Easter Break- Part 2- The Good and Bad

As great as our Easter Break started, it quickly took a turn for awful.

***This post is not for the weaker stomached people.

Let me back up.  The Tuesday before break (Mar 24), I had an appointment with a general surgeon for a hernia above my belly button that I have had since I was pregnant with Ashton.  I also wanted him to look at a "growth/ cyst" on my forearm.  This growth came up last September/ October when I was doing work in the shed.  In February, while shooting a bow n arrow, I grazed the knot with the string and noticed a few days later significant growth.

The original knot.  I thought it was a spider bite.  I marked it with a pen to see if it changed.  

Anyway, the general surgeon was not sure what it was and sent me to have a MRI that Friday.  I was then scheduled to see him again the next Tuesday (the 31st- during spring break week).  He, then, broke the news to me that he believed that it was a soft tissue tumor which he thought was probably soft tissue sarcoma (cancer.)  Based on the MRI, he thought the tumor was laced within my muscle and that I needed to see an ocologist.  He got me an appointment to see a cancer doctor on Monday, April 6.

Needless to say, I/ my family/ friends were shell shocked by this.  Sarcoma is a rare form of cancer and I had none of the risk factors.

A friend of ours has a relative who is a oncologist in Spartanburg.  A phone call to this relative, who then referred me to a great surgical oncologist who managed to see me and squeeze me for a biopsy on the Thursday of Spring break sped the "not knowing" process up tremendously. The whole process from hearing I may have cancer to getting a biopsy was 2 days.  I was and still am so thankful the waiting was not long.

This is the knot 2 days ago after the biopsy (the red mark and bruising is from biopsy).  But, you can see how much it grew from October to April.  You can also notice my nice of a tan I still had in October and how lily white I am now.

I got the results back from the biopsy on Monday and thankfully it is not cancer but some type of fibroma (derma something fibro something).  Surgery is still going to happen as the thing is quite an eye sore and it if it continues to grow it will hit some pretty important blood vessels and arteries.

You know, there are moments in your life where your perspective shifts.  Where you rearrange priorities and look at things differently.... this was one of those moments.  It reminded me to be more present in the now.  Make my words and actions count.  Focus on others.  The list could go on and on.

I want to thank...
~Chad for handling everything in just the right way.  He was (relatively) cool about the whole thing.  ha
~Mom for taking me to the last appointment and the comic relief
~Jay for calling your uncle
~Dr Hunter and Dr Nguyen  and Dr Freedman for taking it so seriously yet still giving me peace... for working me in on such short notice.
~All my sweet friends and family who sent encouraging words or Bible truths/ verses.  I should do a blog post on some of the words of wisdom that came in through email and text.  You guys all uplifted me and gave me peace that I know is found through people approaching the Throne on my behalf.

On a funny note, I thought it would be good if I semi prepared the boys for bad news.  If nothing else, I wanted them to be able to pray for me if they felt led.  As I was telling them that it might be cancer, Hunter turned his head from me and was really quiet. He then came back to me a few hours later and asked me some specific questions. Ashton looked surprised and then in the next 30 minutes was telling me repeatedly that he didnt want me to die.  Shepherd, during my serious speech, was singing "Its Raining Tacos." (Should you want to hear the song, just click on the title- I personally wouldnt click on it because it is beyond ridiculous). I dont know if the reactions were age based or personality based (or a mixture or both.)  But I found all three refreshing and comforting in a twisted kind of way.

To top off our magnificent (sarcasm) spring break, Chad got a NASTY case of poison ivy by helping his dad cut down a rotted tree.  I had no idea he was that allergic to the stuff.  He is on the mend though, still itching my crazy, but with his meds it is getting better.

An awful patch on Chad's side.  He had it everywhere.... and yes, I mean EVERYWHERE!

So, again, I say thank you to all those that prayed for us last week and into this week.  It was one of those weeks that I dont want to relive but is a great reminder that even if tough times, God is still good and I am still His.

All's Grace!!!

PS- I should add that during this waiting period, we kept quite busy with the remainder of our Spring Break.  Chad, Hunter,  and Ashton went to a Charlotte Hornets basketball game.  He watched a few innings of the Clover/ York baseball game, we went to Carowinds with friends on Good Friday (NEVER AGAIN), and we worshipped with our church family and had Easter lunch with GrandmaDean, Aunt Frances, and Nolan.  All these events did a pretty good job on keeping our minds off the C word.

Spring Break Part 1

Sunday morning we got out early and made it to Chad's family's home church.  We had been to their church in awhile and it was good to see everyone.

PapaHub and Grandma spoiled the kids and we all had a great time.  

I was so happy to get some good pictures of Bennett for his story board (get ready Olivia!).  I have storyboards for the other 3 taken between 1year old and 3 years old. Here are the 3 picks for the boards.  He is such cute kid- such a unique little smile.

***These pics are all SOOC (Straight out of camera/ no editing).

I got some pictures of the other boys too.  I have frames that need updating!

This is such a Shepherd face.  

Liked both these of Ashton.  Love his smile in the bottom though the way he is standing looks a bit feminine to me.  ha

As always, the food was so good.  I always eat way too much we when are down there.

The kids had Easter Egg Hunts.

Bennett totally go the concept of egg hunts

The search is on.

The cousins (minus Joey who was eating)

They earned money by picking up sticks and throwing them in the creek.

This little girl is a hoot. Love her curly little head.

Getting a lesson from Uncle Tom Tom

Moses would drag the sticks out of the creek after the kids threw them in.

Ashton won the "picked up the most sticks" award.

I got some baby love.

Sweet baby girl.  

 These next two pictures just make me smile.  Sweet cousins.  This is the first time that they have really played and interacted with eachother.   I took them with my phone so quality is not good but they were so sweet together.

They spent about 30 minutes making dirt castles by the creek.  Notice Moses bothering the snot out of Molly.  Cracks me up

Sami was helping me push Bennett in the swing. 

It was a great few days away.  Thanks Hub and Patsy for loving on us.  The boys loved their Easter baskets!

10 Days with my Aunt- from a dog perspective

Hey,
It's me, Riggs.  It's been awhile. Almost 18 months to be exact.  Dont worry, I have spent plenty of time at Aunt Hannah's house since then but have just been too busy.

These two pictures were the best from the batch... if that tells you anything about how hard it is to take a picture of 3 dogs and 4 kids.

In every single picture, Molly has her head turned.  She was mortified by the chaos.  

This post is dedicated to my Pa... who, literally is almost 1/2 way across the world from me right now.  I cant talk to him and update him on my week with my Aunt Hannah so I thought he would at least be able to check on me through this outlet.

For those who don't know me- I am Hannah's dog nephew.  I visit my Aunt Hannah when my Pa (her brother) has to go away.  Normally, I just spend a few days a month with my Aunt, but this time my Pa went skiing in Austria!  Yep, Austria... for 10 days.  Of course, my Aunt Hannah and my human cousins (and dog cousins) were excited for me to come.  We have discussed before how much everyone really loves me.  Honestly, everyone needs a dog like me.

Heard a motorcycle and took a break from playing.

My days have been quite busy with this family.  Normally I sleep a lot during the day while my Pa is at work.  But, not here.  I play with people cousins and my dog cousin, Moses all day.  My other dog cousin, Molly, likes me but she thinks she is in charge of me (I ate some of her food the other day when she wasn't looking... ha, that will teach her.) 

Ahhh!  Taking a nap and Moses used me as a pillow.  He really loves me.

Have I ever mentioned how much I live to eat?  I practically jump all the way off the ground from all 4's when it is breakfast and dinner time.  By the way, Pa, I still like to eat crayons.  I am kind of like a vacuum cleaner.... I digress.

I drink a ton of water but I like to share with Molly and Moses.  Somehow we can all drink out of the same bowl at the same time.  

Pa, I miss you so much but I am happy here.  You  might be interested to know that I finally chewed my toenail off.  Aunt Hannah has been cleaning it, but said that I might need to go to the vet because I dont like for her touch it AT ALL,  She practically had to sit on me for her to get this picture.  I dont limp on it though and I still play with Moses without it bothering me. She didnt have to give me any of the pain medicine either.

The closest nail is the one way that was split really deep.  

Told you that I can still play hard.  Molly doesnt like it much when Moses and I play rough.

Every night, I sleep with my human cousins, Hunter and Ashton.  I curl up at Hunter's feet and don't make a sound until he gets up in the morning. 

Getting ready for bed... this is the way i sleep every nigh with Hunter.

I also sit on Aunt Hannah's lap anytime I get the chance.  Sometimes, I think she doesnt like it but then I hear her chuckle and sigh and she starts to pet me so I know it has to be one of her favorite things.

See?  Doesnt she  look happy with me?

I love to sit with Aunt Hannah but really I climb into any of my older 3 boy cousins.  

Oh oh oh, I got to take a car ride to pick up human cousin, Shepherd.  It was a good day.  I also help my Aunt Hannah clean the dishes every night.  Can you believe she has to hassle my human cousins to help?  I mean, kitchen clean up has to be the best chore ever!!! Pa, I wish you would give me that responsibility at home. Aunt Hannah says I do such a good job that it looks like she could just put the plates back up without washing them! 

Ok, well, I seriously have to go... dinner is almost ready.

I love you so much Pa!  See you Sunday!!!

Your precious brown son,
Riggs

My Birthday and Great Wolf

For Christmas, my parent's big gift to the boys was an overnight trip to Great Wolf Lodge.  They would also come up to watch our dogs for us. We planned our trip for February.  However, the "big"snow storm and a run in with the stomach bug caused us to have to reschedule the trip.  The weekend that worked best for everyone just so happened to fall on my birthday.

So, mom and dad with their dogs in tow, came up on Saturday.  Though we did not go to GWL until Monday night, they came up early so they could celebrate my birthday too.... we love birthdays in my family.

Sunday, Hunter woke up feeling sick and proceeded to throw up 6 times throughout the day.  We were not sure if he was going to be up for the trip.  Though not feeling 100%, the throwing up had stopped over 12 hours before we left, so thankfully, he was able to go.

Since we had never done GWL before, we decided to leave Bennett with my parents while we were gone.  He got totally spoiled and got to play only child/ grandchild for a day and night.  This allowed for Chad and I to focus on the bigger boys and not be quite as worried about uh, toddler drowning....

Here is a recap, in pics, of GWL.

It appears Shep is flipping me off, lets assume it was an innocent mistake.

Hunter and Ashton coming down the mat racers.  If you see Chad, get him to tell the absolutely hilarious story of him doing this ride.  It is a fantastic story!!!

The boys and I riding one of the big rides.

They convinced Chad, even after his earlier disaster, to ride with them.

Obviously, they loved it!

Shepherd playing in the 5 and under area.  Still my little boy

Love this picture besides the obvious fact that Beez is missing.  So missed that little boy.

My birthday dinner at Cracker Barrel.

Bed time.... we had to wake him up to bring him to bed, he was EXHAUSTED!

watching tv in their mini room

Sheppy loved his bed, he actually slept until almost 8, which is amazing in our house of early risers.

A little arcade action

What is it about boys and arcades?

On top of the fun GWL, we also had dinner at GrandmaDeans, got to scavenge through my great aunt's house (she just sold her home and is now living with her daughter.)  Though must stuff was gone, it was still amazing to go through the stuff that was left... it really does tell the story of a life.... bittersweet.  We also picked Riggs up from my brother's house.  He is going to get to stay with us for a couple weeks while Nolan is out of the country.

So, the past couple days have been packed.... Many thanks to mom and dad for the 1- the GWL gift, 2- keeping Bennett and the dogs.  3- cleaning my house and my yard. 4- fixing my sink, replacing my burnt out exterior lights. 5- my wonderful bday present.  The list could go on and on.

My new bag from my parents... it was also filled with some money and clothes! :)

I had a great birthday and appreciate all the sweet texts, messages, and gifts from friends and family. From CFA gift card to Starbucks gift card to money, pajamas, and a new bag... you guys know how to make a girl feel quite loved... Thank You!

Finally, a Weekend Away

Rec sports have severely cut into our weekend travel time.  From soccer to basketball, Saturdays are spent at the field or the court.  Not that I am complaining as I love sports but having a free Saturday has become quite a luxury.

Now that we are in between seasons, we have had 2 weekends in a row to do our own thing.

Last weekend, I was able to go on a women's retreat with the ladies from our church.  I had to be persuaded to go (no surprise there), but once there, I had a good time.  The speaker was Valerie Shepard (daughter of murdered missionary Jim Elliot).  The weekend was needed and I got to know many of the women at our church.

While I was gone, the boys went down to see Chad's parents on Saturday.  They spent the day playing around.  No pictures since the one with the camera was not there (me).  haha.  But they had a ball.

Chad left this past week to go the Citadel with his coaching staff.  He left Wednesday and got back Sunday.... 

And as much as love my precious boys, I knew that we needed something to do with our weekend so we hit the road again with the kids and dogs.  This time, to my parents house.  We had not been back since Christmas so it was good to go "home."  These are all off my phone so quality is not the goal. : )

A mini Mantis birthday celebration.

Bad Isla managed to get in the bathtub with the boys not once, not twice, but three times.  She is a mess but loves the boys... and water.

 

While Mantis and Queenie took Ashton out for his birthday lunch (just a few months late), Shep, Isla and I ran out to get McDonalds.

Sunday lunch at Esso.  Mantis, Queenie, and the boys

And to prove my existence.



Moses was flat worn out from his weekend... heck, I was tired, I fell asleep in the den before 9:30.

 

 Thanks for the fun weekend guys!!!