The Big C

     So this post contains no pics but I have to blog about it because that is what I do. And I am a pretty open person so here it goes. On April 24, 2014 I was diagnosed with cervical cancer. I will not forget that day forever. I had an interview that afternoon and the dr. called on the way to the interview. I knew something was up because it was my actual doctor calling, not the nurse this time. It was after the interview I called her back and found out. I had a leep procedure done the week before to get rid of some pre-cancerous cells and when the pathology came back in showed cancer. I talked to the doctor as I sat in my car in the schools parking lot. My doctor couldn't believe it either. She just kept saying she was sorry and couldn't believe that it came back this way. I immediately called Peter and he was as shocked as I was. I went into school because I didn't know what else to do and changed out of my suit and back into my work clothes and Adrienne knew something was up and as soon as I was changed I lost it. I just started crying.
     I think the hardest thing next to do was to tell our families. I had very little information and didn't have a doctors appointment for almost 2 weeks. That weekend we told all of our immediate family and a few very close friends. That Friday the oncologists office called and said that they could move my appointment up because of a cancellation, so I took it. On Monday, Peter, my mom and I went to see the oncologist. It was hard and I felt nauseous the whole time. The oncologist was very nice and explained everything. I was a little leary because I do not like men doctors and the doctor was a man. But, he answered all of my questions and my mom's questions and peter's questions and we set the surgery date. He had said that because we caught it so early their would be a minimal chance for chemo or radiation. He couldn't say for sure until the surgery. So the date was set for June 3rd. We could not do it sooner because of the leep procedure that had been done the week prior to me finding out. The rate of a pelvic infection was too high and the doctor said it wasn't worth the risk. Cervical cancer is not a fast spreading cancer and it does not 'hop' to other organs. So we wait.
    We waited, and waited, and waited. I think that was one of the worst parts of this whole ordeal. So for 39 days I waited. I know people wait a lot longer and have outcomes far worse than mine. But when you hear those words-'you have cancer' no one can prepare you for that. Your mind goes to so many different places and it is scary. I have an even greater respect for those who have faced and conquered cancer. Besides being scared and anxious the next 39 days showed me how truly blessed I am. I have the best friends and family a girl could ask for. So many people are behind me and praying for me and love me. My bunco girls had t-shirts made, a friend made a care calendar for the month of June for me with daily dinners and help with the girls during the day and my mom handed out bracelets that say 'no one fights alone' and I received many other tokens of love. I was overwhelmed with the love that I felt from so many people. I don't think I cried happy tears this much in a long time. Peter was my rock and still is. I do not know what I would have done with out him. He has let me lean on him and cry with him and everything. I have fallen more in love with him than I ever knew existed.
    June 3rd finally arrived and we headed to the hospital bright and early. I was the doctors first surgery that day. The surgery went well and he got it all. They sent it out and when the pathology came back it confirmed that he had gotten it all! I can say that I am cancer free!!! I was in the hospital overnight and was very ready to come home. The pain killers did not work like they should and the nurses did not believe me (from what I understand that is a red-head thing). I made it home on Wednesday. That is when I felt even more love and cried and thanked God for all the good in my life. My awesome friend Cyndi was the one who set up the care calendar. Everyday in the month of June someone was doing something to help us out, either by cooking, staying with me, taking me somewhere, taking care of the girls or taking them to where they needed to be. I have to say that having that much support is rare and I have the best of family and friends. I just still am so amazed!
     I am on the road of recovering. I am 2 weeks past my surgery date and finally feel more like myself. The first week was really rough. I do have some nerve damage in my leg (not where any incisions were) so we will have to deal with that, but when I think about what could be I am thankful and will deal with it. For those of you who read this thank you! Thank you for being there, thank you for caring, thank you for praying and thank you for helping! I couldn't have made it through with out each and every one of you! I am so truly blessed!!!!

Nora's Birthday and CAID at Cards Game

So on Nora's actual birthday we headed to the Cardinals vs Cubs game. At this game the Clark Academy of Irish Dance performed before the game. She was excited and I let her eat whatever she wanted at the game. She had nachos, sno cone and cotton candy. I am surprised she didn't get sick and it was soooo hot! She was also the lucky CAID kiddo to go on the field before the game. So Nora and I (after they danced) headed down on the field where they announced her name and put her on the jumbo screen and said she was from Clark Academy! It was pretty cool if I do say so myself. And as you can tell in the pics she got a crown from school and didn't want to take it off. She wore it on the field and most of the evening too. She was so proud to wear the crown for her birthday! We had a fun evening!!

And I have to add that we finally went for her 6 year check up and she was a champ! She is in the 70th percentile for height and weight and is 3' 11" and weighs 50 lbs!

Nora's 6th Birthday Party

It has been a while (a month actually) and I am finally blogging Nora's 6th Birthday. It is so hard to believe that my baby is 6 years old. There are moments when I feel like it has gone super fast and moments that feel like it has been forever. I can barely remember time without her! She wanted to do her party at one of the bounce places and a month before we went to a party at a place called Bounce U. It was awesome and they did everything! (which is just fantastic). Here are some pics from her party. She had a great time!

They even took the pictures for us! That night we let her pick where she wanted to go for dinner and she picked Buffalo Wild Wings. She just loves that place and it is beyond me why.