Mom and The Work Thing

I had written that Mom was back at work, and she was. However, she did well but really wore herself out. She, wisely, chose to stay home and rest on Thursday and again today. She is still doing very well. She just wants to make sure that if she does something she is able to do it very well. In order to do her job to the best of her ability she is going to have to recover a little more. Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers. We continue to be so blessed by your words.

Work In Progress

This blog is just like me; a work in progress.

Mom: Back at Work

Mom went back to work today for the first time since her surgery. She still has very little stamina, so she only stayed until lunch time, but she did it! She continues to get stronger every day; both physically and emotionally. Going to work was something that she really wanted to do. She came home and is resting but feels good. Thought you all would want to know.

An Emotional Weekend

My poor dad has lived with three women for quite a long time and is very used to our emotional activity. He was so excited when he got sons in law to roll his eyes with and to laugh with him when the women in their lives were a little hyper-sensitive. This weekend, for some reason, has been one of those weekends. We are all doing very well. Mom is continuing to recover and she gets stronger every day. I am constantly amazed at all she is able to do. That being said, it has always happened when one of the girls in our family cries, we all seem to chime in. It is like a chain reaction. Taylor is away from her husband and that just stinks no matter how you look at it. She is so strong and does so well but, it is so hard. Needless to say, Taylor can cry at the drop of a hat to just about anything. Mom has been emotional too for obvious reasons. Her journey is so long and daunting, you just have to expect times of emotional exhaustion. That is kind of where Mom is right now. She can't remember feeling good and there is not really an end in sight. The middle area always seems to be the hardest. Anyway, I am emotional too, for no reason in particular. My aunt and cousin came in this weekend to lift our spirits, and lift them they did. I miss spending time with them. When I say, we have an awesome family I am not exaggerating. They really are wonderful and oh, so fun to be with. There is laughter at every turn. But, I miss them. I hate when they have to leave. They are precious to us. My boys have also been rather needy lately with Braden teething and Cason just being two. We have not slept much which is not the best. I know this will pass. I cherish every moment, even when no sleep is involved. I am simply trying to explain the recipe for emotions around here.
It never fails when the Washburn women are emotional, it is followed up by a lot of laughter. We look back at things we either cried about or wanted to cry about and we laugh. Oh, do we laugh! Dad has a way of waiting for just the right time and then he finds a way to make us laugh about our irrationality and we just...laugh. Freeby and Tyrel are picking up on this and they are getting really good at it. I expect the next few days to be spent laughing and renewing our spirits for this long and blessed journey. Thanks for hanging in there with us crazy women. We are so blessed and have so much to laugh at.

Yet, Another Update on Mom

Mom continues to do well. This morning she got to come over for a little while and watch the boys play. Those times have always been fun, but now they are cherished. Cason wants to show Sweets everything in our house. He kicks the ball in the soccer net, shoots the basket, starts all the trains, jumps on the beds, etc. Braden crawls around and laughs at his big brother and puts anything and everything he can find in his mouth. What a blessing!
Mom had a Dr. apt yesterday that gave her a lot of info. on what is to come. It is a bit overwhelming to take it all in, but there is a certain peace that comes with understanding. If we knew everything from the beginning it would have been easy to just give up. But, as God always plans it, He gives us things as we can handle them. This is no different. Mom is handling all of this surgery information like a champ. It is so over our heads at times but the doctors are so good to give us all the information we need. I say all of this because I am amazed over and over how patient and caring God is. He truly does take care of us at each turn. I have never really doubted that. I am at a place in life where I am holding on tight to it. We are all doing so well and feeling so much peace. I cannot believe that Mom has been so amazing through all of it. I have always had big shoes to fill and knew that her example was amazing. She has now taken it to a whole new level.
Thank you all for your continued love, support, and prayers. They are daily reminders of God's love for us. I read the verse, Ecclesiastes 4:12 today and was encouraged. That verse talks about the power of relationships and how a strand of three is not easily broken. So often, I feel like our family, you, and God are a strand of three and can take on anything that comes our way. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

A few more words about it...

I have written about this on facebook and Mom has written about is on her blog, but I just can't help but write it again. On Monday evening Mom's Dr. called and told us that the two lymph nodes that looked fishy during the surgery came back negative, which is the best news ever! If they had been cancer, that would not have been good. But, I am doing a Bible study right now that is reminding me to live in what is and not what if, so I know I should not even focus on what might have been. I have to be honest, though, and tell you that my thoughts were wandering and I was having a very hard time not thinking about the What Ifs. Because we have a merciful God, I do not have to face that What If right now. For this, I am so thankful to God. He has given us a yes right now and I am going to shout from the rooftops that, "God did it!" (those are Cason's words.) Mom has been so faithful to always give the glory to God no matter what answer we get. Mom and Dad both live their lives with this mentality which has led Taylor and I to try to live the same way. I will give him praise no matter what His answer might be. But this time, I am oh, so thankful that His answer is yes!!!

The treatment continues as scheduled no matter the news we got on Monday. Her next step is going to be radiation for 6 1/2 weeks. Then another mastectomy surgery that will include the first step of reconstruction, then another surgery for the actual reconstruction. I will post any changes or updates but, for now this is the plan. Thank you again and again for the prayers. There is nothing in this world that means more to us.

7-13-09

Mom continues to do really well. Last night she had a pretty big jump in pain, but with a little more pain medication, she got it under control. She is doing her exercises as often as possible. She is doing very well with those. Taylor is in town and has been a huge help to Mom. Her nursing skills are coming in very handy these days! Dad continues to do anything and everything he can for Mom. We try to get the boys over there whenever she feels up to it. They sure do seem to be great medicine for her. I am sure she needs a nap when we are gone, but they keep her smiling.

Today

Mom is headed home. Dad says she is doing really well. Thank you for all the prayers.

Surgery Went Well

Mom's surgery went well today. She had some pain right after surgery but they quickly got that under control. When I left, she was napping every now and then and sharing all her blessings with all the nursing staff. She never ceases to amaze us. All of your thoughts, prayers, and visits helped make today even more blessed.
When I got home, I called Dad to check on them. He got choked up and said that a whole bunch of the nurses from the hospital had come into Mom's room with a cake wishing them a Happy Anniversary. That was such a kind thing for them to do. They just happen to hear them tell each other Happy Anniversary as she was being taken into surgery. That nurse went and asked permission to get them a cake, and so they did. What kind and thoughtful people those nurses are. When Dad told me that, I burst into tears. What a way to spend your 33rd wedding anniversary. The funny thing is...as long as my parents are together, neither one of them really cared. They find a way to make everything they do a memory. They are such a great example of what a wonderful marriage should be.
I am back at home now, but will update tomorrow when I find out more about how her night went and when they think she will be able to go home. As always, thank you, more than words can express, for your love, support, and prayers. God has blessed us with each one of you.

Surgery Tomorrow

Mom's surgery is tomorrow morning. Please pray all things good for her. Please include Taylor's travels in your prayers too. She has a long and lonely drive ahead of her. We expect her some time late evening Saturday. Updates to come...

Coming Up

Many have asked and I now have the answer. Yes, Taylor is going to get to come to Texas for Mom's surgery. Taylor will leave on Friday morning and arrive late on Saturday. Mom will be getting out of the hospital sometime either Saturday or Sunday which will make that perfect timing. Taylor will be driving here and then flying back and forth a few times to help take care of Mom while keeping up with her own work back home. After a few trips here and there, she will drive back. Please keep Taylor, her travels, and her sanity in your prayers. She has so much on her plate but would not rather be anywhere else than taking care of Mom. She is such a blessing to have here when we have her. I will update more as surgery gets closer.

Work is a Blessing

Just a quick update...Mom went to work today even though she probably should not have. She feels pretty good but even getting ready for work can just simply wear her out. She is doing the best she can and will go home after a couple of hours of working. She continues to do a little better each and every day but the exhaustion is going to stay with her for a while. Her co-workers are amazing and have been so wonderful to let her do as she needs. That is just more proof that God is taking care of her at every turn. Being able to go to work is such a blessing. Pray that she gets the rest she needs when she is home.