Ryan is a tired little boy today.

Ryan waiting at the Neurologist's office.

The assistant from our pediatric neurologist's office called this evening. He needs me to come in tomorrow morning "to talk". I suspect that means not so good news. He or his assistant usually just calls to tell me the results or the change in meds, etc. I find it odd that he wants me to come into see him in the morning.

One part of me hopes it is a definitive diagnosis. The other part of me is scared to hear a diagnosis. Dwight said he is just hoping that they say Ryan is all better. He just needs to sleep for a little while and then he'll be able to walk. I wish that too.

Isn't life fun?

Last night I dropped my van off at the dealership for a little warranty work. I was looking forward to a day of being forced to stay home. I thought I might actually get a lot done if I could stay at home for the day.

Shortly after I posted last night, I went to bed. (I love my bed!) But last night I had a tough time getting really comfortable. I usually sleep on my left side, but since that wasn't working I rolled to my right side. I immediately felt an odd sensation and quickly remembered the stitches on my left shoulder. Whoops.

Then I felt blood leaking from my shoulder. Scrum. I turned on the light and went to a mirror to check the damage, which panicked my sweet, overprotective husband. He immediately jumped out of bed and rushed to my side. There it was ... a huge hole in my shoulder with thread hanging that used to be tied in stitch fashion. Scrum.

As Dwight and I were leaving the driveway we noticed water pouring out of our water meter onto the street. Double scrum.

So, my "stay-at-home" day started with a ride to the dealership to get a rental, followed by another dr's appointment to get my shoulder stitched back up, and then home to find a plumber. (The water company said the leak was on our side of the property, not theirs.) Of course, I didn't shower before leaving this morning as I assumed I'd have plenty of time today to do so. Good thing you can't see ... or smell ... me. :)

Thankfully, all of this is fixable. The warranty on my van will cover the repairs and it should be ready by Friday evening for pick up. My shoulder will eventually heal. Our water will be back on within a few hours. And, I'll only miss the repair money for a few weeks.

Isn't this a blessed life?

(This picture has nothing to do with this post. I just think he looks so adorable and peaceful!)

I am thankful for...

friends. Amazing friends. Supportive friends. Quiet friends. Feisty friends. Loving friends. Family friends.

The day I heard the Cancer diagnosis, I told my family: my sweetheart, my Dad, my Mom, my sister. They were wonderful. I also told my dear friend. He understood. He has Cancer. I told no one else.

A couple of days later, I called one of our great friends. He answered the phone. He said, "How are you?" I said, "I'm fine. How are you?" He said, "I'm fine, too. But you don't sound fine." I knew he knew. But, what did he know? I said, "Yes, I do!" He replied, "Would you like a blessing?" Then I knew he knew. A couple of days later, my sweetheart and I spent a few hours with him and his wife. We received Priesthood blessings, much love, and support. And, we walked away with a plan.

My joyful friend sat with me at the Oncologist visit while I was curled up in the chair feeling very anxious. She made it all seem so okay. So normal.

The next day, I shared the news with my sweetest friend. I knew from the look on her face that while she shares my faith, she also shared my concern. She has called frequently. She has brought meals ... feasts. She has sat with my children while I attended appointments. She has prayed. I know she has prayed.

Friends who did not know why they were worried voiced their concern for me and told me I was in their prayers. Then they waited for the time when I felt I could share the news with them. They offered their continued prayers and all their support. Any thing. Any time.

One day my stalwart friend showed up at my door with loaves of delicious bread and "nothing to offer." But she shared her heart and her experience. As we talked I was reminded that I can be like her: I can be strong. I can be faithful.

A busy friend, a new friend that I visit teach, brought my family food so that I would not have to worry about it after a day of appointments.

My long time friend offered to be the shoulder I can cry on. Another long time friend offered to fly me to her beautiful home for a respite. Another long time friend offered child care any time.

I wish I could detail all the acts of service to you. I have written them in my journals. I know the angels have recorded them.

So many friends have called. Many friends have served. So many, many friends have prayed. So many friends have believed that our prayers will be heard.

I am thankful for you, my friends!

More biopsies completed today. I'm glad all the lumps were on my back and not on my face. Can you imagine? I'd look crazy with stitches in so many different locations! So, now we sit and wait till these biopsy results come back.

An update on the little one -- Ryan has gone on a feeding strike and is now down to less than 20 ounces of formula each day. He's been doing this for about 3 weeks now. He has only gained 6 ounces in the past 3 months. Not enough. And, he's sleeping about 20+ hours each day. The GI specialist said he's not even getting enough to maintain organ function. So, since he won't eat more, we are meeting with the pediatric surgeon next Thursday to discuss putting in a g-tube for feedings.

I also STILL haven't heard back from Dr. Seals regarding his MRI. How often can I call his office before I'm too much of an annoyance? But, really. It's been almost THREE WEEKS! His assistant said he has been unable to get in touch with the Radiologist who read the MRI. Really? Still? The report mentions the possibility of inborn errors of metabolism. I'm not so happy about that. I just need more information.

So, that's it for now. Did you see today's my anniversary? Maybe I'll have an ice cold coke to celebrate.

Just kidding!

A Special Anniversary

A can, not a fountain, not a glass bottle ...
definitely not PLASTIC. Ew.
An ice-cold can.
That was my preference.
But today marks my 6 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!
Six years ago today, I quit drinking all caffeinated sodas.

Why?
Well, that's a story for a time other than 3 a.m.

Just thinking...

I am so blessed to have so many amazing people in my life! I was thinking about all the prayers that were said for me during the past few weeks. My Dad called it "petitioning the Lord." I like the idea of a prayer being a petition. I think it honors the fact that He really is in charge and that He ultimately gets to decide, and yet the word petition still recognizes how willing He is to hear our pleas and to answer our prayers.

As I thought about it, I realized I had people praying for me on at least 3 different continents, in at least 6 different countries, and all over the US as far north as Minnesota, as far south as the Florida Keys and from New York to California.

Really. I am so blessed.