Another catch up attempt

So I hope to have a few minutes

and 

the moment I start to type the Little's start whining. 

We shall see how this goes. 

A lot is going on...

We had all of our duct work torn out, 

a new furnace and air conditioning unit. 

That took two weekends of work. 

And a lot of cleaning. 

We have new register vents downstairs

and

have a few ones to put in upstairs 

over the next couple of months

all of those will be replaced. 

They are round vents and cost more than a typical 

floor vent. 

My dizzy spells are better and the constant 

congestion of the Boys has dwindled 

now that we don' t have leaky ducts 

that are full of 40 years of dirt, dust, grime

and 

mold. 

We learned that people's chaseways are not usually replaced. 

Ours however, was rusted out
 and
 at one point

was duct taped together. 

When checked out, it was no longer connecting the 

two air returns.
 Instead of pulling air through the 

filters, it was pulling air from inside our walls

and
from our upstairs main attic. 

Mmmm...

Logan began potty training willingly at school

and 

after a week we took it over at home. 

His Teacher has done it this way before with much success. 

He is doing really well, honestly!

#2's are not but he is dry most every night

and will even stop playing (even if outside!)

and go pee!

It has been a few weeks. 

I have sent out questions on the Special Needs message boards, 

researched books, tips, anything. 

His bowels are not regular so some of our structured teaching 

tips we received the other year was on the "schedule"

so from what I see at times kids like him can take 

1-2 years for the bowels or maybe never. 

We shall see. 

We had his IEP meeting it went pretty well. 

There is a difference from county to county

and 

I questioned about a few things. 

That requires a post on it's own don't know

when I can get that done. 

Aidan turned 6!  

I cannot believe it!

A hand full and now starting the second. 

He is doing pretty well. 

I got his room situated and cool weather clothes exchanged

so he is doing better. 

He doesn't function well in the disorganized mess

of change. 

Once things get uncluttered

and

clear he does much better. 

Especially, in the comfort of his bedroom. 

He says he likes this house, he does miss the old one. 

I asked what did he miss. 

(Since he would complain about how hot the back yard was.)

He misses his neighbor friends.  

Totally, understandable. 

I have been in touch with their Mom

and 

over winter break hope to meet up. 

In the midst of striking some poses..he was being a goof!

Our Sweet Baby D is loving school

and 

the new backyard. 

Today is Day 7 of him potty training!

I really wanted him started before he turned 3. 

We tried sometime this year.  I don't remember when exactly it was. 

I want to say June, when he was 2.5 like Big Bro Aidan. 

It just did not seem like his time. 

So, here we are and he is doing great. 

By Day #2 all on his own he did a #2 in the potty!

Now, he is similar to Aidan and a bit timid on 

the big potty and prefers the little ones. 

He has also become an example to Logan of how 

we mean "pooping in the potty."

There has been some potty competition

by their choices 

but it has only brought more motivation for them to go. 

We will go with it unless they get mean

but so far it has only seemed to bring them 

closer together. 

The Little's are really interacting more 

and 

have conversations with each other. 

It's beautiful well, until they start getting mad at each other. 

D's food sensitivities have become worse. 

I am wondering if it will calm after the nasty from the old duct work

subsides. 

Our big dog Cooper has had some problems too. 

He went to the vet just over a week ago.

After a long list of medications 

and 

a bath to help soothe his skin. 

He is doing better.
The vet has called to check up on him. 

And he seems to all of a sudden

fit into the the hypoallergenic 

state of our family and/or not typical reactions

to medications. 

He is on a steroid which usually makes people/animal gain weight/retain water

he has gotten skinnier. 

The vet and us are on the fence if this means

his skin was that swollen (and very well could be)

or 

if he is having a bad reaction to the steroid. 

Andrew's Thanksgiving days off, turned out to him being at work

every single day of the break. 

Working late at night to early morning 

just so he could be a part of Aidan's Birthday

and 

take care of what needed done at work. 

I ran another 5K.  I did not train for it

and 

with the move have not been as active as I was. 

And the worst part I walked a small portion of it...

I need to find the way it works to maintain what I was 

doing before 

and /or 

more. 

I did however get things more organized. 

Our office is not unpacked

and 

a large table is my sort. 

BUT I am able to sort!

I also have been able to some checkbook balancing

and

bill pay. 

This is what I did since babies were born. 

We do it together

but I do the data entry

and 

put things where they should go 

and 

make it all work. 

Andrew has been doing this since well 

before March because I hit a point

where I just could no longer do it. 

And by recommendation from my 

neuro-psychologist that I was not ready for that 

and it would come with time.

So, 8 months later I am working on it. 

Funny thing is, I think I saw her at Target just this past Monday. 

I am not sure and could be totally wrong

but it was  a woman who looked like her. 

19 days until I meet with my neuro-oncologist and get my next MRI. 

I have had a lot more headaches and a WONDERFUL (sarcasm)

migraine. 

I am also in the process of battling our insurance company with 

Logan's gene mapping. 

It came back with nothing showing any "reason"

for his blood sugar issues, odor-ific atonic episode, his eye

flitting into the back of his head, his grey face tone in stress

and 

limp moments with no odor. 

It turned into his Geneticist facing me

and 

concerned with me. 

He does have some off genes from me. 

Two with no real known significance 

and 

one that they know causes issues.

It won't become an issue until later in life. 

After a series of questions she asked me, 

then she informed me of the gene

and

then told me I must notify all of my 

doctors immediately. 

My family practitioner wants me to see a hematologist 

So, that is in the works.  

It is a rare disorder that some people with the mutation do 

not have any issues. 

Others do. 

It answers a lot of issues I have had. 

It also has a very long list of medications that are not safe 

and 

that I can have a bad reaction to. 

Quite a few medications I have pointed out to Doctors 

before knowing anything of this

are on that list. 

So, like I have had the 1-3% reactions

yup, that would be where it came from. 

And issues I have had for years 

with no answers only a few hopeful suggestions

from a few good doctors. 

Now, it seems there are answers. 

So, I think this covers it. 

Yet another long post. 

Never boring, never dull. 

We did get our tree up 

and 

more Christmas decorations to come. 

And having some wonderful interactive moments with 

our Boys with each other

and 

all of us together. 

Three years ago, just before D's big eventful arrival

we never could have guessed where 

we would be right now. 

We have had a lot of big down hills in our

roller coaster of life, 

but we are here together

and

 getting to enjoy all of our 

ups together. 

No matter how  little they may be at times

they are indeed ups. 

Where have we been?

Going crazy?

Very possibly. 

I am eating some chocolate and pretzels and sipping on a beer. 

Yup. 

It has been a while since I posted.  

We as normal have had a lot going on!

We sold our home we built!

After 8 years, we moved across town (nearer to Aidan and Daniel's schools.)

We now have a bigger yard

and

about the same size square footage. (a tad smaller..like 50 sq feet)

We closed on the new home on October 11.  

And the closing of our "old" home was on the 15th. 

We thought a few days overlap would ease the move. 

Hah!

We can dream right?

Here we are still in a mess. 

Supremely disorganized and tired. 

Logan had to go to  a new school since we moved into a 

new county. 

He is doing pretty good. 

The house we bought was empty since April. 

There were a lot of repairs that need to be done

and 

will still need to be done. 

Since it was vacant it was a bit yucky!

Lots of cleaning to do. 

Still not to my liking and soon enough will feel like our dirt. 

That said, it feels like home. 

The other house took almost 8 years to feel like home. 

Funny, huh.

I wake in the morning and don't expect to see our giant

vaulted green bedroom.

I am still not alarmed of the room I see 

just go.  Oh! Funny I did not expect to see the 

bedroom I slept in for 8 years. 

I have never really "moved."

Back in '83 my Parents moved to NC.

They are still in that house. 

My "moves" I remember are going to ECU

and 

marrying Andrew!

Andrew however, has a lot more moves that than under his belt. 

Some he may not remember much. 

His Dad was in the Air Force. 

Well, funny, to say, Andrew

was born in Germany.

Yup. 

From Germany, to Virginia, to South Carolina

to North Carolina. 

Yup, he has moved around some.  

We had some great help

and 

our very Thankful for all who helped us.  

In the midst of all of this. 

Logan got an earlier than scheduled call in with his

Geneticist. 

No answers, it turned into he got some weird genes from me. 

Then his Doctor turned to me and it was like

an appointment for me. 

My job is to inform all of my Doctors about this genetic mutation.

It is related to a rare disease called, "Acute Intermittent Porphyria."

My family doctor informed me I need to see a hematologist. 

So, yup. 

Never dull and all has to happen at once!

I don't remember if I ever updated on here.  

I saw my Neuro-oncolgoist in September and am 

able to stretch it to 3 month between visits versus

2 months. 

I will take that. 

As November turned, I was thinking, 

It has been forever since I have seen them!

It does seem like it because I would be prepping myself for

the visit that would be coming. 

SO yes, it feels like forever. 

It turns out to be on the anniversary of my 

MRI last December that scheduled the biopsy. 

That said, I feel like crap in general

and 

am feeling worse about this. 

It seems like a dream. 

At almost 8 months out I really almost think 

it was a bad dream. 

I was perky and positive then. 

I am having a harder time now. 

It is sinking in. 

I try not to let it get the best of me

but 

it is just  a constant reminder. 

It bugs me that it bothers me. 

I want to go run. 

But I am not because I feel like crap. 

But maybe if I run I will feel better?

But if I feel worse, I will have set myself back.

Anyways, I have lost my focus. 

I must make dinner. 

We moved. 

There is a lot going on. 

What's new?!

Our chaos and we keep on truckin'

just hoping to get back to 

my positive me. 

This non-positive me needs to go away and take a 

long walk off a short pier.  

I don't have time for her!

Our New Home. Top L-R: Toy room, backyard, kitchen.
Mid L-R: Dining room, stair case, office
Bottom L-R: Foyer, living room and Front

As you can see, stuff not done, no picture on walls yet.
It will come.

Office needs unpacked and organized and all the paper clutter should diminish.  :)

Mon-Wed in a Novel

Alright, so it is Wednesday.

My days are all jumbled this week

probably from a “lack” of routine.

Meaning, Monday was almost 5 hours a Duke

6 including the time to get there and home.

I missed Boot Camp that night

(HUGE routine change :) )

Since then the days are blurs.

Tuesday was relatively typical.

I guess it was just Monday that scrambled me.

The Boys are being good with lunch so I am taking the time

to type up a post.

The Boys are doing pretty well this week.

A day when someone babysits

and

we are gone like that.

The Boys dive back into the March time period.

Daniel goes to bed screaming, “My Momma, My Momma, MOMMMMAAA!!”

It doesn't matter even if I am the one to put him down or not.

It's the same.

He cries for 45 minutes.

I can go in there and he will refuse to sleep

because he is afraid I will leave.

So, we just let him cry it out.

Ugh. This lasted for a couple months

luckily it is just a night or two and then

we get our good bedtime DD back.

Biggun' knew I was going to talk to a doctor.

He asked, “Why is Grandpop babysitting? What are you doing?”

So I keep it generic.

So, Monday morning he was on the verge of tears at any little thing.

Screaming about most things

and

just completely out of sorts.

He's doing better now.

He also asked Andrew right before we left,

“Are you going to Duke?”

So, of course the answer is and was, “Yes.”

So when I go there I get a bracelet each time

and

of course you can only cut them off.

So when I get home, he wants to know why I have it on.

Then later says, “You were at Duke Hospital.”

I said, “How did you know?”

He said, “I don't know.”

Bitty was actually pretty good.

The morning after was touchy.

Every Tuesday morning he has a speech pathologist

who comes to our home to work with him.

He was a tad more particular than normal.

Needing a certain train set up, in the right order

with the right cars

and then

he would comply with her.

At OT in the afternoon he rocked it out!

He did some great things with her!

Which has been hard for him lately.

He for the first time he colored a picture with

minimal help!

Actually an entire picture!

He was pretty spot on at following directions!

Yes, these things may seem small

but are HUGE

for our Bitty Boo.

So, I guess what most want to hear is about

Monday.

It was my first time to get an MRI at the Cancer Center.

I learned a few things.

They have a new computer set up.

So after you check in that staff member is

to print off paperwork to give to the techs in the back.

Over an hour after my appointment time

and

seeing the staff from the back come up

and

tell people they are behind

but never came to me.

I decided to check on it.

Yup, my paperwork was never printed

so the tech staff never knew I was there.

They hauled me back ASAP.

Lesson learned to question much sooner.

I will be getting MRI's there from here on out.

That said by the time I was heading to the MRI it

was already past my appointment time with

my neuro-oncologist

but the radiology staff called up

and let them know I was here but they were running behind.

The people start walking me through the “procedure”

asking me all sorts of questions.

I got the nurse tech doing my IV laughing pretty good.

Then the MRI tech came in.

He was laughing good too.

They start to explain where I should lay,

the headphones,

the cage, etc.

I said, don't worry I have done this a bit.

This is only #5 for the year.

He was like, “Whoa! Seasoned Veteran!”

I am sure some people have probably had more.

So I know it is not much.

Definite change for me though!

They were very good. The IV hurt like a fool.

I think it was just the position of it.

I don't have any bruise though!

That is great!!!

So we then ran up two floors to the

Brain Tumor Clinic.

They nurse said, “Don't even sit down, come on back.”

So, she did vitals,

then took me to another room,

I give more information to nurse 2.

Then we wait for either a neuro-oncology nurse

or the nuero-oncology PA.

We waited and waited.

Then the PA popped in said,

I am running behind the new system is messing me up.

I will be in soon!

We waited a bit longer and he came in.

He thought it was the first time we met

but said, you look familiar

and so we said,

“we met you our first time here.”

Apparently, he doesn't typically do new patient visits.

Then he said, oh yes, I remember it now!

He did a few more tests than normal.

We laughed a bit.

I told him of my disorientation/spacy feeling

and

light sensitivity.

He got a “Hmmm.” Look on his face.

Then he said, after a bit more talking

Dr. Desjardin will be in soon!

Oh yes and he was surprised with what I do at Boot Camp.

Especially, 60 minute classes 3 times a week.

I told him they were just on a local news blog

and he said, 'I have to check that out!”

Then we waited more.

Then he came back in

to ask more questions.

It was at tad odd but

we go from the questions to laughing

about something.

Talking about Dr. Alan Friedman

and

me saying my neurosurgeon studied under him.

I said, “Dr. Grossi.”

And the PA said, 'I KNOW HIM! We ALL know him around here!”

“He is phenomenal!”

I said, “This we know.”

:)

Then he left.

So we waited more for my neuro-oncologist.

She came in with a student also.

Then not long after the PA popped back in too

to give me my paper work they typically give you for check out

and then he stayed.

She said my MRI is brighter due to the new computer system.

But the MRI from May isn't.

Who knows...

She said, “It is stable.”
OK.

Last time she talked with more details about it all.

And end up raving about the awesomeness of Dr. Grossi's

work on my brain.

This time she did not say much about my MRI

and

went onto she saw something in the news last week

that made her think of us.

We again forgot to bring the replica of my brain Andrew made

for Dr. Grossi.

Andrew made 3 copies.

She wants to see it.

So we pulled up pictures but said we will definitely bring one for her to see.

That said, Andrew decided she is awesome too and needs one for herself!

That said, we got back on the Dr. Grossi topic.

The student was laughing pretty good.

So she got to witness Dr. Desjardin, Cheshire the PA and Andrew and

go on about how freaking awesome he is.

The PA told us earlier also,”Everyone around here knows who he is.”

This I know because Dr. Grossi always told us

from Day 1 he was discussing my MRI's with the

people over there.

Anyways, so September with be my next one.

It was a definite different environment

this time.

Seeing it was only our 3^rd time there I don't know

what really it was.

But Andrew agrees with me it felt like something was up.

So to the back of the brain it goes for a month.

There will be anticipation the few weeks before the next appointments

but until then we got things here to do!

The wonderfully crazy and wild

awesome little men we have.

Getting things ready for Aidan starting kindergarten!

And of course having our home on the market!

Never dull

and

I am supremely light sensitive today

with

the off disoriented/spacy feeling

no migraines though!

OH yes that said,

I finally asked about why I was told to stay off of Advil.

Apparently, after brain surgery if you take Advil

you have a higher chance of a brain bleed.

One that they don't want me to take.

That said, those migraines better stay the heck away!

I can handle the headaches that I get

(more often then I prefer) but they are NOTHING

compared to the migraines!

And yes, the uterine biopsy I was told

by a nurse was, “Normal.”
A couple days later the OB-GYN called me

and gave me “options” of what we could try

addressing issues I have had with that from day 1

and not the issues I went to him for.

He started with “Your biopsy was normal.” A few minutes into

the phone call he said, “It was MOSTLY normal.”

What?!

I did not ask. I did not want to deal with it.

I need to call back and ask why he said that.

I have been told something like that before when there truly was an issue seen.

So, I was told to call back in a month or two

and

check in with him.

I will ask then.

Just will probably call on the sooner side.

Anyways, some Sweet Little Men need me

and

I want to have some fun with them

and

their Amazing Daddy,

my Wonderful Husband.

Oh yes and I should have PLENTY of energy to burn for
Boot Camp tomorrow morning!

A group of recent photos

L-R:
1. Aidan reading the Little's "The Very Hungry Caterpillar"
2.Bitty chasing/eyeing up one of his balancing structures
3. A positive attempt at breading some chicken that
no one is sensitive too
4. Bitty sporting his chocolate ice cream mustache
5. Aidan posing with his mango lemonade popsicle that we make
6. DD with his drip plate and popsicle after going down the slide..

The Waiting Game

So we are still waiting. 

I was told I would hear the biopsy results this week. 

My OB-GYN is out of town this week

but said

he would make sure someone 

called me when the results came in. 

Then he would call me next week 

and we

shall make a plan. 

So, now we wait to see if the phone rings today

and

if it does, 

is it them?

I think again this is just a lesson in patience 

which

on a lot of days I 

fail miserably at. 

I used to be OK enough

but

when you add 3 kids

and 

constant chaos

of just typical life

I run thin. 

If I do well, then everyone else does well. 

No pressure there, huh?

You know the silly quote, 

"If Momma ain't happy, ain't no body happy."

It really does seem true. 

Be the glue, don' crack 

or everyone

else falls apart. 

I also have 17 days before my 

next MRI 

and visit

with my neuro-oncologist. 

To add to it all, 

I have been having 

the spacy/disoriented feeling

and supreme light 

sensitivity

no migraines at least!

Just over my left eye pain, like before a migraine

but no aura!

I am glad at that, because  a migraine

and 

no advil?

Is a form of torture. 

When I get spacy/disoriented

I bump into door frames.

Perhaps, it's all in my mind.  

You know, I can maybe by 

chance make myself spacy??

I can dream right?

I did not worry much until it has come back.

Then a nagging bit of worry comes. 

Don't worry, there is plenty to keep me busy.

And of course I am typing this while Andrew 

has been at work for an hour now (it's not even 7a)

and 

our Boys still "seem" to be sleeping

since they were up late

last night. 

It was a good night!

In the 5.5 years of having a child

it was the first one

where "fireworks" 

were enjoyed. 

We did have a slight meltdown with our Biggun'

as we got home and neighbors were

shooting some

the poor Kid flew into our house. 

HOWEVER, we used sparklers and Pop Its.

And all 3 LOVED THEM!

Our Biggun' had a trial run earlier this week

and 

did great

and 

it got him excited for last night. 

We got some photos from then. 

And last night I took a few videos.  

One of which I did load to Facebook. 

I got them all to say, "Happy 4th of July!"

Logan did not say it on the video, but

he REALLY did say it!  :)

And our DD (not darling daughter, Daniel D as we sometimes 

call him even though his middle name does not start with a D.)

His version was, "Happy Jefe!"  (Jefe pronounced heff-eh)

Jefe is the name of my brother's dog. 

It made us all laugh. 

Roxy and Cooper were with us at Andrew's Parents house

and 

they chased the Pop Its

like they may catch them. 

Yeah, Cooper won't fetch a ball 

but will 

go after a Pop It?

Needless to say Cooper went inside because our Pup

is on edge on the 4th 

or 

any day fireworks are done in the area. 

Roxy doesn't care. 

Yes, I am updating on our dogs. 

As I was told by my nephew

when he was 3, 

"Aunt Carrie, you can't have dog kids!!"

OH but we do!

Human and dog kids.  :)

I hear a Bitty Boo doing morning babbling!

Gotta go!

Photos and video will be loaded soon (hopefully soon)

Rogers?! Dodgers..Uterine?! Shmu-terine..

Here is the end of another Rogers' chaos week.

Just FYI we took the chance of putting our house on the market.

It was a week ago yesterday “active”

we only had 2 showings last Friday

and

one this Tuesday.

Tuesday, we got an offer.

By yesterday it “fell through”

the buyers apparently had an medical emergency and backed out.

We sure hope they are OK.

If it is meant to be, then it will sell.

So far, only 3 showings.

So, we shall see and another weekend of

possible rain.

Which typically keeps people from coming out.

So yes, our chaos.

I went to my OB-GYN today.

Yes, possibly TMI.

Anyways, my body has been off since

the craniotomy.

It has had some issues prior they just

increased greatly since March.

At the end of May the Doctor noticed

my uterus was enlarged feeling via exam.
(As did Andrew and I because I was looking like Carrie 12 weeks pregnant..)
He wanted an ultrasound

and

told me a possibility of a biopsy would happen.

Well, it did.

So now we wait.

The ultrasound looked normal enough

but with how it felt

and

what has been going on

a biopsy was done (uterine lining).

He will be out next week

but

said he would be sure someone would

call me next week with results

and

the following week

he would call me

and

we will talk and figure out a plan from there.

Good enough to me.

I was a tad dizzy/off feeling after it.

The nurse seemed worried

and

surprised since I talked through it all.

Andrew informed her, it was the face.

If you saw her face, she was in pain.

The Nurse surprised I could talk through pain.

I am honestly constantly in pain.

It is a norm unfortunately.

To the point our kids can't sit on my lap without

increasing pain I typically feel.

It is just me and my body saying something.

We're just trying to open our ears and figure it out.

So we shall patiently wait and see

probably “nothing.”

Meaning they don't understand these kind

of things

but

just like to be sure it is nothing “serious” ie: pre-cancer or cancer

There is more than enough to distract

and

like he mentioned it could be cramping most of the day.

I could take pain killers.

Well, according to the neuro-oncologist

professionals, I cannot do Advil anymore.

But, it really just feels like the normal pain I feel

from someone sitting on my lap

or

like yesterday after the x-ray tech

(for my urologist appointment..kidney stones check up)

just touching my lower abdominal

in order to feel for “land marks”
that I am lined up for a good shot

caused me pain for the rest of the day.

By the way, I have been stone free for 3 plus years now

by a simple diet modification

that increased my citric acid levels.

The power of the body is amazing.

I won't step on the soap box at this time.

So, I am clear from going there unless they come back again.

But I have kicked those stones butts. :)

So, now we wait

but shall stay busy and see what the phone call next week brings.

In the meantime we need more bread made, waffles, pizza dough.

The Boys would love some Mommy time

to read or color with,

or outside time in the back yard

I also need to put away laundry

and

wash some.

Make a grocery list..

you name it..

there I plenty to fill the time

till that phone rings.

Onto the back of my mind it goes

far way until necessary
and so the focus goes to these wonderful
blessings I have.

10 Weeks Post-Craniotomy Novel and Neuro-oncolgist visit

10 weeks under the belt.

I guess in a few weeks I will stop counting

at least on here.

I think it will always be on my mind.

On Monday was my 2 month post-op

rescan.

So, yes it was a little over 2 months from my

last MRI, but now we are on a roll.

Andrew as super busy at work.

I hit the MRI mid-morning

by myself.

First time ever.

This was MRI #7 in 15 months.

So, yep.

15 months 7 MRI's

and

in the last 4 months

2 CT's.

That can at times be hard to swallow.

I at least get a break

for 2 months now.

I am sure there will be a few more things done before then.

Yup. We never want to stay dull.

You know gotta maintain our

chaos level.

If it calms too much

it is a calm before the storm.

So please just maintain our typical

chaos.

Norm is a bit nicer than a huge storm.

I tried to keep the MRI peeps entertained.

You know.

It was at a mobile MRI place

I have never been before.

So they don't really “know”

so you slowly tell them.

Yep.

I had the nurse and the tech laughing pretty good.

They smiled a lot.

You know Monday's can be crazy

so if you can keep someone's

nice,

You may as well.

Around 2p we left for my

neuro-oncology appointment.

This is something that is interesting.

You know where you are going

but then

you pull up outside

Duke University Medical Center.

Yet, I don't go into the main hospital.

Where the Brain Tumor Clinic is

is at

The Cancer Center.

Yep, so, it's hard.

You feel like people look at us

wondering where we are going.

There are a lot of people older than us.

Yet, here we are.

I know there are people our age or younger

doing the same thing

but you don't always see it.

So we sign on in,

I fill out

my paper work.

Then the Nurse calls us back.

This time was a few less professionals

then in April.

Weight, check, BP, and a few questions.

Then move into our room.

This time instead of meeting with the PA

we met with a NP.

She was nice.

We had her laughing pretty good.

They touch base on all that is going on

and

yup.

We keep them entertained.

She was super nice.

She asked me a lot of questions.

Then checked me out.

Typical, listen to your heart,

your breathing,

then they (typcial for me)

check my peripheral vision,

check to see how my eyes respond to light,

look down my throat.

I then get to do a memory test (slight FAIL)

they give me three simple words

to remember.

So since I failed miserably last time

I tried even harder to remember.

I said the words out loud a few times

and figure I was good.

Then she asks me to spell, “House.”

Then spell it backwards.

Then, OK I am kind of fuzzy here and

will probably not mention it all.

OK..I know now, subtraction questions.

Then check my reflexes, balance,

strength.

While trying to explain what I am doing
Edit: Her telling me what I am to do
and me slowly processing the task she is asking to test 
strength etc. 

she can see the amount of time it takes for me

to process the information.

I am slow.

It happens.

And that is OK, but sometimes

something I don't always notice

but it's pretty obvious there.

Then after all that.

What are the three words?

I said, “Uhhhhhhh...”

Then I remember (I try to think pictures.)
It helps me.

“Cake.”

She said, yes.

Then I thought a little longer....

Ummm....

uhhh......

“Tree?!”

She said, “yes!”

and

then just like last time...

The last word...

I don't remember.

So I think, and think

and think...

then she gives a hint.

I got a hint last time

and still answered wrong.

This time the hint helped

and I said, “Chair??!”

She said, “YES!!”

Whew.

Yes, so cake, tree and chair.

I had a hard time to remember it after 5-7 minutes of time

passed.

She said, my MRI looked pretty good.

I asked about the mentioning of “Oiligoglendroglioma” charateristics

inside it all.

She said, there are some parts that look like that too

however, it's not enough to change it to a

“Mixed Astrocytoma”

they are still

sticking with
“Grade 2 Well-Differeniated Astrocytoma, Recurrent.”

Whew!!!

I am having some hormonal issues

so I asked about if that is typical.

I have already had to go to my Family Doctor

due to some issues

now I have another appointment I have to see

my OB-GYN due to recurrent issues
 due to the stress the craniotomy put on my body.

The neuro-oncologists say, “Yeahh..that's not our strong point.”

You should touch base with them.

Which I had and was awaiting a call back.

(Which came the moment I walked in the door from Duke.)

I was hoping maybe someone may have mentioned it before.
Guess not.

We like to be different.

So, when Dr. Desjardin came in she pulled up my MRI

for us to see how it looks.

Back in April she said it was such a clean resection

and

she was impressed.

She told us the hole would get smaller

and

she would be watching if the tentacles come back.

Well, this time (they always slowly feed you with

a tad more information each appointment)

**This is how Dr. Grossi did it too. **

And we are perfectly OK with that.

Things goes on a need to know basis.

This time she said, (something we have heard from Dr. G before)

you know we can not remove 100% of the tumor due to the

tentacles creeping into normal brain tissue.

So the tentacles are still there.

You see this fuzzy line right here?

These are the tentacles.

Last time we got pointed out a nice clean line

and the difference of the clean line versus

pre-op MRI of the tumor and the big tentacles.

So, if anyone has tried to read up.

Astrocytoma's are infiltrative tumors.

Due to the tentacles constantly creeping into

every nook and cranny possible.

You know, kind of spider web like.

She did say, the fuzzy portion is exactly

like they were on my MRI from a couple days post

craniotomy.

And again she mentioned Dr. Grossi's work

but this time saying,

“This is the BEST Grade 2 resection I have EVER SEEN!”

Again, mad props to the amazing Dr. Grossi!

Seriously, people.

A-MA-ZING!!

So, in July I will be back and

how the schedule worked out

this MRI will be on site at the Cancer Center

then I head up 2 floors to the Brain Tumor Clinic.

The nurse that followed in with Dr. Desjardin

walked right in and said, 'You LOOK WONDERFUL!”

She sounded surprised.

I don't know how I am supposed to look

and

people at all my Specialist Offices

keep saying it with shock in their voice.

I guess I will take it as a good thing.

I am not anywhere near where I was before heck even

my biopsy.

But, I am working on it.

I am determined and will kick butt.

The things that are hard are, well,

I was given a “Survivor” shirt.

I think, compared to what others have gone through

I have done nothing compared to them.

I don't feel I deserve it.

But then, I realized that's not true.

It's hard to be.

It will come back.

They just don't know when it will

and depending on how it comes back will

possibly be a third brain surgery

or

only chemo.

But, there will be chemo in my life.

They just don't know when.

So, at a Grade 2 it is benign

but I go to the Cancer Center.

Even if my Grade 2 tentacles grow

I will go on chemo.

If new spot shows up, it will most likely

be a 3 or 4 because they have a high

tendency to come back more aggressive

at 3 and 4's it's is brain cancer.

If in an operable place it will be re-sectioned

and

I get chemo.

It could happen any day now

or in

20 years.

But as Dr. Desjardin said,
“It won't get there because I will be watching it so close.”

So yes, we will catch it early again

and

I will continue to kick it's ass and take names.

It was just finally hearing that again

and

finally realizing it.

I knew it was something that will be done

for the rest of my life.

Which I will tell you I will die somewhere between 85-95 years old.

So, it's going to be a long time.

It just finally clicked to the understanding

of claiming

“I am a Survivor.”

Because I will.

So, since our fabulous experience with Angels Among Us

I have now worn my Survivor shirt

twice.

I may as well own it.

I wore it yesterday all day for all to see.

Last week I wore it to my 3^rd time I went to Boot Camp since

my craniotomy.

Oh yes and Monday I went to my 4^th class since surgery!

Working the way up

but probably won't get to class tonight

because I don't think I physically can do it

but we will see how the rest of today goes.

So I have a photo of me at 2 months to the date

post-op and post Boot Camp class #3.

Yeah...I was nasty sweaty. :)

My as well own it. (The Survivor title.)

It is what it is. 

Why fight who you are. 

And a photo from this morning in carpool

of our sweet Aidan.

Tomorrow is his last day of preschool.

Today as the last day I will drop him off

tomorrow his class meets a park for a

party.

Where did the last 5 years go?!

We stay on our toes!

Let the chaos continue!

Thank you Lord for keeping us challenged

and

getting us to understand how we listen to your Plan for us.

Thank you, thank you.