When you lose

A part of you. Or at least a part of you that has been there for the past year it's a bit strange. Today my hubby got his port taken out. Just one more thing taken off the list on the way back to "normal".

He was awake when it happened, but wasn't able to watch. He said it made a strange slloooop sort of sound. Actually if you've seen Iron Man, you may know the sound. You see when you have a port put in, your body forms a fibrous capsule around it. He's had a bump on his chest for the past year, you could even see and feel the little knobs on the port that help with inserting the needle. I know he feels strange and elated to have it gone.

They asked if he wanted to keep it. Most people do. So he came home with this cup and his purple port, saying it was my new necklace. Not that that's what's going to happen to it, but what do you do with something that's been a part of you for the past year? For now, it'll stay in it's cup on his desk full of Legos... guess we'll figure out what to do with his remind later.

Cart Snafu

As it is the time for shopping, the holidays are among us afterall. I thought I'd share my hubby's latest "cart" experience. You see he rides around on an electric cart for work. They go around base getting what they need and come back. Since it is electric it only goes about 10 mph. However, when you are the passenger and you look over your right shoulder, and the driver is making a sharp left, you may just fall out! Blood loss, no concussion, 5 staples and countless jokes later, this is how you'd look.

He was getting teased about needing a 5-point harness, a helmet (complete with a Raiders emblem... ewwwwww) as well as a few others. Those 2 are my favorites however. This happened a few weeks ago now and he almost completely healed. Which is an awesome thing since that means his system is getting back to normal after chemo.

Although you may not be taking electric carts to go shopping this year, please do remember to be careful in those crazy stores! Or better yet, buy online :) Check Etsy, and search Homefront Team for great selections.

Treatment No. 12

Has come and gone. He's done! Chemo is done! It hit my hubby yesterday. He came home from work with some sparkling cider to celebrate. He realized that he had all his weekends free again. We can do anything without having to worry about the next weekend being stuck to not do anything. The look of elation and liberation was in his eyes. He's thinking poker this weekend, and a bit of shopping.

The kids and I spent the time he was at the hospital for his last treatment at the store. Getting all the bits we'd need for Halloween costumes. Or so I thought! We need to pick up a few more things and then I can start on them. It is a joy making the costumes, yet since they are only worn once (my daughter wants to be a fairy this year, and I highly doubt we will reuse the costume for my son!) but they love them so. Only my second year making them, but I'm getting more familiar with the sewing machine. One fairy and scarecrow coming up before the end of the month!

A month where our weekends are ours and my hubby is on the road to remission. So crazy to think it's through.

I did want to leave you with a picture. Just one of the projects I've finished lately, I truley adore it! It's for a Homefront Challenge, but more on that another time. For now, just a tease :)

Wishing all health, happiness and big dreams for the coming season.

Treatment No. 11

Has come and gone. It went well and was preceded by a trip home the kids and I took to see some other sickies. My mom is still in the hospital, but is getting there. It was really nice to be able to go home and see her. The kids did really well going to the hospital everyday to see Grandmother, but they have spent some time at the hospital before when my hubby was there for his surgery.

The trip went well, and we made it home the night before treatment no. 11. So that Friday, we spent at the hospital as well. Went to the mini NEX at the hospital to pick up some toilet paper and tissue for the house. Then walked around. Stopped off to make an appointment for my son's 2 year check. And waited for hubby to be done. Time went by pretty quick actually and the kids did well just walking around. It is thankfully a rather large hospital to walk around with different things to see and do.

At home the weekend went well. The nurse brought us some grapes to say sorry for being so late on the last treatment. Which was really nice of her to do. And the weekend passed without much to tell about. Although both hubby and I have said several times now "only 1 left". It's a really great feeling to have.

Our son turns 2 tomorrow and we celebrated his birthday yesterday. So we spent last week getting some toys (superhero stuff, it is really cute!) putting the house in order and making a toy/gift bag for his new superheroes. It turned out really well. I did the felt applique, hubby sewed everything together. We had homemade wheat pizza, pasta salad and chocolate cake. Just a small little party. It was cute listening to my son sing along to "Happy Birthday". He'd done it just a few days earlier to Grandmother on the phone.

My hubby has been home for the past week since he has limited orders and doesn't have to check in for a few more days. It's been nice having him here, but I have been away from the computer so much.

Anyhow, will try to get a pic posted of the toy bag. I don't think we took one before he got it and it is currently in his room with him. Always nice when toys get put away. And this Friday marks the last treatment. A big sigh coming now. Then it's just checks for the next few years. But we have made life adjustments and are still working on more to make ourselves healthier. Healthy wishes to all.

Treatment No. 10

Was this past weekend. It went fairly well. Saturday was not the best day. Hubby felt a little under the weather, having trouble drinking. But did manage to get a little down and was eating fine. Sunday was much better. It was his birthday, the big 2-8!

The kids picked out a little Legos package for him, and I picked up some Geek Soap from Swan Mountain Soaps on Etsy. Figured it was fitting since my hubby really is a geek with his computer games and love of Star Wars. He thought both were funny. Put together his Lego train quick (he now has a Lego helicopter, a car and a train) and then opened up his present from his mom. More Legos, and Star Wars all in one! It is an AT-AP that he then put together. It's sitting on his computer desk.

Then it was time to watch football. Chargers were playing the Broncos so it was a game we got to watch! It's hard being a Broncos fan in SD some of the time :) Man that game had ups and downs and the ending... 2 pointer for the win! Later in the evening we had some pizza and then cheesecake with fresh berries. Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries oh my! My daughter asked for more when she finished hers. Had to tell her it was just desert, so no more cheesecake was needed.

The worst part of the weekend was homecare being late on Sunday to take out the needle. But all in all, it's one more treatment done. Only 2 left now. In a month he will be done. Possibly 2 months he can have cold drinks again. No trips back home for the winter, that is for sure!

Hug

It's amazing what one little hug can do. This has been a stressful year for me and my family so far. Along with my husband's cancer, my mom has been in and out of the hospital with her own medical issues. I think I've touched on them a little bit. She went back in last night for more surgery. They removed another section of her small intestine, it had an infected hole in it. At the beginning of August was her last surgery, removing some of her small intestine as it was twisted upon itself and had caused a blockage. In January was the start of her surgery, they removed 90% of her large intestine.

With all these surgeries, she never has gotten back to normal. She was home for a few months inbetween and has been staying with relatives or in the hospital for the rest of the past 9 months. I don't even know what to do with all of this. Here I am not even 30 yet and this is the hand that's been dealt to me. If you're reading this, please say a prayer and send some positivity her way.

I've gotten lots of hugs from my kiddos this morning in between phone calls updating my brothers. My son came to find me and ran at me with open arms. They give me comfort and strength. Children are such an amazing blessing. Their hearts are so large and overflowing with love and positivity.

Treatment No. 9 and then some

So we've surpased 3/4 of the treatments! Hubby's sis came out for a visit and was here while he did his ninth treatment. Still going well and making it through. We had a good visit and even managed a date night to see the new Batman, The Dark Knight. Kinda funny since it has been so long since I have been in an actual movie theater and there weren't many people, it was really loud. Makes me feel old :) The movie was enjoyable and it was nice going out just the two of us.

Hubby was very excited with the idea that there are only 3 treatments left to undergo. It's what he said most of the weekend, "9 down, 3 to go..." with a look of joy and excitement for the weeks to come. It's amazing how fast time can fly by.

Been busy around here. Have a few custom orders I've been working on as well as some new toy bags for the kids. My son has lots of big legos and the bag they came in, the zipper pulled out and is broken. So made him a new tall green fleece bag for his "blocks". We picked up a big toy bin from some neighbors who no longer needed it and so made several little bags for her to keep sets of toys in making it easier to find what she wants to play with. Finished 2 of them completely (little pictures on them noting what is inside) only about 6 more to go. The bags are at least all done. Some however need drawstrings put in so that's something to work on in between orders and life.

One of the orders called for organic yarns. Since I use acrylic for the novelty things, had to pick up some new yarns. Bought some bamboo cotton as well as some banana silk. They're both really easy to work with and I'm excited to see how the banana silk scarf I've started turns out. It's a beautiful yarn that looks like a bunch of berries, ripe for the picking.

Treatment No. 8

Today he gets disconnected. Another one down, 4 to go. We've got the next 2 scheduled and the end is in sight.

This weekend has gone pretty well. Hubby was awake most of Friday. Came home to play a new video game the kids and I picked up while he was at the hospital. We went shopping for some new clothes, looking for Super Hero pjs for my daughter. They didn't have any but she found somet hat are aqua and brown with dots that she liked instead. Bought my son Batman pjs awhile ago and so she wanted some as well. They had some Super Girl pjs online that should have been at the store, but oh well, now she's just an "adorable girl".

After playing video games most of the afternoon, it was time for a nap. Hubby's schedule is a little off now, so we'll see how tomorrow goes going back to work. He's at TPU again probably going to work for an Admiral for the rest of the year. I say probably since his squadron still wants him back so they are going to see if they can get him orders there instead. It's the game of hurry up and wait, not sure what the future will hold. Always a fun one, and just how it goes :) I'm thinking he'll do better back at the squadron, but with the Admiral he still should be working some to keep him busy.

Treatment No. 8 means he's 3/4 of the way done. When he finishes, our son will be 2. We were talking the other night about how pretty much his entire 2nd year of life, daddy was sick since this started in January. I doubt he'll remember daddy being sick, and lets hope this is the end of it.

Work, work, work

My hubby went back to his squadron this week. It was interesting seeing him come home Monday night. The smile he had on his face, and the energy in his was a nice surprise. With this past treatment being a little harder on him, it may have been just because where he was at mentally. They'd taken him out of work for a week and a half and switched him into a holding pattern you could say. But he wanted to go back to work, and was able to make that happen.

We will see what the outcome is of his next treatment, but for now, he is on cloud nine. Although I'm getting used to the hours again! He worked so late Monday night because he could work and wanted to work and there it was needing to be done. He's still not able to stand out on the flight line when the birds are whirling, but he is able to help keep them going.

Speaking of work, I need to get back to mine. Finished my pumpkin, now it's on to a pear. I'll take pics of all I've made before I send them out.