Reminiscing and update on mom!

Ms. Susie works for a company called Weyerhaeuser, and they take part in an event here in Jackson called Waterfest.  So she was here for that this past weekend.  Ike and I were able to eat with her and a few of her co-workers which was highly entertaining.  We ate at Bonefish!  This place is special to Ike and I because this where we went for our first date.  So just for fun….

                          6 years later!

Our first date!

MOM UPDATE!

My mom came Sunday night, and stayed with us because she had her first check up here.  It was a good checkup.  She is still a ways from back to her normal self, but miles from where she was so we are VERY excited about that.  Ike and I went home a few weeks ago, and she made a big breakfast for us and I could tell then she was getting back to herself.  We are just continuing to pray for healing, and we are so thankful for how far the Lord has brought her.

A whole bunch of Randomness

*Mom had her LAST radiation!!  She comes here first week of February for a check up!

*I am still adjusting to "busy" season (I guess Ike is too, ha since he is the one working all the hours :) ).  Ike works A. L.O.T.!  He has been out of town some, and this will probably happen more and more for both of us.  This past week he was suppose to be out of town and something happened and he got to stay home!  You would have thought it was Christmas all over again!  I was super excited!

*My friend from my old job, Molly got a job with me at the state!  I'm happy about this!

*Lately I have been doing better mentally with the whole idea of having a baby.  I feel like I have not been as negative and felt very hopeful.  BUT I have also wanted a baby, maybe more than ever.  I know it seems that it would have made me feel worse, but I think the Lord has used it to help me be excited.  I have also started a plan for reading the bible in a year, and spending that time in the word has no doubt changed my attitude.  I was talking to someone the other day about being in a relationship, and I ask the person," are you were you want to be to be in a relationship?"  This opened my eyes to how much I have put seeking the Lord on the back burner, and focused on all the stuff going on.  I LOVE the Lord, and I believe and have sooo much faith in Him!  For a while now I have not been actively seeking Him though.  I pray and occassionally would read a devotional, but really spending time getting to know Him has not been a priority.  I was convicted of how often I have a few seconds of "free time", and I will pull up my facebook app or pinterest when I could be pulling up the bible.  I started praying that God would give me a desire for His word, and He has!  I find myself getting excited to see what's next!  God has brought me to a good place!

Great news!

We got some FABULOUS news today!  My mom went in to have her internal radiation done.  The doctor said she did great.  He did an examination while she was asleep and there were no signs of the masses that were there before!!  She will have 2 more next week as a precaution, and she will have an operation for some of the side effects of the operation.  My aunt called to tell me this and I just started bawling (southern word for crying a lot)!  I have tried REALLY hard not to cry a lot during all of this, and I think it all that just came flooding out.  It was so good to hear my daddy sound like a new person!  The poor thing has been so stressed.  He has done an amazing job taking care of mom, but I know that he has been having a really hard time.  This whole thing has given me even more respect for my daddy!  I am just amazed at God!  His power & His faithfulness!  Thank you all for all your prayers we know this is a miracle!!!

My cousin sent this to me yesterday, she took this about a week before we found out mom had cancer.

Better days!

Last weekend was perfect.  Ike and I laid around and caught up on all our shows we DVR.  Saturday we did a little shopping and had cupcakes for lunch, doesn't get much better!!  Sunday....Ike was sick!  I have been waiting for this!  Ike requires a certian amount of rest or his immune system begins to fail him.  I think I have said this before but I PRAY our children have my immune system.  He has been feeling bad all week.  Great, I get him home and he's sick.  :)  I will take it either way!  I love knowing he is coming at night!

Mom had a pretty tough week again.  She has been extremely sore from treatment.  BUT on a very bright note yesterday was her last chemo and she has 3 more radiations before she gets a break.  We are hoping she will heal up some during her break.

Today is a big day for us!  After today we are praying that we are one step closer to one day being parents!  :)  I will up date more on how everything goes!

What a week!

Our lives have DEFINITELY been a whirlwind lately!  I'm sure you could have guessed that from my recent post.  This week was no different.  :)  Ike is still working out of town, and has not gotten off work before 10 pm all week!  They promise it is not always like this.  :)
Mom has 3 weeks behind her!  3 more before she gets a week off and then 3 hopefully final weeks.  Monday was rough!  She didn't make it treatment she felt so bad.  The rest of the week she has felt better just VERY uncomfortable.  Last night she must have felt good because she cooked us all supper.  It was Delicious (not that she could tell poor thing can not taste anything)!  She made a roast with potatoes, carrots, and peppers yum!
Yesterday we got a call from Rose that baby's heart had stopped beating.  She had a D&C this morning.  I have not talked to her yet, but Chris says she is doing ok.  We were all heartbroken, but thankful to the Lord for His mercy.  We know that under the circumstances this was best.  I am so thankful that Rose and Chris have a strong faith, and can see that the Lord's will and timing are always perfect. 

I know so many of you have been praying for all the things we have going on.  Ike and I both really appreciate it.  We know people are praying, and we are constantly seeing the Lord answer those prayers.

One Down!

Yesterday was one week down!  Mom has done pretty good.  She was really sick on Monday and got dehydrated.  They had to give her an IV with fluids, but after that the rest of the week she has felt much better.  She drinks a ton of coke zero (way too much), and the doctor suggested that she try to drink Gatorade instead.  That has really helped!  She usually drinks coke from a can, and she has learned quick that she can not do that because she taste the metal, and she has to use plastic silverware.  So crazy!  Tuesday she felt really good so I met them at the state fair for lunch.  We all had a good time!

Focused on the game!

She got her cotton candy and caramel apple!

Buster loves his mamaw!  It is weird how much dogs pick up on, I am certian that he knows my mom is sick and he is extra clingy and protective of her.  This little dog has had quite a week!  He got out of the backyard 4 times before we finally figured out his escape route. 

Last Friday I got this out of my fortune cookie!  I thought it was so appropriate for me!  God uses everything huh?

In other news this week...  My sister had to go to the emergency room last week.  They found out that she had gall stones, and this week she had surgery.  Our family is the kind that all show up for even the smallest of things so it was hard for me and especially my mom to not be there.  Some of our other family was able to go and make sure she was ok and of course her husband was there.  She is recoverying pretty good.

Ike has been at "camp" for his new job for the past two weeks!  EWE!  I think he has really enjoyed it, but I am not a fan of it :)  You take forgranted the little things like going to sleep with your husband.  I guess I needed to be reminded to appreciate the little things!  I can not wait to see him tomorrow!

The new roomies!

So here are our new roommates...

Please notice they all have the SAME glasses!

We went to see the radiologist yesterday so hopefully mom will start her treatments one day next week.  We are all so frustrated by how long it seems to be taking, but I know the doctors are working hard on her plan for radiation.  I feel like I have learned a lot through this whole process. She (mom) was in much better spirits this visit, and even felt like going to eat at Cracker Barrel.  These three are something else.  It will be an interesting few months.

Blessings!

I would first of all like to say thank you for the sweet comments and encouragement on our journey to having a baby! ALL of your prayers are much appreciated!

Today I would like to tell some exciting news and ask for more prayers.  Ike and I are very excited to announce that we will be Uncle Ike and Aunt Brandy in April or May! Rose, Ike’s sister and her husband, Chris are expecting. We could not be more excited for them.  Rose has an neuromuscular autoimmune disease called Myasthenia Gravis (since she was a sophmore in high school) and has recently been diagnosised with Graves disease, another autoimmune disorder so she is an extremely high risk pregnancy!  We are praying that the Lord will keep her and the baby safe throughout this pregnancy. The fact that she is pregnant at all is a miracle so we are thankful for this little blessing.

The Parents to be!!

While I could not be more excited for them and to be an aunt, do not think the devil did not jump at the chance to use this blessing from the Lord to try and bring me down. God has been preparing my heart though, and a few weeks ago I went to hear Lysa Terkeurst speak. She said something that stuck with me, that our reaction to things determines our reach. There is a lot happening in the coming weeks that will challenge us. I know there will be good days and bad days but we are CHOOSING to seek the Lord.  This is all for His glory.
Update on my mom: She has been down a few times for more tests, and now we are waiting for the radiologist to finish planning for the treatments. We know she will receive chemo once a week and radiation 5 days a week. She should get a schedule for all this one day next week, and hopefully start the following week. We are all ready to get started. I do believe the waiting is the hardest part. From our understanding the cancer is in her lymph nodes in the area around the spot, but not on her organs and is isolated to this area. This is a relief to us. Thank you for your prayers!

Prayer request

I would like to ask everyone who reads this to please be in prayer for my family specifically my mother.  She started experiencing some pain several months ago, and has recently been diagnosed with vaginal cancer.  We know that it is in the lymph nodes in that area, and we are praying that is it.  They will be doing a pet scan on Thursday to make sure.  She will actually be coming here for her treatment.  Apparently this is a very rare type of cancer and the doctors from my home town are not familiar with it.  It has been such a blessing that God brought us here in just the right time so that she can stay with us.  She will receive radiation and chemo.  Thankfully 2 of my aunts will be able to stay here as well, and can take her to treatment everyday.  I am so appreciative of all of your prayers.  I know the Lord hears our prayers.