Caring Bridge for Dad

My dad has been feeling just horrible since the holidays. We spent the day in the ER - this morning they ran tests, then they told us he would be admitted... and then we waited six hours for a bed. Finally we got him settled into a room tonight. Hopefully we'll get some answers tomorrow. We've set up a Caring Bridge website for family and friends to keep updated on the status of his health. Thank you in advance for your hopeful thoughts and prayers.

dads are the best.

Happy Birthday, to my awesome dad -

who has always protected me from the icky things in this life.

 

 

 ... with the exception of this haircut.

grandma's green birthday

My grandmother's birthday was on St. Patrick's Day, so many of my cousins, uncles, and aunts met in Richmond for family, fellowship, and cake! Everyone is growing so fast, so it was a great day to catch up.

 

The kiddos found these stools on wheels and had lots of loud fun.

 

We ate cake.

 

 

baby henry was popular...

 

 

...and, I got to ride home in the back seat with him all to myself.

 

the most wonderful time of the year?

How sad is it that I have begun to dread November and December? I feel like holding my breath, crossing my fingers, and closing my eyes until Christmas. These months have brought the greatest pain to me and my family over the last five years. Each November and/or December has brought serious challenges for my family - surgeries, job loss, cancer diagnosis, death, addiction-related conflict, etc... It's no wonder that I go into a winter coma each year, and my friends have to drag me out of my funk come Spring.

I had hoped that 2012 would be different, but I am sad to say that it's more of the same. We recently learned that John's mom has cancer. Unfortunately, this is not an unfamiliar road for John. He lost his father to cancer when he was a teenager. His mom will begin six weeks of radiation and chemotherapy starting next week - Monday through Friday, right through the holidays.

Since my last post about my Dad, he has stopped working and became a grandfather. To say he is doing better is the understatement of the century! We were also happy with the results of his recent scan.
 

Cancer is not the c-word you are accustomed to hearing about this time of year, but cancer knows no boundaries. This disease really creates a loneliness that can't be explained - and for many, is probably exaggerated around the holidays. Loneliness for those afflicted, and for their caregivers and loved ones too. It doesn't matter how loved you are or how great your support system is, people do back off when someone gets cancer. Sometimes, it's just too heavy. Sometimes I think people are afraid the bad news will rub off on them.

In the last months, my Dad has found great peace, community, and comfort at Gilda's Club. Gilda's Club aims to build community, "so that no one faces cancer alone." The mission of Gilda's Club Kansas City is to ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community.

Many people ask me how they can help our family, and this is one way. If you are looking to make a donation during this holiday season, please consider giving to Gilda's Club.

cousin love

ali's baby shower

Kristin and I hosted a baby shower for Ali and baby boy Haynes.

 

 

We had everyone tell Baby Haynes what their wishes and hopes are for him.

 

Then we tried to guess when his birthday will be! Look out world, he is coming soon!

 

It was a wonderful day.

sold.

For months, on many long Saturdays, we have been preparing my grandparent's house to go on the market, after moving them into assisted living homes last Fall.

I learned many lessons about wallpaper, heard many stories about old keepsakes and had roller-coaster emotions over discussions about my grandparent's possessions. While I hoped to have pieces of their lives in my home, it is a very strange thing to discuss, and it is equally hard to watch your grandfather sit angrily across the room while you sort through things that filled his home.

And now, after all the hard work of my dad, his brothers, and their wives... the house is sold. We worked very hard for months, and have been blessed and lucky to sell this house. So now we move into the next phase... mourning this house that was a home, this house that held a family. my family.

updates

Dad is home. The surgery was successful. Hopefully cancer free!

Grandma is getting worse. Please be thinking of her.

John and I picked a wedding reception venue.

Busy at work.

Almost done shopping for Xmas.

Life is moving fast.

Kinda glad to say adios to 2010.

information overload

It has been a long week.

Please be thinking of my dad who will be having his kidney removed on Thursday. We found out just last Monday that he has kidney cancer - specifically, a very large tumor in his kidney. We hope that this surgery will remove all cancer cells and return him to good health.

We lost my cousin Skyler three years ago. I have no idea how three years have passed, yet they have. I think about him this week and the gift he was to those who loved him.

My grandmother went into the hospital this week also. My sweet, sweet grandmother will probably not be back at the assisted living center we just moved her and my Grandpa into. Her care-needs are growing and the Alzheimers is really taking its toll.

I have our wedding and Christmas on the brain too - information overload. Jewelee can tell you that I haven't been completing full sentences this week... or words... and I came into work with my shirt on inside-out today... thank goodness she knows I am completely overwhelmed mentally. haha

Tonight I took a bubble bath with my favorite calming ipod playlist... and it really calmed me down. Have you ever heard this song? Years ago a friend had this playing when you pulled up her blog. I used to pull up her blog just to hear it. Tonight it brought me the comfort I needed.

 

"I melt in your peace, it's overwhelming."
 

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.
Psalm 143:8

count your blessings.

count your blessings.

We found out that my grandfather has cancer last week.

count your blessings.

We had to move him and my grandmother into an assisted living facility -

worst.feeling.ever.

count your blessings.

My young, vibrant, mom-of-the-year cousin had a stroke on Friday.

She may be going home soon, but we still don't know enough.

count your blessings.

This is the phrase I keep repeating in my head.

Things change quickly - a seemingly normal week can change in an instant.

So, I keep repeating it.

Hoping that if I send up enough thanks, I will receive more.

First one down

Another busy weekend, but a great one! I was able to cross #52 off of my List - I finally made it back to a K-State home game. I have become so used to watching the game on my couch, I forgot what it was like to be there for the real thing. It was a long day, but it was really fun. 100 to go!

A lot happening with my family right now... My dad learned very recently that his place of business will be closing. My mom has also been out of work since January. All you can do is count your blessings and do your best to improve your situation.

Skyler's death taught me one very important thing: today is your life - live it. Good day or bad day, hardships or blessings, I will search for joy and reason in each day.