Playing surgeon

While reading to the girls tonight, Shecklet #3 started asking me questions about my upcoming surgery.  While I’m not about to go into the specific details of what the surgeons will have to do (I’m actually keeping some of those specifics from myself as well,) Jake and I have promised the kids to answer their questions honestly.  After we talked about stitches, the reasons why it is good I’ll be “asleep” during surgery, balance, and the unknowns surrounding my recovery, Shecklet #3 asked if she could pretend to be the surgeon who takes out my tumor.  She brushed my hair aside (which she said was her pretending to shave the spot where they’ll have to make the incision behind my ear,) gathered her surgical “tools” and ever so gently removed my tumor.

I have amazing kids.  They continue to handle this entire scary situation with such poise and honesty.  And I’ve been able to draw strength from that.  I have told Shecklet #3 numerous times over the last month that if I have even a fraction of the courage that she has shown throughout her fingertip injury, I know I can get through what I’m facing in January.

T minus less than 2 months…

HBD to me!

We have lots to be thankful for this year and started Thanksgiving Day/my birthday by attending mass as a family. After mass, Jake and the kids surprised me with birthday presents.

I’m thankful for my family and the opportunity to spend another year loving them ❤️

Cousins in the pool & pearls

My aunt and uncle are in town to celebrate Thanksgiving with my cousin and his family. Part of their stay involves having the older two grandkids stay with them at a hotel so they can swim. My aunt invites us to bring the Shecklets down to meet their cousins and swim. The 6 kids had a great time spending close to 3 hours in the pool!

After having pizza for dinner, everyone sang HBD to me and we had cupcakes. Yum! Then my aunt gave me a small gift bag containing a Christmas pin of my Grandma Fran’s and the pearl ring she always wore. The pearls in the ring were given to my grandma by my Grandpa Bill – he got them in Japan during WWII. I am thrilled to have this piece of jewelry to remind me of my grandparents 💗

Celebrating another milestone

I’m turning another year older in a few days – and it’s a “special” birthday.

My friend, Michelle, planned a get together at a local restaurant and a great group of friends showed up to help me celebrate! I wish I had had our server take a group picture of everyone, but one of my friends did capture these pictures for me. (The lone color one is of the ladies I know from our old parish – several who have known me since before we had kids.)

In the invite, Michelle offered to put together a spiritual bouquet for me. On the vase that held 40 roses are the prayers she collected. I can’t tell you how much the love, support, and friendship of the ladies who came tonight (and many others,) means to me – especially as I close in on the “T-2 months til surgery” mark, which coincidentally is my actual birthday. I am truly blessed to have so many beautiful women supporting me in the rough times and celebrating with me in the joyful times. ❤️

Bartering Fair 2017

Shecklet #3 had fun bartering at school this afternoon. The first graders prepared many items to trade with their friends and parents. To end the day, they got to enjoy snacks that were representative of the ancient Egyptian times.

Meet my UCSD AN Surgeons

The two surgeons who I plan to have remove my tumor in January were featured in a press release from UC San Diego Health.  I’m grateful to have had the time to research my options and select a team who focuses on my type of tumor.

I’m still not thrilled with what I’ve had to choose in terms of losing my hearing, but I am working on coming to terms with it.  Accepting, maybe?  I’m sure I’ll feel differently post-surgery when reality hits me, but for now, I’m doing my best to keep my perspective focused on the positive.

Zoo visit

We took the kids to the zoo to see the animals and vote for the name of the new baby gorilla. It was a pretty nice day for November.

After the zoo, I was able to go shopping with Michelle. It was great to have several hours to catch up (kid-free) and wander through the stores at the mall. I usually don’t care much for shopping, but when you’re with a friend, it’s much more enjoyable. 🙂

Indoor jumping

The local mall has trampolines with harnesses set up for kids (and some adults) to jump and flip on. We took the Shecklets tonight to give it a try.

A day with friends

I had to take Shecklet #3 to an appointment to have stitches removed from her finger today. 😞 My friend, M, was willing to take Shecklet #4 for the morning so she didn’t have to tag along to the doctor’s office.

#4 and her buddy had a great time playing! (Photo credit – My friend M.)