Breast Cancer.....Cornering our Family

Hi Friends!
As you can tell from the title of this post our family has been struck by a very deadly disease. My precious, precious MIL was diagnosed at the beginning of this year with a rare form of Breast Cancer. I am not exactly sure of the type/name but I do know that only 2% to 3% of women, ages 48-62 are normally diagnosed with this specific type of breast cancer. The survival rate is good if detected early.

She was having her annual mammogram on 16 December when a lump was discovered in ONE of her breast. Shortly after on 22 December the lump was removed with difficulty during an outpatient biopsy and came back from pathology a few days later with the results that the tumor was indeed cancerous. She celebrated the holidays and met with the surgeons at the beginning of January to discuss her options.

1 week ago today Mrs. Mary underwent a partial masectomy and also had several lymphnods removed to be sent to pathology to determine if the cancer has continued to spread. We should get the results today as she meets with the Surgeons for her follow up. She will also meet with the Oncologist for the first time tomorrow. We do know that as soon as she heals completely from the masectomy that she will begin a long 5 days a week/6 week regiement of radiation therapy followed by hormone therapy. Chemotherapy may still be necessary if the lymphnods come back as cancerous as well. We'll know more after she gets the pathology report today.

Let me tell you my friends, my MIL loves the Lord with all of her being. She declared herself a Child of the King at a very early age and knows that if the Lord chooses not to heal her of this devestating disease that it is ENTIRELY in His Will. She's not mad, she's not sad, she may be afraid, but she is allowing the Lord to speak sweet peace and protection over her life during this time. She's one woman that I can say "Talks the Talk and Walks the Walk" all of the time. She is so real in her relationship with the Lord and you can see it lived out in her life. She is OUR Proverbs 31 woman, no doubt. Some people may assume that she is just putting on her game face and is playing off her emotions real well but I truly believe that she KNOWS that Healing OR Heaven are both in her favor. She's claiming Joshua 1:9 and Jeremiah 29:11 and has complete confidence that she's in the right hands! I stand in awe of her faith and am encouraged by her determined spirit.

Please join us in praying for her and for our family as we journey through this TOGETHER. Breezy and I are very thankful that his 3 other siblings are close by to walk with her side by side, and as we walk with her via the telephone, internet and most importantly prayer.
We won't be able to be home with her until after the baby is born due to the complications I have had/am having, but we know that there is a reason for everything. She was planning to be here for Breezy Baby's birth but unfortunately it will be utterly impossible for her to come.

Please pray that we can make all the arrangements with our Dr. and purchase the neccessary equipment so that we can use our laptop during the deliver if possible so that she can join us via web-cam. The hospital here is not internet friendly so we must purchase a "media stick/anywhere internet stick" for the laptop and pray that it works. ALL things will work together for the good....because we've got God on our side!

Your prayers are greatly appreciated. As soon as we are updated on Wed. about her appointments from today and on Tuesday I will give an update here.

Here's Where We're Standing

Whoa...what a whirlwind the last few weeks have been, once again. Things have been at a pace that I've tolerated well, but there has still been so much going on that sometimes I feel like I need to remember to come up for air.

Before I start running my mouth thought I'd show you all a photo of the bedding that we've picked out and ordered for our newest family member. He will be sharing a room with us since we'll be moving soon after he is born, so this is in the same color scheme as our bedding.

In the last 3 weeks I have been to the Drs. office 5 times;

2 with my OB. One visit for this mystery rash and the second for my regular appointment. Baby Breezy is growing and if everything goes as planned I will be induced around the 37th week. I've decided to try for a VBAC at this time, but if we do not deliver by 39 weeks I will have a c-section. I had a hard delivery via c-section with Clark, but never have regretted it once. I want to give natural deliver a chance since I will have a 3 year old and the recovery time will be much easier. We will see what is in store for us as the day's draw closer.

1 appointment at the health clinic for this mystery rash. Supposedly it's an allergy to "something". Your guess is as good as mine.

2 appointments with an Allergy Specalist. I was in and out of the exam room in less than 10 minutes, leaving very frustrated both times and still searching for answers. He seems to "think" I have a special type of eczema...but he's not sure. I wish I could explain to you the intensity of the itching this rash has brought about. He gave me some white lotion to apply twice a day. Friends, this rash covers my body literally from the top of my head to the top of my feet and is progressively getting worse. One bottle of this lotion lasted me 4 days and you can't just "dot" it on it's like a sponge bath in Calamine. Thankfully I have a husband who does not mind "body painting" or a 3 year old who thinks helping daddy paint is lots of fun! So..this Specialist says, there is nothing more he can do for me.

We're at a stand still AGAIN!

Speaking of body painting.....
On Wednesday Clark and I were finger painting our Valentines for the Grands. We'll my bladder decided that it needed a break so off the bathroom I rushed. In the mere 5 minutes I was in the bathroom, the next room over, Clark proceeded to undress down to his undies and "body paint" himself. I'm thankful it wasn't on the walls or floors but I died laughing. I desperately wanted to take photos but I decided that if I did that he might think that it was OK to try it out again later so off to the bathtub we went. He keeps me laughing everyday!

Until we meet again...Lots of Love and Laughter from Germany!

Looking Ahead!

Well friends,

It's finally 2010. It seems to me like 2009 just flew right on by. I'm ready to see what this New Year will bring. I'm hoping for peace of mind/clear thinking (we will only hope my pregnant brain will cooperate), good health and lots of memories made with my family!

We have so much to look forward to and be thankful for in this coming year!

A new year of fellowship with our Heavenly Father!

A trip to Ireland in February, just me and Breezy

OR a Trip to ALABAMA for 4 weeks!

Our newest miracle will arrive in May (hopefully no sooner)

Wes will have lots of training and schools to attend February thru June

Breezy's parents and My parents coming for their first visits in June and July

Most importantly to us our last FULL year spent in Germany. We've got high hopes that we will go home in the fall of 2010 but it could be the winter of 2011.We're crossing our fingers :-).

What are you looking forward to? I'm curious to know.

From our family in Germany!

Blessings in Abundance in 2010.

P.S. Mrs. T I can't comment on your blog for some reason. :-( thats why you haven't heard from me

I'm Going NUTS

Last Tuesday I broke out in a mysterious rash from the top of my head(literally) to the bottom of my feet. Benadryl hasn't helped much at all except for putting me out for a few hours. I went to see my OBGYN yesterday in hopes that he would tell me it's just my hormones....NOPE. He has no idea what it could be. He's almost sure its an allergy of some kind, but an allergy to WHAT. The problem is, even with the meds he gave me it's getting WORSE. I'm about to scratch myself silly friends. Poor Clark told me earlier I had too many polka dots!

AND on top of that I'm already suffering from issues with my Sciatic Nerve. I also had problems with Clark around 33 weeks to the point of not being able to sit comfortably, bend over or walk. I'm already to the bending point. YUCK.

If it's not one thing its another. This pregnancy can only get better....right? I just keep thinking of our little blessing that will be the end result.

In other news, we are not having a girl. For those of you who crossed your fingers, you can uncross them....a boy it will be. No doubts! He lifted his little legs up over his head for the whole world to see his little petey! Breezy had a big smile on his face when I shared the news with him yesterday.

Breezy is working late tonight so Clark and I are headed up to see him for a little while. Clark is hoping that he can see one of Daddy's big helicopters. One of our favorite Pilots is flying so maybe Clarke will be lucky.

Wishing you all a good holiday with your family!

Right Here Is Where I Like to Be

I'm sitting here in the living room of MY apartment and I am perfectly content. I enjoyed our vacation get away but friend it's going to take me a week to recover. I love being in my jammies, sitting on my couch, watching a movie with my handsome hubby while Breezy Baby is sleeping! I enjoyed getting away with my boys, but whoa momma I'm tuckered out. It might be the last big trip we take before Baby Breezy graces us in May, unless I'm a nice wife and we head to Ireland for Breezy's birthday in February. I'm headed to bed. Just wanted to let you know we're home safe! Hope you all enjoyed spending the holiday's with those special people in your lives!