News around here has been changing so fast. As soon as I’ve headed to the computer to blog, that news changes. I’ll warn you, this post is very long…but I’m giving you a few fun pictures at the end, so it will be worth it.
The good news is they’ve ruled out ovarian cancer. My numbers from that last test were very low, and if there were anything cancer related the numbers would be high. We can now breath a collective sigh of relief.
The bad news is, because of the holidays, they can’t get me in this week. The doctor and his assistant said next Monday for surgery, and they’d call me with a set time. Knut and I talked about it, and thought staying for the surgery would be the best option. I then got a call from the assistant later that day, saying the surgery was scheduled for Wednesday night. She said as packed as the operating rooms have been, she had to fight to get it that soon.
Wednesday is not Monday, obviously. However, we were planning on heading home tomorrow, and Wednesday would extend our visit by at least a week.
I wish we could say it was an easy decision, but it wasn’t. After much anxiety, we’ve decided to stay and have the surgery here. We’re uneasy with that decision, as Knut is kinda taking an unplanned week off the farm. Then again, nothing about this was planned. I would not have planned it this way!
Our biggest concerns are first the trip back. I won’t be able to twist around and help the kids out on the trip as easily. I’m almost at the point of being no help at all. We 3 kids on a road trip, that’s a big factor. The other factor is if we go home, we’ll have to wait until the end of next week before I can see the surgeon there, and then schedule a surgery again. The process would likely drag out another 2 weeks, and at that point, the tumor would have grown and calcified even more, and it would likely be a more invasive surgery, requiring a much greater recovery time.
So we’re staying here another week. It won’t be vacation, but it will be good.
Just for fun, I want to share some pictures of the fun, though, because we haven’t shown enough of the fun.
Here’s Silje and David with their cousin, Jack. He’s such a sweet little boy and the 3 of them get along really well.
One morning we went to an open air mall around here with a huge fireplace, and fun fountains. Mom actually brought the walker from home, so Elias could walk around as much as he pleased.
Here’s Knut sitting around the fire pit with us, with the palm trees in the background.
Here’s my little cutie decked out in his new amazing clothes. My sister, dresses Jack in hand me downs from some of her more wealthy friends who had tons of designer clothes for their kids. Heidi normally sends her used kids clothes to a consignment shop down here, but since I made all those diapers for her, she gave me all of Jack’s hand me downs for Elias. Seriously, there are a number of huge bags full of clothes that look barely worn. I counted at least 7 pairs of the cutest shoes, so far.
All of the clothes are Ralph Lauren, Gymboree, Children’s Place, Gap, etc. There are an unusual amount of swim trunks and shorts, but I guess that’s the difference in living in the North or South! Since David wasn’t so gentle on the clothes that are being passed down to Elias, I’m so grateful to get some “new” clothes for him. For the next year, I think Elias will be the best dressed person in our family!
Here is Silje playing for the first time with some girl cousins! She giggled with delight as baby A kicked and squirmed under her hand.
Things must go in threes though, as Heidi spent some time in the hospital last night as she could no longer keep fluids down and was quickly getting dehydrated. And of course since pregnant lady + dehydration = contractions, they went the the hospital to get it under control. She’s back home now, and able to hold down food and water again, but she has not been at 100% either.
And the 3rd “thing” was my Grandma V. (Papa’s mom) was playing with Elias when we were at her house a couple nights back, and she got a dizzy spell and fell down. The corner of the piano broke her fall, and she wasn’t feeling so good. After a trip to the doctor, we found out it was a bad bruise, but no cracked ribs. This whole vacation has been full of trips to hospitals and doctors.
I got to meet a diaper sewing diva in real life, as my friend Jennifer and I met at a playground as our kids ran around. This is the lady who designed the pattern (La Di Da)that I used to make my sister’s cloth diapers. It was fun to talk sewing, patterns, fabrics, with another mom.
So it’s been fun, as well as stressful. The weather is nice, although Knut is aching to go skiing on some snow. He is through and through a Minnesota man.
Thank you all for your prayers and support. Please continue to pray that nothing else will delay the surgery on Wednesday, and for me, as they have limited my pain killers in preparation for that surgery. Still, I am so grateful for my amazing family, and how much help they’ve been to me!
Candis Berge says
January 2, 2010 at 2:21 amHi Gretchen, I am glad to hear the news that the test results showed no cancer concerns; and it seems like a good idea to remain there for surgery too. I have been thinking about you, I’m sorry I didn’t respond to your last post about the miscarriage; it is such a “private” grief as few know the loss unless they have experienced it. Our 4th pregnancy ended in a miscarriage. We’ll have to talk sometime. Now, just concentrate on all the positives of where you are (no blizzards, no icy roads, etc…) and get better! hugs,
Anonymous says
January 2, 2010 at 5:40 amHi Gretchen, we will be praying for you and lovin’ on you. When you DO start home….both you and Knut need our son’s Denver phone number. Just for a little added security in case you should have any kind of vehicle issues or needs. Jon works of the big Wingfoot Tire service in Denver and is an on-the-road resource if you should need it. I’ll send his phone number by regular e-mail. I’m glad you’ll be where your Mom can help. Sharon
rdljnrisbrudt.blogspot.com says
January 2, 2010 at 4:41 pmSo glad to hear that you can have your surgery soon and the great news…that they have ruled our ovarian cancer! You are young and will make a speedy recovery! It will be nice to be with your family during this time. We will keep praying for you!