Pasta Boy!

Tonight for dinner we had tortellini!

Dash loved it-can you tell?! Ella's Birthday is tomorrow- we let her open all her presents today! We got her a Zhu Zhu pet named Fluffy! She absolutely loves it! She really wants a real hamster-so we thought this would be the next best thing! She is talking to it right now as I write this! She pets it and treats it like its real! They are watching Barbie in a Mermaid Tale together! :)

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27

Well, I can't believe its been 5 weeks since my surgery! I'm doing great! Every day it gets a little better! I'm still pretty tired, and sometimes nauseated, but I'm able to get through! My headaches have diminished- the Lord is taking care of me- and I'm trying to rest in His arms. Dan goes back to work next week- I'll miss him, so will Dash! I was changing Dash's diaper yesterday- for the first time in like 6 weeks- he looked at me funny- he was just staring at my face like "mommy- you're changing me?" where's daddy?" I need to build up my muscles- once again- in order to lift Dash- He weighs 27lbs! Dan and I saw the Doctors at the Cleveland Clinic on Wednesday. They said I can get back into the swing of things. I'm going to start exercising again because I gained about 20lbs. due to the Cushing's Disease! I weigh right now about as much as when I was 9 months pregnant with Dash! Its kind of frustrating- but I know that I can do it - I did it before- the lbs. came right off- with hard work. I'm going to start slow- by walking around my block- since the weather is nice! I'll take it day by day step by step!

Big Boy!

I'm so excited about this Big Boy Vintage Bank! It just makes me smile- I guess! He looks just like Dash! -except for the blue eyes. I found him at the Thrift Store last week! Its in perfect condition!Dan thinks I'm crazy because I can't stop talking about it! Maybe its the meds talking! I do love going to the thrift store and finding interesting vintage pieces- they are way cheaper than ebay or the antique mall! Anyway- its nice that I'm able to get out more now- growing stronger each day! I'm still pretty worn out at times- usually I take a nap once a day! Its such a blessing to have Dan home during this time- he'll be going back to work in a week- I can't believe its been 4 weeks since my surgery! I will miss him when he goes back! I'm going to have to build up my arm muscles so I can lift up Dash- he's 26lbs.! I see the surgeon next week at the Cleveland Clinic- they are slowly tapering down my Cortef- so hopefully I can start gaining more energy- and my face and body can go back to normal! Sometimes I get impatient- I would love to just snap my fingers and have everything go back to the way it was! The Lord is teaching me patience through this recovery- its going to take some time. I need to just trust and rest in His healing arms! I know He will restore me!

She's proud of him- and I don't feel like eating anything!

Just the other day Ella told Dan that she was proud of him!

She said "Because you take care of Dash and you pick me up from school"- "all of the other parents just 'smile' when they pick their kids up"! I guess Dan must do something extra special when he picks Ella up- she is a daddy's girl! :)

Update on Recovery:

Yesterday Dan and I went to the Cleveland Clinic for a check-up- everything is going good- I'm on Cortef (a steriod drug) to help me come down off of the cushing's high safely and comfortably. I can totally tell the difference between having cushing's disease and not having it! I can stay up past 7:00! Whoo Hooo! I don't feel like eating everything I see! And I think my hair has stopped falling out! I do get some headaches now and then- that's when narcotics come in handy!:) The headaches are due to sinus pressure (fluid in the sinuses) due to the surgery. Hopefully they will resolve quickly- that is my prayer- currently! The doctor said that the mass was 4mm and the pathology revealed one of cushing's disease! Good news because its not a malignant tumor- that would be very rare! The Lord is good- He has blessed me with so much! I will praise Him!

This man is amazing!

This man is doing an amazing job at being mister mommy while I recover!

He's got no complaints! It's hard taking care of a fussy, skwermy, wormy 17 month old at times! Poop doesn't faze him anymore! I knew he would be a good father- but not this good! He does get tired at times- I say "Welcome to my world"- but he keeps on going- and going strong! All without caffeine- I must add. He cut back on caffeine a couple months ago- he was drinking it all day long- now he only drinks about one cup a day! It just amazes me! God gives him the strength- I know it! I am so proud of him, and all he does for our family! The Lord has truly blessed me with such a wonderful husband! I learn something new about love, life, and family each day I am with him. His testimony challenges me to be a better person- and I love him so much for that!

My Time is Now....:)

My Time is Now!

Psalm 139:13,14

"For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb."

"I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are your works, and that my soul knows very well."

I am so thankful I live now- in the 21st Century!

Ahhhhh Technology! Its so amazing what Doctor's can do in this day and age- especially for Cushing's Disease! Back in the old days-like just 100 years ago- I probably would have just died from this terrible disease! My whole surgery was basically done through my nose and guided by an MRI! Amazing! Just 50 years ago they would have had to cut my skull open in order to get to the tumor. The Lord knew my life had to be now so he could show me his great and wonderful power! While I was at the Cleveland Clinic last week the Lord kept reminding me that He was in total control of my life- and He placed me exactly where he wants me! He never gives us anything we cannot handle! My time is Now- so I'd better run with it- He will guide me.

She wore hot pink nail polish to her brain surgery!

First of all, let me thank everyone who was praying for me on March 26! Thank you :) Thank you! My surgery lasted about 3 hours- they removed the tumor! I spent 4 days in the hospital, and they had to monitor me by drawing blood every couple of hours to see if the cortisol levels would drop to normal. It worked!

I'm gonna brag (a little bit) about my wonderful husband and best friend!

While I was in the hospital Dan was so supportive! He slept on an old, vinyl, squeaky chair by my bedside every night! I told him he could go back to the hotel at night and sleep- but he said "I'm not leaving here without you" - so sweet- what a wonderful guy!

Next- comes the hard part-the recovery!!!

Let me just say- Percocet and anti-nausea meds are my best friends right now!

Dan and I had to make a trip to the ER last night- because I was having really, really bad headaches and nausea for 2 days straight! I told Dan I'd rather have 10 kids at once then experience this type of pain! Well, the ER gave me something 10X stronger than morphine, and I could still feel some twinges-it did give me some relief though. I also had a CT scan- to see if anything was leaking. The CT scan showed that there was no leaking- just a lot of fluid in my sinuses. This fluid is just from the surgery. I was relieved! The ER later sent me home with different pain meds and anti-nausea medication - and they are currently working great!

I'm high as a kite right now-so it is taking me forever to write this! Anyway, I'm on the road to recovery, the Lord is good.