My Thank You To Nurses.

With so much media attention on nurses, I couldn't help but think back to our last 2 years of constant appointments and treatments, and be so incredibly blessed for the nurses in my life. So here is my thank you to all the nurses out there, especially those who have helped Dad these last 2 years. 

Dear Nurses,

You have each helped scan, poke, cut and monitor my Dad these last 2 years. From brain surgeries, ICU stays, MRIs, administering treatment, doing blood work, and being my on call for any question or concern- you have handled each situation perfectly, and I thank you for that. 

Thank you to the ICU nurses at St. Joseph's. When our world seemed to be falling apart, and we were sleep deprived from sleeping in the waiting room, you were there to offer kind words and provide care to my Dad. I credit Dad's ICU nurse with saving his life that day in October 2013. That day where the brain surgery was a success and, shortly after, Dad's right arm started appearing very weak. There were no machines that went off, or some sort of test that showed what was happening, just the training of one amazing nurse who noticed a change and called the doctor. We soon realized Dad was having a brain bleed and was quickly rushed back to surgery. That nurse saved Dad's life, and for that there are no words to thank her enough. And to the ICU nurses who allowed us to visit during non-visitation hours to help make Dad more comfortable and to the ICU nurses who loved and cared for my Dad as I would love and care for him, thank you. 

Thank you the Cancer Clinic nurses. To say these nurses have become second family to us would be an understatement. These nurses have answered every call I've had with any question or concern. They have answered some of my difficult questions, where my voice screamed panic and concern, and their response was calming and comforting. I remember that day in March 2014, where we were concerned the cancer had returned. I walked back to the chemotherapy area with tears in my eyes, panic in my heart, and fear overtaking my body- and I wasn't greeted with any cold words or request to "sign in" or provide Dad's information. Instead, I was greeted with a hug and those words I will never forget, "I'm going to take very good care of your Dad." Thank you for providing hope to my family throughout this journey, thank you for providing guidance to me on this path where medical information is so foreign to me, and thank you for providing a hug when I needed it more than I could have ever imagined. Thank you. 

And to my family of nurses- thank you! You answer the calls in the early mornings and late nights, those calls where I'm filled with panic or concerned, and you are calm and reassuring. I'm not sure if nurses take a class on how to remain calm in stressful situations, or if that's just how perfectly God made you for this profession, but how amazing it is that when the world seems to be falling apart, you're right there to help manage the pieces.

And maybe nurses don't hear it enough, but thank you for all that you do each day. Thank you for the sacrifices you make working late, or being on call. You reassure us, you comfort us, and you provide a sense of strength in battles that we do not know how to fight. You become family to many of us, and I hope you see what a blessing that is to many families like mine. 

Continue your passion in helping others, because on the days where nothing seems to go right, on the days where you're tired, burnt out, and frustrated with your profession- know that there are families like mine who pray for people like you. People who provide calm in the storm, people who provide hope when the world seems hopeless, and people who provide care to those we love the most. 

Thank you.

Washington County Fair. Dad Update 9/17/2015

"Nothing can happen without God's permission and God will not allow a difficulty unless He has a divine purpose for it. If you will keep your peace, you'll pass the test, and God will bring you out better than you were before."

Last night Dad made a trip up to the Washington County Fair. This was especially BIG because last week was chemo week for Dad, and what an exceptionally difficult week it was! Dad starts chemo on a Monday and by Wednesday the side effects of the treatment are usually in full force and last until about the next Wednesday, which is why I was thrilled Dad felt good enough last night to come enjoy the fair. 

And this year was also a special year, as it's Luke's first trip to the Washington County Fair! I see lots of fair memories for him in his future. 

Making it to the VIP room to eat is always a challenge, as it seems like Dad is stopped non-stop by others wanting to say hi. Dad put so much of his heart and soul into the Washington County Fair- from serving on committees, to helping so many with their fair projects- he loved every minute of it. I still had to call him after every show yesterday to let him know who won Grand and Reserve and how some of the others placed. It always brings such a big smile to my face when others ask about him or to see the number of people stopping him to say hi- he is loved and prayed for by so many!

So the fair week continues on, and I hope Dad has a few more nights where he can enjoy the fair with friends and family. We never know if Dad will be having a good day or a bad day, but we continue to be so thankful for each day we are given with Dad. 

Thank you to all who have stopped and talked with Dad at the fair and those who continue to ask about him- we are so blessed with an amazing group of friends and family on this journey. 

Continue the prayers, as we continue fighting to BTHO Brain Cancer!

23 Months. Dad Update 9/2/2015

"Not being able to fully understand God is frustrating, but it is ridiculous for us to think we have the right to limit God to something we are capable of comprehending."

Saturday will mark 23 months since Dad's brain cancer diagnosis. I look back at our journey these last 23 months and I think about all the things it's been filled with- frustration, disappointment, tears, and fear. And then I realize it's also been filled with hope, joy, faith, and laughter. 

23 months ago I had so much anger and frustration towards God because I didn't understand our journey. I didn't understand why my Dad was being faced with something as difficult as cancer. What I didn't understand was that it was absolutely ridiculous for me to think that I had the right to limit God to something that I am capable of comprehending. 

And now, 23 months later I still don't fully understand it all. There are still moments and days where I wish things were back to how they were before Dad's diagnosis, but the frustration is gone. The disappointment, tears and fear have become less and less each day. Instead, we are filled even more with hope, joy, faith and laughter. 

Dad finished another round of chemo a couple of weeks ago, and overall, he felt good. Not great, but good. I will happily accept good. And now we put our focus on the events ahead. The Washington County Fair is coming up quickly, and this is always such an important time of year for Dad. We did very well at the fair with both our chickens and our rabbits, and that was a large part to Dad's hard work and dedication. And now, Mom and I serve on the Poultry Committee at the Fair. The Washington County Fair gave so much to my entire family, and it's just a small way for us to give back to it all. A little throwback picture circa 1995, when we won Reserve Grand Champion at the Washington County Fair. Dad is so incredibly proud, and I love that Mom is wearing a t-shirt with chickens on it. Oh I miss the '90s. 

Our next doctor's appointment is scheduled at the end of September, where we will meet with Dr. Fleener and discuss how Dad is doing and schedule our next MRI. To have 3 months between MRI's is just unreal to me, and as much as I love not having to visit the Cancer Clinic as often- it's very strange to me. Some days, I completely forget that Dad is battling against cancer, and what a huge blessing that is for me. I get to forget about the chemo, MRIs, medical bills, and doctor's appointments, and instead, I just get to enjoy my time with Dad. 

Thank you all for the continued love and support you've shown to me and my entire family. I am so thankful that this journey has allowed both myself, and my family, to grow closer in faith, friendship and family. We are better because of it all. 

Continue the prayers, as we continue fighting, to BTHO Brain Cancer!