The Pathologist Says...

....Free and Clear!!

I have been sort of hush-hush about the whole situation. Please don't take it personal. Some things are hard for me to talk about until I can wrap my head around the details. This news took awhile to process. Tammy is at home and in recovery now so I feel it's safe to go into the details because I won't 1) overreact 2) bawl 3) blow things out of proportion AND now can focus strongly on the positive without fighting internally with my negative ego.

Tammy is Rick's older sister. For whose of you that haven't met her yet, she is the poster child of health. Exercises daily, eats pretty healthy (was on a "clean" eating kicking for a while) and one of the nicest people you will ever meet. I'm blessed to say I married into the best family. Tammy had difficulty breathing during a 5k race this spring. At first we all chalked it up to the fact she ran her first race ever in 21 mins. Quite a feat in itself. I mean, come on, who does that?

So she decided to go in and see if she could get medication for her self-prescribed ashma but instead found out she had a polyp in her nose. While in outpatient surgery to remove, the doctor discovered that it was 5 ½ inch tumor in her nasal cavity. Tammy went home for a strained recovery after losing a lot of brain/spinal fluid and blood. Still at this time, we were told everything was ok. The tumor was sent off for its procedural testing to discover something wasn't quite right. After additional testing, it was discovered to be a rare form of brain cancer. I'd insert the name here but frankly it's so long I can never spell it correctly to Google it.

A second surgery was scheduled with three specialists. The first time slot was a week before school started so Tammy opted to push it out one month "just in case" the recovery was the same or worse than the first time. In additional, more extensive testing the specialists felt that the cancer had rooted to a bone over her eye in front of the brain. Their hope was the bone blocked it from reaching her brain. This would be rare but the best scenario. The surgeons had prepped her and the family that they may need to remove a donor bone from behind her ear to insert should there be concerns once in surgery, or worst case scenario, they would select a synthetic bone to utilize in lieu of the one infected. The surgery was to be 5 hours minimum in length. The family collected at the hospital to blow up the joint with our positive energy and prayers. After 7 hours of surgery she was taken to recovery and we were given the formal update. The surgeons elected to shave the bone. The bone actually protects the dura. If the dura was damage it would affect the recovery time and the amount of fluids Tammy would have lost while in surgery (directly impacting her brain). There were 2 small nicks that sealed on their own. Other than that, things went better than they expected.

Tammy looks amazing having just undergone surgery. The whole surgery took place through her nose. Her very little nose. I was expecting swelling, bruising, and a bloody, scabbed nose when we went to see her in recovery. Nope. She looked like her normal self.

Last night we got the best news we could have gotten. The pathology report came back as clear. The extra bone they removed around the targeted spot showed no signs of cancer. That leads the doctors to believe they removed all of it with no additional treatment required. That means NO chemotherapy or radiation treatments. The prognosis for this type of cancer to return is slim to none. It looks like Tammy is in complete recovery.

I want to take a chance to thank everyone that offered their support and prayers. I'm blessed to have the best friends and family that were there to listen and let me cry on their shoulders or answer my zillion texts, no matter the crazy hours at times.

I'm not a hugely religious person. I do believe in a higher power that protects us all. I have always felt comforted by that feeling. A little strange given that I was not raised in a religious household and that half the time its contradictory to my other beliefs. I just feel there is. I can't define it. I prayed harder than I ever have before. Some of those prayers I actually assumed the position hoping it gave me a direct connection for my request somehow. Some praying took place in line waiting for a coffee, staring at my computer screen as I forgot the task at hand or holding onto my husband in tears. In situations, both good and bad, I always lean on the fact that everything is suppose to happen for a reason. The reason we have to discover and there in lies the struggle when you try to find good in something that doesn't make sense. I feel that this has opened my eyes again to the importance of family. I forget or sadly, take advantage, of the relationships that I have. I can't say I won't forget again because, after all, I am human. But this event has made me see and be thankful for the relationships that I have. Each and everyone of you. Smooches!!

Tammy - go sit down and rest like you are suppose to or I am coming over with the duct tape. Don't push me. You know I'll do it :)

It's That Time Again...Yeah

Season 8 of The Biggest Loser premiered last night. My pick is Abby. I'm sure most of America is rooting her on. Her story is just horrific!! If she can do it, anyone can!! I still love my Tara though. You go girl!!

PS. My fortune cookie from Monday read "A journey must begin with a single step". I'm back on the wagon.

Week One Conclusion

I thought I was all over the blogging thing lately but a few people have asked how the first school week has gone and why haven't I posted it. So here goes....

Verdict: Great!!

One activity this weekend was a cookout with all the host families and their students. My typical self was a little nervous about being around people I didn't really know in an environment I wasn't familiar with. It was a lot of fun. Currently in Clinton there are four students - Alex included. One family is hosting 2 boys, one on a temporary basis until he finds a permanent family. One boy has been troublesome. It's quite the culture shock coming from let's say Sweden as an example, to the small little town of Clinton. Not only that but the lifestyles are very different. Yacht to small farm. I think I would have a little trouble adjusting too. He has a great family thought that has been through this before and knows what to do. Hopefully it all works out.

One thing I wasn't prepared for was the students comparing notes on the hosts (still freaked out by the "parent" thing. We are known as Rick and Kristal only to Alex, not mom and dad. ever.). Yikes!! Never even dawned on me, why I didn't think of that is beyond me. I did over hear Alex say, "Well they don't care about that" or "They are cool that way" or "No they haven't done that yet" when it came to rules or different situations that the other kids have experienced. Frankly, I haven't felt the need to restrict him at all. We haven't had the rule, money or sex talk because it's like he is more a friend than anything else. Besides, HE monitors himself pretty well. He doesn't eat us out of house and home, he makes his bed (although still not to be my standard but I have adjusted and removed 5 of the pillows on it - teehee!!), he tells us when he is concerned about something, he does his homework without being told and asks for help where he needs it (which can I say I love this part. Weird, huh?), he doesn't overuse the internet or his cell phone, he tells us when he needs something for school or when he hates a certain vegetable (he hates corn, what's up with that?), he doesn't spend every waking minute in his room or talking to friends and family in Germany. He even cleaned and organized his closet the other day with the new school clothes he bought. Frankly, he is how I imagine our own kid would be. Hopefully. If that ever happened. Which it will not. Don't get any ideas. Just to clarify - Hosting is the closest we will get to children. Enough said :)

My heart even swelled a little bit when one of the other hosts asked him if he liked Clinton and staying with us. His answer: Clinton is great and he thinks he got the best of them all. sniff, sniff. sigh!

4 Years and Going

Can you believe we have surpassed our FOURTH wedding anniversary? We have long left my record in the dust. Now onto kicking Rick's previous record to the curb. It feels like it's still the honeymoon and a lifetime gone by all in the same breath. I still couldn't think of another person I want by my side for eternity. Love you baby!!

One Year Anniversary

Today marks the one year anniversary to blogging. It's been a great release to issues I need to deal with. Thanks Lisa for talking me into it. It's so much better than a journal :) It's a journal with pictures.

First Day Observations

Ok, ok!! Now I know why parents get so worked up when their kids go to kindergarten. I have always picked on my friends that go through this mourning period when their children start school. I have always thought that it should be more of a celebration in newly found freedom.

NOW I know why.... It is like you are releasing them to be their own person. AND hope you have done enough to prepare them for the world. For me, it's a little different since this is the first time and I don't have a previous relationship with my "kid". Our relationship has been short. But has it been impactful? The bond is growing. I have really come to enjoy the developing relationship between Rick and I and our student Alex. (I feel weirded out by calling him my "son". I think that should be the honor of the mother that actually gave birth but that's just my weird thing).

I went through a whole gamet of emotions.
Worry - What if the other kids are mean to him? What if he gets lost? What if he doesn't understand something?
Excitement - Will he makes new friends? Will he like his classes? Will he get into his locker?
Anxiousness - What if we are not cool and he hates us now?
Panic - Oh god!! Homework again!

Yesterday I was on pins and needles waiting until I could get an update on the "first day". The verdict: Alex likes it!! Yeah!

He said that there was boys that looked 12 years old and boys that looked like they were 21 years old. He likes changing classes every hour. His English teacher will be rough. A little scary since this is his feared class too. He's got cute girls in his PE aka "Athletic Conditioning" class. He loves his World History teacher so far. "She is crazy. She likes Monster. (the energy drink)". And he super excited about his Physics class.

Off to a good start so far. Let's hope the momentum continues. No teenager moments yet. I'm waiting though. Let's hope they are painless. :)

Pads and a little Puke

Alex got his football pads today!! He has been waiting anxiously for this day. He had an early practice today that was rough, rough, rough. 3 hours! Alex said he liked his egg sandwich but not good before workout. Hey, puking in the football club gets you a t-shirt and an "attaboy". Good job in giving it your all!!

Taco Night

Apparently Mexican food is not real big in Germany. Well, I just can't wrap my head around that. I made sure Alex had his first Taco Night with us in full force. My parents, Rick's parents and TJ joined us for the voyage experience. Response....DELICIOUS!!

yeah....score!!

Enjoy Your Day At....

...Cedar Point!!

Normally, Rick and I take a backpacking/camping trip the weekend of Labor Day to finalize the end of summer. Instead we decided to take the boys to Cedar Point. The boys rode literally every ride the was classified at a double black diamond. The weather was perfect, the lines were short (there was 2 lines that were 1 hr. 15 mins. - Maverick and Top Thrill Dragster) and it was a great time!

PS. I dreamed the most about my fried cheese-on-a-stick!! Yummy!!

My Surprise Grows

Just like the love for my Lisa!! I can't wait until I make my first salad with my mixed greens.