Catch-All Catch-Up Post!

Life is almost back to normal for the Hubbies, with the exception of me being asleep on the couch every night by 8 PM and in bed by 10 PM. Nothing short of a miracle there. I might actually be turning into a morning person after a lifetime of dedicating myself to the night life. Wait - nope - scratch that, I think I'm getting ahead of myself!

Many of you have asked me how I am feeling...the answer...GREAT. Anything is an improvement from the past few weeks...but really, I feel pretty good. I am still dealing with pain in my throat and mouth so I am still on some heavy pain meds. But I have been able to gradually reduce my doses and frequency of doses which is great. The doctor says I shouldn't rush it, so we are just taking it day by day. I am still unable to eat and take everything by liquid in my feeding tube. I am still really tired and try to take a nap when Brady does. I am also back to work - part time and from home - so not a huge adjustment - but it feels good to be back in the saddle. I would say I'm not quite 100% but almost!

The redness in my face has gone down a lot, but you won't see it in these next pictures. They are from my last days of radiation and also a few pictures from our End of Radiation Celebration that we had at Haven of Rest on the Monday following my last treatment. We wanted to PARTY and also thank everyone who had been praying for us. I wish all of YOU could have come too! I'd be happy to celebrate again with any or all of you!

Jason and I on the last day of radiation, with five dozen chocolate chip cookies for the doctor, nurses, and radiation techs. We were popular that day! And there is my famous RED BEARD again!

Brady thought all the balloons were for HIM.

The cake for the celebration

The three of us...please Jason, open your eyes...

Hugs all around!This is what's known as a giddy, red-faced grin.

Me sitting with "Grandpa Gary" and "Grandma Lola" and "Aunt Gail" and Brady's buddy Cole, who all (even Cole) really helped us out with Brady during my treatment!

Sometimes he just gets shy :) Our friends Lee (behind Jason) and Jim (making ninja moves)

Trying to keep the boy corralled after the party :)

Somehow he always ends up on my lap...love him!

Special time with Grandma - sharing chips :)

More evidence of my super-organized boy and possible future diagnosis of OCD. He lines up his little people perfectly, and gets mad if you touch them! Look the the left Brady, those two are a little close together...better fix it!

Finally it is nice enough to play outside, or "help" Daddy build the new fire pit. Even in his styling pajama pants and boots.

Brady's first pair of muddy boots - a milestone!This picture is the only shot I managed to get of him when he found one of my feeding tubes and filled it up with his cheez-its. He also lifted up his shirt and put the tube up to his belly button, but I couldn't coax him to do that again!

This is what's known as his "you have got to be kidding me" face - I get it a lot lately!

See?

THANKS for checking in with us again! We appreciate your continued prayers for healing.