Miracles

So I was reading C Jane Run's blog and she was writing a story of her history that she thought someday her kids may want to hear. I am going to follow in her example today. I have had something very close to my heart for a few years now that I would like to have documented for my kids and grand kids to be able to read. So here it goes. (Warning this will probably be a little long but it is a story that deserves no details left out).

It all began in 2005 when my daughter Mattison was only 9 months old. I had a bump on my left shoulder that was becoming very uncomfortable. I had it for a little while but figured it would go away, maybe it was a zit or something. Well it continued to grow and it was starting to discolor my skin to a purplish color (just in the spot where the bump was :) ). So I went to my dad and asked him what it was and he told me it looked like a sebaceous cyst. That is just a little sac of fluid, nothing to worry about, it just needed to be removed. So I went to my PCP where I was told the same thing that my dad had told me. They referred me to a general surgeon to remove the cyst. I met with the general surgeon who told me that she agreed it was just a cyst. We scheduled the surgery, the only problem was I was going to have to wait about a month or so for it to be removed. I figured okay I was going on vacation with my family anyways so I will just tough it out. My family and I all went to Atlantis in the Bahamas to celebrate my parents 30th wedding anniversary. It was an amazing time. We created so many wonderful memories.
We came home and my shoulder was hurting me quite a bit more and it was growing even more. So I called the surgeon and asked if they could please get me in sooner. They said she was booked but they could get me in with one of her associates. I said "Yes". I wanted it out. The sore was becoming so uncomfortable that it even hurt when the shower water hit it.
So that next week I went into the surgeons office and he removed it right there.
So I figure everything is okay now, it's out and that is that. Now the small scar just has to heal and that's the end. He did tell me that they send the cyst to a lab just to make sure everything is okay and he would contact me in a few days.
So a little more than a week later I am home by myself when the doctor calls me. He calls to tell me my tumor (not cyst) came back malignant and that it is called Sarcoma. He than told me if I want to know more about it to look it up on the Internet. Yes you heard me right, look it up on the Internet. I then told him my dad is a doctor and could probably tell me about it. The doctor said "Here is my pager number have your dad call me right back." I told him okay. I then said "Doesn't malignant mean cancerous?" He said "Yes, just have your dad page me right away". I hung up and called my dad right away. I told my dad everything and he was stunned. He asked me if I was sure he said Sarcoma. I told him yes that I had even had the doctor spell it for me. I hung up with my dad while he paged the doctor. I called my husband and asked him to come home right away I was a little shaken up obviously. He hurried home to me and held me in his big warm arms. My dad called me back and told me that he and my mom where on there way over to talk to us. For anyone who knows my dad they know he contributes every sickness to allergies :). At least that is our running family joke. So when my dad said that he and my mom were on their way over I was a little alarmed. They came over and stated we were going to be aggressive with this and my diet was going to change and everything was going to be fine. I agreed I knew deep down everything was going to be fine. Thank goodness to a lot of my dad's connections we had a lot of miracles come our way. We had a dear friend who hooked us up with a specialist from Mayo Clinic. There are only 2 doctors in the state of Arizona that specialize in this type of tumor. My father contacted this doctor and told him my story. It is normally a couple of months at least to get in with him but he squeezed us in right away. Our first meeting with him was in between his surgeries in a cast room. That in itself was a miracle. He told us he wanted a MRI done right away. He also said most likely I would have chemotherapy and also radiation done so we could really attack this. So I had the MRI done and I had blood work done and then we scheduled the surgery. They sent my tumor to Harvard to be tested and looked at by a man who has written the book on these types of tumors. I was told that this type of tumor usually only shows up in people who are at least in there thirties. Mind you I am 25 years old, newly married and have a 9 month old daughter. Then I was told that only 1% of people who get tumors have this type of tumor. So needless to say it is a rare thing to get. I asked my father to give me a blessing before my surgery. He of course agreed. So we had a special fast and that night my dad, husband and many other men that I love so much stood in a circle and gave me a blessing from my Heavenly Father. I felt such a strong spirit as these loving men encircled me with their love and power of the priesthood. I was blessed that all would be well and that the spirit would direct the doctors hands. After the blessing I felt especially good about everything and what the outcome would be. All of my family was so very strong for me. My husband held me when I needed to cry, laughed with me when I needed a laugh and loved me through it all. My parents did EVERYTHING in their power to help me. My dad missed work (which he doesn't do) they went to all my appointments with me so my husband could go to work so we could still pay all our bills. My sister Tara watched my little one and was a great support to me. All of my sisters and my family and friends were there. They prayed for me, I know it because I felt the strength I needed to get through all of this because of their prayers and faith. A few days later I was told that by some miracle the tumor was benign. The doctor told us that not only usually is it that only 1% of people that get a tumor have this rare type but it is a 1% chance that of that 1% is it benign. When I was told that, I actually lost my breath for a moment. I know that the blessing I received healed me that day. The doctors may not see it that way but I surely do! During all of this I had to stop nursing cold turkey which was hard on me and the baby. I was still suppose to have the procedure done to clean out the surrounding tissue so that it wouldn't come back. My dear friend Jen Bryce took me to have the out patient surgery done so that my mother could care for my little one. I am so grateful to all of those who were there for me and my little family. I know there are not strong enough words to express how grateful I am to all of those who prayed for me and helped by using their resources to help me. A little time after the surgery was done and I was doing good I was driving with my parents and my baby. We were discussing how grateful we were that everything went they way it did. We were so grateful for this miracle that God blessed us with. My father then proceeded to tell me something that no one had told me the whole time I was going through this ordeal. He told me that when the first surgeon went in and took the tumor out and closed me up he had pretty much ended my life. When he cut the tumor it causes a wildfire effect. It spreads throughout the body so fast you can not stop it. I was to die within 6 weeks to 6 months at the most. Once again I lost my breath. When my father talked to the man who looked at my tumor from Harvard he told my father to tell me that I have dodged a bullet. I want my Heavenly Father to know how grateful I am that He let me live. Thank you for blessing me with another baby. I just recently had a follow-up MRI done and I am happy to announce it came back clean!!! I am more grateful now than ever that I am blessed to take breath everyday!

Mattie's new Nerf gun!

So if you look very carefully at the center of Kylee's forehead you will notice a nerf dart! Yes Mattie (and Billy :) ) got nerf guns. Mattie thought it was so fun to run around the house and shoot daddy. She has pretty good aim as you can see. Actually Billy placed it on her forehead because the girls thought it was funny when Billy placed it on his forehead. Kylee thought this was great fun. I sure love my little family and love how we can have so much fun together.

Happy Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday Grandma and Kristie!!! I just wanted you to know that I love you and I am so grateful to have you both in my life. Grandma I love how much you love your family. I appreciate how you are always willing to help me and my family when we have needed it. I love you grandma, I will always be your little angel! Kristie thank you for being such a great aunt. You are always

there when I need to talk. I love all the fun memories I have with you (and Patty of course.) I remember sleeping at your house and playing with the dogs. We were never bored when we were with you. I love how much you love all your nieces and nephews (great nieces and nephews included). I am glad you met Jeff and that he makes you happy. You deserve the best! So what I am trying to say ladies is... HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Babysitting???

So my friend Amanda called me and asked me to watch her baby girl Kadence. She is so cute and has a blast playing with my girls so of coarse I said yes. Kadence and Kylee had a ton of fun playing together. Kylee and Kadence played until they were so tired they could not stay awake anymore. So I had given Kylee a bottle and put her down, Kadence was still awake so she played with Billy while I took a quick shower. I was in there for maybe 5 minutes and this is what I came back to, Kadence passed out asleep on my floor. She literally had stopped in her tracks and laid down. She slept that way for over an hour and a half. Also you will notice she is only in a diaper. She was only here for about 5 minutes when she pulled a cup of orange juice down on

herself. So needless to say she ran around in her diaper the rest of the

time. Amanda said later though that she prefers it that way. :) So apparently this is what happens to kids that come to play at my house, we play so hard they fall asleep right where they stand! ha, ha. I had a lot of fun watching the girls play together and was also happy to see them both sleeping. I look forward to watching her again this week. Party on baby girls!

I vote for Mattison!!

This video will demonstrate why my 3 year old daughter Mattison would be a better candidate for President than Obama. First of all you will notice she puts her hand on her heart! Second she says the pledge of allegiance because she knows we need to honor this beautiful country we live in. At the age of 3 she is already learning that in this country we need to honor those men and women who have fought and continue to fight for our freedoms in this promised land. I am so proud to hear my 3 year old say the pledge and know that you smile and touch you heart in gratitude. Vote for Mattison! You will need to pause the music at the very bottom of the screen and you will need to turn the volume up because she talks a little soft. Enjoy, I know I did!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE #1 DAD EVER!!!

Today my dad turned 52 years old and looks amazing! He gets mistaken for the Hulk ALL the time (without the green skin of coarse). He has so many amazing qualities. One of the things that I admire most about him is that he adores my mother and would "rope" the moon for her (did you like that pun) :). He also loves having his grand kids around. I put a picture of Ava in the swing because she wasn't born yet when we had the other family pics. Anyways, he just thinks the grand kids can do NO wrong. Unless of coarse if was scratching the PRECIOUS (said like Smeegal from Lord of the Rings) pool table. Ha, ha! He is always whiling to help his girls out. He wants us all close to home. We all live close, or in Krista's case to close (ha, ha just kidding Kris, Love ya), except Erin, the baby. She lives in Mesa with her husband Steve. My dad is not a big fan of this but what can you say. He loves his girls. He likes that we all know we could come to him with whatever and he would be there. He enjoys spending time with all of his son-in-laws and looks forward to the day when he gets to have one more son-in-law! He is a hard working man. He doesn't know when to stop. He owns and operates his own chiropractic office and helps with the National Board of Examiners for chiropractors. He is also the Branch President of a singles ward. The singles love him so much. I have had many of them come to me and tell me how much they love him. It seems he is always on the phone with someone but it is because he cares so much about everyone he knows. He is well respected in the home at church and in the professional world. He is admired by all his family and friends. I just want my dad to know that I as his #1 favorite daughter that I love and appreciate all he does for me and my family. Love you dad!!!

Baby Talk

On Sunday we were all having family dinner together as usual. Sunday dinner at my parents house is one of the great highlights of my week. I am always excited to visit with my parents and my sisters and play with my nieces and nephews. Even if it is playing pool with my nephews and them kicking my butt. Anyways this Sunday while we were eating I looked over at Ava in the swing and heard Kylee talking to her. Then as soon as Kylee stopped talking Ava would start talking back. It was such a precious moment. If only we knew what they were saying. In my mind it went something like this: Kylee: I am so glad you have come to earth and we could be so close.

Ava: I am happy to be here. We have a lot of work to do! I am glad we get to do it together though!

Kylee: I know me too! I love you Ava and look forward to more talks together.

Ava: Me too! We will definitely have plenty to talk about with how much

we have to prepare before Christ comes. Love you Kylee!

Kylee: Love you too Ava! We'll talk again soon.