Thanksgiving Gave Me One More Thing To Be Thankful For

Kellie flew in as a surprise visit for Thanksgiving to help make Thanksgiving better while Blake is away in Iraq. It started off pretty good. We went to see Dr. Nick Tuesday and Scott's CT scan is unchanged there is still the 13 mm shift and swelling. Dr. Nick feels that if we have 4 consecutive treatments of chemo we should see a difference - if not we will need to change cocktails or add a cocktail to the Carboplatin.

We then met the family at The Cheesecake Factory for dinner and then home for some sleep. I worked on Wednesday and Kellie accompanied Scott to Physical Therapy. I then came home and began prep. work for Thanksgiving. I ran to Melbourne to pick up Skylar and back home. I couldn't reach Scott by phone so I had Kellie to walk in first because I had Skylar. She opened the door to tell me he was on the floor. I asked Kellie to keep Skylar busy outside and ran in to check on Scott. He didn't know how he had gotten on the floor or how long he had been there. From all the calls I made home I would guess 45 min. Kellie and I stood Scott up and helped him to bed.

Scott awoke on Thanksgiving to find he couldn't walk. Eventually we phoned 911 to transport Scott because he was con fussed, irritated, fatigued etc. Tom come to pick up Skylar and Kellie and I headed to the hospital , we spent a few hours there and they decided to admit Scott. Kellie and I headed home put plates in the microwave and went to bed. The next morning we headed back to the hospital - I picked up a really large beautiful Santa to take up to Scott's room. I think Scott thought he was going to be there for Christmas and I was starting to decorate his room. When Dr. Lorenta walked in he wanted to keep Scott for a few days but. Scott wanted to go home - so he discharged him.

Friday, Saturday & Sunday were really tough. I took Kellie to the airport at 4:30 am and went back home sent up everything I thought Scott would need for the day. I also have my phone on vibrate, if he needs me. Scott is going to call Sea Pines to see if they can come to the house.

Kellie was such a "BIG" help while she was here. She cleaned, she did laundry etc.. I felt like I was on vacation.

All Is Calm

Scott and I had a good weekend. I had to get a photo ornament in the mail of Scott and I for the family tree that is being sent to the soldiers in Iraq. I got to the Post Office 10 minutes before it closed. Saturday Scott and I went to see The Blind Side. Excellent movie.

Sunday I slept in until 8:00 which is pretty late for me. I then started laundry, went shopping, then to the grocery store. When I got home I made Zuppa Toscana for Scott. Cleaned a little bit more and called it a night. For some reason I was exhausted this weekend. I was hoping to get so much more done than what I did.

Scott and I have to be in Orlando tomorrow afternoon for an appt. (I am assuming) after the events of Wednesday evening. I have all the kids Christmas gifts so I am hoping to meet up with my mom so I can pass them off.

Scott and I plan on spending a nice quiet Thanksgiving at home (hopefully with Skylar) and I plan on making my famous Sweet Potato Bake for a few friends and a few pumpkin pies.

Scott's Home

CT scan came back with no swelling and no bleed. Scott's Dilatin level was 23.5 and normally ranges 13-18. We are not sure what caused him to be unbalanced or loss of vision in the right eye.
I am going to do some research this weekend with Dilatin being toxic in your system. Scott got out about 6:00 pm and we were both emotionally and physically exhausted. Probably a little more emotionally - with all Scott was saying, I really thought I was losing him. He apologized for ruining my birthday and I told him I have been given the best Birthday present anyone could ask for.

Observation

Scott, Tom and I took Skylar to the Circus yesterday. During intermission I noticed a change in Scott and asked him if he thought we should leave. We stayed until the final act and Scott began to have trouble. Scott was having a hard time walking, he seem to be fading. Tom helped me get him to the truck. Scott vision in his right eye was really blurry. He was telling me he felt pressure in his head like before and everything I didn't want to hear, he was telling me. I texted Michelle to tell her we were on our way to Holmes and I didn't know what was going on. I also texted Aaron,Scott's brother but couldn't get a hold of him right away but, did talk to him later that evening. I felt helpless because no one knows Scott like Aaron and he is my life line to Scott. Michelle made it to the hospital and I was glad to see her because she is my comfort. I was given a God send at the hospital when I ran into a nurse I know there. I was a mess and she asked me what was wrong, I asked if a certain Dr. was working and he was. Although, the waiting room was packed Scott was gotten back right away. I was glad because Scott had had chemo last week, no flu ahot this season and I didn't want him to catch anything. We are waiting for results of the CT scan.

WARNING BRAIN DUMP

Scott and I have had a tough year. Our lives changed on April the 23rd. We haven't had time to look back. It has been medically, emotionally and physically draining. We continue to receive prayers and are thankful for them. Although during this difficult year we have found out who are true friends are, the ones that listen when we need to vent and the ones that continue to do small things that make a big difference. We have learned that family expects and friends understand. We have seen the ones who continue to love us when we are not so loveable. The ones that continue to invite us to functions - even though we are unable to make 3/4 of them. I am still in therapy for the fall that Scott took in April. Every load noise makes my heart drop. Is it helping??? I don't know Scott fell last night and the thunk from the hall I heard in the living room made my heart race. I am still on anxiety meds. Scott is as uneasy as I am and he is going to schedule a CT scan today. I have learned not to trust the scans because although it shows stability, anything can happen and the domino effect that happened in April could easily happen again. We try to maintain our daily lives and not let this disease control it. When Scott and I married we vowed to renew our vows every 5 years. May will be 10 years and we have decided to fly to Hawaii to renew our vows. When I was looking at pictures I found the most beautiful breath taking spot. When I researched to find the name of the location it was perfect. The location is Heaven's Point. Scott and I take one day at a time and enjoy each day we have been gifted. If Scott is not feeling well we lay in bed together and watch our favorite shows. The days he is feeling well - we make the best of them.

We make sure we have time for Skylar, push that extra step, no matter how exhausted we are to make sure we give her childhood memories that will stay with her forever - while some choose to watch her grow up in pictures. Skylar is the best medicine you can ask for. We took her to coldstone Saturday evening. Scott and Skylar took their Ice Cream to the table and sat down and began eating. As I was standing at the cash register I looked over at them chatting and eating their ice cream - I didn't want to walk over to sit with them, I wanted to enjoy the picture that my mind had captured and one that I hope will stay with me forever.

It has been difficult knowing Blake is in Iraq. With all we have going on in our lives I try to keep the comfort of home in packages that I ship to him. It is tough seeing how exhausted he is through webcam. A few weeks ago we were on webcam and I asked him to say something so I could hear his voice but, he couldn't because there were people around. I asked him to just cough, something so I could hear and he began to whistle. That whistle (that would normally drive me crazy) was music to my ears. I don't watch the news anymore - the war and the politics drive me nuts. Every soldier that is lost breaks my heart. Scott and I decided this year that we will not buy for the adults but, will send Christmas Stockings to Soldiers in Iraq. We are going to call them "Operation Scotty Soldier Sacks"

I do have to say, as I have said many times before I am thankful for my live. I am thankful for the people God has put in our lives. I wouldn't change one thing because I feel Scott and I enjoy the things people take for granted because of all we face.

Long Weekend

Scott began chemo again on Thursday. I thought he would have a rough time because he has been on chemo vacation for awhile. Surprisingly he did really well. He did have an odd case of the hicups that lasted 9 hours Thursday night and on Saturday night for 9 hours. Thursday evening I gave him peanut butter and that seem to help but, Saturday evening it didn't do anything. Skylar had a sleep over. Scott had the hicups, he was aggitated because had been laying awake for hours. When he would hicup he said Skylar would hit him and say he was keeping her awake. I had wised up and went in the other rooom. Poor Skylar woke up throwing up. I was playing nurse to her and Scott. Tom picked Skylar up and Scott eventually got up and felt pretty good. I am now trying to get laundry done. I need to go to work to get some rest.

Hate Being The One To Make Health Desicions

Scott had a rough Saturday afternoon and Sunday. He didn't feel good, he seems to be leaning to the left really bad, his walking wasn't so great and he slept allot. He usually calls me as soon as he wakes up but, I didn't hear from him so I decided to give him a call around 10:00 to see how he was doing. He said he felt about the same. He did end up at physical therapy but, with a phone call to me about 3:00 that they didn't want him to drive home. My heart dropped and I headed to Sea Pines to pick him up. When I got there Judy was sitting with him and I asked Scott if we should stop and have some bloodwork done to rule out if he was toxic to Dilatin. We should get those results today. I was explaining to Scott how I hate being the one to decided someone else's fate. If it were me I would know what to do but, when someone else's health is in your hands you want to make the right decision. I realize we can't panic over every little thing but, I do and try not to show it. I was scared to go to sleep for the fear he would fall in the middle of the night and he did. I checked him out and he seem to be ok. When I asked him how he felt this morning he said better.

More Fun With Skylar

Scott and I took Skylar to Satellite Beach Founders Day. Every year Satellite Beach celebrates the city's birthday. Joe (our UPS guy) has an Alpaca Farm and he was going to have two of his babies there. hey also have a huge craft/bake sale. this year allot of the local restaurants had tents and Skylar was excited to see the parade. The Alpacas were amazing. One of the Alpacas was humming and when I asked what it was doing, they explained when thy get stressed they hum. Laughing I said that is what I am going to do . Later in the day Scott asked me what was wrong (for the record I wasn't humming) and Skylar said remember you told that guy you are going to do what the animals do and then I remembered the humming story. Skylar picked out a horse made out of Alpaca wool. It is the softest soft you will ever feel. The alpacas were so friendly and we are looking forward to going down to their farm in a few weeks for their Christmas with the Alpacas.

The parade seem to be a big hit with Skylar. It seem to be along wait but we were at the end of the parade. I had worn my Mom of a American Soldier shirt and had allot of Thank yous and well wishes to send to Blake. We brought Skylar back here and let her play Wii before taking her home. She maybe more competitive then me and she is really good at the games. Michelle and I had a baby sower at 7:00 pm so by the time I got home when on Facebook to check my Farm it was about 12:00, which would have been 7:00 am in Iraq and I was lucky enough to find Blake online who had just gotten off work : ( Blake called us this morning, he seems to be in good spirits, the days are long and they work 7 days a week. He sounds really tired. I sent out another package packed with Gatorade/Lemonade packets for his water and he requesting cherry Kool-aid packs today. So that will be in my next package.

Our next week gets a little more complicated. Prayers for Scott as he starts chemo again on November 12. I think we will plan on a quite Thanksgiving home this year - if we get lucky we will have Skylar. I am trying to think of something creative to send to Blake for Thanksgiving , so if you have any ideas I am all ears.

Adventures With Skylar

Scott and I decided to take Skylar to the park. They had a new climbing wall and we thought the little monkey would love it. Skylar wasn't feeling well so we made it a short trip. Scott used to take Skylar to this playground when she was little, so we were glad to see they made it more older child friendly. It's almost like the playground grew with Skylar. Skylar is getting so big, too fast. We then went home and tried to get her to stay calm and relax so she could go Trick or Treating that night. Skylar again did great. She is such a pleasant child to be around.

Skylar was super excited about Trick or Treating. As soon as I got her out of the bath and dressed in her costume - she was ready to head out. Tom showed up and after a few pictures , she was ready to go. Scott did great on his walking. We got about half way around and Tom came back to get Scott's truck. Skylar was happy because she was tired and wanted to ride in pappy's truck home. When she would ring the door bell she never said trick or treat she would say Happy Halloween. Skylar made an adorable Dorothy and everyone thought it was cute that Toto was in her candy basket. These were a few of my favorite pictures. As you can see Skylar loves her daddy.