IT'S BEEN ONE OF "THOSE" WEEKS

Time to update. Where to start? I'll start with the good stuff, Colby. He's doing great, fantastically awesome! Can't say he's had the most fun summer, but God love him, he's hanging in there. He's remained healthy and that's the main thing. We've been trying to get him outside to practice driving, but you have to get him out there darn early. He seems to overheat easier than ever. He gets that honest, huh? Waiting to get the communication device, with the new eye gaze system loaded on it, back from PRC. Imagine that, waiting for a piece of Colby's equipment. He's getting ready to turn 9 in less than a month. Unbelievable isn't it? So incredibly amazed and proud of that boy. Hard to even find the words.

Here's been my week so far:

Monday, sucky day. Had an appt with my ENT. Pathology report shows I do have papillary carcinoma, in other words, thyroid cancer. Oh goodie. So now what? He thinks the surgery I've already had "should" be all the treatment I need. However, since pathology did in fact show cancer cells, he wants to be very proactive and take out the other side of my thyroid now. Super duper. For weeks all I would say is "I have a nodule." Trying to shift my thinking to "I have cancer cells," but for the most part I'm in denial. And if you don't mind, that's exactly where I'll stay for a bit longer I think. Just going through the motions, doing what needs to be done. Now I, along with Colby and all those who have to work extra to help me take care of him while I recover, get to go through this bullshit again. Surgery is set up for the 3rd week of August, which is a week after Colby starts school. I'm not happy about the timing at all. I'm the only one who knows Colby's morning school routine. Guess it's time for someone else to learn, huh?

Tuesday, sucky day. As you know, I've been working with a realtor and trying to find a house. Colby has simply outgrown this apartment. The layout isn't what we need for his equipment and quite honestly, I'm just so over apartment living. I want us to have a cute little home of our own. So I found this house. Loved it the moment I saw it. Loved it even more when I looked through it. Made an offer, it was accepted. Exciting stuff, right? Then came the home inspection. Not exciting, more like disastrous. Turns out there are some items that the seller needs to fix before I will take it. I doubt very seriously if they will, but I'm willing to give it a try. So that's where we are right now. Waiting to get a quote on what it will cost to fix the problems, then going to see if the seller and bank will agree to the repairs (it's a short sale). If not, then I walk away. Can't stand the thought of not getting that house. Breaks my heart.

Wednesday, sucky day. Seeing a pattern here? Worked at the hospital and that went fine. Had a bit of a headache but nothing I couldn't handle. By the end of the night I had a full blown migraine. I only get 2 or 3 a year, thank goodness, because they flat out stop me in my tracks. I had to call the ex and have him put Colby to bed. All I could do is take a migraine pill, lie in bed with an ice pack on the back of my head, and cry, which really doesn't help but I couldn't help it. Took about 2 hours, but I got better. Well enough to text anyways, haha. Never too sick for that, right? Once Colby was tucked in, I went to bed too.

Then today, after 10 hours of oh-so-needed sleep, I had a freakin' great day! Today is the best I've felt since surgery. No headache, no dizziness, no fatigue, no just feeling "off." I even exercised for the 1st time in over 3 weeks. Maybe I just needed to have a good cry and get it all out of my system. Maybe it's just time for me to start feeling better. Can't explain it, but I'm not going to question it. Very thankful for a day where I felt like the old peppy, goofy Amy I've always been. Hoping tomorrow brings more of the same.

Don't forget about the upcoming Avon fundraiser, July 9. Proceeds go into our "make a house Colby accessible" fund for when (not if, but when) we find the right house and need to build items such as a wheelchair ramp, roll-in shower, etc. Details on Facebook and I'm e-mailing invites/fliers tomorrow.


Nighty-nite all. Hope your week has been less dramatic than mine. But things are looking up for me and everything is going to be okie dokie. Right?

HURRY UP AND WAIT

Check out my scar, I think it looks darn good. Once the rest of the swelling goes down, it'll hardly be noticeable.

So what's new around here? First of all, we're loving this cooler weather. I picked Colby up today for the 1st time in 10 days! Mom helped me get him into his wheelchair and we took him outside to practice driving. He's made a lot of progress, although much more practice is needed. It warms my heart just to see him out there, driving, jabbering, turning. He's been a total sweetheart over the last couple of weeks. He's very patient with everyone who took care of him while I couldn't. He's growing up! I love it and hate it all at the same time.

Back to both jobs. Typed my normal schedule and worked at the hospital this week.

Finally, FINALLY I think Colby's backup bi-PAP has been approved. I just loved it when Apria said insurance wouldn't cover a backup. I said sure they will, just about every SMA family I know has a backup, just order the dang thing! Then Humana needed this, then needed that. Blah, blah, same old crap. So I contacted Colby's pulmonologist at Cincy Children's to get the proper documentation and I think we should be getting it soon. Considering his old backup is being held together with packing tape and the handle has rotted completely off, it can't come soon enough. Always exciting in SMA land to get a new piece of equipment approved.

Two thumbs up for the homemade summer sausage my stepdad made. It's darn good! Had that and cheese and crackers for supper. Okay, and beer, too. So Kenny, if you're reading this, I'll be more than happy to take some more of it off your hands.

Don't you just hate it when you're trying to get something done, but you have to wait for someone or something else to happen? Or sometimes it seems time just creeps along, especially when you're waiting for answers, or this needs to happen on someone else's end before you can move forward on your end, etc. Seems like when anyone calls needing something from me, they need it ASAP, but it certainly changes if I'm calling them needing something. WAITING to get my pathology reports. WAITING to move forward on getting a house. WAITING for my prince charming to come along or to win the lottery (I think I have equal chances at those last 2, slim and none). Come on already, let's move on with it.

Have a great weekend everybody.

DADDY'S DAY

I guess Father's Day for me is bittersweet. Sweet because I'm very lucky to have both a great dad and stepdad in my life. It's no secret I've always been, and always will be, a Daddy's girl. I was totally the apple of my dad's eye until Colby came along. He holds that title now, haha, but that's okay, I'm a close second. Dad has helped so much over the years, especially by taking us to all of Colby's appointments. Of course we get there 20 minutes later than everyone else, but I need the help and am thankful Dad wants to do it. Those trips to Cincinnati are often long, exhausting days. Sometimes I feel guilty asking Dad to do it, but he says he wants to be there and insists on it, thank goodness. Kenny has been a wonderful stepdad in that he is supportive and loving. He's a good laid back contrast for my OCD, wound waaaaay too tight mama. Plus he's a great cook and any man who can cook is a winner in my book! Hopefully in the next few days we can get together and go to Homemade Pie Kitchen.


The bitter part of Father's Day is Colby and raising him by myself. In my opinion, Colby deserves something a little different than the way things turned out. How very badly I wish things could be different. But if I wish in one hand and crap in the other, we all know which will fill up faster. So that's all the time and energy I'll spend on that topic.


Dad came over and watched Colby so I could go to Mass tonight. It was Fr. Bill's last day. He is retiring after being at the Cathedral for 14 years. I was so saddened when I heard he was leaving. He's the only priest to be at the Cathedral since I started going there. He baptized me, he baptized Colby. You can say what you want about the Catholic church, I don't care. Heck, there have been days when I have questioned the Church and what it means to be Catholic. But Fr. Bill is everything good and right in the Church. He's a quiet but strong religious leader who has made a positive difference in my life. I sure will miss him. I just hope they haven't picked some nerdy goofball priest to take his place. This dude has big shoes to fill for sure. He better come out swinging next Sunday for his first homily, that's all I can say.

Yep, lots of changes going on around here lately. Can't say I care for it all that much.

DOING NOTHING IS HARD WORK

I know many of you thought I wouldn't follow dr's orders, but I'll have you know I've been a good little patient. Actually I don't have a lot of restrictions. The main one is NO LIFTING for 10 to 14 days. Okay, now that's driving me crazy. So much of Colby's care requires lifting of some sort. But I'm letting others step in and help. I do appreciate all the help, but I'm not going to lie, I just think I do a better job of taking care of Colby than anyone else. He's hanging in there, being the sweet, lovable boy that he always is. He does seem a little confused, though, as to why I'm here all the time but either Cindy, Colleen, Rosa or Grandma is taking care of him. Got some beautiful get well flowers from Dad & Sam and Tony & Anne. Very sweet :-)

This having down time stuff has been really hard on me. You have to understand, just a few days ago I was up at 7:15 to get Colby ready for school. Then as soon as the bus pulled off I was either typing or working at the hospital. Plus I was exercising 3 to 4 days a week, which took up quite a bit of time. At the moment I'm doing NONE of that so that leaves waaaay too much time on my hands. Never thought I'd see the day where I actually wanted to work or exercise haha. Today I started to get back to typing a little. Told my boss since I was feeling okay I could work this weekend if needed. Typed just a few lines today, enough to get back in the groove.

Got Colby's school papers filled out for this coming school year, all 12 pages. Called Apria to check on the status of Colby's backup bi-PAP and surprise, surprise, no one returned my call. A-holes. Yeah, like I won't just turn around and call again on Monday morning. Watched "The King's Speech" last night. Loved it! Might just have to watch it again tonight. They finally opened the pool here at the apartments. Too bad I can't get in it right now! Should be able to after Tuesday when I get my stitches out. Okay kids, that's all for now. Cheerio and toodle-doo until later.

SO FAR SO GOOD

My surgery went just fine. Got started a little later than I expected, which drove me nuts. I was so lucky to have 5 people with me at the hospital. What a fantastic group of family and friends I have! Overall I'm feeling okay today. Didn't get nauseous from the anesthesia. My throat is uncomfortable today, but not in a lot pain. Although it hurts like a sonofagun if I cough. I'm thirsty as heck too. The plan from here is go to the dr in a week to have stitches removed and talk about the pathology report.

I want to thank everyone for all the prayers, encouragement and good thoughts. It means a lot to me. Bye for now.

SLICE-N-DICE TIME

Well, June 14 is finally here. Judy is on her way over to pick me up. I'm scheduled for a hemi-thyroidectomy today, removal of the left side of my thyroid. This all started at the end of April when I went for my yearly exam and my gyno. felt a nodule in my throat. From there I had an ultrasound. From there I had a scope. From there I had another ultrasound and a biopsy. The results from the biopsy were "undetermined." My ENT doc has recommended removing just the left side of the thyroid, so I'm praying if we are dealing with the big "C" we've caught it extremely early and it can be taken care of fairly easy. Should be a 2-hour outpatient procedure. I'm so ready to get this done. Tired of worrying about it, thinking about it, talking about it, etc.


My main concern is that Colby is being well cared for while I'm under the weather, which I know he will be. I've lined up nurses, sitters, helpers, etc. for the next several days. I've made sure all of his supplies were ordered and tried to tie up any loose ends before today. Seriously, I need an assistant when it comes to this kind of stuff. I spent lots of QT with him over the weekend. Really can't stand the thought of not being able to take care of him for a while, but what can I do? Deal with it, eh?


So how do I prepare for surgery? Rest, relax, meditate, eat healthy, focus, find my inner peace? Oh hell no, who's got time for that? Thursday went to Bearno's w/Judy. Friday Colby and I had lunch at my old job. (Great seeing you guys by the way, miss ya.) Friday night was Wine Night. Saturday Amy and I went out for pedis and Tx Road House. Sunday had brunch w/David. Last night went to Chuy's w/Pam. Figured I'd better eat up while I could. May be kind of tricky for the next few days!


Figures now that the weather is tolerable Colby and I can't get out and enjoy it. I'm sure by the time I feel better it'll be back up to 90, hot and humid. Okay, gotta go. I'll post updates soon.

GOOD THING HE'S CUTE

Love him to pieces, but some days this kid drives me nuts! It's bad enough that I had my alarm set for 6:30 a.m. yesterday so that I could get up early and do housework on my weekend off work and on a Sat. morning. But then Mr. Colby was up at 4:45 or so b/c of the storms. Not crying or whining, just jabbering away. I tried to get him to go back to bed, but he would have no part of it. He obviously didn't get my "I sleep through everything" gene. And did he bother to take any sort of nap yesterday? Nope. No way.

Then today, since it's only in the 80s as opposed to near 100, decided to get him out in the parking lot to practice driving for a bit. Right now I could take that power chair, along with those proximity switches, and roll them right into the Ohio. Colby just wasn't with it today. I got tired of saying "Colby, stop...Turn, Colby, turn..." and my all-time favorite, "Colby, don't run into that big, red truck!" So we were only out there for a few minutes. Now he's on the couch watching a Spongebob marathon, happier than a cat covering crap. Oh well, maybe we'll have better luck next time.

In other nail-biting, exciting Russ household news, the apartment is sparkly clean and the laundry is all caught up. Actually, that is news for around here haha. Maintenance came last week to fix the leak under my kitchen sink. Didn't work. There's water setting under the sink still. So guess who will receive my 1st phone call of the week tomorrow morning?

Dad's coming over to watch Colby later on so I can go to Mass. Other than that it's been a pretty darn quiet weekend. It's been "uneventful" and trust me, that's exactly how we like it. :-) Later.