I scream, you scream……

DAD LOVES ICE CREAM!  He wanted some ice cream tonight and he was thrilled to get his own little cup of vanilla!  His face lit up like a little kid who just saw an ice cream truck.  It was so sweet.  We love you so much dad and are so proud of you.  Erica and I are so happy to be here watching the game with dad.  There is no place I would rather be at this moment that sitting here talking to dad.  We love you dad.

 

We are just loving dad’s nurses!  They are so fantastic!!  Here’s dad thrilled about his cup of ice cream and all of us getting ready for the UofA game.

Tailgate at Dad’s

Tonight is the University of Arizona bowl game and we are ready!  My sister brought in a bunch of decorations for the room so that we could have a tailgate for dad!  We stick a sticker on dad’s forehead and he’s all decked out in his university T-shirt!  He is doing so well today for the day after brain surgery.  I have noticed during the day that he is getting a bit more forgetful (similar to how he was before surgery) and getting frustrated trying to recall words and numbers.  It’s been difficult today emotionally for me because he’s been asking me if his memory is going to get better or "if this is it".  I think he’s finally "getting it" that his memory and reading ability won’t be getting much better.  I told him that he needs to focus on what he has, not what he doesn’t and that he will be well taken care of and looked after. 

 

TAILGATE at DAD’S BED!  It’s been great all the nurses have been coming to hang out and have some yummy food!  I hate beer….but it made for a good picture!

 

Dad ready for the tailgate.  The nurses said we could take a pic of him with the beer as long as we didn’t open it   If your wondering what the thing is in the middle of dad’s forehead, it’s a university sticker.

 

Dad’s had at least 10 visitors today, it’s been great!

Up and walking!!

I came in this morning to find my dad in great spirits and doing so well!  He was sitting up in his Univ of AZ T-shirt talking to friends.  He seems much less confused than yesterday and seems to be having better short term memory.  He still can’t read more than 3 words, but we are pretty sure this is just the way it will be.  I told him that’s why we have news on the TV to listen to!  He has no peripheral vision on his right side, but that doesn’t seem to bother him too much.  He is a little tired and is taking a nap right now.  He was up and walking this morning which was just a miracle to me…..the day after brain surgery he is up and walking!!!  Amazing.  He is eating well and not in any pain.  He isn’t on any pain meds either just steroids to help with swelling.  The best news of all is that he is being discharged tomorrow!!  I can’t wait to get him back home and settled in!  He is very happy about that!  Here are some pics from this morning and a video of his first walk!  We are so proud of you dad!!!!  A big thanks for Erica, Michael and I to all our friends and family for your support, prayers, and love for dad.  We are so blessed to have you.

 

On my way into the hospital I stopped to take in the beautiful blue skies and moutains….and even some Saguaros with Santa hats!  Hey all of you back home in Ohio…look at the blue skies!  I have to laugh because it’s 60 here today and people are dressed in sweatshirts and hats like it’s cold!  Funny. 

 

Dad when I first arrived this morning….getting all unhooked from everything!  YAY!

 

Sitting up and hanging out with friends.  Dressed and ready for the big AZ game today!  GO WILDCATS!  We are having a tailgate party in his room….so anyone who wants to visit, come on down!

 

First walk!!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d7BAq_B2mk

 

 

A pooped out dad ready for his nap!  I brought him a blanket from home….he is all curled up and ready for nap.  As I type this he is snoring away. 

Dad Post-Op

Dad came through surgery really well, in fact he didn’t even go to intensive care…..he got to go back to his own room!  My sister and I were shocked at how small the incision was!  We were expecting gauze around his head, tubes coming out of his head, and him being much more out of it.  Instead he was very coherant asking questions, his had has a small 2 inch incision with a little white bandage over it, and he seems to feel pretty good except for a little soreness when he lays on the incision.  We got him settled back in his room tonight and fed him some ice chips.  He was THRILLED to get some water!  He can’t wait for food tomorrow!

 

Now we are waiting for pathology results to see what type of cancer it is, the growth rate, etc. 

 

Post-Op pics.  Doesn’t he look great for just having brain surgery??  We are so proud of you dad!!

 

Erica feeding him some ice chips and his wonderful nurse, Michael.  Me loving on dad.

Camped Out

Erica and I have literally taken up an entire corner of the surgical waiting lobby!  We found a nice fish tank corner and grabbed outselves several chairs and make camp.  We are enjoying eachother’s company, it is so nice to be with my sister.  We have been so blessed by friends and family and thank you all so much for your support, prayers, and love.

 

Camped out!

 

Off to Surgery

Erica and I walked dad as far as we could to surgery.  It was a very emotional time for all of us, including dad.  It was so hard to watch him wheeled away into the pre-op knowing he’s headed into such a scary surgery.  They are estimated 3 hours for surgery, but we don’t know for sure.  Erica and I are camped out for good at the hospital and will update as we know more info. 

 

Visiting with his longtime friend Bobby Miller

 

Headed out for survery…..

 

Me and dad before he went into pre-op.  Love you dad!!!!!

 

Dad…day 1 in Tucson

I arrived in Tucson yesterday.  Praise God for a last minute flight we found and for a smooth flight.  I got into town around midnight and Erica (my sister) picked me up and took me to dad’s house.  It was just comforting to be in dad’s house.  I made myself comfy and did some of dad’s laundry and cleaned his kitchen (you know I can’t help myself).  I settled in for sleep for a couple hours then headed to the hospital to meet Erica.  I walked into dad’s hospital and his face lit up.  It was wonderful hugging him and loving on him.  He is doing as well as can be expected.  His brain surgery is today at 2:00 and we are very scared but hopefull that maybe, just maybe, they will find it’s not as bad as they think it might be.

 

Erica and I have been busy with phone calls, Skyping with Noah and daddy, laughing with dad, working on the computer to update everyone, and visiting with dad’s wonderful friends!  Here are some pics from our morning.  I told dad I would only put flattering pics up

 

The beautiful mountain view from the hospital parking lot.  I am really enjoying the moutains here in AZ!

 

Dad getting "prettied" up and talking on the phone with family

 

Dad visiting with his wonderful friends, Mike, Steve, and Jim…and me and my sister playing around keeping the fun in the room

Merry Christmas!! Happy Birthday Jesus!

We have had the most blessed day with family!  Noah woke up bright and early….so did Uncle John!  Noah was excited to see the ridiculous pile of gifts that Santa left him.  It was the most wonderful sight watching our sweet boy open his gifts and relish each one.  He has truly enjoyed each gift and keeps moving from toy to toy playing with everything.  It’s been fun playing new Wii games with family and sitting by the fire all day.  We have all enjoyed playing with Noah’s new toys….even Alan got in on the action building with Noah’s new blocks! 

 

Santa came!  Ebony is enjoying her gift from Santa!

 

Noah sitting on his mountain of gifts from Santa. 

 

Cousin Alan wasnt’ ready to get up yet!  Emily spent some good quality time with Murphy this morning.  He’s the sweetest doggy!  Look at all these dogs!

 

Noah loved his wooden "cut the food" toy…..so did Uncle John and Emily!

 

Thanks to Grammie and Jamie for the special baseball gift!  I took a video of Noah playing with it so you can see how good he is already.  Mom, if he makes it to the big leagues you will get a cut!

 

VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1YyUxEVU-E

 

Pretty much everyone could be found playing with Noah’s new toys!  Alan and Grandma were building with Noah’s blocks!

 

Eating yummies out of his stocking….and sharing a little with Grandpa.

 

Happy Half Birthday

Today our baby is 2.5 years old.  Time is flying way too fast.  We love you little boy more than you will ever know.  xxoxxox

“Journey from Scratch”

This is an awesome video my brother put together.  I am so proud of him!  He did the narration and pictures.

 

http://vimeo.com/8062686