Larry's 40th B-Day

We had a small family dinner on the 8th for Larry's 40th. His family, our family, and Crystal and Jeff met at Ichi Maki (our favorite Japanese place) to celebrate. The boys managed to consume a boat along with various Maki roll orders. I had made a chocolate devils food cake for dessert, although the restaurant brought him out a huge order of Mochi (deep fried green tea ice cream that's been dipped in cake batter). It was a lot of fun and laughs.

Prior to dinner Mom, Joe and I let him open our gifts. I don't know who had more fun with it Joe or Larry, but we all enjoyed the process. Joe and I created a piece of artwork for Daddy and I can't say for certain whether we got more paint on the canvas or on Joe and his highchair.

We're all looking forward to their combined birthday bash this coming weekend on the 19th.

Hurray, Hurray the bad para-thyroid gland is DEAD!!!

Seriously though, Larry had his operation this past Friday and it was a great success. They were able to locate one very large bad gland, one small good gland, and the other two were no where to be found. He had to stay overnight in the hospital so that they could monitor his calcium levels, but by 9:00 AM they were at normal levels - YEAH! So he's home recuperating - pretty sore and tired, but other than that doing really well. We go back in two weeks for a check up on the incision and to verify that his pathology on the glands removed are cancer free.

Fun, fun, fun with the Tucker ladies

I was very blessed to be included in part of my sister-in-law to be Kelli's birthday gift from her sister Kari though I must admit I didn't give either of them much choice (lol). As part of her birthday gift to Kelli she had invited her to her place to make jewelry and/or art utilizing a glass fusion process. We were actually supposed to do it on Saturday but due to items still needing to be completed for the wedding we had to move our art day to Sunday.

We arrived around 3:30 and Kari began setting up all the tools and glass we'd be using to make our art projects. Before beginning we all sat down to enjoy a great meal prepared by Kari and her fiance Aaron. Art and food, two of my very favorite things.

Kelli decided to make a glass piece to hang on her wall symbolizing all the things/people she loves. I decided to attempt to make a piece for a necklace. Kari kept busy trying to keep us focused, no easy feat. It took us about an hour and a half but we finally got all our glass pieces cut and assembled. I want it noted that I cut 90% of my own glass while Kelli only cut about 10% of her own. Kari was so busy assisting us that she didn't even get to make anything for herself.

We don't know yet how they've turned out but Kelli and I are keeping our fingers crossed. Of course mine is almost guaranteed to be beautiful because I told Kari that if it didn't then I had an expectation that she would recreate my piece (only better) and never tell me the truth. Regardless of the real outcome we sure had a lot of fun, much laughter, and only needed a band-aid one time - for Kari of all people.

So Kari and Kelli thanks for letting me hone in on your play date. It was a blast and I really enjoyed my "girl" time.

The good, the bad, and the I just don't know

Well it seems that our family is plagued with medical issues these days. Mom's brain tumor is back and with a vengeance. It has grown so much since she had brain surgery in 2005 that it is now considered inoperable as it's invaded the bone so much. We are going to try radiation therapy beginning next Monday in the hopes that it may shrink some of the tumor and/or at least stall the growth. She'll have to undergo radiation everyday for a six week period. I don't even want to think about all the possible negative effects that can emerge as a result of the treatment itself - just let me say that they are not good. So please, please send all your positive thoughts and energy her way over the next few weeks.

My big strong husband has been scheduled for surgery on the 10th of this month, thus the reason we had to reschedule his and Joe's birthday celebration. He's been having all kinds of symptoms - fatigue, forgetfulness, weight gain, etc. that after numerous tests and scans has let the doctors to believe that one or more of his para-thyroid glands are bad. Unfortunately they have not gotten a clear enough picture throughout the many scans and so they are going to have to do a more invasive procedure to ensure that they get all the bad ones that may be present. Fortunately we were lucky enough to not only have his scheduled surgeon to do the procedure, but a top notch specialist is coming in to assist with the surgery and to provide another set of eyes to ensure that nothing is overlooked. Then it will be wait and see until we get the all clear from pathology with regards to any cancer scares. So again, please say a prayer for him on the 10th that all goes well and that he gets the best possible outcome from this surgery.

And like the saying goes, bad things come in threes... so I found out today that my sisters cold that has been plaguing her for weeks is actually full blown pneumonia. The good news is that after taking x-rays and determining that pneumonia is what she actually is experiencing they were able to put her on the appropriate drugs to help her breath better and to help get rid of it overall.

Hopefully everyone will have quick recoveries and the best possible outcomes from their treatment plans. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.