What's Been Goin' On

Hi. I'm still alive. Typing is still quite the challenge.My fingers in my right hand don't want to work independently. I tried a speech recognition program, but every time I said "phone," "home," or "fun," it would take me to the home page on my browser, deleting everything I had just said. I guess that's a sign I should train myself, as painstaking as it may be, to type again. I need to do the same with the piano. So, if you've been trying to chat with me on the computer, and I've been ignoring you, this is why. Call me instead.

Woo.I need to start being more concise. My mom left over a week ago, Amanda's here, my BFF's are coming for a few days, and Carrie's coming until the beginning of June.I am still in physical and occupational therapy for one more week. Mid-May, I start radiation treatments to hopefully zap what's left of the tumor. That'll be 5 times a week for 5.5 weeks. Joe has the first two weeks of June off, so that leaves about a week and a half where it will be slightly hairy. Luckily, I have good friends here who are more than willing to help and take care of me and my family.

Yeah, pretty intense. What else can you say about radiation? The side effects sound minimal, although there is a chance for more neurological problems. But I don't think that'll happen. 

I will say this about my experiences this month.
This may very well be the hardest thing I have ever experienced. Yet, I feel so blessed. I daily record in my journal the miracles that have occurred in my life. I am amazed at my body and how quickly it can heal. I am so grateful for the capacity I have to take care of my children, since I couldn't for a time and still can't do everything. I feel so blessed to be where I am right now, to have the help I've had. Thank you, my friends, even though most of you don't read my blog. And thank you, Mom and Dad. I still cry when I think about all you have done for me; I don't know what I would do without you. This life is precious. You may think you know that, but for me it took a rather intense trial to realize what I have.

Sorry no pictures. I can't help it. Someday I'll start taking pictures again.

Charlotte update

My mom is writing in my behalf since my right hand doesn't work yet. My surgery on March 19 was 7 hours long, and the surgeon removed 80-90% of the astrocytoma tumor. When I woke up, most of my body felt numb, but I could move my arms and legs. I was in the ICU for 4 days, moved briefly to the main floor of the hospital, and then was in a rehabilitation center for 2 weeks. The therapists at the rehab center were really good. My walking is mostly stable now. My left hand is fully functioning, and my right hand able to do at least gross motor skills, but the fine motor skills are still a challenge. Every day gets a little better, so I'm encouraged by that. I started out patient therapy today, which was mostly an assessment of where I am and what needs I have yet to accomplish. We will be going there for the next month 3x a week. I am glad to be home. It's good to be back with my family and in my own bed. I'm thankful for all the help and support I've had from friends and family. My friend Anya watched the kids most days that I was in rehab so that my mom could be with me. Several people have brought meals, taken the kids, and even have given us money. The support I have had throughout this ordeal has been amazing. My kids are doing mostly well. Ruby has her moments of anger towards me because I had to wean her 2 weeks before surgery, she quit sucking her thumb, and then she was without her mother for 3 weeks, in addition to the 4 molars which just broke through. I can't lift her right now, which makes it hard to bond again. I also can't do much around the house which makes me feel a little useless, but luckily, my mom's here. I'll have help until the middle of May, so hopefully, I'll be adjusted to life by then. I still feel positive about things, and feel I will make a full recovery, although it might take some time.

Dottie at her First Grade spring program.

Ruby and I at the rehab center.

Easter.