HALLELUIAH she's here!

A women with a mission!

Arty and Momma Judi

Aunt Cathy and Uncle Bill

BRAIN TUMORS ROCK!!!

Michelle is in the casa and I am a happy camper.  The energy changed the minute she got out of the car.  It makes me realize how precious time is and I need to see my sisters more.  I have the tumor to thank for the realizations, but I will not be sad to see it go.  It has done its time.  Michelle came bearing gifts of love, new clothes for two weeks and an angel of healing that will make the trip to the hospital with me.  My Aunt Cathy and Uncle Bill came over and made us dinner, dessert and it was delicious.  I am being pampered way more than I deserve.  Michelle already had me to the bank, went to grocery store, made homemade cookies and started my massive heap of filing all in an hours time.  I can not tell you how blessed I am to have her keep me sane before the adios tumor day.  I really feel good and a little guilty for all this pleasure.  I love my sis and I am so happy she is here.

Your SPOILING me!

I just got another care package and I am overwhelmed with all the love that is being delivered my way.  I am saving every email and card that I get and taking them with me to the hospital.  I want to say special thanks to: Melissa Rosa -for the darling necklace with the great message, Tamara-for the beautiful homemade blanket, Michelle, KK, Courtney and Cameron for some really cute pajamas.  I needed those! I will be stylin and looking good.  Michelle Z I loved the flowers.  Every email, every card is so special and counts so much!!  Thank You!  Thank You! Kisses! Kisses!  I feel like I have won the Academy Award. 

A Sunny Sunny Day in Cali

I got 10 hours of sleep last night thanks to Judi's sleep aids-God love her for sharing.  It is a beautiful sunny day and I am feeling really good.  No headaches or pressure.  I feel pretty normal. I was outside today with the kids watching them run their jeeps into everything and I was so happy.  As time is nearing I am understanding that I am growing in my faith and courage.  I was reflecting on life before BT and it was really good, but life after BT already feels different.  I don't think I will take things so seriously.  I need to slow down and be more present to the moment.  My head is spinning and the list just grows and grows.  As you all know I have had my struggles in the past with a blood disorder ITP at 15, struggles with alcohol in my teens, but this lesson is different.  I contribute it  to my own personal growth through the years, being married and having 2 wonderful children.  I think I Get it Now!  I know I am just scratching the surface of what this journey has to offer.  Michelle arrives in 2 hrs.

A little rough day!

It is probably due to the lack of sleep last night.  I am feeling a little frontal head pressure and behind my right ear some neck tingling.  Judi came and took me to get a mexican lunch (my favorite) this afternoon and it was good to get out of the house.  I then actually got to take a little cat nap on the couch while the kids were watching a movie and eating popcorn.  The carpet is a wreck-corn everywhere-oh well!  I then got on the internet, which was probably not the brightest idea since I am not feeling 100%.  I got really involved in trying to find a story with someone that has a tumor the size of my golden golf ball of 4cm.  Most stories I am finding they are much smaller.  The larger the more side effects from surgery.  I found this guy with the same size at 4cm and he walked me through his experience.  It is great reading for a tumor humor  check it out at http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2006/jan/19/lifeandhealth.g2.  It was an eye opener and it scared me a little.  He experienced R facial paralysis and could not close his right eye.  His recovery was a little more involved than I was expecting.  I was hoping to be fully functioning back taking care of my kids and at my desk in two weeks.  I guess I should be more realistic, so my expectations are not crushed.  He had a gold plate surgically implanted in his eye, so his lid would open and close. My doctor mentioned that procedure to me as well.  I was really impressed with his attitude and hope to have the same spirit. I hate to sound vain, but I just want to smile again and have a functioning eye, so I don't scare people away.  I really want to play tennis again too.  Well I feel better now and I am going to try and contact the guy to see what his status is today 2 years later.  Again this could of killed me if it was not caught and I am lucky to have found it not a day later.  Michelle hurry up already and get here.  She will be here tomorrow and I am sure she has tons in store for me. Ive got lots of fun filing for us to conquer.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Where are the ZZZZZZZZZ's I can not sleep!! Uncle Chuck - thanks for checking in so often!

Wide awake and on 50mg of Benadryl  2:04 Am

Here are the boys-was missing them!

-3:00 am still up

-crashed about 4:15 am

Dentist Today

I had another good day--I am buzzing around here on a decadron frenzy.  I forget what I am doing half the time and move onto something else.  I seem to be most settled in front of the computer or with the kids.  I got some dental work done today and the neighbors have been life savers  with car pooling.  I got your phone call Aunt Cathy Hansen and loved it. The spiders are in both eyes and move when my eyeballs move, but they are always hanging out in same corner of my eyes.  The left spider is more prominent and right is actually a lot more translucent.  I should name them like you said-Ill keep you posted.  Hope their dead soon! I am getting really excited, Michelle is coming in 2 days.  She will be great company and hopefully be able to keep me focused on something.

The Simpson Girls are falling apart!!

She is gonna kill me for posting this, but I got a frantic phone call from Julie down in Texas this morning. She bent over to get baby Lila and her back went out on her.  She was barely able to get the phone and call dad.  I stayed on the phone with her and she was in excruciating pain and unable to move at all.  She was locked in her house and she was half on and half off the couch. The baby was crying in a jumpy seat a couple of feet away.  She was strong and held it together. As we all know she is one tough cookie and I have never heard her in such agony.  I called our cousin Trent and he called 911.  Dad and Trent both arrived and they took her via ambulance to  the hospital for an MRI.  We are hoping for a strained muscle or spasms. Boy what a reminder not to take our body and health for granted once again.  Poor Chris was in trial and Julie didn't want to bother him.  Its tough nursing 1600 miles away. Good rescue work Trent and DaddyO!

**update-spasms-she's ok-LOVE YOU JULES!

2nd OPINION

Our dear neighbors Dr. Dan and Carol Merrill presented us with an opportunity to meet with Dr. Ross Davis.  A world renown Neurophysiologist and Neurosurgeon from Sidney, Australia.  He works with Dan in the research and development of micro-stimulators to restore neurological disabilities .  I could go on all day about Dan and Dr. Davis's work they are really making a difference and are passionate about the cause.  So he took a look into my little ol brain and guess what-yep its a tumor all right MRI's tell no lies.  He reassured us that surgery was the best option and the technique that Dr. Mastrodimus would be using is my best option.  He took a lot of time explaining my brain and ran a few neurological test on me.  He had me walk a straight line with my eyes closed.  I was surprised I was not very stable.  I never realized how bad my imbalance had gotten.  He said I would be going through an "adjustment" period for a while after the tumor was removed.  The brain matter will eventually reposition it self where the tumor once was.  I wonder if I will be smarter, have an increase in memory, dominate in scrabble, have personality changes or develop super powers.  Should be exciting!!  Thank you Dan and Carol! **He still wasn't sure about the spiders-they may become permanent residents.