A picture is worth a thousand words....

Eight years

So hard for me to believe it has been eight years since my Mom died. When I think of all the things she has missed, it makes me so sad. She has had 2 great grandsons born and there is another baby on the way. She missed seeing Alissa graduate from law school, Kari graduate from the Naval Academy, and Kaci from OU. She didn't get to see Doug marry a wonderful woman who loves his kids and she won't be here for her 9th grandchild's birth in December. This little one is even due on my parents wedding anniversary, which I truly believe Mom had something to do with...



I know she would have had so much fun exploring the East Coast and Boston with me and spending time with Alissa and Brek. She would have loved visiting Kari in Hawaii and Virginia Beach. I can just see her at some of the casino parties Kaci put together, she would have had a blast at those. I know she would have been so proud to visit each of the girls in the homes they have bought. She was so excited for me to move closer to her and we were both looking forward to spending more time together. I had been so busy raising my girls all these years that there wasn't much time left over and we hoped to make up for lost time. Unfortunately that wasn't to be. Cancer had other plans for us. Instead, we had 6 months of Dr.'s appts, chemo and hospital stays. Have I mentioned I HATE cancer?

Today I am visiting Kari in her new home of Cincinnati. I am glad to be with at least one of my girls. I try to go to the cemetery on this date and put the fall flowers out. I have them bought and will try and take them one day next week.

I miss you Mom, please keep watching over us and look out for my girls. I hope we have made you proud.

I love you.

Can you say O-H-I-O

That is where I am traveling to next. With a stop in Nashville to visit my good friends the Lane's and another in Livingston to see my sweet Aunt Phyllis. Then it will be on to Cincy to see Kari's new home. Tried to get Cindy to go on the road trip with me, but couldn't talk her into it. So, going solo this trip.

Had another birthday this past week. Hard to believe I am 52 now. But I am and there is no getting around it. It was just another day around here, other than the 50+ messages on Facebook, the phone calls and the sweet cards I received, that is. But that was pretty much it. No cake,no presents, just a trip to the Dr. with Ed to have his shoulder looked at. Oh well, maybe next year...

Update...
Ed finally came thru, season tickets to the shows in Tulsa again this year...They arrived in today's mail.

On the road again...

About to load up and head to the big city again. I think this makes 3 times in the last 4 weeks. Might be a record for me. Thank goodness my baby girl lives there and can give her Moma a bed to sleep in.

We have an appointment in the morning with Dr. Taylor, the Radiation Oncologist. He will do a mapping of my Dad's prostate and then talk to us about the options to treat the cancer. We have hopefully caught it early and it can be wiped out easily. That's my prayer.

Headaches...who needs 'em?

Not me, that's for sure. I have had more than my share of them lately and I have to tell you, I am pretty tired of them. I have tried extra strength everything, hot showers, my neti pot...you get the picture. And yet, I still have headaches...

I am open to any and all suggestions to rid myself of these vile things...

Anybody?

Big changes...

Wow, this has been a week... Let me summarize for you...

Monday I was at the hospital with my dad for a biopsy on his prostate, yesterday we heard from the Dr. and it is cancer...lots of emotions and memories of hearing those words 8 years ago with my Mom. The good news is that it seems we have found it early and it is very treatable. He will have a bone scan next Friday and hopefully it will not have spread. We will meet with the Dr. to discuss options as well. Please keep my Daddy in your prayers.

Kari has left Virginia Beach for her new home in Cincinnati. She is actually on the road today. The movers packed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and loaded them out yesterday. She has been sick with a virus all week, but is feeling better today thank goodness. It would have been a miserable drive for her if not.

But the even bigger news for Kari is that she is expecting my second grandchild! Yep, going to be a Nonnie again in April. She told me 3 weeks ago, but I wanted to wait until she was a little further along before saying anything. I know she will make a wonderful Mommy. Hoping for a little girl this time! : )

I met with my new Rheumatologist this week, I really like him and feel very comfortable that he will give me good care and help me deal with this stupid disease. I have been feeling a little better and the rash on my face is much better. Not sure if it's the meds or the fact that I seldom see the sun anymore, but as long as it's better I really don't care. Dr. B did some additional tests, probably won't get those results until next week with it being a holiday Monday. He did more x-rays and told me the weird little knots on my feet are actually bone spurs! No wonder my feet hurt all the time...So today I ordered some inserts for my shoes (man that makes me feel old) and hope that will ease some of the pain. I also have heel spurs and arthritis in my big toe! That stupid toe has hurt for at least a year now, but never thought it was arthritis. Oh the joys of getting old and having Lupus...

My gyno appt didn't go as well as I had hoped, she saw something on the ultrasound, but for now just wants to take a wait and see approach. It seems the number she wants to see is around a 5 and mine was 6. something, almost 7 I think. But she felt it would be ok to wait and not do a biopsy just yet, unless more symptoms show up...praying they won't.

Kaci is on her way to Boston, finally getting to meet little Oliver. So excited for her and wish I was going too. It has been 2 weeks since I left and I miss that little guy so much. He is growing and changing every day and I hate that I am missing it all.




Love these pictures!! Brek's dad did such a good job. Brek actually took the one of Alissa and Oliver, isn't that a wonderful picture. So happy for my baby girl.

I lost a cousin this week, Bruce was only 50 years old. His service was this morning. I am so sorry for his siblings and mother. There were 3 boys and 2 girls in this family and now they have lost 2 of the brothers. Paul passed away almost 4 years ago. Praying for comfort for them all.

Like I said, lots of changes this week. I am ready for a more normal, less active one, but that probably won't happen anytime soon.

4 weeks ago...

I became Oliver's Nonnie...Hard to believe it has already been 4 weeks! Can't wait to see his pictures, hoping Alissa posts them soon. His Mimi posted the one below, can't believe how much he has already changed...



Such a little sweetie, miss him so much!!