The Party's Over!

Ahhh, sweet relief...that's what I'm feeling right about now...Tyler's graduation party is now a pleasant memory to think back on and treasure forever! It was a lot of work and I'm pretty exhausted but it was well worth it. I have more pictures to share this week. I'll show you many of the projects I did for the party.

Our middle child, Taylor, turned "Sweet 16" today! (Wow, can I really be this old already...one graduated from high school and another almost driving...my youngest is officially a teenager now...where does the time go?)

Stay tuned to see some party projects!

It's Over!

I am pleased to tell you that I finished my cancer treatment...last Thursday was my last radiation treatment...WOO-HOO!!!! I got that certificate & book from the radiation center. Wasn't that nice? I was teasing all of them that I felt like I had graduated! This is where we go from here...I saw my medical oncologist a week ago and everything was fine; I'll see him again in September and every few months after that. I go back to see my radiation oncologist next month and my plastic surgeon at the beginning of August. I am feeling AWESOME! (It feels so wonderful to be able to say that!) My hair is growing and growing and growing. My energy level is pretty high. I'm back to doing everything I used to. Oh yeah, LIFE IS GOOD!

In other news, our son's graduation party is this coming Saturday. I have been keeping SOOO busy with all of those details to pull off a great party. Thankfully I'm a list-maker by nature so that sure has helped to write down everything I can possibly think of that needs to be taken care of. (Should I mention I'm also a procrastinator so that's not good?!)

On that note, I've gotta make myself get away from this computer and get some things done!

My Thanks

My thanks to all for the sweet comments you wrote and the prayers you said for our family. It's definitely been a L-O-N-G week. The funeral service for my grandma was a very nice one. My cousin's husband also spoke, as well as the pastor, and he did a great job. Steve invited a few people to share their memories of Grandma but I just couldn't do it. I've got LOTS of great memories but I don't know, just couldn't share anything at that moment. The dinner after the service was also very nice. Here's a goofy little story to share about my goofy husband making people laugh...The dinner was catered and there was a pretty water fountain as a decoration on the food table. My sister & nieces were in line by Bobby & me. Well, Bobby took his plastic fork and held it under that water fountain, then turned to my nieces and asked all serious-like, 'Have you girls washed your forks yet? You know that's what it's for, right?' Then we all started laughing...Bobby is such a goofball!

Today marks 17 years since my mom died. I miss her like crazy every single day but this time of year is especially difficult. It hardly seems possible that so many years have gone by! Not sure who said it or if I'm even repeating the quote correctly but anyway...they say 'time marches on and waits for no one'. How very true that is! Don't know about you but I sure can relate :-)

Sad News....

My grandma passed away this morning @ 5 AM. I am very sad, although I also feel quite relieved to know she is no longer suffering. It was hard to see her like that, as you can imagine....

It's Official!

We are all so proud of Tyler! The graduation ceremony was held inside the school gymnasium and whoa, it was SO hot in there! The graduating class had over 350 kids so it took a while to get through.
A proud father & son moment.
Of course, I had to get a big hug, too! (I still hate looking at pictures of myself right now...but hey, I am just glad to have hair again!)
My dad and Tyler. My step-mom was unable to make it so my sister came with my dad...she is camera shy, though. Tyler is the oldest grandson on my side of the family to graduate.
My in-laws with Tyler.
Taylor hugging her big bro. He is making such a goofy face!
Here's Tyler & Tess. I don't know why but he just loves to ham it up for the camera! I am glad the graduation ceremony is done; now I am looking forward to having the graduation party. I still have things left to do but all the plans are coming together quite nicely and many family members have offered to help. I appreciate that and I'm most definitely taking them up on it!

My grandma was moved to a hospice facility today. She now has a full oxygen mask on instead of the oxygen tube in the nose thing.

I talked to my cousin Tammy today to find out how my Aunt Lois' mastectomy surgery went. She said everything went well and I was glad to hear that.

Enjoy your weekend!

Lots of Emotions

Thank you all so much for your sweet thoughts and prayers. Just wanted to check in and give a quick update. Wow, today is quite an emotional one for me. Tonight is Tyler's high school graduation commencement and I'm suspended somewhere between joy and disbelief! I just can't believe he is all grown up now and ready to step out into the world and make his way. His college plans are to attend a culinary arts program at a private university down south. We will travel there next month for the orientation. I keep asking myself, 'WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE???'

I did not go to my radiation treatment yesterday and instead made arrangements to meet my sister at her house, then head to the hospital to see our grandma. (They all live an hour south of me.) I do not have any good news. No, it was a day of finality and goodbyes, seeing and reminiscing with relatives I haven't seen in a while. Lisa & I stayed at the hospital until about 3:30 a.m. It was hard to walk out of there knowing I will not see Grandma alive again. Her 85th birthday is next Sunday. She is the last of our grandparents; the other 3 passed on years ago.

It was heartbreaking to see Grandma's frail little body, all bruised from the fall out of bed the other night that broke 3 of her ribs. The double pneumonia is causing her lungs to fill up with fluid, as she cannot cough anything up. Her breathing has become labored. There are no heroic measures being taken to save her life per her wishes...the family has agreed we all want to see Grandma comfortable. She will possibly be moved to a hospice facility today; haven't heard any word on that as of yet. We suspect Grandma thinks a few of her sons are her late husband (she has the advanced dementia); she perked right up when each of my uncles were comforting her.

I knew when I made the trip down there my grandma would not recognize me. I am glad I went. I am glad I was able to say goodbye. It seems like "goodbye" has 2 altogether separate meanings in my life today - Grandma and Tyler...

Prayers Needed, Please

Please pray for my grandma. She is in critical condition at the hospital due to congestive heart failure and double pneumonia. Several years ago my grandma was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and it has progressively worsened as time has gone on. She has been living full time in a group home type setting where a lady takes care of Grandma and several other gals. The family home had to be sold years ago. The other night Grandma fell out of bed and fractured her ribs. She is unable to keep the pain medicine down. My dad said she rarely speaks anymore. It is all so very sad...

Also, my Aunt Lois is having a second mastectomy this Friday so pray for her, too. She found out the breast cancer returned.

Thanks in advance for your prayers. Will update as I am able.