Grandma and Grandpa, Tonsellectomy and Chemo!

Wow! We have a lot going on this week! As I write this we are once again at Chemotherapy. Diane did the sticking today and first time was the charm, so things have gone pretty smoothly. Chemo day also means I get a little time to update on what is going on with us. Well. . . .

Friday afternoon, Grandma and Grandpa Larchar arrived from Upstate New York. We had been hoping to share some of our beautiful, sunny weather with them, but it has been raining almost nonstop since they arrived. Today is the first day of nice weather and Kenneth and I are stuck inside at Chemo, Arianna is recovering from a Tonsillectomy/ Adenoidecotmy/ SNR of the Turbinates yesterday, and Grant and Emma are sick with a cold/ cough. And the rest of the week rain is in the forecast. Such is life. At least we have green beautiful mountains to look at!!! When I talked to Grandpa a little while ago, he said Emma and Grant were outside playing- so I guess they aren't sick enough to miss out on the opportunity!

The children LOVE having Grandma and Grandpa here. They are eating up the attention, the story reading and the snuggling! It has been about 10 months since we've seen them, so it is good to get to spend some time with them.

Last week I took Arianna to see the ENT (Ear Nose Throat Doctor). He took one look/listen and knew surgery would be beneficial. We have known her entire life that something is up. She has always been a mouth breather, was very often congested the first 2 years of her life, and has an abnormal breathing pattern at night. Lately, she will complain that she is tired in the morning after 12 hours of sleep at night! So, upon the doctors recommendation, I scheduled the surgery. Since I knew I would have extra help this week, I figured it was the best time as any to go ahead and get it done. She was a champ! She was adored by all the nurses in pre-op; they called her Princess Arianna. I wasn't sure how she was going to do getting ready for the surgery. Last time we went to the doctor for her 3 year check-up she gave me a really hard time. She absolutely would not allow herself to be measured for height or weight, screamed when the nurse tried to check her ears and throat. It was not fun. So, I was pleasantly surprised when she was very cooperative yesterday morning. She put on the cute tiger hospital gown, fuzzy socks and hat no problems and even asked if she got to take her 'surgery clothes' home with her. Of course, at the end of it all, she wanted absolutely nothing to do with them!!
She did very well in surgery and the doctor said her adenoids were huge! It took her a while to get back to herself after the Anesthesia (which is normal) and she definitely needed a lot of love yesterday. One thing is for sure, she is a smart little girl (she takes after her mother, you know) and she is taking advantage of the ice cream and popsicle diet. She even woke up twice in the night and had some- that's not including the 4 or 5 bowls of ice cream she had during the day and the 8 or 9 popsicles! She is loving it! I am thankful that she is keeping hydrated and has something in her belly. Emma is being very understanding that she can't also have that many treats! So, we are hoping that this procedure will help her breathe/ sleep better.

Kenneth is doing great! Gained 2 more pounds since the last treatment. He generally feels pretty good. The Oncologist said today that after the 4th treatment, they usually expect all the cancer to be eradicated. The fifth and sixth treatments are for good measure; to make sure it's gone and stays that way. Here we are at the fifth treatment!! It is really going by so fast!
On the way to the doctor's office this morning I looked over at the traffic backed up on his normal route to work and jokingly asked if he missed it. He reminded me that he will be returning to work in just 7 weeks! It will be a big adjustment for all of us when that day comes. We are so used to having him around!

We purchased our plane tickets and will be in New York state the last 2 weeks of May. We are very excited to go to graduation and visit family and friends. When we return home, Kenneth will have the PET scan which will reveal whether or not the Chemo has done what we hope. We are so thankful for all the prayers, fasting, sacrifices and kindnesses of all who have made this experience as pleasant as possible.

I had an insight the other night while preparing dinner. Grant was crying and whining at my feet, as usual. I tried to give him a piece of cheese to hold him off and let him know dinner was coming soon, but he refused it and continued to wail and tug on my pants. I wonder how often our Heavenly Father is trying to offer us a 'piece of what is to come' and encourage us to be patient. Just like Grant, we can't see the whole picture. We don't understand what is happening in our lives and what do we do? Like Grant we wail and moan and in essence have a tantrum. How thankful I am for a patient Father in Heaven, who continues to love me and hold me, even with all my tantrums and impatience at not being able to see the future.