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.

Robots, Denny's, and Country Elvis

Yesterday, Dan and I had a nice date to the Cleveland Clinic!

I had to see the ear, nose, and throat Dr. before surgery as well as get a CT scan of my sinuses!

They said my sinuses looked great, I had little ear canals, and if you take off your nose than you would just have 2 holes! I thought to myself "please don't take off my nose!" Well, actually they said alot more, but I've been getting so much information lately- my brain hurts!

To be completely honest I would much rather go on a date with my husband to Hawaii! I honestly could not get through all these appointments without him- he's my rock- here on earth! God is my big rock- in heaven!

Anyway- let me explain Robots, Denny's, and Country Elvis:

Robots- For my CT Scan appointment we had to go to the basement of the Cleveland Clinic. As we exited the elevator there were flashing lights everywhere and a track of robots moving supplies by themselves- we just had to laugh! Although, they did kind of freak us out!

Denny's- The place we stopped at for our dinner date on the way home! We are pretty tired of eating McDonalds (Big Mac Snack Wraps for me :)) for every meal! We haven't been to Denny's in like 10 years! We know there are some in Columbus- but not sure where! Anyway, we were way too excited to eat there- but it was soo darn good!!!! (Try the fried pancake balls dipped in syrup!!!!)

Country Elvis- We jammed to this on the way home! Let me tell you this CD is a great CD! If you like Elvis (like we do) and you like country music than you should get this CD! I know I sound like a big dork, but we had fun!

Ella's Picks!

Here's Ella's Brackett!

It cracks me up!

She filled it out very carefully- and circled the winner!

When I asked her why she chose Michigan St. to win it all- she responded- " Because Magic Johnson taught them all how to play basketball real good!"

Smart girl!

Ella loves to read all of Dan's old NBA magazines- so I think she is a little stuck in the 80's and 90's! Magic Johnson is her favorite player! She does have a LeBron James jersey and loves to wear it- she also loves the Kobe/LeBron puppet commercials- she watches them on YouTube quite often! I sometimes can't believe this little girl is only 6 years old! She seems so wise beyond her years! I guess she has an old soul! Although- she always says she never wants to grow up! I respond - "Yeah, me too!" :)

Here's the hair!

Here's the new color- slightly lighter more golden/ reddish! I really like it! It covered the two gray hairs! Yay!

Well- exactly one week till Surgery!

This time next Friday I'll be sedated, and hopefully tumor free!

I just got my pre-surgery itinerary in the mail from the Cleveland Clinic- it felt like Christmas! Really it did! I'm very excited! Can you tell! I have to see various doctors starting Thursday- I also need to have some tests like blood work, CT scan, MRI scan, EKG, and nurses appointments before I can get cleared for surgery. I know I'll pass- I'd better! I think the reason I'm so excited is because this disease makes you feel so horrible- I just want to get back to regular life- as quickly as possible! I've got kids to play with- and I need lots of energy! :) The Lord has truly helped me to have a positive attitude- its all about faith! Blind faith!

"He went out, not knowing whither he went." Hebrews 11:8

"Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading."

Oswald Chambers