Mighty to Save

Phew. Today was hard. Harder than yesterday in some ways. I found myself uncontrollably sobbing at different times throughout the day. But I also experienced some incredible moments of peace. This is not "easy." 

Today my mom had a MRI of her brain done. We do not have those results nor do we expect to see anything there that shouldn't be there, but this was done so that we won't be surprised. When they did the MRI of her face/throat they saw the bottom part of her brain and did not see anything there. 

They also met with the oncologist today to begin formulating our plan of attack. There are tentative plans for about 7 weeks of radiation - again depending on the pathology. 

They are going to do a bone scan tomorrow. They do not believe the "cancer" has spread anywhere else, but this is precautionary and to make sure we have all the bases covered. 

Finally, I wanted to share some of the blessings I see already. 

• Number one, my mom lives in Canada and *recently* got her residents card allowing her to receive the national healthcare. None of these expenses are coming out of pocket. This is a huge incredible blessing.
• Secondly, the doctor treating my mom who initialing sent her to the hospital is the father of one of Katherine's high school friends. This has been a blessing because things started moving fast.
• Thirdly, God has kept the momentum going - they are receiving bone scans, MRIs, oncology appointments etc MUCH faster than is typical.

I am thankful and blessed by my husband who has been an immeasurable support for me. For my work and how they have been so kind. For my friends who have sent songs, scriptures, words of comfort and encouragement. The Lord is so faithful to supply ALL our needs. I am thankful for technology and the resources to use the technology when I need to. I am grateful for the Lord. For His word. For His peace, comfort, compassion, grace and mercy. I know He has never given me more than I can handle. I know He has been preparing me for this and He daily provides the measure of strength I need. He is the all sufficient One. 

The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing. Zeph 3:17

My people shall be satisfied with My goodness, saith the Lord. Jer 31:14

Doctors and Housesitting

Currently, I am sitting in the outdoor patio area, listening to the pool's mini-waterfall create that oh-so-relaxing sound and blogging. Housesitting is pretty sweet! I have Maizie to keep me company in my post-sisters loneliness, so I am grateful for some companionship, even of the four-legged variety.

I left work to head over to my new hematologist to hopefully get a prescription for some Stimate so I can have my wisdom teeth removed at some point this year and hopefully before tax season. I was only there for 15 minutes before they took me in for height/weight measurements, blood pressure, etc (a record time for a doctor's office!) and everything was within normal ranges. Dr. Mummaneni came in and did the usual questions and then decided to just write the prescription without getting a blood panel. A real cost saver!! I was stoked to avoid the needles too :o)

I walked downstairs to the hospital pharmacy to check the price and possibly get it filled and the pharmacist came back with a whopping $600! I thought for sure I could get it cheaper at Costco or Target - $591.99 at Costco and Target couldn't even locate it (check on that for me, will ya Mary?!) ;o)

The whole incident made me want to pull a "Really? With Seth and Amy." Like, Really, you are going to charge $600 for a prescription with an expiration date? Really? Like you really think that's okay? And my health insurance REALLY isn't going to give me a prescription deductible? Really? So I have to pay the full $591.99? Really?

So, needless to say, I may be waiting a little while to get the Stimate and will put off my wisdom teeth removal for the immediate time being. But it is good to know that I have said prescription and can get it should a more immediate need arise.

I know I still owe a post-trip debriefing blog, which will be in process and hopefully come before the end of the week. AND I have lots of pictures to go through and upload, etc.

Hope everyone is having a good day and staying cool! It's about 90 degrees in the OC - definitely hotter than we are used to!

All Things Canadian

Passport has arrived safe and sound. Graduations and graduation parties are done. Visit to the clinic done and prescription fulfilled. Not all the things you hope to do and have done during a vacation, but they have all been accomplished. I am sipping on some Tim Horton's and getting ready to continue nursing my ear back to health, but I wanted to put up a few pictures from the sister photo shoot. We went out to Fiorito Foto & Design to take some portraits - individual and group shots. The drive was well worth it! Nik & Dana are a husband/wife team that are making a headstart in the business of photography and design. They have incredible talent and I can't wait to see where they go! Here are a couple of my favorite pictures from the day. Please feel free to visit Katherine's Facebook album to see the rest.

Fine Swine Food

Today Earl and I pulled into church and noticed a pick-up truck with a logo that read "Fine Swine Food" and a picture of a pig.  We are assuming it was for a BBQ joint in town, but you never know!  This did remind of a story I heard at work this week.  First, a little background.  

We pass out nicknames to various people in our office building.  We have a Borat (curly, black hair a la Borat), Monk (brushes his teeth a few times a day and seems a little OCD), Medusa (crazy hair).  Then there are two ladies who come up from the first floor to the eighth floor to use our restroom.  Finally, we have a lady who does not wash her hands after using the restroom - yes, a non-hand washer.  Completely grosses me out every time we are in the restroom together (which, thankfully, is only a couple times a month). 

I went with a friend to lunch on Friday and missed out on an encounter the firm had in the elevator heading out to lunch.  The lawyer who employs the non-hand washer informed us that she has been diagnosed as having the swine flu.  Yes, the panic-inducing, cancel all flights to Mexico, wear a face mask SWINE FLU!  I'm not surprised she got it - she doesn't wash her hands, people!!  I am, of course, concerned for her health and prays she makes a full recovery, but hopefully she will begin to wash her hands.  I am washing quite vigorously to make sure there isn't any chance it could still be passed on!

Just for giggles, hop over to the Late Night with Jimmy Fallon blog for their take on the Swine Flu!

I'm off to enjoy the rest of my Sunday with Earl!!

Wisdom...

I noticed a couple of weeks before we went to Canada for Christmas that there seemed to be a little hole in my mouth. When we got back into town, I went to the dentist and had xrays taken and my wisdom tooth is trying to push through but is stuck and I have to get it taken out or there will always be a hole (which doesn't sound like a good thing to me). So, today during lunch I am meeting with the oral surgeon to discuss the plan of action. I only have two wisdom teeth and they are both on the right side of my mouth. The left ones never grew in. And this means that I am going to have to track down some DDAVP for my blood disease. Hopefully this will be quick, cheap and painless - but I have a feeling it will be none of those! AND thanks to everyone who commented and made me feel welcome in the blogosphere :o)