Kids...gotta love em...

I have finally managed to get the five of us and a puppy packed for our next adventure, but not without blood, sweat, and tears. All from me at one point, kids...gotta love 'em!

Why the blood, sweat, and tears? It all began Monday when I made an all call for laundry. Laundry which would be packed for our 8 day adventure. Laundry, which I would later find, had pulled a Houdini and "disappeared"! My 14 year old tells me she's packed and ready to go. OK, let me see what you have packed. She brings me the smallest bag she owns and inside she has packed ONE pair of panties, 10 tops, a pair of socks that don't match, no bras, no bottoms, no swim attire, no pajamas, and no shoes. But by golly she is packed and ready to go!...NOT!! So, I go to her top drawer which is designated socks and undergarments to find it full of JUNK! Where are all of your panties? I don't know? I tore those drawers apart, hence the blood and sweat, and found a total of FIVE pairs of panties, one of which looked like swiss cheese and the other well I won't go there. Where are all your panties? I don't know, I think the dog ate them? And why did the dog eat them? I don't know, cuz I left them on the floor? ~blood boiling~ OK, fine...where are all the shorts and pants I just washed? I don't know? Well, you had better find them NOW! She dilly dallies, my blood boils some more, I open the closet door to find nothing other than dirty laundry shoved here and there that didn't make it to the wash pile the day before. A few choice words...a lot of choice words...guess who had to do laundry? Not me! 10:30 last night I finished packing her stuff! No tears from this one though, she's a tough nut to crack!

While waiting on the 14yo to wash and dry her laundry, I packed up Mr. Wonderful and myself. Little Man was easy, out of the three of them he's the tidiest. No blood, sweat, or tears from him.

This morning, off to pack up Middle Child. This morning because I walked in her room last night and walked right back out, it was a DISASTER! Oh, and she had all her stuff laid out and ready to be packed. Let's just say she had everything, well most everything, she needed. I've gotta give her credit there, but I couldn't make heads or tails out of it. So I moved it to the top of the pile of CRAPOLA on top of her dresser. After a full nights sleep and a pot of coffee, I was ready to tackle getting her stuff packed. Until I reassessed what she had laid out, not quite enough to get by for 8 days. Open the closet to grab the clothes needed to finish packing. Clothes are MIA, found out she snuck them in the donation bag a couple months ago! A few choice words...A LOT of choice words! In my rant, I tripped over stuff hanging out from under her bed. Took a closer look to find all the laundry I had just done two days ago shoved under there, along with an empty Cheetos bag, 14 half-drank water bottles, numerous candy wrappers, and a whole bunch of SHIT! ~blood boiling~ I ripped everything out from under there, along with about 10 bags shoved here and there with misc. SHIT shoved in them and literally dumped them in a pile on the floor. Mr. Wonderful, upon hearing my rant, stepped in and chewed a little too...well a lot, hence the tears. Told me to finish packing and get out of there! She had to clean it all! I gave her an hour to get it all in order, with very clear consequences of if it's on the floor in an hour it is garbage and if it's not put in the right spot, it's garbage. An hour later, a clean room emerges! Go figure...

Watch out Texas, here we come!

And the hits keep coming...

Another visit to the doctor today, another dose of WTF dumped on us...

This is the first time in a month I went to the Dr. with Mr. Wonderful for chemo, his mom was here and had been going with him. Most chemo days, he just checks in and gets chemo. Today we got the results from the PET scan he had last Friday. The results were in no way shape or form good. Again, there was spread. This time to the femur, humerus, T7, T14, the liver, lymph nodes in the lung, and a huge spot on the sacrum. Not to mention the already existing areas, all of which have increased in size and activity.

No chemo today since it is not doing what it needs to do. The Dr. says standard treatments aren't working, so he is referring us to TGen. It is my understanding that they operate clinical trials and can administer high risk, experimental drugs. That is, if after reviewing his medical history, they think they have something that might work/help. Not exactly what we were hoping to hear today.

I have to give credit to Mr. Wonderful. He took the news in stride, we've obviously had our fair share of ""bad news conversations, and we refuse to let this rule our lives. His outlook is we will find something that works...I am so proud of his bravery and strength and will to live.

In the meantime, our daily lives continue as usual. Nothing changes, we still go and do, we laugh, we play with the kids, and we live to enjoy each other and this precious life we have.

Long time, no post...

It has been quite crazy in my world and I do have a lot to say, but there is a shortage of time in my day. Soooooo, I have reverted back to the "old fashion" way and have been putting pencil to paper when a thought pops in my head. One of these days, I will get around to transferring it to the world of technology! Maybe...

Until then, a quick synopsis of what's been going on in Minarchinville...

January 9th, sprained my ankle (really bad). Went to urgent care where I was given a set of crutches and an ace bandage for my $30, and instructions to let pain be my guide...x-ray negative for fracture. March-ish, ankle still swollen and giving me problems. Resumed normal activity and two mile nightly walks. Finally had enough, called the doctor who scheduled MRI and x-ray. MRI results show 3 torn ligaments and fluid in the ankle joint. Off to the specialist I go. Spent 4 weeks stewing over the visit, with moron doctor, in a lace up athletic brace...no change, if anything it was worse. April-ish, appointment with specialist #2. Immediately puts me in a walking boot and sends me off for MRI with contrast. THAT was fun...NOT! The results from that MRI showed the same torn ligaments and a tendon canal that resembled "swiss cheese". 6 weeks in a boot for me. In the meantime, I had to be cast for a Ritchie brace. For those of you who don't know, a Ritchie brace is a real fancy, hinged brace that has to be worn with tennis shoes (I opted for the blue snakeskin). If you know me, I HATE WHEN MY FEET ARE RESTRICTED AND HOT, not real thrilled with the idea. Picked that up on Wednesday and had fitting with Dr. on Thursday, during which time he informed me that I would spend a minimum of 3 MONTHS in that brace, more like 4-6 months! UGH! 3 MONTHS? IN ARIZONA? IN THE SUMMER? ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME? REALLY? Guess I have to suck it up, it beats surgery...maybe. At least I have mobility and can continue all that I do without worrying about surgery and recovery time.

Now for all that I do...
Spring was filled with exciting Basketball games/cheer, track meets, and baseball. Three kids in sports is exhausting to say the least, but that is over and things have settled down...a little.

Mr. Wonderful is still undergoing cancer treatment/chemo. This is beginning month 5 since we started again in February. He had a scan in March that showed a few new spots in the lungs and no change in other areas. Not fantastic news in that there was spread, however no NEW areas were affected. The oncologist changed the type of chemo, which he now gets every Monday along with a bio agent chemo he has been getting since the beginning and he added a bone building med every 4 weeks. Mr. Wonderful is hanging in there, discouraged by his looks, but hanging. He had another scan today, will have the results when we go in for chemo on Tuesday. Hoping for the best (no new spread), and preparing for the worst. This whole thing has been both mentally and physically taxing, especially coupled with the loss of my Mother in November.

Life has not been all that bad, just hit some giant potholes the past 12 months. Kiddos are all doing well, getting ready for a trip to Texas next week for a wedding, and contemplating a trip to Ohio in July provided all is well on the home front.

Signing off for now, as I have a 4hr exam to take in the morning. Apparently a college degree isn't good enough to be considered "highly qualified" to teach in the state of AZ. More on that at a later time...

Just when you think...

...things are going to get better, you get slammed with another life-changing event.

I can't believe I'm sitting here about to type this...

The past two weeks have been a whirlwind of WTF!? On the 24th we got news from the Dr. that Mr. Wonderful's cancer had returned. Not only has it returned, it is stage 4, terminal. The average expectancy...average 1yr, 6mo if you aren't so lucky, 18-24 if you are really really lucky. The good news is that the original throat cancer is no longer there...it has moved to left and right iliac, sacrum, L4, 8th rib, lymph nodes in chest, and several measurable spots in both lungs.

Heading to hospital at the ass-crack of dawn to have a central line/chemo port placed in his chest. Once he is released from that procedure, straight to the oncology office to get another 1st round of chemo. I absolutely HATE the thought of going through this AGAIN! It was horrible to see someone go through all he went through last summer and have to face it again, with grim hope that he will be the exception.

Although it is hard to see God's will in this, I'm keeping the faith. If you read this, please say a prayer for us and ask others to do the same.

Family Feud

Boy oh boy...I don't even know where to begin this one. I'm still beside myself after the phone call I got from my brother earlier today. The call came from my Aunt, while he was at work, telling him that the "sisters" have been talking and they are selling the house that he lives in and they are giving him first chance to buy it at the whopping sale price of 65K! (The last appraisal on the house was in the low 30s, several years ago. If I'm not mistaken, the real estate market in Morgan Co. hasn't jumped in years....the property is probably only valued at 20-25K...and they are offering it to him at 65K?)

First of all, we invited all the sisters to a meeting when Mom passed less than two months ago. We wanted them to know what we were dealing with on the financial end, which is a bankrupt estate, and to make sure that there would be no surprises in store for my brother as far as having a place to live since he rents from one of the sisters. A unanimous "you don't have anything to worry about" came from the 6 sisters in attendance, which gave us a little peace of mind in selling Mom's house.

My. my how things can change in a matter of weeks! Since Mom is no longer here to take care of all of grandma's paperwork and nursing home bills and rent and utilities on grandma's house (the one my brother is/was renting), it is now "a pain in the ass" to keep up. Funny it wasn't so much a bother when Mom was doing all that paperwork. It just pisses me off to think that the same people who were by our sides a few weeks ago mourning the death of our Mother, are now selling grandma's house (who by the way is still alive) out from under my brother leaving him scrambling to find another place "ASAP". Unbelieveable!

My Mother is probably rolling over in her grave right this moment! The closest connections to Mom, treating her kids like this....I wash my hands of them! As does my brother, who is at one of the sister's houses right now letting them know, face-to-face, exactly what he thinks. Good luck little brother, we are only doing right by Mom...she wouldn't have let this happen.

And for the record, I did call the sister in charge to verify that what my brother thought he heard was actually what he had heard...sure enough, it was...without hesitation, straight up, we are selling the house as soon as possible. Nice, eh? Really freakin' nice!

Good Riddance...

2010...
I am so glad to put 2010 behind me and move on to 2011! I'm looking foward to new adventures, unexplored waters, and living life to it's fullest... because you just never know what tomorrow will bring your direction.

Let's recap 2010...
January through March were pretty uneventful as I recall. So uneventful, in fact, that I can't even remember what we did for Spring Break! I had to text Mr. Wonderful and ask him what we did and he said we had a staycation and had visitors from Minnesota and Texas...ahhh, yes, I remember now! This getting old thing is for the birds!

April, Mr. Wonderful notices two lumps on the side of his neck which led to a plethora of tests, biopsies, and scans that were inconclusive. Didn't find out until May 25th (eldest child's 13th bday)that he had a tumor on his tongue that had spread to his lymph nodes. Another month of specialist visits and numerous other tests led to a treatment plan that consisted of 35 consecutive radiation treatments and three rounds of chemotherapy, and having a feeding tube placed.

Amid all the above turmoil and not knowing what the lumps on the lymph nodes were, our 14 year old Malamute, Shanook, took a turn for the worst... accidents in the house, constant barking from pain, and falling down all the time because his back legs and hips could no longer support the weight of his body. We ended up putting him to rest May 13th.

Although there was a lot of turmoil and unknown from April to June, there were also a few good times in there. One being a two night camping trip with The Gang on the 14th and 15th of May. It was meant to be Shanook's last camping trip, however, he didn't make it. We managed to have a good time, considering the circumstances, and made good memories with the family.

As soon as school was out, my Mom came to visit for a week. Hands down, that was the best visit she's ever had! She smiled the whole time, swam with the kids, made a gingerbread house, hiked in the mountains, and I didn't want her to go home. In fact, I offered her a room of her own and to make arrangements to have her clothes and car brought out so she could live with us. I truely believe that she would have done it in a heartbeat if it weren't for her feeling obligated to taking care of her Mom.

July, August, September... Chemo and radiation treatments began June 28th, chemo kicked in and reeked havoc on July 2nd (middle child's bday). Treatments continued daily and took their toll on Mr. Wonderful, physically. And on myself mentally and emotionally. Going through something like that changes one's perspective tremendously and also reduces the number of weeds in the yard! Last chemo comes August 9th, a relief because the end is near...5 more radiation treatments left before the healing process could begin. Chemo kicked in August 12th (my bday), followed by about a solid month of Mr. Wonderful vomiting and spitting and gagging while the inside of his mouth and throat shed the layers of radiated tissue and began to heal and he could once again swallow. If chemo and radiation weren't enough, every night was a battle with the feeding tube "sucking in" causing problems. Mr. Wonderful swallowed his first bite of solid food on Labor Day, prior to that he was still using the feeding tube and eating soups and soft foods, which he said tasted horrible.

October, the feeding tube was removed! What a relief! The day that came out was the first night I had slept all night, in months, without being woke up to help with feeding tube issues. We celebrated little man's bday on Oct. 4th and Mr. Wonderful's 40th with a pirate bash on the 20th. Things were definitely looking up, especially since the results from his PET scan came back cancer-free three months after treatment and his taste buds were slowly coming back.
I also got my test results back from AEPA that I had passed Middle Grades Math for my Math Endorsement.

In celebration of having the feeding tube removed, we spent 3 magical days at Disneyland California and a day at Newport Beach. Both were absolutely amazing! We have about 400 pictures documenting our 4 day adventure!

November rolled around and life was going well, until Sunday the 21st when my whole world was once again turned upside down with the news that my mom had passed away. I guess our bodies are set up to function on autopilot during times like that because the entire trip to OH, making arrangements, the funeral, and nearly the whole month of December are a blurr. Christmas season was very difficult to say the least. I spent a good bit of it grieving my loss, but somehow mangaged to make it good for the kids.

As soon as Christmas dinner had been served and dishes done and family sent on their way, I started to put away all the decorations. Everything was completely put away three days prior to New Year's Eve. I'd had enough of 2010 and wanted to "put it all away" before a new year, a new journey began.

As 2011 begins...

I can take away from 2010 that life is way too short to sit around and dream of the things you'd like to do someday, you have to go do them now. Not only do them, but enjoy them and every moment you have with the people you love because you just never know when your last day is coming.

HMMMMM....

It has been two weeks and 3 hours since I received that dreaded phone call that you hope you never get. The past two weeks have been such a blur and the reality that my Mom is gone and I will never see her beautiful face or hear her voice on the other end of the phone or wake up to a good morning text is finally sinking in...

Trying to do anything this weekend is a constant reminder of her and has been very difficult. I keep reminding myself that she is still with me, watching over us, but it doesn't ease the pain. I miss her so much!