March Already!

Well, it's already March. Hard to believe how time flies although there are days when I just wish for things to slow down a bit so that we can just rest, enjoy and savor every moment.

Last week Pat underwent radio-surgery to hopefully eradicate two new brain tumors. One was very very small and the other was a previous one that had grown enough in the past month to warrant treatment. Radio-surgery is a long and grueling process but a far better option than traditional surgery. In fact, radio-surgery is not surgery at all. It is a very high dose, targeted radiation.

Pat had the same procedure done at the end of January. It involves arriving at the hospital at o'dark-thirty (the only time you can get an up close parking space so that was nice!). He was then admitted to a room, settled in and taken down to special procedures CT to have a metal halo placed. Yes, it involves drilling holes in the skull and screwing a large metal frame at forehead height. Local anesthetic, but still no fun for sure! Then back to the room and breakfast and waiting....and waiting...and waiting...while the radiation-oncology team plans and plots the laser guided radio beams. Then back down to radiation-oncology to get bolted to the table with the halo so that each and every part of the tumors can be zapped. It took about thirty minutes or so to do the actual procedure.Finally it is done and the halo is off, just in time for dinner!

What a fun day! not really but we are grateful that there is the technology available to do whatever we can to fight this nasty, aggressive invader. Just ten years ago, we would not have ever had this option so all in all it is a great thing. We joke that Pat is attempting to have just about every kind of cancer treatment out there! :)

Pat is resting and recovering. He is on steroids to help reduce brain swelling and prevent seizures. Time will tell if this radiation treatment has done what it is supposed to. We are so thankful for everyone's prayers and well-wishes. They mean the world to us! Truly! For us this battle with cancer is in its fourth year now for Pat, it is with us and part of us every single day. We realize that for all of you out there leading 'normal' lives, time just marches by, (ah- how I sometimes long for those days!) so it is really important and special to us when you all remember us and our struggles, or even if we just receive a newsy email or phone call. :)

Recently Pat saw on a highschool classmate's webpage a tribute to himself. He was touched by the comments and intent but was extremely disconcerted when he realized that the other classmates in the tribute were both dead! He fretted for days! Hello friends-- we are still alive and fighting the hard fight!!! Pat has an intense will and we are doing everything possible to remain positive and hopeful. Of course, it has taken a toll on our entire family, physically, emotionally and spiritually, but our faith remains strong and we are united in our efforts.

Saturday we attended a Lenten healing mass for the sick at our church. It was so calming and peaceful and really nice to see other younger people our age dealing with cancer there. We walked away feeling buoyed and strong. I then spent the entire rest of the weekend cleaning out closets and hauling stuff to Goodwill! Gee, thank you God for the renewed energy! haha :)

Next week will be Spring Break and we are planning some outings and will try to enjoy family time with all the kids out of school. I am looking forward to that, I think we all are. The weather is turning nice here in Texas. All of our live oak trees are dropping their leaves (makes our yard look like Autumn!) and soon we will be needing to get busy with yard work and before we know it, it will be time to open up the pool and pressure wash the deck! Fun times! :)

Wishing you all a fruitful and grateful Spring!

Today's Glass Half-Full Thought of the Day: "An optimist is the human personification of spring."

-- Susan J. Bissonette