” His response was “I Googled it!” “It came back as a fable”. “And dad, while we are at it, about this tooth fairy thing…”
Too old, too smart, too fast.
Happy Easter.
Dan
It hit me on Saturday as Nolan (our 9ish year old) and me spent some time together, just the two of us. I could tell something was on his mind. I asked him “Nolan what’s going on?” He replied “nothing really…but dad is there really an Easter Bunny?” I have to admit I wasn’t quite ready for this question on Easter eve at 5 o’ clock. Especially from the child who will go to great lengths to have any excuse to get candy (fictitious character delivery included). Somewhat stunned, I went on to explain the true meaning of Easter and how it really has nothing to do with the Easter Bunny but rather the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Satisfied with my biblical response, I then went into a long explanation about the spirit of the Easter Bunny and promised him that no matter how it arrived; an Easter basket would be waiting for him in the morning. “Just believe in the spirit of the Easter Bunny” I told him. I could tell by the look on his face, the jig is up.
Somewhat saddened that the Easter Bunny fairy tale was over for him, my thoughts turned to finding out who told him. I was thinking of how to address the child that “let the cat out of the bag” about the Easter Bunny. What neighbor kid could this have been and did he/she tell my younger two as well? Was it my oldest son that hasn’t believed for a few years, but does a convincing job of telling his mother and me he otherwise. When I find out who did it, what will I say to them? What will my oldest son’s punishment be? After all, they weren’t lying. Already having a few names in my head that it may have been, I asked Nolan “who told you there isn’t an Easter Bunny?” His response was “I Googled it!” “It came back as a fable”. “And dad, while we are at it, about this tooth fairy thing…”
Too old, too smart, too fast.
Happy Easter.
Dan
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Ask and You Shall Receive!
Well I had another great week and am now I'm starting spring break week with my children. Not much planned, just normal "kid" stuff all week and catching up with my best friend Jen from South Carolina (she's in town w/her two boys). I hope my boys take it easy on me: )!
I can't let this evening go by though without sharing this story. Yesterday Dan and I were talking about being baptized and the fact that I hadn't been. His words were something like, "Well, what are waiting for?" I agreed but had NO idea how to go about "scheduling" it. I always thought I would know when and it would just kind of happen...not be PLANNED! We also discussed that we've never witnessed our church doing an "unplanned" baptism. So I thought, I'll just look into it soon and see what I come up with...knowing me it would be put off for some time.
So this morning we went to church, like normal, and it was an amazing service. As the service became more and more inspirational Pastor Mike invited anyone, that has never been baptized, to be baptized. I was in shock! Could this really be happening? My hands started sweating and shaking, my heart started racing and after a couple of moments of thinking about "go or not go" I went up and was baptized in front of my church, with NO plan other than God's plan. How awesome is that? You ask for something and you just might get it! I must say today has been one emotional day and I've never felt more loved in all of my life.
Have a blessed week...mine is already off to a great start!
Love,
Jenny
I can't let this evening go by though without sharing this story. Yesterday Dan and I were talking about being baptized and the fact that I hadn't been. His words were something like, "Well, what are waiting for?" I agreed but had NO idea how to go about "scheduling" it. I always thought I would know when and it would just kind of happen...not be PLANNED! We also discussed that we've never witnessed our church doing an "unplanned" baptism. So I thought, I'll just look into it soon and see what I come up with...knowing me it would be put off for some time.
So this morning we went to church, like normal, and it was an amazing service. As the service became more and more inspirational Pastor Mike invited anyone, that has never been baptized, to be baptized. I was in shock! Could this really be happening? My hands started sweating and shaking, my heart started racing and after a couple of moments of thinking about "go or not go" I went up and was baptized in front of my church, with NO plan other than God's plan. How awesome is that? You ask for something and you just might get it! I must say today has been one emotional day and I've never felt more loved in all of my life.
Have a blessed week...mine is already off to a great start!
Love,
Jenny
Friday, March 19, 2010
5 weeks...
I usually slowly add new tasks to my days and today I was a Nurse. Nolan had a fever, soar throat and belly ache, Gordon has had a cough for several days and a snotty nose off and on for a couple of weeks and Landon...well he was supposed to just be along for the ride.
Off to the doctor we went to find out no strep for Nolan, just viral (as long as they don't call us in the AM with a positive from the lab, fingers crossed). Gordon has a pretty nasty sinus infection, then was sent to the lab to have blood drawn for the first time ever (he did very well I might add) to see if he has allergies (who knows where that's going to lead) and then I was advised to have his tonsils removed. Then Landon had his ears looked at, for no real reason other than he gets lots of ear infections AGAIN since the tubes fell out last summer and I wondered how they looked, (might as well take advantage of already being at the doctor and have them look, right?) Well he will need a second set of tubes, probably. So I guess I'll be making an ENT appointment real soon. I also guess I'M BACK...in FULL swing: )! I'm just so glad they didn't have all of these issues while I was down, lol.
The illnesses have put a damper on our weekend activities but the one thing we can still do is visit the Kid2Kid sale at our church tomorrow (organized by my Mom2Mom group). They are honoring our family and taking donations to help us out with medical bills and to donate to the ANA organization (who, at no fee, supplied us with all of our information to choose the best solution for my tumor). Again God is good!
I promise not to share my every little MOM detail with you all but I just found it funny that God knew when to let it all come at me again and so far I've held up pretty good. I am however heading to bed...pretty tired: )! Hope you all have wonderful weekend!
Love to you all!
Jenny
Off to the doctor we went to find out no strep for Nolan, just viral (as long as they don't call us in the AM with a positive from the lab, fingers crossed). Gordon has a pretty nasty sinus infection, then was sent to the lab to have blood drawn for the first time ever (he did very well I might add) to see if he has allergies (who knows where that's going to lead) and then I was advised to have his tonsils removed. Then Landon had his ears looked at, for no real reason other than he gets lots of ear infections AGAIN since the tubes fell out last summer and I wondered how they looked, (might as well take advantage of already being at the doctor and have them look, right?) Well he will need a second set of tubes, probably. So I guess I'll be making an ENT appointment real soon. I also guess I'M BACK...in FULL swing: )! I'm just so glad they didn't have all of these issues while I was down, lol.
The illnesses have put a damper on our weekend activities but the one thing we can still do is visit the Kid2Kid sale at our church tomorrow (organized by my Mom2Mom group). They are honoring our family and taking donations to help us out with medical bills and to donate to the ANA organization (who, at no fee, supplied us with all of our information to choose the best solution for my tumor). Again God is good!
I promise not to share my every little MOM detail with you all but I just found it funny that God knew when to let it all come at me again and so far I've held up pretty good. I am however heading to bed...pretty tired: )! Hope you all have wonderful weekend!
Love to you all!
Jenny
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
A Peaceful Moment!
As I sit here this morning, sipping from one of my new coffee mugs my husband gave me my first day home from the hospital, I can't help but think of how truly blessed I'm am. The sun is out, the birds are singing, my flowers we planted last fall are blooming and my three year old just told me I look so pretty in my green shirt (St. Patrick's Day ya know). Looking around at all of these things I realize once again how wonderful God really is and I can't think of ONE thing to complain about. I hope that your day is blessed and while others are taking things away from you, for what ever reason, you take a moment to realize what God has given us...everything we really NEED!
Love to you all!
Jen
In this world it is not what we take up, but what we give up, that makes us rich. (Henry Ward Beecher)
Love to you all!
Jen
In this world it is not what we take up, but what we give up, that makes us rich. (Henry Ward Beecher)
Monday, March 15, 2010
First Day Alone...sort of!
Well I survived my first day alone with no additional help (during the day anyway...Dan still helped getting the kids off to school and another wonderful family still made a meal for us...I can't do it all yet). I feel pretty good and no headache. I was even able to attend Nolan's 2nd grade music program at his school. My mother-in-law went with Gordon, Landon and me and that was nice. Nolan was so happy to see us. However, once again I am finding that I need to strategically place myself when I sit somewhere. My bad ear was to the stage and made it hard for me to hear the songs and instruments. I'm learning...just another small thing to get used to that's all.
I know this one is short and sweet but I thought it would be better than 2-3 pages every 7-8 days or so. Thank you all for your continued support and prayers!
Off to bed to get ready for day 2: )!
Love,
Jenny
I know this one is short and sweet but I thought it would be better than 2-3 pages every 7-8 days or so. Thank you all for your continued support and prayers!
Off to bed to get ready for day 2: )!
Love,
Jenny
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Welcome spring
Although it is hard to believe it has been a full month since the surgery, it’s really hard to believe it has only been 3 months since this entire ordeal began. Reality hit me yesterday. As I looked over our tulips that are starting to poke their heads out of the ground, I remembered Jenny and I had planted them on the first anniversary of my fathers passing last fall. I thought it appropriate that today (yesterday), on what would have been dad’s 82nd birthday; I took time to notice they have started to come out of their slumber. It then hit me; when we spent that day last fall planting bulbs to celebrate a life well lived, we had no idea what life or the looming winter held in store for us. We were only concerned about strategically placing our bulbs deep enough so they may survive the cold of winter until spring. I am happy to report that the bulbs we planted are now sprouting. They’ve survived their harsh winter, and so did we.
Dan
Dan
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