Understanding, hop into a pair of our shoes

Here is the Carrie novel describing as many aspects

of the public tantrums. 

It was 20 or more minutes, the amount of time it took for us 

to get what we needed at the store 

and 

leave. 

Which at bad points is the only way to 

really stop the fit. 

It does take him 

a while to calm

so at times

he may be over it

but the calming takes some time

these are things you learn after watching

closely after over 2 years of these tantrums.

The other weekend we went to BJ's.

Logan HATES BJ's.

I typically go during the week

when it is less crowded

and

get the giant shopping cart

with the plastic car

attached to it.

He loves the car cart.

I see a germ fest.

But, he will “chase” the straps,

(he likes the visual of items with a tether point)

try to watch the car wheels roll,

(they are stickers)

and

spin the steering wheel.

This will distract him from the harsh

lights, give him something

to focus on instead of hearing

the loud music

and

keep him distracted from his

stress he feels in public settings.

Well, we went on a Sunday.

I now know since it is more crowded

they only increase the music volume

to get it over the crowd noise.

That said, they only have like 2 or 3 of the giant car carts.

So none for Logan.

Since he is doing well verbally,

he began flipping out.

Screaming, “Heeelllp! I NEED HEEEEELLLLLP!!”

His volume only increases

and

went to the point his voice was cracking.

He went back in forth on being

rigid

and

then flailing then limp

(a typical fit for him)

all while being strapped in a regular cart.

People look

and

we take deep breaths

and

keep moving.

Hoping he will work it out.

People keep looking, some avoided coming

down an aisle we were in.

One older man in particular started to widely circle us

while staring

and

then

cutting the circle in half

and

circling again.

At this point I got a few kinds of communication

with Logan that

he wanted out of the seat.

He continued to tantrum

and

I knelt on the floor of BJ's

to begin

joint compressions

and

hand hugs.

These are some things

I can do to calm him in

a fit.

I looked the circling man in the eye

and

waved a nice rigid, “HIIII!”

wave.

He then turned

and

walked away

and

no longer circled us.

Logan calmed for a moment

and

insisted on holding my finger

and

then flailed

and

pulled

and

screamed the wonderful words again.

..you know what I mean..

“HELP! I NEED HEEELLLLP!!”

All while dislocating said finger of mine

that he had a death grip on.

I take a deep breath

removed his death grip from

my poor finger.

Of course, since my 2nd surgery he is concerned

with our Family of 5

“splitting”

especially if I get too far from him.

So, at times to not physically

be touching me

panics him.

But still, I hoped

perhaps he may calm when

I got my finger back.

No such luck.

And he continued to

insist holding onto me.

So, I gave him my entire hand

which he kept

trying to get only one finger.

We continued on throughout all of this.

I finally picked him up.

He screamed the same

rigid, flailing, limp and repeat.

A woman I passed, smiled and looked at us

and said, “I remember those days.”

I at over 10 minutes of the intense public fit

I wanted to say, “Actually, no. He's 4 and Autistic.”

But I did not.

There is no point to do that.

She was luckily (for us) just being nice

and

trying to show understood what it was like.

I got to a point where some of the lights

were off

and

just by getting to a less bright place

I got him to calm some.

Only issue is to get out of the store

is to get back in the bright lights.

So it maintains, but he calmed a tad.

Promising home was not helpful.

He was still mad we did not get a certain shopping cart.

At check out, I had to resort to our typical public

“swing” for Bitty.

Meaning, I lean over

and

suspend him away from my body

and

sway him like he is in,

almost a hammock-like swing.

This at the right time will calm him

if you try it too soon he just gets rigid

and

screams more.

But not here,

so

he calms

and

goes to “Logan Land”

(as named 2 years ago, by our oldest Nephew and Niece,

he spent time there instead of with us.

Kids could see it

but not like some adults, they in a way “understood.”)

He was dead weight in my arms,

staring at the lights

in the ceiling

but happy.

At this point our skinny Bit's body

actually let me know he has put on weight!

Because I was feeling the burn!

This is good!

He is 4 and 18 months shorts are just starting to be a little

snug on him.

A little..

and

at times I can get a 24 month pant

to not completely fall off.

He's so little, socks I bought him 2 years ago,

he is still wearing!

I finally had to throw them out!

He wore holes in them!

Right before check out I knew the store had some

sea salt caramels I would like to try.

I don't usually buy candy

but after the show like that...

yeah..I picked up the candy..

I cope with stress mostly by exercise

but after being pregnant with

our DHR I at times tend to

take it out on some junk food after

a bad bout of public tantrums.

My sweet Andrew put away all the groceries while

I strapped the kids in.

He put the chocolates on my seat in the

van so I could whip them open immediately.

And of course share with him!

As he looked at me at one point and said,

“This is the worst public tantrum I have ever seen.

But it is not the worst he has done for you, is it?”

I said, “No, I have had much worse.”

Life is never dull.

We are given challenges.

We are not graceful but try.

We do the best we can.

We are not perfect and never claim to be.

You must keep on truckin'.

There is a glimpse of what one

moment (a long one) us as

Parents of a child on the Spectrum

is like.

There are plenty of good too!

Those are typically seen as us bragging!

Like I have tried to tell some people

who offer negative criticism

about strangers,

things aren't always what they seem.

You do not know their situation.

Try to understand

before you let your mind

jump to what may or may not be.

The Lessons for Patience

So, I have heard a few times

about how positive I am being amongst things.

I guess I can be

 but

I am at a low point lately.

At 10 weeks post-op I have hit a bump

in the road.

I am good most days but hit

a lull I can't quite seem to get out of.

I lose my patience with the Kids

and

the mess that is accumulating in the house.

The bathrooms that need cleaning,

the floors that need vacuumed

and

mopped.

I thought I could handle it on a slow pace.

So far, not quite.

It really just depends on how the day

with the Boys go.

Last weekend while in at supreme exhaustion

Andrew was picking up the mess that

has continued to be fed by the

Boys.

He ran the vacuum, made lunches, dinner,

dishes etc.

My Husband is a great support

and

a bearer of mass weight on his shoulders.

I am really only at 50%

we make it through

thanks to him.

He helps beyond belief and then some.

We don't get much time together

I am usually asleep

or

at a point lately of horrible frustration.

I did well for the first 9.5 weeks.

I am now frustrated.

And so incredibly mad at myself for being frustrated.

The mass destruction of toys

always bugs me.

Therefore I clean up or make

things go away.

We have quite a bit talked about reducing the

amount of things we have.

They aren't necessary.

Trying to convince people

that the Boys don't need toys galore.

There is just too much.

We have talked about reducing

for a while now.

The need is there

however, the energy and focus on

my part isn't there yet.

I was so tired yesterday that I

wanted to make popcorn.

Over the course of 4 hours

I got out the kernels,

the pan, the oil,

the sea salt

and the lid.

Yes, it took four hours for me to

get the focus to get out

the needed items.

By the time I got it all out

I was too tired to make it.

Insert frustration, anger,

minimal patience.

So on a Friday after a long week

my Husband comes home to a

torn apart house,

me who was half awake on the couch,

the Boys running rampant,

stuff sitting out in the kitchen

from my popcorn attempt,

and

me super grumpy about what I did not do.

I did however, wash sheets, take the Logan to school,

ran to a grocery with Aidan and Daniel.

Fed them lunch but never got that quite cleaned up,

fresh sheets on the little's beds.

That consumed all my energy.

How, do I release frustration?

Exercise, physical activity..

How do you do that when you are exhausted?

It was just a junk day.

I was asleep before 8p

and in bed until 7:30a today.

7:30 is when Boot Camp is on Saturday's.

I woke up too tired to go.

After all that sleep, still tired!

Insert more frustration there.

**Remember, I was told by many specialists

not to get frustrated at what I can't do

to give it time**

My 2 cents is:

I made it this far, why NOW?!?!

Well, the weather is beautiful, actually cool

minimal humidity.

Blue cloudless skies, nice strong breeze.

Andrew headed out and mowed the yard, edged, trimmed.

Then all 5 of us headed out back for fresh air.

Filled with supreme allergens

so now congestion, hoarse coughs,

runny noses

and

antihistamine taken preventatively.

I did a few out door chores in the back.

We took down the second level of my raised garden.

The dirt I made last year?!

GORGEOUS!!!

Yes, I bought all top soil, compost, etc.

Made some supreme soil to grow our veggies in.

Yes, I am bragging, it's super pretty!

I took down some briars growing

from our neighbors yard into ours.

Those root systems are strong.

I took it out on those guys!

Needless to say, I was just clipping briars

also reaching through the fence (the house next door is

empty and in pre-foreclosure :( )

so I have to get a handle on those briars

because they get into our yard

and go right where Logan and

Cooper love to play.

So, yes, after some clipping I took a break.

I sat on down, out of breath, and wiped.

Explaining to Andrew that when I say I

go to Boot Camp and modify my exercises.

I REALLY REALLY do!

Not that he is one to convince.

He knows and trusts me

but it was my 2 cents

due to some critical vocal parties.

I caught my breath

and

trimmed my rose bush that is

from my Great Grandma Crase's house.

Everyone has one in their yard.

After she passed away,

my Grandpa (her oldest son of 8 children!!)

made sure all of his Kids and Grandkids

have a part of her bush to keep at our homes!

I trimmed some crazy parts

and

worked on some bushes I had

moved into our back by our AC's.

That helped me relieve my frustration.

To see things how they are.

Another lesson of learning patience.

Lots of things going on, patience is key and so is trust.

There is more than must my tiredness, a few things we aren't at a point to talk about yet,

Daniel having an allergic reaction but seems to be heading

down it's nasty path

of more ring worm.

YET, NO ONE ELSE HAS IT!

A long frustrating call with a nurse at the Ped's office.

That is a whole other post of how one of my soap box moments.

Which is more so give another side others don't always get to see.

But anyways, Everyone has difficulties.

No matter what they are.

We all have them, all on different levels, all

at different times.

Anything easy is not worth having.

We all have our paths we are lead to,

our paths to follow or stray from.

Our lessons to learn

and

hopefully learn something to help others,

to make the world a better place.

No matter how little or possibly

seemingly irrelevant.

It will help someone somewhere.

We are all different.

If we all were the same how

boring would the world be?!

This is all here for a reason,

however given.

Keep Hope, Faith, Patience.

From a friend I was given a wonderful song to listen to.

A video to watch.

It is 22 minutes.

It is wonderful and sad too.

It is about a teenager who passed away this week.

But, his way of handling it.

I bought one of his songs

and will soon

buy the others.

It goes to a great cause

and

to me his song, “Clouds”

it is about his way of dealing with a terminal illness.

But, listen to it if you feel you want.

It can be put into anyone's difficult times.

To me it is a motivating song.

Take your chances while you have them,

try, you can do it.

Don't let things bring you down,

find some good in it.

Take on the challenge!

So, my main purpose

is to spread interest in this teenager.

He has a web site:

http://www.childrenscancer.org/zach/

It has everyone on it.

His music, his story, the video.

It may bring you to tears.

Keep hope

and

of course buying his music

(which is addictive to me)

goes to a wonderful cause.

A simple and easy on the budget donation.

To something some may feel strongly about,

if you don't

that's OK.

We each have our own things that mean a lot to us.

Slowly, digging out and letting out frustration

and

Thank you Dear Lord for giving me

such a wonderful man

that I am sharing my life with.

I will try to keep my patience.

A constant lesson we are being given.

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.

Start to finish

Oh Man..It is SO nice.

Seriously..

7 weeks and 2 days later I

got to be “me”.

This sounds nuts I know.

I was able to start

something in the kitchen

and

finish it.

Like finish finish.

Our Friday nights are

pizza nights.

Homemade pizza

due too all the Boys

food issues

and

well, our budget too!

Think I ever used this much?

And I have to say it's pretty good

yeah..perhaps better than most.

Biased..sure I am,

over-confident?

No not really.

But it works for us.

Dry ingredients..

Resting

So, last week I made a double batch of pizza dough

for the first time in almost 2 months.

I baked the last half on Sunday evening.

(And I typically do only 1 batch at time.)

But that was as far as I got.

Tonight, oh tonight..

I decided not to use the extra's

from last week

and

keep them in stock

and

do another double batch.

I made all the crusts,

Andrew helped prep a few

of the whole made pizzas.

I prepped the sauce with our hidden

food in it.

Yeah..tried it last week and it worked.

Pizza sauce with raw spinach pureed into it.  

Last week I also found the way

to get D to eat pizza too.

Granted he get's his own

small size pizza

that only he eats.

(this could be another post on food issues..)

Tonight, I even cleaned up the

entire mess I made

and

did the nightly dishes of

sippy cup parts and straws.

Yes!

Make dinner from scratch,

cleaned it up

and

did the kitchen clean up.

Now, my Aunt cleaned up all

the Kid's toys.
Andrew got them into bed.

I did fold some towels too.

And I just finished painting

my toe nails for

my oldest Niece's

First Communion

tomorrow morning.

But yes, this is great!

A great night!

A night of a sense of

normalcy.

No nap today either.

Actually, I think only one nap this week.

It's been a long week.

Monday, a normal day.
(Edit: No, it wasn't.  Yes, memory fail.
Andrew had his MRI recheck done. So we were
waiting for another hospital to do it. Uggh..
Duke is WAAAAY better over Rex in that area.  The techs were awesome,
the other staff not so much. ))

Tuesday,

was my post-op check up

which left me on cloud nine.

It was nice to have the

professionals say I was doing well.

Family on the other hand are

more timid

and

still worried I will over do it.

No worries guys,

I am listening to myself.

I know what I can do

and

do indeed push myself to gain some

but

try not to over do it

and

if I do

then I make myself recover from it.

I make sure I slow down.

However, I am doing well.

I really am.

I know I am not ready for all I did before

but

really, I am working on it.

The only way to get better is to rest

and

I have

but to gain

you also must challenge yourself.

So, Tuesday afternoon was the typical Logan

OT appointment.

Wednesday, was a normal day

with some shopping in it.

Thursday, BUSY!

Aidan had his final

preschool field trip.

My Aunt kept the Littles

so I could take Aidan on his own.

Which was super awesome!

Get to only have “one” kid!

I usually take Logan so he gets the idea

of how to handle something like that

which is usually chasing him

as he is running away

and

getting into danger

and of course

tantruming due to not understanding

what the boundaries or expectations are.

I try but it's hard for him.

I usually have my Mom or Andrew

come and help

especially with D too.

It puts you in a position of people

watching or wondering

and

the last field trip I took them on

turned out people sitting down

questioning me.

It's hard.

Very hard.

But, we all have to learn and gain somehow right?!

Anyways, it was nice

and

an actual chance to talk to the other Mom's

there.

First time.
Of course he's almost done with preschool now.

I guess better late than never.

Right?

Then he and I went out to lunch

using a wonderful gift someone gave us.

I checked with Andrew and he thought

it was a good thing to do.

Then Aidan and I

searched for the gift I

wanted to get

my oldest Niece for her

First Communion.

Finally found it.

Picked up some things we needed for home

and then

made it home.

Then today was a normal Friday.

I picked up my youngest Niece from

preschool with Aidan

and

they got a play date together.

My Sister has been helping pick Aidan up from

school

so I mean it was the least I can do

and

Aidan and her are good buddies.

You know it's just nice to be “me” again.

Like I said I have a ways to go

and

know that

and

am OK with that.

Not sure how all of the Family is.

I know how Andrew is.
We talk.

We're good about that.

That is how we signed up for all of this.

If he thinks I need to stop

he will let me know

but he also

knows when I am building up.

We do pretty good.

We can yell.

We do

sometimes.

It happens.

We talk well sometimes

and

others not so much.

But, we figure it out together

and

a lot of the time

are on the same wave length.

We do pretty good.

You know coming up the day before

my next MRI will be 12 years

since our first kiss.

Yes, I remember the day/night.

August will be 12 years since we

“officially” became a couple.

Heck, in December

will be 16 years since we

first started being friends.

We've been married 8 years.

Yeah..like I said..

we know each other

and

work pretty well

together.

You know, I kinda like him.

I think he kinda likes me too.

Just a thought.  

Our Sweet Boys...just because.
Aidan and Logan's are from March before the craniotomy
Baby D's are more recent. 

All sorts of nutty happy for the last 7 weeks

So here I am at our Bitty's OT appointment.

My Aunt stayed home with the other two so they get a break

and

Bitty gets a sense of semi-normalcy.
He went back much easier.

Even with his brothers not here,

he was better than having

a different person taking him

and/or

an extra person with us.

Things are rolling back to a new version of normal.

Which is nice.

Tomorrow is 7 weeks post craniotomy.

So today I met with Dr. Grossi for my post-op check up.
It was a fantastic appointment.

Just nice to get to go and get no extra news

and to finally

remember to thank him for all he has done for us.

He has done worlds for us!

Seriously.

He knew, he kept his eye on it

and

agreed with my gut too.

I have meant to thank him each time I have last seen him

and

I am so happy I actually remembered today.

He gets us.

Her gets our personalities.

He gets our jokes and attitude.
It was funny.

Before being called back

the CMA called someone else

and

looked at me and said, "Hi Carrie!"

I never can remember her name

and

feel like such a dope for not being able to

because she is so nice!

Andrew said my face turned as pink as my shirt.

I just thought ,"Oh Lord, how does she remember me?!"

I mean it is not like I am there a ton

and

he does lots of surgeries.

So he has a lot of patients!

She came back in a bit and called me back.
She told me I looked good.
I said that is my goal to get over all of this.

She took me back and we handed off our bag of thank you treats.
I still want to get more for the pre-op nurses

and

the neurosurgery floor.
I hope to be able to do this.
Oh Yes!

And

for the radiology staff who has done all of my MRI's there.
I have had the techs that remember me.

They did 6 of the 7 MRI's I had in 13 months!

While we waited the nurses would pop in to tell us thank you.
Also, say I look great!
And that they like the photo of me and the Boys. :)

Then the PA came in.

She talked to us for a bit.
It really was chit chat and a look at my scar.

We told her about our crazy last 7 weeks.

She asked how our Sweet Bitty was handling everything.
So we touched base on his transition issues.

She went to ECU and Duke so we talked about ECU for a bit.
I rambled about my goals and how kick ass this all will be.

She left and Dr. Grossi came in almost immediately.
We really like him.

He talked to us about the pathology some.
It is great that the entire tumor was consistent with the biopsy.
Sometimes a tumor isn't but we are lucky!

We talked about how this will be deemed a chronic condition
That will need follow up the rest of my life.
All he has said before that we remembered.

And that is OK.

I am stubborn and will kick it as much as necessary.
Who knows perhaps it won't come back.
You never know!

He liked the copy of my brain Andrew made.
He said to get the post-op MRI and make one of those too.
So we shall see...

I told him about my WONDERFUL Boot Camp class.
I told him about the team too for The Angels Among Us 5K.

He laughed with us about some things
and
gave me a name of a group to look us that
does races and other fun things for fund raising

for Brain Tumor research.

I finally told him how I have meant to Thank him

each time I have seen him

through all of this.

That said I said,

“THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING

YOU HAVE DONE FOR US!”

He said, “Come here!”

and

gave me a giant hug.

Then Andrew said, “OK, how about a picture.”

I mentioned to him about this blog too.

So anyways, yeah.

It was a great visit.
He said he will be following everything

from my

Neuro-Oncologist

whom he spoke extremely highly of.

And

then asked to for us to come in

and

touch base in about 6 months.

If we want.

We said, “OF COURSE!”

So, yup.

Like I said, he is PHENOMENAL!

Throughout all the time there Andrew and I

were both starving.

We hit up Char-Grill on the way back home.

Mmmmmm.

I love me some meat.

(hahaha..yeah..don't mind me. )

So, yes, I ate a ½ pound cheeseburger

and

some fries.

Mmmmm...

Yes, I can eat like Andrew

or

perhaps he can eat like me.

Yes..so we took some photos...

Today was a great day!

Andrew holding the model of my brain while we were waiting. 

Dr. Grossi posing for a photo with me.  Like I have said he is a Rock Star!!

My Lunch

What our table looked like when we were done.
I Love this Man!