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!!!

Biopsy News

We got the news yesterday that mama definitely has bi-lateral ductal breast cancer. The recommendation is to do a bi-lateral masectomy. But first she has to go to see her cardiac specialist, her pulmonist, a radiation doctor, an oncologist, and she has to have a PET/CT scan from her brain to her thighs to see if it's matestisezed outside of the breast in any other organs. Once all that is done than we go back in two weeks to see the surgeon again to set up the surgery. She is petrified and having major anxiety attacks at night. She hasn't been sleeping well at all. Last night she told me she doesn't think she is going to go through with the surgery. I asked her why but she doesn't really have a reason. I told her not to decide anything until we have the final session with the doctor. She may not even be a good candidate for surgery due to all of her other health issues. So if you think of it next week pray for us. She has doctors appointments scheduled Monday-Wed. so far next week. It's very hard for her to be moved around. And say a prayer for me for patience and understanding. That I would have the right words to say and the shoulder to lean on.

Randomness

Cove is going to be an Indian for Halloween. We were just checking to see if his headband would fit his head. He was very happy with the tomahawk that papa bought him.

And Eden is going to be a cowgirl in her silver cowboy boots and hat. : ) Dean says she looks like a young Dolly Parton in that outfit. LOL Let's hope she doesn't get that chest!

The boys were hanging out at Ashley's the other day. Evan of course has on his Penn State Jersey. They are growing up all too fast for my liking. I'm sure they were having a good time with Ashley's new dog "Frank the tank". They bought a English bulldog. And he's adorable.

There's Covie picking out pumpkins at the Presbyterian Church on Bloomingdale. He was having a great time.

And there is the lone princess of the family. I love this picture of her. What a sweetie pie. She's gotten into a shy mode. It makes me giggle because if you really knew Eden you would definitely say she's not shy.

Life with Grandchildren

I had to vacuum and mop the floors so I stuck all the chairs in Dean's office and this is what I came out to find. Eden had made a train. She put a stuffed animal or doll on each chair and then she climbed up on Deans desk and got a post it note for each one and said it was their ticket. She even put on a hat so that she'd look like the engineer.

We spent a week reading stories about apples and so we decided to make some applesauce. Eden put a lot of cinnamon in her batch, and it tasted more like apple butter. Yummy.

Here's the apple tree that my princess made using an apple and some paint. She hated getting paint on her hands. She is such a girl.

This is Eden singing the "Johnny Appleseed"Song. She made a Johnny Appleseed and then she looked at me and said "But Gram, he needs some trees to walk in." So I went out to the Dinosaur bucket and grabbed some trees for Johnny.

Eden playing with Johnny Appleseed. : )

Papa came home and that means picnic outside on the patio. She brought out her tea set,and they ate peanut butter sandwiches and BBQ chips. Of course we can't go outside in Florida without our hats.

Covie is going to be an Indian for Halloween. So Papa had to go out and buy him a Tomahawk. He's not in his costume, we just wanted to see if the headband would fit him and if he'd leave it on. He did and it will. He's growing up way too fast. He talks up a storm and what a little lover he is. He loves to read a Noah's Ark book. He follows me all over the house saying "Book, book." He refuses to let any of us feed him. He goes to sleep without any problems. Just lay him down and he's out. He runs all over the house and his favorite thing to do is go out and play in the sandbox with Papa. He loves to sing and dance and he loves to watch the Mickey Mouse club house and do the Hot Dog dance. : )

Eden is going to be a Cowgirl. So yep, you got it. We're doing Cowgirls and Indians. : ) Can't get much cuter than that. And of course with her silver cowboy hat and boots that Uma got her for her birthday. She's set. She even has a horse she's going to take with her. LOL

Our Pookie Pie is just getting too big for words.

And Evan Joseph is talking, and walking, and climbing all over the place. He's such a little cutie pie. His gram loves him so stinking much. Every day I see him I can't believe how much he looks like his daddy. Up to the crooked smile. He too loves to play outside. It's where he most wants to be. And Kelly is expecting her second baby. Sonogram said only one. And our due date is May 18. Can't wait!! We're going to have 5 grandchildren. What a blessing it is.

Surgeon Visit

Today we had our first visit with the breast surgeon that my mom's doctor sent her to. Our appointment was at 9:15 and we literally didn't get called into the office until 10:30 and then we waited until 11:00 to see the doctor. They had the air-conditioning on so low that mom's fingers were blue. So then they ask if she can climb up on one of those little tables with a step stool. Hello? She is a 360 lb lady that can't even walk. Are you seriously kidding me? So they took her back to another room way in the back and we waited until he came in. Dr. Hechtman came in and had a great personality. Mom liked him immediately. He joked with her, looked at the ultrasound pics and then walked out and waited for mom to undress on the top. He did the sonogram on the left breast first. He says that bi-lateral is a rare occurance, but it does happen. So he felt the limph nodes and saw the mass. He said the left side Looks suspicious of abnormality. Then he looked at her right breast. Without sonogram, he saw that there was dimpling of her skin on the underside of her breast. He said that is a definite sign of breast cancer. He did the sonogram and said yes for cancer of the right breast. The outer edges are ridged and there are definite signs there. So we are waiting for the office to call and let us know when they have her scheduled for core biopsies. They will do those at Brandon Hospital since she has so many other health issues. He doesn't want to take a chance with her. That makes her a little more at ease because her favorite Hospital Doctor will be there so she will know she's being taken care of. She's scared. I'm scared but trying to be strong for her. There's a lot of reading to do, a lot of waiting to be done and still no definite answers to be had. So hard to wait.

Lord, we believe and pray together. Hebrews 11:1-3
Help us be women of faith, trusting Your divine providence, moving foward even when we don't have all the answers, remembering that You do. Impossible on our own, but with You as our strength and guide, we will flourish. Thank you for the example of Your Son Jesus Christ, who did not ask why but only that Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. This is our plea... this is our prayer. We are trusting You more and more every day. AMEN!!

Life

Well, this has been an eventful week. I feel like I've been rocked a little.
Ashley and Travis are having some issues concerning their son Jullian and we just need some prayer for God's protection and wisdom. They are seeking full custody of him and it's going to be a long hard fight. We will all need to be there for Jullian. Travis is an amazing dad. And I know his heart is just torn apart right now, praying he's doing the right thing.
And then we got the news that my mom's mamogram came back abnormal with bi-lateral masses. So we go to see the surgeon on Thursday this week. She is so afraid and has already asked me if she is going to die. I told her that we all die at some point and that it's just important to know where your relationship with God is. That we would go through this together, step by step and whatever we got we'd handle it with God's mercy and grace.

Stress, not my favorite thing to have going on in my life, but I know without a doubt that God is in control of my life and He doesn't give me more than He knows I can handle. God's word says "Have no fear of sudden disaster...For I will be at your side" Paraphrased Proverbs 3:25-26. So for now I know God is at my side and I'm not to be afraid.
Looks like I'll have a lot of blogs coming. For now, this will be the first of our long journey.