Mom's Medical Update

What can I say but Hallelujah. Mom's final radiation treatment was last Friday. They all came out to say goodbye and to give her hugs - the nurses, the radiation techs; well just about everyone you come in to contact with from the front door to the back treatment rooms. They were all so nice and accommodating. Answering all our questions, even the silly ones, and always checking in to make sure mom was doing okay. We couldn't have had a better treatment team taking care of her.

Now were in the wait and see zone. She'll have a follow up MRI in 2 1/2 months and then a check in appointment with her Radiologist, Dr. Pants. He'll continue to follow up for the first year, doing period MRI's to gain measurements and overall insight. We'll also be following up with her Neurologist/surgeon Dr. Laguno every six months as well, and after the first year then he'll take the reigns again and arrange future MRI's (on a timely basis as I'm going to be overseeing everything this time around)as well as follow up visits with himself. I'll be writing them in on the calendar and working with his nurse Donna, who is awesome, to make sure everything sticks to the general timeline and that orders are called in when they should be. Mom and I do not want to be blind sighted by any additional large growths as we both like to know what we're dealing with and what challenges may be just around the bend.

All in all she handled it graciously, going in with a smile and coming back out with a smile in place as well. She did lose some hair but not near as bad as estimated, and has been fatigued on a daily basis since about week three of the series. They do not typically do a repeat for her type of tumor, especially given her age, but one never knows, so we are in wait and see mode as to how this little adventure is going to play out. We'll keep you all posted.

And in that same vein I thought you all might get a kick out of seeing mom in some recent photo's. Of course she's loving on my boy Joe just after he was born at the hospital one year ago this month. The following two photo's were taken in June of this year when we were able to hook up with her brothers. In the first one she is standing between her brothers Ron and Jake, and in the second one she's hanging out with Armas having a chat. All in all that was a great trip and I got to hear all kinds of old stories, which just goes to prove that you never know everything about a person no matter how long you've known them. Enjoy!

Halloween Fun

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Well Joe had quite a nice halloween week. I say week because he had a party to attend midweek in which he was a gnarly biker like his Daddy. And then because Mommy did not finish the biker outfit all the way he also got to dress up as Elmo on Halloween night. I'm not sure which he looked cuter in since I think he's cute all the time.

He got to decorate his very own pumpkin at Miss JoAnne's party and then on Halloween night he got to trick or treat at Uncle Brian's and Grammie and Pop Pop's houses. That's was about it as the weather was downright chilly and because Larry's brother Chuck was getting married the next day and the men were having a poker night later that evening.

He really enjoyed seeing all the older kids dressed up that came trick or treating at our door. And boy were there a lot of them. Mom and I handed out about five super sized bags of candy. Good thing I stashed a few of my favorites away.

We practiced all month saying trick-or-treat but it was to no avail as Joe refused to cooperate. Though all he had to do was smile and the candy was handed over. Lucky boy.

Joe's Birthday Bash

Well I've been remiss in updating in a timely fashion, and boy have I heard it from many of you. So I'm getting off my behind and telling you all how it is, was, and will be.

Joe and Larry's birthday bash was a lot of fun. We had family and friends, young and old, enjoy in the festivities. The menu was varied and special thanks go to Loretta and Jesse for providing those wonderful tamales and hot sauce.

Joe got a so many fun presents that we are still opening a few of them each week, and sharing them with his cousin Elsa on occasion.

The pinata was a BUST (no pun intended) as the strings did not release the goodies and I had to take my trusty rain stick to it to break it open. You never can find a bat when you need one.

For those of you who were able to attend, we thank you for making the journey and for those of you who couldn't... what can I say, but you suck. No seriously we understand and hope you'll be able to make it next year as you truly were missed.