Come, Baby, Come!

Would love to hear from you, mamas, what tricks you have used to try to get your baby to quickly arrive. Oh, the tricks I have tried! Faithy would not come for anything... even for the doctor when they tried to induce me. With her, I tried hurrying up and down my church's stairs, doing jumping jacks, and a few other things to bring on labor... for I had high BP with her, as well, and I was HUGE! She just would not come! Not until she was 9lbs 8 ozs anyway! Then, with Charity, the induction worked... High BP again... but, the three week early baby did not look like a three week early baby... 8lbs 0.2oz. Now, I am 35 1/2 weeks, and I am sure my baby is the size of most "normal" sized babies... and, I can hardly wait! So guess what I have been doing... well, in just the past few days I have put up Christmas decorations, cleaned house like a mad woman, raked "mountains" of leaves, brought up baby clothes from the basement, took my children for an outing, lifted my children in and out of the van numerous times, ran lots of errands, washed tons of laundry, went to church each time the doors were opened, went to lots of doctor's appointments, etc... but, baby is still safely tucked away in her nest. Oh, how much bigger can I get?
Oh, by the way, for those who enjoy free or cheap outings, this is what I did with my gals. After going to my doctor's appointment with me, which turned out to be a little wild, we went to BK playland... I spent five something and fed both girls and me, then we went to the pet store and let the girls look at the animals (they loved this!), then, we went to the library (okay, that was not as fun... they were not very library-behaved). It has been interesting these days! Gotta have fun!

Catching up on the news

We had some good church services today... several of Ron's family members came, and that was very encouraging.

He has begun treatments, and we are looking forward to recovery.

He has been able to witness to alot of people through this, and we thank God that "all things do work together for good..."

Please keep praying for us, it means so much... so do those visits and cards!

Hope to have some new photos soon.

Off we start...

Well, we went to Ron's parents for Thanksgiving, and had a really nice time! They have been a BIG help to us these days!

Ron started radiation today. He is to have ten treatments, then start chemo if all
goes as planned.

Something neat in all this is that several family members told Ron that they will be at church Sunday morning... aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, etc... Wow! All things do work together for good! The group may take up several pews! That is so wonderful! Some of his family already attend church, but MANY, perhaps most of this croud does not. This will be a special Sunday morning to Ron as he has prayed for these loved ones for so long! Please pray that God's presence will be so near!

I began decorating for Christmas this afternoon. It was kin-of fun, but the girls kept wanting to eat the candy canes off the tree, so I had to adjust my decorating as to spare my children from enormous temptation.


Anyway, I sure hope everyone is doing well! I sure do appreciate all the cards, calls, and love that has been sent our way. But, nothing compares to the power of prayer. Just tonight, Sister Ada Hobbs called and prayed with Ron over the phone, and he was deeply touched. I tried to pray silently where I was, but it was a little difficult because of a couple of little people in my house, but I felt so much calm and peace in that time... So, for those who aren't able to come and do things in person, please don't feel bad, just please pray... it is the most powerful thing you can do anyway!

By the way, here's a mom story for you. Okay, I have been feeling deeply disconnected with my children, and I long for that family bonding again... but, anyway, I tried to do fun things with my kids this afternoon... but, it turned out to be a very interesting time. Earlier, while I was "trying to catch a nap" (Ha!), I had to get up because I couldn't sleep. I came into the dining room, just to discover that there were major drawings with marker on dining room carpet... Aaaaugh! So the three year old artist got in trouble, and Mommy scrubs carpet. Fortunately, the markers were washable! Later, THE SAME ARTIST was using water colors, and Mommy warned her to be sure she only painted in the coloring book on the children's picnic table. Later she calls me into the kitchen to show me what she had been doing... Guess what is was... yep, the artist had decided to paint the wall! I was dying... this time, the artist received a painful lesson to obey, and not to paint, draw, etc., on anything but paper. I hope she remember that "lesson" for future reference. Fortunately, she had painted on the part of the wall that has slick paint, and it came off. I am glad the clean-up was successful today, or I would have alot to explain to my landlord! What a day!

Well, guess I had better try to catch some Zs while I can breathe! Good night!

When the Music Fades...

Wednesday morning we went to find out the results of the PET scan and bone marrow biopsy. The bone marrow was clear... Praise God! His organs seem clear, but, here's some new info. There are "spots" showing up on several bones, and they are needing to do further investigation to confirm cancer on the bones.

As far as baby and me, my doctor did an ultrasound the other day, and says the baby is already almost 6 lbs... if you know my history... I had a 9 1/2 lb baby, was induced 3 weeks early with my second, and she was already 8 lbs... then, the doctor suspects this one will be larger! Aaaugh! She put me on BP medication, because I don't seem to be getting better with all that is going on. She may induce me again 3 weeks early! I don't much mind... I am getting weary of being so huge anyway!

My children got shots Tuesday. I made sure they got their flu shots before Ron began chemo, because he will be in great danger around sick little ones. We are big into disinfecting around here now as you could imagine.

God has blessed us with so very much, and I know that no matter what happens, that God is still good.

Thank you for praying.
Sarah

HE'S HOME!

Praise God, Ron is home! I can't tell you how good it is to have him here!

Everyone has been so kind... doctors, friends, nurses, churches, etc. God has been very good to us. Thank you loved ones for all your prayers and support.

In case you want to know something about the baby as well. I can hardly breathe! I feel very great with child, and I have had some swelling, and I suspect this is another one of my large babies! The children are fine, and it is nice to be at home as a family. It is still probably going to be rather chaotic, with the possibility of chemo beginning next week. I have alot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, as God has spared my husband this far, and we will have three beautiful children really soon.

Thanks again for everything.
Sarah

For When I am Weak, then I am Strong

Ron sat up for quite a while yesterday. He even ate two good meals! He was strong throughout the day... as much as a brain surgery/ cancer patient can be. But, after the oncologist came and talked with us, he was ready to sleep. I haven't seen him since, but I plan to be there early this morning. I am like his aid, I suppose. I learned something interesting yesterday about shaving men's faces... use a good razor... and, please don't use cold water! My hubby is teaching me! Today he should be able to do that all by himself. I imagine they will have him up and walking today. They talk as though he should come home this week. Yeah! I miss him so much!

Good news

The brain surgery went well. They said the tumor was also Hodgkins lymphoma, and the surgeon said the plans looks like chemotherapy and radiation. Ron is talking non-stop, and so they are wanting to limit visitors, because he needs rest. You wouldn't believe how much he keeps talking to anyone and everyone! It is a little funny. He looks quite good, all things considered. I shall miss him tonight. The doctors are very hopeful on him. Praise God!

Allow me to indulge in a few picts of my hubby...

before the bald head. Actually, he is still cute without his hair!

Okay, I know you have seen most of these in previous posts, but I don't have much more saved on my disk yet. He might shoot me for the shaving one. He he! Do keep praying!

There Will Be No Dark Valleys When Jesus Comes

That secret prayer request mentioned in previous posts: My husband... test results... not good. Brace yourself! My husband has been diagnosed with lymphoma (I believe they said Hodgkins)... yes, cancer. He also has a tumor lying under his brain as well, and will need brain surgery (biopsy) this Sunday, unless a miracle take place. I know this is blunt, and rather overwhelming to those reading, but, I am not sure that there is an easy way to tell you. We are sad and broken. Pray for Ron... he was hoping it was just an infection, and we cried together when the news was broken to us. Pray for the girls, they don't understand what is happening, naturally, but they know that Mimi has been around alot lately to take care of them. Please pray for all our family... his parents, etc, as this is a difficult time. May the Lord's will be done. I love my husband VERY much, as he is also my best friend.

Just so you know

I hope people out there are not thinking that I have a nasty germ infested house. I have bleached toys, disinfected many doorknobs, bleached this and that until my husband sometimes has trouble breathing in his own home due to all the disinfectants and bleaches. Then, I also boiled tooth brushes, etc. Poor Ron... I melted his... oops! Just wanted to let you know before you think I have some nasty house or something, since it does seem plagued with illnesses of late. I have not escaped the germs... I have a cold that hurts my ears and throat and is leaving me drained of the normal energy. I suppose this too shall pass. Charity is being very difficult the past couple of days... she sometimes screams and cries inconsolably... I am looking forward to being back to normal here!

The Good and the Bad

Charity is my next croup victim, but she is getting steroids and breathing treatments from home. Yep, things are wild here... So keep praying!