Life and Mom update

Hello everybody! it's been a couple weeks since i've written. I wish i could say i've been too busy...but honestly, i havent been busy at all, and that has lulled me into this lazy mode. I have been worthless for the most part. Mom came home the day after they placed her second stint. Straight from the ICU to home. Although i think maybe a day or two in the step down unit could have been good, she was itching to get home, and the hospital wasnt doing anything but watching her. So we could do that at home. We got home and Mom was a little surprised at how exhausted she was. Not sure exactly what she expected, but her body needed some serious recovery. The stints were successful, and despite the doctor's prognosis that she wouldn't regain function of her right arm (which was pretty much useless before the first stint) Mom had regained most of her arm/hand function. She does have some weakness in her grip and hand control, and has a little bit of a shake in her hand in some motions. This is an incredible miracle, in my opinion, but from Mom's point of view, it is a source of frustration. She is going to need time to adjust to what the new "normal" is in her life, and make adjustments for how to live daily life with a partially functioning hand. Being the fiercely independent woman she is, this is a struggle for her, so i pray that she will adjust to things over time and not get too stressed out. Honestly, we are very lucky we didnt lose her all together, let alone lucky that she didnt have a major stroke that was much more severe than what she is dealing with now.
So all in all things are good. We have just been hanging around the house mostly, intermixed with a couple short shopping trips for baby clothes, and even a few maternity items for me (thanks mom!) But just taking it easy i guess. This has been a struggle for me, because in my brain, I have a lot to do! Fortunately, the day mom got out of the hospital, we also got Connor back from our friends who had been watching him. It has been great to have him home with us, and i think he helps mom's spirits greatly. He really loves his grammy and is full of smiles and giggles. Who can be upset around a baby?! hah! He actually has learned how to really walk in the last week...bridged the gap from 4 steps to walking all over. This is exciting and exhausting all at the same time. He is into EVERYTHING!! including chasing mom's dog...who is older and grumpy...she's not too keen on him..but he just wants to love all over her!! haha!
Mom has a check up with her neurosurgeon tomorrow (wed). I'm sure they won't do anything but continue to monitor her for a little while. So, I have booked my flight back to VA for Thursday. I am confident that Mom can do everything she needs to live alone. And i have a husband who i miss terribly, and a house to pack and clean. We will be departing VA on the 14th of April to head to our new home in North Carolina. So we have a busy couple weeks ahead of us filled with boxes that will be great fun for Connor to help us pack...or unpack since that seems to bring him great joy! Mostly i am just grateful to the friends and family that have been praying for us. I really know that through all of this, God has been here with us, making provisions for everything we need, and seeing Mom through this physical battle. He has provided support from multiple family and friends calling and offering help, childcare, encouraging words, even a bottle of Yoohoo left on the step at Moms for me. all of these things have made this a bearable trip, and allowed me to be here without freaking out about all the other things i should be doing. God is good!
So, I probably won't be around too much in the next couple weeks. I do hope to get a video of Connor walking up on Facebook or myspace...or maybe even here..we'll see! But i love you all! thanks for your words of prayer and support! We couldnt do it without you!

Time flies when life gives you lemons

So....this week has been crazy!! I left Stafford, VA Monday morning with my friend and fellow marine wife, Roxxann. We were enroute to the Camp lejeune, NC area on a house hunting trip.Fun times. Our hubbies left early the next day for 3 weeks of training in CA before graduation from IOC...which also means limited contact from them! Now, being 6 hours from home and having two kids around a year old, and a lot of houses to look at is a pretty daunting task...but amidst much stress and some strategically placed (and awesome) baby sitting, we managed to cram in finding a rental for us, and putting a contract together for Rox and fam to purchase a home. it was CRAZY!
meanwhile, in hometown leb, IL...Mama shake decided to spice things up and create some excitement. Adam came down to join her for a doc's appt to address a new issue with her right hand/arm...stroke like symptoms similar to what happened 2 years ago. well this time around it warranted an MRI and what has become a week in the hospital. What they have decided is that her history of radiation treatment and brain tumor has compromised her internal carotid artery. Her tumor actually surrounds this artery, and the artery itself has narrowed due to some plaque buildup and some deterioration as a side effect of radiation. SO...yesterday they placed a stint in the artery just under the tumor in hopes that it would help to restore bloodflow to the brain above it. Although they didn't hold out much hope for her to regain control over her right arm, this morning her arm function is much improved. The surgery did leave her with a blood clot in the artery, just above the tumor...so they are battling with blood thinners and hoping that the clot will dissolve before it causes anymore issues. They also have decided that she has had a series of TIAs or small strokes over the last couple months, that have been undetectable until the most recent MRI.
so, they are keeping her here at Barnes Jewish hospital in StL for at least another week. Hopefully she can be moved from ICU to a regular room in the next couple days. they will then repeat the angiogram to see if this stint is working they will then decide whether they will place another stint in the artery within the tumor. That would be a bit more risky especially with the clots that are there now. So, we will wait and see.
Me...i'm in for the long run. Took a one way flight in with Connor yesterday. While Mom is in ICU, Connor can't be here, so Adam's friends have taken him to their house to stay. Last night was my first night without my little guy, and although it's hard to be away from him i know he is much happier in a place where he can run and play, and they will bring him to visit soon! hehe! once mom breaks outta here, we'll bring him back home to mommy!
so that's the most of it for now...i'll try to keep updates coming as i can! thank you for all the prayers!! keep em coming!!