Chemo, Radiation and Insta's

The past few days have been busy, busy, busy.

Doctors appointments, kids, friends, paperwork, meetings, phone calls...

Stress, tears, encouragement, laughter, strength, joy... peace.

God has been, and continues to be faithful to us, our immediate requests and needs and our long term ones. He is right here every step of the way... and we draw comfort from that.

Over the past week we have slowly formed a plan of attack on this unwelcome tumor.

We have seen specialist after specialist and then... after just one more... we made a decision.

The Captain will be having radiation treatments in Bloomington with a process called proton therapy... or Gama Knife. (which sounds more awesome)

He will take six weeks of Chemo and radiation together, have a smallish break and then resume chemo treatments for  a year.  Seems like a long road.

Some days I'm ready, some days it's too much.

The other day it was too much... the tumor, the chaos, the kids. At one point both the boys and I were crying. It was a mess. I asked Andy if I could leave for awhile... and not come home til they were in bed. He graciously allowed me to leave. Then I felt guilty for leaving the man with brain cancer to deal with the whiny, needy children.

The guilt was still better then being with the boys. (only kinda kidding)

He is an amazing man.

I had a moment the other day when I was crying nasty, messy tears in the car. It was one of those defining moments where you realize "this is the time to make a decision... keep wallowing and allowing fear to take over... or CHOOSE to trust in Christ, choose to stand on what you know to be true, and no matter what the future holds, know God is already there and He will get you through."  I chose the latter... but it took a few more minutes before the tears stopped. And a few more after that for me to start feeling stronger.

But He was faithful to my obedience in the moment. I chose to obey in trusting Him... and Christ was faithful to comfort, embolden and bring peace.

The Captain and I are traveling to Bloomington today to take the first step toward treatment... a CT scan and a mold of his head will be made. I've decided to think of it as his super hero helmet.

The Captain got a new hat... new hat for a new scar because of a new brain surgery...

Kinda drastic just for a new hat...

The boys are so happy to have their daddy around. Rigg calls Andy's staples his zipper.

It was so amazing having Andy home a day and a half after his surgery. We were just hanging out watching TV like everything was normal. CRAZY!!!

These boys make life fun, challenging, hard, crazy and worth every minute. I have to plan a bit more in advance for their care when we have to be gone for Dr.'s appointments and things... but they are doing well with all the extra play dates.

Ryder is just a bit off. He is hilarious. Goggles? Check! Cape? Check! Super hero underwear on the outside of your pants? Check!

(this one is being saved for the senior book)

The Captain has been keeping up with all your comments. They are a HUGE blessing to us both.

This picture... melts my heart.

Melts.

every. time.

Even on the worst days, Ryder can always make me smile. It's his gift.

I must have a lot on my mind. The other day, while having lunch with friends, I locked my keys in the van. Officer Nice-Guy helped me break back into it. In the rain. For 40 minutes.

I got to hold the umbrella.

Barb, who took this pic, got to help pry the door open and left just shy of soaked.

Thanks Barb.

 The Captain got de-stapled. He is now zipper free.

Rigg noticed immediately!



Doctors offices and waiting rooms can get a bit boring. So we try and entertain ourselves...

Just an FYI.

Brain Cancer...you've got nothin' on us...

Cause we are brinnin' it!!!