Botanical Gardens

Warning- Had uploading diarreah... :) Sorry, but enjoy the result of it.

I got eggs! Counting his marbles...I mean, eggs.

Best Friends overlooking the water, courtesy of Kalee.

Um, sweet thought... but I dont think I'll be able to pull that off...literally, my head is bigger.

Taking a break and enjoying the sight....

...Next to my baby girl.

Daddy with his pride and joy.

What? You talkin' to me?

I see them nose hairs.

Enjoying the peaceful sight.

Up to no good.

Hear me roaaaar!

Um, pictures are worth 1,000 words...but I'm not going to say any. Leave it to Max. Strange.

The crazy family!

Beautiful. Simply beautiful. We want to go back, and plan to eventually. They even had a Japanese garden. I will admit it was similar but nothing like living in Japan and seeing the Cherry Blossoms line the roads....now that was breathtaking. The highlight: Bear trying to drop his pants because he had to go. Staring to wonder if the sight of foliage releases something in his brain to give him the urge to leave his mark.

I Have An Idea!

So I got to thinking...I should stop now, I know. My ideas usually get me where Lucille Ball's got her.

Friends from different geographical locations are telling me they are praying and willing to help in any other way they can. I have and idea! My co-workers and church family has already offered to help with meals while I go through chemo. I'm so thankful because I know that will be a huge help. However, there will be in between days that I anticipate having to spend time in the kitchen (or task Max to fire up the grill) and I want to be prepared for easy meals. My question for you is... Do you have any easy crock-pot recipes your willing to share? Non crock-pot things are fine too as long as they are easy. My friend's Mom Becky sent me a couple crock pot family hits that were burn free super easy and yummy. I'm on a hunt for more. I desperately want to avoid the hot dogs, mac n cheese and PB&J for dinner at all cost.

It's taking a lot for me to ask for help because as you know, I'm a Navy Wife.... I can do anything! I can nurse a baby, mop the floor, cook dinner, reset the fire alarm, replace batteries in a noise making toy and carry on a phone call with a 6 second delay all at the same time. Don't you ever tell me I can't do something because I'll prove you wrong. I know going through this has and will continue to take me out of my little comfort zone. I'm learning to allow others to help me. An old babysitter (who was the one that brought me to Christ when I was 6) explained to me that allowing others to help me is not only blessing me, but blessing them for serving....so avoid taking that blessing away from them by not allowing them to serve. Humm, something to think about huh?!?! Friends from afar have offered to help if they can. I think by asking for easy nutritious meal ideas...this would be a blessing for both of us.

You can e-mail them to me and I'll keep them in my secret hiding spot...above the stove...so when I finally catch it on fire I can nag you for it again. Or feel free to post in my comments.

Thank you my fabulous readers! ;)

It's Official- Biopsy Results Are In!

Results came in and I got a call from the super cool female surgeon. It is exactly what the fine needle aspiration was leading them towards - Hodgkin's Lymphoma Cancer. Monday they have a meting, and my case will be discussed. I have an appointment on Tuesday and will know what they have decided to do. As it's looking now, I will most likely be differed out to see a civilian oncologist.


My owie is healing well. I have another swollen knot right above the incision which could either be a little fluid pocket or another lymph node brewing up an unwanted concoction of what the chemo is going to get rid of.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27

Many are wondering if I understand what is happening because I'm taking it easier then those around me. I have had a lot longer to process all this then most of you. As a loved one said to me today "your treating it like a common cold". :) With His peace I have no need to fear the present or the future. Fear will only make things worse. I have given it to God. It's all in His hands. Have faith.

Off to have family Wii time.

Do not be afraid! ;)

Is it April Yet?

Kalee has asked this question for several days now......

Kalee: Mom is it April yet?
Me: No, not til next week.
Kalee: How many more days?
Me: It's next Wednesday. Why are you so anxious for it to be April?
Kalee: Because.
Me: Because why?
Kalee: Because I want to switch bags in the cereal boxes so when you pour cereal it's a different kind then what's on the box.

WHAT?!?! I'm wondering what else she has up her sleeve?!?!

She has also informed me she wants to vacation to Florida....because of Disney World and oranges.

I Rescheduled...

...my appointment. I called and the lab results are not in yet which would defeat the purpose of me going to find out the results. I have an appointment on Tuesday (they are in the O.R. Monday) but if results show up today or tomorrow I wouldn't be surprised if they called.

***NOTE***
If you are coming to my blog for the first time, on the right you can click on March and all posts for this month will come up (scroll to the bottom). I announced what is happening on the blog titled "Here's What's Happenin'- I'm Spinllin' it all" .

The Bald Damaged Daddy

One of the funniest things a friend I met in Japan who happens to be a cancer survivor said to me was "bald is sexy". For some strange reason that struck me silly. I mean, I love Max's bald head but I can only imagine how white my scalp is. Yeah. Right about now most of my close friends are probably saying to themselves 'it surely can't be any whiter then her legs'. Oh hush! At this point I'd rather be fluorescent then fight melanoma too. Speaking of which...at the Awana derby races Max was trying to get my attention "Hey, Mel, Mel, MEL(anoma)" as usual, I corrected him and said "you mean Lyn (phoma)?" Why is my husband such a dork? Why am I? See where 8 years of marriage got us crazies?!?!

And since we are on the topic of bald heads... Max was giving himself a hair cut last night and he got a little razor happy which made his scalp cry red. Not to worry, his kiddos took care of it with a beautiful rainbow heart band-aid. I could only imagine one of his sailors stopping him "Uh-Sir, are heart shaped rainbow bandages a new uniform component?"



See why sarcasm is necessary in this house?

As for me, I'm still a little sore but more then anything my incision is itchy. I have an appointment scheduled for Thursday afternoon. Hopefully we will find out the results of the biopsy. Max and I were talking the other day about my normal daily routine. I usually get up after a good 8 hours of sleep, do a short lesson with Kalee before we go to the Y, go teach class and get my daily workout in, shower, feed the kids, get Kalee's schooling completed, and nap with Bear while Kalee had quiet time on one of her educational websites and/or reading books. When the Dr's asked if I was tired, had night sweats, chills, etc, I automatically answered no...no...no. Hello Averi! Normal people don't take a 2 1/2 hour nap in the middle of the day with their children after a full night sleep...every single day. They also don't walk around the heated house in a jacket looking ready to hit the slopes. Humm? I'm tellin' ya, I get smarter the older I get.

One of the Elders of our Church shared this with me on Sunday:
"When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. 2 When you are about to go into battle the priest shall come forward and address the army. 3 He shall say: "Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be faint hearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. 4 For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory." -Deuteronomy 20:1-4

Rest assured, God is able to overcome the most difficult odds. ;)

See...do not be afraid!

It's Weird Looking Down Under

Don't look if you have a weak stomach. But if your like me that warning is too late because you already scanned the picture. So sorry for you. ;)

I have never been cut into so to have an incision is weird. I called my Mom last night who is pro at this after having 3 cesareans and several other scars showing a Dr's presence at one time, to ask if itching is normal. It feels weird but looks worse then it feels. The dark part is a marker...at least I'm assuming the scalpel wasn't a calligraphy pen.

See, it's not so bad, huh?

How Pretty

Look what we got from Guma and Gumpa (Max's grandparents) and his Mom for our anniversary. They smell so beautiful.

I'm recovering well. Sore, but not living on Vicodan, or Motrin. I have come to realize my pain tolerance is...well, going to get me in trouble one day. Even after (and with Bear during) childbirth I didn't take med's. I'm feeling the uncomfort but don't like the feeling of falling asleep when someone is talking to me or slurring my words. I dont want to feel what a drunk looks like. Max keeps telling me he thinks they removed my conscience. I just say this gives a new meaning to having a 'pain in the neck'. Obviously they didn't take it all because he still sleeps next to me at night. ;) Thursday night after we made it home from the hospital one of our neighbors brought over lasagna and my favorite golden oreo's. Today one of my co-workers brought over chicken and a yummy casserole. What a relief to know my kiddos aren't living off of frozen pizza, fish sticks and spaghetti oh's. I'm so thankful for the people in my life. ;) You guys are fantastic!

Here is what my battle wound looks like:

Everything from armpit to ear was covered in that orange stuff still under the tape. The doctor had to initial my shoulder using a special marker before surgery. I guess they like to autograph their art. I take it off tomorrow so depending on how gruesome it is I may take more pic's.

He IS in control!

The Day After Surgery

You know what the best part about today is? Max is home! No really, it's very exciting because this is our first anniversary together in about 5 years. Crazy huh? Eight years ago today my best friend became my husband. Today I love him more then the day we said "I do" ....something I never thought was possible. Many people that know Max, know how important his career has always been. He made it up the enlisted ranks rather quickly and while in Japan he decided to change his career path. I notice as a wife that since he has become an officer he views many things with a different twist, but I'm so thankful that Max has always put his family first. His he an outstanding sailor, wonderful husband, superb Dad and a fantastic friend to many. I love you husband. Happy Anniversary!

I also have to mention that he got us the movie Fireproof, the Wii Fit and a game to go with...perfect timing since I will not be able to go to the gym until after this is all done...which is a huge bummer because I like my cardio fix.

Yesterday I had surgery for removal of the large lymph node slightly above my right collarbone. I was due to report in at 10am and they called me back at about 12:30. The resident doctor was able to get my IV in on the second try (yeah I was thrilled)...but it was positional (my hand had to be tilted just so for it to flow). That was probably the worst part all day. The nurses were fantastic. One of them looked at all my paperwork and when she closed the medical record said "Congratulations you passed the test. Your name's not Mary and you don't have a star above your head!". Max was joking back and forth with her which was enough entertainment for the whole ward. The resident Surgeon was fantastic! She wore a John Deere surgical cap which was super cute and was the one who made all phone calls to squeeze me in the operating room schedule. The Surgeon Doctor answered all my questions and decided to try it under heavy sedation rather then putting me out and intibating me. YEAH! The Anesthesist was my favorite though, she administered the med's. I remember scooting on the bed in surgery with a plastic/ribbon cross in my left hand a friend gave me at Bible Babes the night before. I asked if it was normal to feel quivery and someone said "it's just cuz your happy to be in here". I remembering slightly opening my eyes and seeing the medicine lady wearing a grape colored bouffant on my left telling her my forehead itched. I did hear their voices but don't remember everything they were saying...BUT I remember hearing "ten, eleven, twelve" so I knew they got all the tools out of my body. :) When I woke up I felt for the cross in my left hand and it wasn't there. I asked for Max and they told me he was getting my med's from the pharmacy. All I wanted was my cross, my husband and a smoothie. ;) Yeah then I realized I was back to myself. The estimated hour surgery took 2 1/2 hours. The large lymph node was actually three sticking together. I have an appointment to find out the results on the 26th.

Susan brought my kids home for me. I love leaving them with her because we do many things alike as far as parenting...and my kids love going to their house. Kalee asked why I had that stuff all over my neck. I explained how the IV in my hand gave me medicine to relax and the orange stuff on my skin was to clean the area. I told them the Doctor made a little cut in my neck and took something out to do testing. She asked if I was going to have more appointments. "As a matter of fact I have one next week and depending on the test results I may have a lot more until I get better." She gave me a hug and Bear was so kind to give me the juiciest plump lip kisses. They too know God has his hands in it. I not only have the awesomest husband but I have the bestest kiddos too.

A friend sent this to me and I thought I'd share it:
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” -Romans 15:13

How great is our God!?!?!

Do not be afraid!

Tomorrow @ 10

I got my call today and am due in for surgery at 10am.

I would love to blog about my day... but packing my kiddos stuff for tomorrow, scrubbing the toilets, tub and finishing this last load of laundry takes priority in my mind.

Kalee asked if I had to go in for another PET scan when I told her she was going over to Mrs. Susans tomorrow. I told her no and that I was going in for surgery. She told me that I need to inform the Doctor to take his time because she loves going over to Sydney's house. See why I don't worry about them? Bear loves playing with Mason outside and feels comfortable over there too. I better keep my mouth shut before Susan catches on and starts selling day passes for her backyard exhibit.

I went to Bible Babes tonight...(if that name isn't funny enough the ladies that meet here for Bible study are called Girls Gone Godly). We are all a bunch of crazies! It was nice to be with my sisters in Christ and share my feelings of peace and comfort about tomorrow.

I really need to get off of here to do a few things and take my "surgical shower". I will update tomorrow after I get home.

Do not be afraid!

Light Me Up!

Do not be afraid!

First off, thanks EVERYONE for your prayers and support. Please feel free to comment and leave me your thoughts even if you were referred by someone...I dont e-bite.


This morning we got up early for my PET/CT scan. I reported to Nuclear Medicine which was weird in itself. You know, it's one of those clinics I pass by in a hurry on the way to my child's pediatric well baby check up... and don't think much about what they do or why those people are there. Until today, all kinds of different people sat around in that cold 3/4 in thick led wall clinic. Yes, I requested a butterfly needle....but they only had dragonfly's. ;) I had to get the information about breastfeeding since Bear is still a leach...pump (haven't done that in about 2 years) and dump for 24 hours following. Considering he's putting his own money in the soda machine, that shouldn't be to much of a problem. ;) I sent Max off with the kids to the food court once I found out it was a 2 hour study. They brought me back to another room and started the saline solution for the IV. A few minutes later the guy put a palm size metal device in his hand and shot the radioactive sugar into my IV. The sugar clings to the cancer cells and the PET portion of the scan shows where they are gathering and they overlay that with the regular CT to show where in the body it's located. Technology is amazing...but God is amazinger! (Nay- it's a word...in my dictionary of a brain) After he pumped a bag of saline and a shot of radioactive material, he handed be a big gulp with a cheap tasting nasty off brand of tampico juice to make me glow more.... because I wasn't radioactive enough. I'll tell ya though, I had absolutely no problem downing that no-pulp fake orange glo...because I knew where they would stick it otherwise, and I wasn't having that! Ut-uh! Keep that crap out...I mean...no pun intended. Following the delicious beverage, I got to lay in paradise with a blanket straight out of the warmer (the radioactive sugar made me freeze) and pray for about a half an hour while I was gliding through the tube several times. Boy, that 30 minutes goes by quick when your in prayer! Finally the "study" was complete and I walked out to the waiting room to find out Max tied the kids legs together in the main hallway and had them use teamwork to walk. That would have been a funny sight for most, but soooo normal for us. Sigh. Is that his homeschooling lesson on "teamwork"?

As we left the parking garage proud of not loosing the car, I called Wayne and Susan (also homeschoolers) so they could meet us at the Air and Space Museum. This month military gets in free so you KNOW we took advantage of that! We had a nice afternoon full of science lessons. That is one of the 5 places I would love to get family passes to... you know, instead of 300 toys for Christmas. ;) We did take pics but for some reason I can't find Max's USB thingie to take them off his camera. When he gets home from Men's Group I'll ask.

I believe in prayer! Yesterday one of the Elders in our Church arranged with all the other Elders and Deacons to come over this evening to annoint me with oil and pray. They did. I had 9 men in my living room laying hands on me tonight. What an amazing group of Elders/Deacons we have...what an amazing Church family....what an amazing GOD we serve!

Tomorrow I find out a definite on what time my surgery is Thursday (should be mid morning-ish). I will post it.

I trust God and His plans.

Do not be afraid! :)

Here's What's Happenin'- I'm Spillin' It All

As a friend told me a couple weeks ago..."if the Navy gave frequent flyer miles Max would be maxed out." and it's true. Once again he flew back early...at least this time it wasn't on a helo and the wall didn't fall off mid flight.


I got a call from the general surgeon Doctor Friday morning as I was getting ready to go teach my Parent Toddler class. He called to tell me that results have already come back with something "suspicious". He definitely wants to proceed with a full biopsy and wanted me to go in Monday morning at 8am to talk about the what's, how's and when's.

This morning we dropped the kids off with our good friends Wayne and Susan. Our kids love going to their house, what a Blessing that family is to us. We decided it was best to do it that way so we could ask questions and concentrate on what was being said. Here it is...I'm laying it out. Please do not be offended if I have not called you directly. My Mom Dad and Brother are probably the only ones I have contacted via phone. It's easier to do it this way and refer friends here so I don't feel like a broken record repeating myself.


So what did they say Averi?:
"Preliminary" results...and I quote "preliminary" are leaning the surgeons towards Hodgkin's Lymphoma Cancer.
"He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast trusting in the Lord." -Psalm 112:7 I was working on my Bible study last night and realized His timing is perfect. The chapter I studied embedded "Do not be afraid" in my mind. As I sat in front of the two Doctors with my husband by my side I kept reminding myself of last nights study that ministered directly to my heart. "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." -Deuteronomy 31:8

I got more blood drawn, more x-ray's and had to go to admissions office(sounds like I'm going back to school). Tomorrow morning I go in for a PET. If His timing wasn't so perfect and Max didn't turn on the television this morning while I was getting dressed I would have no clue what that was. Fortunately God has a plan. I saw a few minutes of a documentary on radioactivity and in it was some info on PET. Thursday I'm scheduled for surgery. They are going into the largest lymph node to remove some tissue for more testing. Those results will take a good week from Thursday's surgery to come back because they may have to be overnighted to Washington. Max's first question..."are you knocking her out?" "Oh, yes!" said the resident. The Doctor also recommended we send an AmCross message to the ship letting them know what is going on. We talked about where he was in his orders and made us aware that depending on what the next set of biopsy results show, if chemo is the treatment necessary he would not be going out on deployment and things would be changing.

No deployment? Boy, I sure know how to keep my husband behind. Don't I?

I will keep posting as I hear more. For now, all I ask is you keep me in your prayers as tons of things run through my mind.

I love each and every one of you!

I Survived!

I went in yesterday for my fine needle aspiration. Fortunately a friend (from my other 2 life groups) went with me since Max is out, and another dear friend watched the kids. Can you believe that? Someone watched our children! Mark it on the calender. She told me she felt honored when I asked her to watch them. :) I dropped them off and our "Preacher Dude" met us there to pray before we headed out. I didn't know what to expect other then a needle was going to be inserted in my neck to draw from the large lump and it was going to be tested. I made it on time (unusual for me) and they called me back. The tech told me what they were going to do and showed me the nifty metal device that made the needle look 8 times larger then I'm sure it was. The Doctor came in and explained everything. I was so thankful he was patient. He asked if I had any questions. "Um, I'm going to be laying down, right? I wouldn't want to pass out on you." He made me as comfortable as possible knowing I was not going to be thrilled when i left the procedure room. The first time he got the "substance" in the tube was not so bad. Uncomfortable, but not bad. A few minutes later he dug in for a second time. Painful, but not screaming. By the third time that area was so tender (no medication) that I was shaking and probably whining like a baby. Painful, and Averi's pain tolerance for anything involving needles just flat out sucks!! I survived. I didn't pass out. A little sore but still kickin'. I wont get results for about two weeks. As I left the room I thanked him....then said "I can't believe I just thanked you for digging into my neck". At least he found the humor. My friend Janet (they let stay in the room) said I did good and she rewarded me with a smoothie. I have some great friends...they either think of me, pray for me, or buy me smoothies.

...too bad they didn't give me a cool Spider-man or Hannah Montana bandage to cover these 3 holes.

I smell like...

a little wet dog! We are "test driving" a miniature pincher AKA: Kalee's baby. She seems to be fitting well with the family so far. I NEVER imagined having a small dog...I'm just a big dog person but this one is so sweet. My kids came out of me weighing more then she does. Her name goes from "Lily-Ann" to "Little-Ann" or if Bear is calling her "Diddle-Dan". ;) Kalee insisted on giving her "baby" a bath. Now I stink!

She even enjoyed our hike on Saturday and tolerates Kalee dressing her up. :) Yes I said that.

I'll post pictures when she gets off my lap. I think this test drive confirms that waiting for her was well worth it.

Ok, the rest of the story...

I went in for my appointment with general surgery on Friday. Yes, 'inconclusive' results means they are going to look further into it. Literally! Haha. The general surgeon Doctor wants to take the least intrusive route first (Dr #4 wanted a full biopsy) because other problems can stem from cutting into lymph nodes. So... I am on 14 days of an antibiotic that I have never herd of...(which is amazing because of all my childhood ear infections) to rule out infection AND I'm scheduled for a FNA (needle biopsy) this week. The results will determine if they need to dig deeper...no pun intended. :) I have a followup in a little over two weeks from now so we will know more.

We always need to know more... I'm starting to dislike that phrase.


To answer some questions: I have several swollen lymph nodes in my neck (I feel 4 of them) ranging in size from a pea to almost a gulf ball, a 'spot' on my inner chest and a cyst on my thyroid. Only the large one is uncomfortable and is the one they are really looking into. No other lymph node occupied areas have lumps...which is a good sign... but still not a reason to let this blow away in the wind.

At first I was uneasy about everything, but obviously now I am not. Amazing what prayer does. ;)

Yes! I'm not crazy!

I got results from the CT scan mentioned in a previous blog and thought I'd share that I'm not crazy. Nope I'm not. So I'll give you the story.

Back in December I noticed a lump on the left side of my neck. Since I was diagnosed with large (orange sized) ovarian cysts in fall, I blew it off thinking "I'm just a cystie person". While in California for my brothers wedding I had my Mom feel it and she told me to get it checked out. Two days after returning to Virginia my good friend Erica called me in tears with devastating news that our friend Rachael passed away. She had been fighting a long battle of Melanoma cancer. Of coarse that phone call triggered me to call that morning to get an appointment. While scheduling the appointment I noticed a second lump on the opposite side of my neck. I got in the next day and the Dr. did a blood count. She said all was fine. Unfortunately I did not care for that particular Dr and for the first time in my life scheduled an appointment to ask for a second opinion. The second Dr. discovered a third lump and did another blood count, blood chemistry, PPD test and a chest X-ray. All can back fine. Ok, what was I to do? I was going to be reported as a psych patient if I became a bulldog and went to yet another Dr. for a third opinion. I sat tight. Only for about a week. Then I got Strep throat on Valentines Day. Before the Dr. even touched my neck I warned him about my now 3 lumps. He was shocked no one went further with investigation. He was in fact the Dr that put me in for the CT Scan. Yes, all this time I have seen different Dr's...so I realized it's my responsibility to be my own advocate. Yesterday morning Max got helo'd off the ship to the beach to be with me for my appointment (with a 4th Doctor). The CT test results are inconclusive BUT this Dr. is following my case so I no longer have to "be my own advocate".

That was just a long story telling you that I have lumps in my neck....