You're Livin' the Dream, Mater Boy! *Aug 2010*(WE'RE HOME and HAD A GREAT TRIP!!!!)

[Charlefours]

Oh goodness--my thoughts and prayers are with you Karen!

 

[MommyMcQueen]

Oh goodness--my thoughts and prayers are with you Karen!

Thank you Stephanie! I really appreciate it.

I got my lab results mailed to me and was very relieved to see the liver test results -they were completely normal and on the lower end of the range, so that is very good news. The tests look for damage to the liver, so it is a great indicator that there is not any damage to the liver.

I go in tomorrow for some pre-op bloodwork and they are also going to run another blood test called a CA125 - its a marker for ovarian cancer. Apparently it's not the most reliable tests in the world for pre-meno women, especially when there is tumors involved, but it can be used as a baseline for future testing after the tumor is out.

Just counting down the days now until the surgery on Thursday and I'm just looking forward to getting it over with the getting the results of the biospy.

At least I still have most of the 800+ page Unofficial Guide to ready and keep me busy while I'm resting in bed for the next week!

Karen

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Karen:

So sorry to hear your news but please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. God is so good and he will get you through this. Great news about your liver test.

There are some people in our community going through this now and have found a lot of comfort and resources through carepages.com. You might check it out as you can find others who have the similiar symptoms and the treatment they are going through. I know both ladies have spoken as to what a help the site has been for them.

Erika

 

[Cory's Gal]

Oh, Karen my thoughts and prayers are with you. I am glad to hear that there are no problems with your liver. I hope your surgery goes well on Thursday and rest yourself as much as possible!

 

[MommyMcQueen]

Karen:

So sorry to hear your news but please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. God is so good and he will get you through this. Great news about your liver test.

There are some people in our community going through this now and have found a lot of comfort and resources through carepages.com. You might check it out as you can find others who have the similiar symptoms and the treatment they are going through. I know both ladies have spoken as to what a help the site has been for them.

Erika

Thank you Erika! I did check out CarePages - what a great site - thanks for the link. So far we have had all positive signs that the tumor will be benign, so we're just hoping and praying as well! Thanks for thinking of me!

Oh, Karen my thoughts and prayers are with you. I am glad to hear that there are no problems with your liver. I hope your surgery goes well on Thursday and rest yourself as much as possible!

Thank you Beth! I appreciate your thoughts!

We got more promising news yesterday, the CA125 marker for ovarian cancer came back normal, so that is another good sign. Doesn't mean it can be that, but is a good sign that it is not elevated, I was actually expecting it to be high since my doctor said it could be a high result even with a non-cancerous tumor. So the fact that it is low is very good.

Yeah....resting tends to be a bit of a problem for me. I hate sitting around - I get bored SO easily and just feel completely useless doing nothing. I know I have to rest and I know for the first few days I probably won't be getting around well at all, but I'm really not looking forward to it! I have some books to read, I have movies to watch, I have my laptop. I also printed some pictures so I may attempt a little scrapbooking in bed! I'm sure I'll probably sleep a bunch the first day or two. I just hope for a quick recovery and that I can at least get out of bed after a day or two.

Well, I'll post an update probably on Friday after I'm home if I'm awake! They may want to keep me overnight on Thursday, but I'm hoping they will let me go home the same day or Friday at the latest. Doc said it would all depend on how extensive the surgery is and he won't know until he's in there.

Thanks to all of you who have offerd me your support and well wishes! I love the DIS, people here are so kind and caring!

 

[Cory's Gal]

Good luck today Karen! I hope your surgery goes well with great results!

 

[MommyMcQueen]

Good luck today Karen! I hope your surgery goes well with great results!

Thanks Beth! Its been a long couple of days, but surgery was on Thursday and it did go well. We had about an hour delay getting in (doc was deliverying a baby) so after that it went fast - took less than an hour, and recovery was about 2 hours and they sent me home. I was home by 4pm on Thursday.

Initially I felt really good! At the hospital they got me some food and drink, got up walking around and stuff. I felt good! Once I got home the pain started setting in a bit, we didn't pick up the pain Rx on the way home because the pharmacy didn't have it ready (shocker!) and I didn't want to sit and wait 25 minutes for it. Dan may go pick it up today, I had a bit of a rough night last night.

Yesterday went well until the evening. I woke up feeling pretty good - hardly any pain around the incision, which is tiny - they went in through the belly button. My doc does the SILS procedure - a single incision laparoscopy so there is only the one. I sat in our recliner all morning, by lunch I was getting tired and it seems like anyting I eat makes my belly hurt, so it's been small little meals so I don't get too much in my stomach and cause pain. My right side, back and shoulder are very tender and sore, I guess from the gas they use to puff you up. Last night my right side ached terribly, it was the worst it has been. I really didn't think I overdid it at all, I was only up a few times yesterday walking between rooms or whatever, but I was sure hurting last night. Woke at 4am in pain again - that darn shoulder and back - and I'm not much of a back sleeper so my back just hurt, so I moved to the recliner and that helped a lot, not laying flat on my back, and I was able to fall back asleep for a while.

So, this morning I'm feeling okay. My sister and BIL are coming later this morning to take the boys for the day, so that will be nice - they are BORED! They keep calling for me to help them or do stuff with them and I have to tell them "go ask your dad"!

I'm very glad its over. The doctor said the tumor appreared to be dermoid (the non-cancerous type) they cut it open and it had all the characteristics of that kind. They sent it to the lab for biospy, but it'll take 3-5 days until they have the results. I'm really looking forward to feeling better and this side and shoulder pain being gone! Once that is gone I think I'll be feeling pretty good.

I'm sad to say that I haven't been thinking about Disney at all!!! I can't wait to get back into my planning, especially since we're almost down to 5 months! In the meantime, Mater's 4th birthday is in just over a week and we have easter coming up. Mater is having a "Bolt" themed birthday, that is his current favorite movie, he got is for Xmas this year. His birthday happens to be on my birthday as well, but we don't need to celebrate that since I am getting WAY too old now.

Thanks for sticking around and reading along with me these last couple weeks. I appreciate all of your support!

 

[wdwgirl03]

I am still here too...hope everything is going well and I'm looking forward to more of your plans.

 

[Charlefours]

I am glad the markers are coming back in the normal range and at least you have them as a baseline. I glad the surgery went well and you are resting Karen! I had a SILS done and the scar is so tiny that it is hard to see unless you know it is there. Praise the heavens that the tumor from outward appearances seems to be benign. I hope th UG is making a good companion for you.

You have time to plan Disney just keep reminding yourself of that. I know I do when school gets crazy. Have a wonderful time celebrating Mater's birthday--I sure hope you will share some pictures if you are up to it and willing.

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

I hope you are feeling much better today, Karen. I am glad the surgery went well. Thank goodness that the tumor looks benign. I will continue to keep you in my prayers.

Erika

 

[MommyMcQueen]

I am still here too...hope everything is going well and I'm looking forward to more of your plans.

Thanks! I'm looking forward to getting back on track soon!

I am glad the markers are coming back in the normal range and at least you have them as a baseline. I glad the surgery went well and you are resting Karen! I had a SILS done and the scar is so tiny that it is hard to see unless you know it is there. Praise the heavens that the tumor from outward appearances seems to be benign. I hope th UG is making a good companion for you.

You have time to plan Disney just keep reminding yourself of that. I know I do when school gets crazy. Have a wonderful time celebrating Mater's birthday--I sure hope you will share some pictures if you are up to it and willing.

the SILS is great! I couldn't believe how small it was...technology is amazing! I have been reading some of my UG - I had skimmed a lot of it already but went back and read more in depth about MK yesterday. I'll be sure to post pix from the birthday - I just love birthdays, they are so much fun!

I hope you are feeling much better today, Karen. I am glad the surgery went well. Thank goodness that the tumor looks benign. I will continue to keep you in my prayers.

Erika

Thanks Erika! I am feeling better today - 4 days now since the surgery. Yesterday was hit and miss, I felt good in the morning but crashed by 11am and slept until 2pm. Felt pretty good the rest of the day, and slept great last night. I think the last of the gas has left my back and shoulder, it was a little sore this morning but I've been feeling pretty good all day today.

In an attempt to get my mind back on Disney planning, I spent about 2 hours yesterday looking through a great food thread - it was the snacks picture thread! I'm amazed at the quantity and SIZE of the snacks there!!! Those make your own krispie heads are HUGE!!! They look SO good though...can't wait to get some! It was fun looking through there and DH and I were oohhh'ing and aahhh'ing over all of the food! I'll guess have to go and add a new column to my spreadsheet for snacks to try!!! Don't want to miss out on those!

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

In an attempt to get my mind back on Disney planning, I spent about 2 hours yesterday looking through a great food thread - it was the snacks picture thread! I'm amazed at the quantity and SIZE of the snacks there!!! Those make your own krispie heads are HUGE!!! They look SO good though...can't wait to get some! It was fun looking through there and DH and I were oohhh'ing and aahhh'ing over all of the food! I'll guess have to go and add a new column to my spreadsheet for snacks to try!!! Don't want to miss out on those!

Karen:

I am so glad you are feeling some better.

I have got to find the snacks thread! I just found an awesome looking cookie a few weeks ago off another trip report. It was a carrot cake cookie with filling. Boy, that thing looked delicious.

Still sending good thoughts and prayers your way!

Erika

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Karen,

I just stopped by to let you know I am still thinking about you and praying that you received good news this week! Hope you are doing well.

Erika

 

[MommyMcQueen]

Karen,

I just stopped by to let you know I am still thinking about you and praying that you received good news this week! Hope you are doing well.

Erika

Thank you Erika! you are so sweet!

I am feeling better every day - yesterday I was prettymuch back to my old self - went grocery shopping, ran a few other errands, played outside with the kids. I wan't too sore at all, just a little tender yet but not bad at all.

I haven't heard from the doctors office on the biospy - basically they said that if they found something they'll call me, if not we'll discuss it at my followup appt next week. So no news is good news...I guess. My mom tells me I should just call but I have to admit I'm a little scared, and if they found something they would call me, right?

I've just realized today that 3 weeks from today is our trip to DC! So, I spent some time today looking at some of the touring options - my mom is 68 and we had kind of planned to do one of the bus/trolley type tours where you hop on and off at your convenience, just to save her some walking. Now with me having the surgery and stuff I definitely want to get one one of those tours, I'm sure I'll be feeling fine by then but you never know, I may tire more easily too - so I've been searching and reading up on them. I don't know - it's hard when you haven't been there before, I don't know which one to do!

We have a lot going on in the next 3 weeks - it's going to be a little crazy and I don't see much Disney Planning Time in my near future! Next week we have Maters birthday, Dan is gone at a conference for 3 days, I have my doctors appt, and kids have Friday off school. The following week isn't too bad - just parent-teacher conferences one night, me getting a haircut another night, and kids have Friday off school again for easter break. Then it's Easter weekend, we'll be doing an easter egg hunt on Saturday and we visit both sides of the family on Easter Sunday - my mom's for lunch and Dan's folks for dinner (with an hour drive inbetween). Kids are off school Monday and Tuesday, and I'll be packing Wednesday and leaving Thursday morning! Seems like it'll be here in no time!

In the meantime, I need to wrap Maters presents and remember to get the battery out of the box and charge it for his hew toy. I'm so excited to give him his present! I think I mentioned that he LOVES dinosaurs, and we got him one of these enormous remote controlled dinosaurs - it's called Spike. It was really popular like 2 Xmas's ago and ridiculously priced, and I found in on clearance for 1/2 off after Xmas this year and bought it. He will love it, any time he sees it in a store or a picture of it, he completely goes crazy for it. It has a rechargable battery and I want to pull it out of the box and get it charged so he can play with it when we give it to him. I CAN'T FORGET TO CHARGE THAT BATTERY!!!

And then there is easter baskets to do! I got some candy yesterday when I went grocery shopping, but I have to get some little toys and junk for the baskets yet...it's hard to go shopping alone, I usually have one of the kids with me, but I'll have to make some time to go alone this week. And I suppose I could get my few Easter and spring decorations out of the basement sometime soon - seeing that easter is only 2 weeks away now.

Anyone else feel completely behind all of a sudden??

 

[MommyMcQueen]

Okay, since it has been a while and it made me laugh today, here are some pictures of soon-to-be 4 year old boy!

He is the king of silly faces and anytime he thinks he's going to get in trouble for something, he'll make a face to try to get Dan and I to laugh...and not punish him. He is a character, that's for sure! And yes, so matter how hard I try, his hair is always sticking up somewhere - I have no idea what position he sleeps in to make his hair do what it does!

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Hi Karen:

So glad that you are feeling much better. No news is always good news!

We leave two weeks from today for DC! My planning mode has been in overdrive. I have started a spreadsheet of all the attractions we would like to visit or see with dates/time, location, metro stops, etc. I don't want to miss anything. I have been nervous about the parking situation. The last time I was in DC Tom and I stayed downtown and could easily walk to where we wanted during my conference breaks or at night it was easy to find parking. We are staying in Alexandria this time. It appears that the metro stop in town does not have parking. I love riding the metro but I know after a few days Tom will get agitated! We have looked at the trolley tours as well. We love the Old Town Trolley. We have taken their tours in Boston and Savannah. I think they have a buy one get a day free that might work well for you.

I am also trying to tweek some Disney plans. Our 90 day mark is in a few weeks and I want to make sure I have all my ressies the way I want before then. I am afraid that some people will think they can only make ressies 90 days out and then three will be nothing available.

Have a great weekend!

Erika

 

[martinolichfamily]

Hi Karen!

So happy to hear that you are doing well! Praying your biopsy comes back w/good news! I am sure it will!

We are back now finally...from a snowing Spring Break in New Mexico! Glad to be home w/out the Snow...I think I had enough!

 

[MommyMcQueen]

Hi Karen!

So happy to hear that you are doing well! Praying your biopsy comes back w/good news! I am sure it will!

We are back now finally...from a snowing Spring Break in New Mexico! Glad to be home w/out the Snow...I think I had enough!

Hi Heather!

Glad to hear you're back and hope you had a good trip! Doesn't take long to get sick of that snow, huh? Ours is all melted and we avoided a winter storm this weekend they were predicting for us, it all went south. We couldn't be happier!

Karen

 

[MommyMcQueen]

Today we celebrated Mater's 4th birthday - it was pretty fun. We usually don't do big birthday parites, but we went out to lunch at a restaurant and we came home for cake and presents. Some family who are local stopped over this afternoon for cake and to visit, it was a nice afternoon.

He had a Bolt themed birthday, he has been obsessed with that move since last November, when we rented it for the first time. I got it the weekend that Dan was gone deer hunting and we watched it every day until I had to send it back! (I have to admit, it is probaly my favorite kids movie as well.) After I sent it back, Mater would ask me every day after I got the mail if "the dog movie" was in there...this went on for weeks! I tried explaining that it wasn't our movie and we just "borrowed" it from the store but he continued to ask for it and talk about it constantly, so we got it for Christmas for him. When we started looking at birthday ideas, he saw Bolt and that was it, he wanted a Bolt birthday! I was so happy to find everything online, including the biggest character balloon I think I've ever seen - it's almost as tall as him!

Here are a few pix of him and his cake:

His big present this year was a big remote controlled dinosaur - he's had his eye on it for over a year! When he opened it, his reaction was not quite what I was expecting - he was really afraid of it! He ripped off a small piece of paper saw the box and immediately new what it was - he jumped up and ran away screaming! After a minute of talking to him about it, he went back over and Dan helped him open it, once he saw it he got a little more excited about it and a lot less scared. We took it out of the box and put it together, and he learned to use the remote control and now he just loves it! I felt terrible that he was afraid of it, but honestly he is sometimes like that about things, he just takes a while to warm up to things.

It was a really good day. I can't believe my little baby is 4 years old already! Here are my favorite pictures from his past 3 birthdays:

1st Birthday:

2nd Birthday:

3rd Birthday:

They sure do grow up so fast. Well, I'm gonna run - Mater just asked if he can watch Bolt, so we're going to go watch his movie and snuggle - while he still fits on my lap!

Hope you all had a great weekend! Anyone do anything fun?
Karen

 

[MommyMcQueen]

Laaa-De-Daaaa!

I am sitting here twiddling my thumbs this morning...waiting for Southwest fares to be released today! I know they won't come out for another hour or two, but I keep checking every 20 minutes or so. I really hope we can get good flights book today! Keeping my fingers crossed and credit card handy!

Karen