Thursday, January 26, 2006
Alice has a date with a married man on Valentines Day
Alice has a date with a married man on Valentines Day and she's going to give him a piece of her mind. That is tumor humor for, Alice's surgery date is set for February 14th.
Yes, the date is set for February 14th. She has all her pre-op stuff on the 13th. They wanted to give her enough time for the inflammation to be resolved, but not too much time for the blasted thing to grow too much. Hopefully that will be accomplished.
Overall, as the time grows nearer, I am more nervous and wish this all wasn't happening, but it is. We all know it must happen, something must happen so we get to keep our Alice with us. I feel like I have been cherishing each day, not wanting it to go too fast, yet wanting to get this surgery over ... dreading the whole thing and having some sincere fear over the results yet knowing it is out of our hands and it will be what it will be.
I received a phone call the other day from a mom with a 13 year old daughter who was just diagnosed with a brain tumor and is seeing all our friends up in Portland at Doernbecher. Talking to her made me realize how far we've come and how much seems normal to us. It brought back memories of the early days ... when I was a chemo virgin. It was so good to be able to support this mom in this way; share thoughts and provide information. We are going to meet with them on Saturday and I know meeting together, meeting Alice with her matter-of-fact way about it all, about life, will be a wonderful gift we can share. I ask you all to keep a 13 year old named Erin in your thoughts as they have so many steps ahead of them, so many uncertainties. As her mother said, "I never thought I'd be talking about these big life and death things about my child". Many blessing to them as they do. Please think of them and all those who fear for their children.
And as always, thank you all for all your love and support.
We are busy making wonderful memories to keep with us and get us through the difficult days. We had an incredible trip to Arizona sponsored by the Children's Cancer Association and a wonderful visit from my sister and niece from Texas. One thing I have learned in our journey with Alice, is that making memories is so important. Wonderful memories and simple memories. Our family has so many memories of difficulties - chemotherapy, vomiting, surgeries, MRI's and worries. But it is the memories of our good times together, our unique experiences that keep us sane and laughing and together ... ready to face the next step in our journey. And always, there is humor. Alice's next brain surgery is scheduled for the 14th of February. It is a great unknown and we can not help but worry. But we have many wonderful memorys in our minds and in our hearts. We have laughter and love carrying us on with strength and with belief ... belief in miracles.
And there are more wonderful memories to come. Tomorrow night is a Jazz and Dessert Benefit for our family at Alice's middle school. The love and support that is flowing from this event is all too amazing. We are truly blessed. Once again, thank you all for being there. Whether it's reading these blogs, sending prayers and thoughts our way, or any of the multitude of ways we have been loved and supported, know we appreciate it all and we believe always.
peace and love,
Susan
Yes, the date is set for February 14th. She has all her pre-op stuff on the 13th. They wanted to give her enough time for the inflammation to be resolved, but not too much time for the blasted thing to grow too much. Hopefully that will be accomplished.
Overall, as the time grows nearer, I am more nervous and wish this all wasn't happening, but it is. We all know it must happen, something must happen so we get to keep our Alice with us. I feel like I have been cherishing each day, not wanting it to go too fast, yet wanting to get this surgery over ... dreading the whole thing and having some sincere fear over the results yet knowing it is out of our hands and it will be what it will be.
I received a phone call the other day from a mom with a 13 year old daughter who was just diagnosed with a brain tumor and is seeing all our friends up in Portland at Doernbecher. Talking to her made me realize how far we've come and how much seems normal to us. It brought back memories of the early days ... when I was a chemo virgin. It was so good to be able to support this mom in this way; share thoughts and provide information. We are going to meet with them on Saturday and I know meeting together, meeting Alice with her matter-of-fact way about it all, about life, will be a wonderful gift we can share. I ask you all to keep a 13 year old named Erin in your thoughts as they have so many steps ahead of them, so many uncertainties. As her mother said, "I never thought I'd be talking about these big life and death things about my child". Many blessing to them as they do. Please think of them and all those who fear for their children.
And as always, thank you all for all your love and support.
We are busy making wonderful memories to keep with us and get us through the difficult days. We had an incredible trip to Arizona sponsored by the Children's Cancer Association and a wonderful visit from my sister and niece from Texas. One thing I have learned in our journey with Alice, is that making memories is so important. Wonderful memories and simple memories. Our family has so many memories of difficulties - chemotherapy, vomiting, surgeries, MRI's and worries. But it is the memories of our good times together, our unique experiences that keep us sane and laughing and together ... ready to face the next step in our journey. And always, there is humor. Alice's next brain surgery is scheduled for the 14th of February. It is a great unknown and we can not help but worry. But we have many wonderful memorys in our minds and in our hearts. We have laughter and love carrying us on with strength and with belief ... belief in miracles.
And there are more wonderful memories to come. Tomorrow night is a Jazz and Dessert Benefit for our family at Alice's middle school. The love and support that is flowing from this event is all too amazing. We are truly blessed. Once again, thank you all for being there. Whether it's reading these blogs, sending prayers and thoughts our way, or any of the multitude of ways we have been loved and supported, know we appreciate it all and we believe always.
peace and love,
Susan
# posted by heinzfamily @ 5:36 PM 
