Can It Possibly Be?

My Little Girl is Growing Right Up




I went to register Addie for Kindergarten on Monday and almost started bawling when the teachers stepped up to the microphone to introduce themselves. I can't believe my firstborn will start school this fall. Where did the time go?

And here, it's full day kindergarten, so that's gonna be a double whammy. Seems like every time I look at her, she's grown another foot. And she's turned into the prettiest little thing you ever did see.

I think she's all ready to head off to school. But I don't think I am ready for her to go.

Homeschool maybe?...

Umm. Not likely.

We're Home

And It's So Good To Be Back...

Nathan did such an amazing job and was so strong through this whole process. Here we are getting all suited up and ready to go back to the OR. The actual surgery lasted just over an hour, which was surprisingly good time. I was expecting about two.

This picture below is post surgery. We were waiting for him to 'wake up'. It took him about 30 minutes or so, but it was so good to see his eyes finally open.

In our hospital room that night. Nathan was bouncing around like nothing ever happened. He was amazing.

I tried to get a picture of what is going on under all of the guaze and bandaging. He has a drain in his neck that comes out of the point of incision that is supposed to be pulled out 1/4 of an inch each day until it is completely out. It is there to let any more infection and fluid come out while he heals. It is somewhat of a gruesome sight to see, but I've kinda gotten used to it now.

Thank you EVERYONE for your fasting and prayers in Nathan's behalf. We definitely felt the effects of those prayers and appreciate your love and support.

The Day Before..

The big day.

Tomorrow Nathan will be a new man. Lump free (at least on his neck). Not sayin' it's going to be a smooth recovery, but at least that 2 lb. 'thing' hanging off his neck will be gone. And that's cause for celebration.

Here is Nathan at his last week's doctor visit at the Children's Hospital in Denver. They thought he might have had TB and wanted him to wear this mask (didn't stay on for too long).

--FYI--he doesn't have TB.

He has A-typical TB--some sort of microbacterial infection. (clear as mud? yeah, that's what I think too).

Just wanted to capture a few more pictures of the beast before it's gone. Nathan's had this lump for 2 months--which at least doubled or tripled in size since I first noticed it. The lump seems to have taken on its own attitude. It's gotten more and more angry, red, swollen, infected, and much much bigger in size. I think it's telling us something.

Nathan has been amazing through all of this and we wish him the very best tomorrow as he goes in for surgery to have a complete removal of this mass.

We love you, bubba! We'll be with you every step of the way.

Nathan's surgery

Nathan has been diagnosed with a microbacterial infectious lump on his neck (the size of a golf ball) which needs to be removed as soon as possible. A lump was also found in the left lung which probably will be diagnosed as the same thing--a microbacterial infection. After neck surgery, the doctors will do tests on the mass to see exactly what it is and how we can go from there in treatment of the nodule in the left lung (which is about the size of an almond).

The surgery has been scheduled at the Denver Children's Hospital on Thursday afternoon, April 8th, at 3:30pm. We would like to invite all of you that can and are able to fast with us during this time. Whatever you can do would be wonderful. We would also appreciate any and all prayers in Nathan's behalf up to, during, and post surgery.

Nathan will need to stay overnight in the hospital Thursday night, but if all goes well, we should be be headed home on Friday. Thank you so much for all of your support and help during this hard time. We know that the Lord is watching over us and that he is hearing our prayers.