Surgery on Nov. 29th

We went to see the oncologist and he was amazingly wonderful. He had come to the hospital to see mama the last time she was there. He says that under no circumstances will she be administered Chemo therapy by him. She just isn't a candidate due to all of her other health issues. He wanted to know what the surgeon had said about surgery. I told him we hadn't spoken to the surgeon that he wanted us to see the radiologist and the oncologist first and get all the approvals from other doctors. So he got right on the phone and asked him what he was thinking. He said his thought was that a lumpectomy would be the best route to go. So we immediately scheduled an appointment for the following day with the surgeon. He said that he believes that's also the best thing. If mama didn't have all the other health risks he'd do a complete mastectomy, but since she does, he wants to do a lumpectomy in both breasts. No big deal for the left side, but the right side is huge and will probably take more time and care because of the size of the tumor.
So, on Monday November 29th, 2010 I will be taking my mama into surgery at Brandon Hospital. We're scared and we're praying all goes well, but I have to bring her advanced directive with us and the fact that Dean and I are to make any medical decisions for her. Needless to say, the possibility that she won't make it is a Big one. It's hard to know that and it's even more scary to think of all the care that she's going to need after this is done. I'm trying to keep my eyes on God and know with all my being that He alone will see me through all of this. He's so good to us and He always gets us through the tough times. So if you think of it, pray for my mom Mary. Thanks!!

Sept. in-law visit

My sweet little pookie pie having a tea party with her great Aunt Donna. She loves to wear a hat and have tea. And Aunt Donna bought a box of Teddy Grahams so Eden was thrilled.

Eden's tea party.

Dean's sister Donna and Eden Rae having a tea party. Aren't they pretty with their hats?

She's always a happy camper if she can play tea party!

Eden was shy when she got here and Aunt Donna and Uncle Jerry were here, but when Donna said she had a present..... Donna was Eden's new best friend. She got gloves and a new necklace. What a pretty girlie!

My piano never gets played unless Jerry comes for a visit. I never get tired of hearing him play. Come back soon Jerry... My piano misses you. : )

Eden wasn't pleased that someone besides her was pounding on the piano. She kept telling me to make him stop. LOL What a riot.

Oh.... did I mention this is baby LaFollette #2. Don't know yet what it is, but I can't wait to find out. Due date..... May 18th. Eden says it's going to be a girl because I need a girl to play with. So there you have it.

This is how Layto plays tea party....Dinosaur style. : ) Roar.....

Covie playing with the Dino's or should I say standing in the dino box. What a boy. He climbs on everything. This child is fearless.

Mr. Evan Joseph. I love this little man. When he comes over he runs around the house looking for a jack in the box that I got him. He loves to have Grandma crank it over and over and over. He just laughs and he has the best laugh in town. But he is definitely a mama's boy. He loves his mama and when she leaves the room he panics. He loves to play with his Toy story toys. He could watch that movie over and over and over.

Dean's big sister ( or should I say only sister?) Donna Vreeland. They came for a week and we had a great time playing Domino's with them. Hopefully they got a chance to relaxe before going home to the chaos of life again.

Jerry Vreeland my favorite brother-in-law. (He's my only bro-in-law) But he is the absolute best and I love him tons. Don't get to see enough of him or to hear his witty comments, but I love his tons. Being the add on's in a family we stick together. : )

Week of Doctors

It's been a hard week. When we last left the surgeon's office, he told us we would have to see mom's cardiologist, her pulmonist, her general practioner all for surgical releases. Then she'd have to do a PET/CT scan to see if the cancer has moved to any other parts of her body. And then she'd have to see an oncologist and a radiologist. And then he'd see her back in two weeks.
That's a lot of doctors, and a lot of waiting and not knowing. Mom is already having sleepless nights and anxiety attacks. It's a lot for her to have to try and cope with.

So, I got home and started calling all the doctors to set up appointments. So, on Monday we started seeing doctors. Monday was her cardiologist. He spent a lot of time listening to her heart and checking everything. He's concerned about her breathing and her lungs. But he released her with concern. Tuesday was an extemely hard day for her. It was a 4 hour day with the PET/CT scan. She is a large lady and we didn't know if she'd fit in the tube for the test. But we got it done and hopefully they got some good pictures of her brain down to her mid thigh area. If the cancer has spread they won't do the surgery. Why put her through that when it's already there in her body. So we're worrying about that. Then Wednesday we went to the pulmonist. He listened to her lungs and gave her an ok for surgery also. Mom was happy because she got to have a break on Thursday and got to rest most of the day. Friday morning we took her first to her GP. He took one look at her and sent her immediately to the ER. We spent all day and most of the night at Brandon Hospital. Mom was admitted for heart failure. And there she stays until maybe tomorrow. I was able to have the oncolgist visit her in the hospital and her Hosp. doctor whom she loves is having a psychiatrist come see her today. He's worried about her anxiety. So that's where we are with the doctors and the cancer.

Still more waiting. We're in this about 6 weeks already. Still no answers, and a lot of worry and anxiety ahead. God is in control and I pray that He helps to relieve some of this stress we're both feeling. I know I'm more calm, but that's because I know I can't change it or make it better. But for my mom she's just not doing very well.

Halloween FUN

Just a cute pic of Eden and Covie taking their evening bath with Frank the tank supervising. Just loved this pic so I wanted to post it. This is Ashley and Travis's new dog. He's an english bull dog and he loves Eden to death. He takes naps with her and follows her wherever she goes.

Aaron and Kelly as Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head. Evan Joseph was Buzz Light Year. But he really hated trick or treating. All the people at church scared him. So he had a great time sitting in Aaron and Kelly's SUV playing with all the toy story toys. Kings Avenue did a Trunk or treat this year and Aaron and Kelly's trunk one. They had it all snazzed out with cool Toy story stuff and Aaron made them guess the name of a Toy Story toy to be able to get candy. They even had a song from Toy story playing in the whole time.

Ashley and Travis host a Halloween party every year and this year they were Dougs' alter ego, Quail man and Pippie Longstocking.

My 3 children. Mr. Potato Head, Pippi Longstocking and of course Woverine.

Dean and I did the Life of Moses for our trunk or treat theme. We had the parting of the Red Sea, as you can see. We had Moses as a baby with bull rushes and I was Pharoh's daughter. On the other side of the truck was a burning bush and Dean with the ten commandments written on tomb stones. Dean had the kids say what number commandment he asked them. It was really a fun time. Fran Rice and Lisa Jarboe did a great job setting it all up. Way to go Ladies!!!