Surgery Update & Family Pictures 2009

Ok, so it's been quite a while since I've updated this. So much has happened. I had my surgery October 23rd. The Dr. ran into some complications and had to open me up to remove it. The scar tissue from my previous 3 c-sections caused everything to web together. My uterus was literally attached to one of my kidneys, my stomach and my liver. As well as my ovaries were fused together with scar tissue so both had to be removed. What started as a simple orthoscopic surgery turned into pretty much a nightmare. But all is removed, and the biopsy has shown that although there were many pre-cancerous cells in the tumors found, they were benign at the time of removal. So now I am on a hormone patch, since she had to remove everything, yes, cervix, uterus and both ovaries had to be removed. It has made for a longer recovery time, but I am overcoming. One day at a time and I've been blessed with a lot of people willing to help out. Troy was able to be home for my surgery and was here to take care of me for the first week post-surgery. It was extremely difficult to tell him goodbye, but it had to be done. I've struggled harder this time around more than the girls have. Only 5 more months and the man of my life will be in my arms again. Counting the days! Anyway, while Troy was home on Emergency leave, we were blessed to have my little brother Tom on R&R leave from his deployment to afghanastan as well. So we jumped at the blessing and had family pictures taken. What with never knowing what tomorrow may bring, we wanted to capture us all together again! So below are the pictures we had done. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. Keep 'em coming, it's not over yet! But I am healing, my heart is mending.....and soon we will all be a family together again!



This is my parents, my brother & his wife, my sister along with Troy & I and our 4 beautiful girls

This is my beautiful big sister!


This is Troy and myself with our beautiful girls. Tabitha is 9, Kathryn is 8, Jordan is 6, and Samantha is 3.




This is my baby brother and his beautiful wife! We are so glad to have her as a part of our family. She helps keep me going when the deployment starts to get to me. Thanks Kels!




More family pics!









And yes, all the pictures are different! The photographer had a blast taking pictures for us. She was amazed at how well behaved the girls were and how well they listened. We didn't have to do any retakes! AMAZING! All of us were looking at the camera and smiling at the same time! It was AWESOME! Best photo shoot ever!

Surgery

So I have had an ongoing battle with my health for many years. I have tried everything the doctors have offered and still I suffer. I began hemorrhaging about 6 weeks ago and went to the doctor. I was referred to a specialist, and it has been determined that I need to have a hysterectomy done. I go in for the surgery October 23rd.

Although I have battled this on my own, but more now than ever I wish Troy was here with me. The risks of surgery and me are great. We all know that I don't play well with surgeons, so it scares me. I have a bad history of complications from anesthesia, and also trouble clotting. Neither of which is good, but it's a really bad combination. I'm terrified to go thru this alone. I wish Troy could be here. I know he wouldn't be able to stay for the whole six week recovery, but if only he could be here to be by my side for the surgery. If only I could wake up to him holding my hand.

I am so afraid that something may go wrong, and if it does where does that leave our girls. I am holding onto faith that God will pull me through this, but it is very scary when you know that right now you are the only parent they have to take care of them. Don't get me wrong I don't, not even for a moment, regret Troy's decision to serve his country. I am so proud of him, and I wouldn't change a thing. But at this moment, I am the only one here to take care of our children, and now that my life hangs in the balance it is a scary realization of what will happen with our girls. I know that the family will step in to care for them, but they are not mommy & daddy.

So please keep us all in your prayers, things are going to get pretty rough for us.

At Peace

So many things have happened since I last posted. I attended the funerals of SPC. Taylor Marks on September 4th. It was the most heart breaking & yet inspirational funeral I have ever been to. I was part of the procession that escorted Spc. Marks from his hometown of Monmouth/Indenpendence up to his final resting place at Willamette National Cemetary in Portland. It was like the town literally rolled up their streets and and closed down to show him the honor and respect he deserved. The streets were lined on both sides with everyone from the community. Some held flags, some saluted, some held their hands to their hearts. The drive usually only takes about an hour to an hour and a half, the procession took 3 hours. All along I-5 & I-205 the state police & ODOT closed off the on ramps to the highway for the procession. Please got out of their vehicles to salute, it was amazing. He was truly honored and respected.

Then on Saturday, September 5th I attended SGT. Earl Werner's funerals. So many people loved and respected him. He was a true hero. His wife stood and spoke and said that Sgt. Werner promised to bring Spc. Marks home, and he did. Although they were not able to walk off the plane, they did both come home, TOGETHER. These families are truly amazing. Even in their great loss, they stood tall. Spc. Marks parents attended Saturdays service and when I spoke with his mom she had one thing to say.

"If another family goes thru this, you call me, I will be there to help them. I will cook meals, clean the house and do the dishes. But I want to help them the way that others have helped me."

Inspite it all, she is willing to serve. That is a true testament! The pastor gave this quote to ponder on "We are not falling to pieces because we are at peace." I could only hope that if I were ever faced with this kind of devastation in my life that I would be able to stand tall, proud and at peace.

A moment of silence for the loss of two Oregon Soldiers

It was announced today that two members of the Oregon Army National Guard were killed yesterday in Iraq, and at least a third wounded during an incident in eastern Baghdad.

The names of the injured have not been released pending notification of family members.

Our hearts and prayers go out to all the soldiers of the Oregon National Guard in this time of sorrow. This loss has had a huge impact on so many! My heart is breaking.