Life keeps moving right along

It is funny how life just moves along and now I find myself like 6 months without thinking to blog about my experiences. I figured that when I was done with my chemotherapy treatments then I would be done writing about my experiences. Even though I am not having any medical procedures or treatments, I do live with the effects of my cancer everyday. So maybe I will write occasionally and record my thought some more. I did celebrate 2 years of "cancer free" on March 1st. I am so extremely grateful for that gift.

Spreading Christmas Cheer

I really LOVE Christmas time!!

This year I have had to pause a few times and deal with some personal anxiety. I can't help but remember Christmas 2 years ago and how much pain I was in. I am just so overwhelmed and greatful that the Lord has spared my life and I am ever greatful at this time of year. I am also more sensitive to those who are facing pain or personal struggles. We have tried to find those in need and really find ways to serve. And carry that spirit of giving 'care' throughout the year.

As we have sought out opportunities this season, we have also had some fun. An older sister in the ward asked if my teenage kids could play 'elves' and sneak around the front yard while the grandchildren decorated the Christmas tree. Of course!!!
So, their family gathered to sing Christmas carols and decorate the tree with the front window wide open. My little Elves danced around the yard and watched the suprise in these sweet children's faces as they watched from the window.

Year 2 without Miss Right

In October I celebrated my 2 year anniversary of saying goodbye to my Right Foot! I am still so greatful for my amazing surgeon, Dr. Paige and her amazing surgical skills in rebuilding me a great Stump!

Time goes by

Time goes by so quickly when you aren't taking chemo drugs!
I have had lots of fun things I could blog about over the past few months... but I have gotten out of the habit. I guess I started out as a way to document my journey though my cancer trials. Now that it seems I am out of the thick of it, I don't feel like I have much that is worthy to blog about. I keep waiting for something "Profound" to happen so I can write about it. However, I of all people should have learned that by living through cancer made I am so aware that my own mortality is a gift and even the every day routines are 'profound' because I am alive to see my kids grow up.

The "Bonus Trials"

I was going through a photo album on my computer and found some pictures from my chemo days. It feels like so long ago. And other than a prosthetic leg, I don't have any visual effects left on my body. My hair has grown in past my shoulders, my eyelashes are thick and long again and my skin tone has evened out. I don't have a PICC line to deal with and only a tiny scar to show for that. I don't have to get weekly blood tests and overall, it seems like it was ages ago. But when I carried my son into the operating room and waited with him for the anesthesia to take effect, I took a quick look around and was flooded with all the intense feelings I felt as I had been in a room similar to it having my leg sawed off. It has stuck with me this week. Although I have been focused on my son's recovery, I have had some grieving feelings of my own over losing my leg. I honestly miss my leg. Not the cancer and contaminated leg. That was a blessing to get rid of. But just an average standard leg.
So now I want to put up some pictures just for my own reminicing.


So the hospital was about a 45 min drive to get to and since we didn't want to be late we arrived way to early. There was a Costco across the street so we browsed around and looked for some good books we could read for the week in the hospital and got Kenneth something to eat before the long night of waiting through surgery. (It was a 6:30pm scheduled surgery).
Now I had to be fasting all day and was a bit tempted my the yummy Costco style hot dog. But did my supportive husband really need to include the giant soft serve icecream delight?

 

 

 

Then this next picture is me.. Patiently waiting for him to finish his feast as I have tired, stressed out eyes from my occasional crying and nervous mood. Oh and did I mention I had been FASTING until the above time of 6pm????

 

Wow. I look really bad. But this is what it looks like an hour before your leg is amputated!!

 

 

 

 

Then I found these cool pictures of my RAW leg after taking the first casting off.

 

WARNING!!!.... the following pictures are Gross!!!

 

 

 

Prying the cast off.

 

 

 

2 weeks after amputation. First look at new leg.

 

 

 

 

And this next picture is pretty gross. This is the wound that opened up and had to be packed with gauze everyday for 4 months until it filled itself in with scar tissue. But it is probably one of my favorite pictures of the journey. It just proves again to me that my life has never been easy. Even when I have hard trials I usually get the 'extra bonus' trial to go along with it.

 



 

Yeah. That is still gross to look at. But, I'm still pretty proud of that extra trial.





 

Girls weekend

I got to go on my very own vacation. Charlotte and I flew to North Carolina to visit my brother and his daughter. We have never been there before. It was Great!! What a beautiful place. There were trees everywhere we looked. And we got to eat all kinds of southern food. Char loved spending time with her cousin sofia. Because of the distance we rarely get to see each other.

Best airport greeting ever!

Filling their bags with treasures at the Scrap Exchange

Starting our first morning at Biscutville! Yum!

Trying on hats at a Vintage store.. Why not?!

And Baptism Day!!

My very own Stretch Armstrong

It has been 4 years since we had surgery to correct Ben's legs. The doctor makes a cut in his groin, calves and ankle tendons and then stretches the muscles to a flexed position. He then casts both legs to keep his feet flexed and in a month we have new stretched out legs. It gives him just enough to stand up flat footed and straighten his knees. Right now he walks or runs on his tippy toes always crouched in the knees. Over time he will start to walk with a criss crossed gait and that's when it is time to stretch him out again. So Moday afternoon when I called to schedule his surgery I was greeted with a 'We had a cancellation for tomorrow morning. Are you ready tomorrow?' Woah! After a good talk with the surgeon we decided to go for it. The good part was knowing that Ben was healthy and none of us were sick around here. Not something you can very well predict when you schedule a month in advanced. It went great. Me and him got to spend the day together. The doctor even let me suit up to carry him into the O.R. and help him as they gave him some gas to fall asleep. I don't think he had any fear until they tried to make him breathe into the oxygen mask. It was a good day. Today we are taking it easy. I know it hurts him and he is a tough kid. I am so amazed by his strength. I love him so much!!