Visit to Iowa

Brady and I spent 2 1/2 weeks in Iowa for the Iron Sharpens Iron Conference at Emmaus Bible College. This was our second year "just the two of us" and for the most part we did great. Brady played at Carson's house and with Amanda while I worked, and then my parents arrived during the conference to take over Brady care. Jason also came for the conference and taught an excellent class on Addictions. The nine hour road trip out was not to bad for us, because we broke up the trip by staying with the Murrays in Chicago. On the way back, my parents drove with us and stayed for a visit once we made it back to Ohio. I couldn't have done it all without them, and without excellent care and help for Brady. Now it is officially summer around here...I am working less hours and enjoying the extra time to relax with Brady! Here are a few pictures from our stay!

My little conference attendee...nametag and everything!

Most mornings Brady patiently watched a movie in the Pack n' Play while I got ready for work. He normally sleeps in until 8:00, but was up at 6 with me every day. He took monster naps (4 hours!) every day to make up for it. This kid loves his sleep!

We also took an extra 4 hour road trip to see my family over the weekend...it was a blast. Brady loved playing with his cousins! Here's beautiful little Gracie...spitting image of her Daddy and her sister, Addie.Shannon took us for a ride on the golf cart. Every time it stopped Brady tried to get off!Me and my DadMy mom and my brother JeffBrady learned to ride a tricycle...a pink and purple one!Brady and Uncle "Jeff Jeff" playing tag :)Grandpa is a great ladderBrady spent most of his time on the slideReese gave Brady a few rides on the swingsetHe also loved this little horsey, which he thinks says "hee haw" (thanks to Grandma!)Addie and I enjoyed manicure timeSweet sisters...and best friends!We played a few rounds of wiffleball to end a great day!After the conference, we were so happy to be back home even though our time in Iowa was so much fun. Brady liked being back in his own bed and especially liked having Grandma and Grandpa for a visit.

Team Brady

I am fortunate to be surrounded by terrific fathers...my husband...my Dad...my father-in-law...my two brothers. I am so thankful that my Brady has all of you to look up to and learn by your example. Happy Father's Day!

Brady's Grandpa

Brady's Papaw

Brady's Uncle Nathan and Uncle Jeff Jeffand finally Brady's Daddy...and the love of my life :)I couldn't ask for a better "team" to teach my son how to become a real man.

Our Trip to Great Wolf Lodge

We took our first "family vacation" - where the fun revolved around Brady and not mom and dad - to Great Wolf Lodge in Sandusky, Ohio. It was just an overnight with a group from our church, but we had a great time! Brady loves the water and shows no fear...which in turn triggers mommy's fear!

Brady's favorite spot was the baby water slide

Whee!!

Pooped! Time for some juice and a warm towel

He also loved the arcade...and its nice that he has NO idea that the games and rides require money!

Girlfriends

Is there anything better?
Missing my girls...wish they lived closer!
(a few missing from this picture, too!)

PET Scan Results

Today we met with the doctor and heard the results of the PET scan that I had on Monday. PET scans look for metabolic activity in the body, usually cancer activity. The good news is that my tongue, head, and neck are clear – NO cancer activity in the original site of the tumor or lymph nodes!

However, they did find a nodule on my thyroid. In June I will have a needle biopsy done to determine whether the nodule is cancerous. If it is cancerous, it would be thyroid cancer (so a second cancer), completely unrelated to my original tongue cancer. This is still good news as thyroid cancer is much less dangerous than the tongue cancer. The treatment would involve surgery and radioactive iodine therapy, NO radiation and NO chemotherapy. He said the treatment would be a “walk in the park” compared to what I’ve already been through. The doctor says he hopes that the biopsy reveals that the nodule is nothing; if so they will just watch it closely. But he did remind us that I am at a higher risk for thyroid cancer since my thyroid was heavily radiated during my tongue cancer treatment.

Either way, we are encouraged because for now my tongue cancer appears to be gone, and this cancer is the aggressive type and more worrisome. We feel we have received a good report. Please continue to pray that the nodule on my thyroid is nothing and even that it disappears completely. You might remember that at one time, my lymph nodes appeared to have contained cancer, but when they removed them, the lymph nodes were clear. We believe that was healing from the Lord, and we know He can do it again! If we do have to face cancer again, we KNOW that the Lord will never leave us or forsake us. Such an amazing promise!!

Brady and I leave for Iowa tomorrow so I will be MIA for over two weeks. I'll miss you! I'll be better about the blog when I get back...I really promise!

Scenes from Dinnertime

Conversations with a Toddler

Me: Ducks say "quack quack"!
Brady: NO!
Me: Quack Quack!
Brady: NO!
Me: Quack Quack!
Brady: NOOOOOOOO!
Me: (sternly) Brady, don't say "no" to mommy!
Brady: (big smile) Quack Quack!

ARGH!

Just a quick update...my mouth has healed to the point that I have tried different foods and been able to taste them! Yay! I also received approval from my oncologist to have my feeding tube removed. I am still taking in most of my calories in liquid form, but this is a step in the right direction.

Get this...you might want to stop reading if you are squeamish...I asked how the tube is removed. The nurse said that the doctor has me take a deep breath...and then he just PULLS it out. Right out of the lining of my stomach. Um, GROSS! And OUCH! I think Brady could remove it just as effectively! (And believe me, he has tried!)

Also, I would appreciate prayer on May 10 and the days leading up to it. At 7:30 AM that day I will be having my first follow-up PET/CT scan to see if there is any cancer activity in my body. Of course we are praying for clear scans with zero activity! I am sure my nerves will start to get the best of me soon, even though I am confident in my treatment and the LORD who is my healer!

Thanks again, everyone!

A Different View

Sorry for the close-up view of Brady's diaper and our messy living room! But this is still a cute video :)

And YES, I did change his diaper after I put away the camera! :)

Easter Weekend

We started off the weekend by going to the zoo. I got one good picture before the camera died.

"Daddy please don't feed me to the turtle!!"

We went to Gary and Lola's for Easter dinner after church. Brady got his hair spiked and wore a pair of shorts from his Granny. The weather was beautiful! (And it is now Monday morning and his hair is STILL spiked. Mommy's hairspray is strong!)

He got the hang of it real quick. He would open every egg as soon as he picked it up and see what was inside.

My favorite picture of the day!

Brady was easily distracted by the dog, an airplane, the slide, a stick, or the wind.

Daddy didn't help much.The kids looking at their haul with Grandma Lola, Jamie, and Scott

Brady's friends Cole and Chloe

And the red-faced tired little boy finally stops to take a breather...

Chloe loves Brady!

I was determined to get a family picture that day...and I love it!

After a relaxing afternoon, Brady and mommy settle in to watch some baseball.
Happy Opening Day, everybody!

One Video showing a determined little boy!