I hate that word!

Well some of you know that I have in the past had thyroid cancer. I had my thyroid removed in 2000 when Nicky was 14 months old. I had radiation with radioactive iodine and had to go hypothyroid to do the radiation. I hate surgery I hate needle etc. but I will say i hated going hypothyroid the worst. You have not metabolism. You gain 10-15 lbs a week without even doing anything differently. And if you know me I can't afford that kind of weight gain now weight loss like that is a different story. Well all has gone along just fine and I got over all that and have done great. In 2005, before I found out I was pregnant with Emma Grace they found some nodules in my thyroid bed area on a routine ultrasound. We had to wait to do anything at that time and my blood work was normal so we waited. I had Emma and was breastfeeding so in no hurry to do anything so we kept doing ultrasounds and the "nodules" or lymph nodes were stable and not changing. So in the last year my cancer marker that appears in my blood started to go up. Could be thyroid cells or cancer cells but nodules still stable. In december of 2008 new ultrasound shows more "nodules" or lymph nodes and the cancer marker still going up. So we decide to do an ultrasound guided biopsy. So yesterday I check into the hospital at work at, Good Samaritan, and go through this procedure. Which is not fun. They do an ultrasound and then numb the area of the neck and a radiologist then proceeds to stick a needle in my neck through the muscle towards my carotid artery (the "nodule" is up against the carotid artery) yippee! He had to do it twice to make sure we had enough cells. I hate being a patient but it sure makes you understand how to treat your patients. The person that was there to pick up the cells stood next to me and the US technician too. I reached to hold someones hand and the lady there to pick up cells grabbed my hand and she let me squeeze. They all knew that I worked at the hospital and they knew that I wanted to know the results as soon as possible. They had to have the pathologist come down to make sure that there were enough cells on the slides. He came down looked at the slides through the microscope and then proceeded to enter my examination room, where I was still positioned and ready for another possible poke if they did not have enough. All the same people standing around me. He came in and introduced himself and (he was aware i was anxious to know the results and that I worked at the hospital) he told me he had looked at the cells and they were positive for pappilary carcinoma. Everyone in the room was stunned that he told me. That is usually not the job of the pathologist. It was as surreal a moment as it was when i found out before. That time I was putting the baby in the car frys! I started to cry and he put his arm on me and said are you ok? I said yes I am. Just could not stop crying, thinking it is one thing but hearing it is another.

So here is where we sit. Consulting with my surgeon and going to pick out my anesthesologist (such a control freak) when you are nurse you know who to ask. We have some great anesthesologists in labor and delivery. And we wait to have surgery.

If you think of us would you pray for us. Our children have been through this already, nicky and emma grace obviously have not. And Sam is so far away and it is hard for her and me as well. I think one of the good things that will come from this is that I will get to see her, we will fly her out at the appropriate time.

Sorry no pictures. I did not think you would want a picture of my bruised neck!

Ginger

Happy Valentines Day

Well my husband was working today so Emma and I took our picture to say Happy Valentines Day!

Emma loves her babies.
She has a piece of my heart! As do all of my kids.

How Blessed I Am!

Almost 22 years ago, actually exactly 22 years this coming Monday, God gave me my first of 5 precious gifts. Samantha Kay Dunham came in to my life on a Monday, February 9, 1987. She weighed in at a whopping 8lbs. 7 oz. 19 1/2 inches long at 6:22 pm. She was the most beautiful thing I had ever laid eyes on. And continues to be one of the most beautiful things I have ever laid eyes on. She has grown into a wonderful young woman and I am so very proud of her. She never ceases to amaze me. She is truly beautiful inside and out. I am so glad that God brought her into our lives. I wish I had a baby picture to show you but I don't because I am on Sam's computer in Virginia Beach, VA . God called her and her husband, BJ to VA for a short while for him to complete seminary. I miss her terribly. Not just me our whole family and that includes our church family as well.

God has done a wonderful work in her life and I know that He will continue to do so as I watch her grow into a beautiful wife and I am sure someday a beautiful mother. I just know that right now she is a most beautiful daughter and I weep because I just feel so blessed.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAMANTHA KAY I AM SO GLAD TO GET TO SPEND IT WITH YOU !

More Disney!

One of the things that Kevin and I learned about Disneyland this trip has given me an insight into why we enjoy our time there and go so often. The whole reason that Walt Disney built this place is because he realized while sitting on a park bench watching his girls play, that there was no good place for children and parents to play together. So Disneyland was born! We were unfortunately not able to enjoy this little treasure with our older kids while they were young. We have enjoyed our time there with them this past year. But we are getting to enjoy this place with our two little ones now and we are treasuring every moment because we know all to well how quickly this time will pass We love California Adventure and this is a picture of everyones (except mine) favorite ride. California Screamin. scarrrry!

Doesn't she look like a little diva sitting on Minnies couch

This is now my favorite ride. Here is a picture of Pastor Josh, Benjamin, Nicky, Josiah, Elijah and Tracey going down. I just love this ride. And to think I was afraid of it. My next favorite right now is Big Thunder Mountain!

Ok for those of you who do not know, this is our senior pastor, Joshua Matteson. They truly are dear friends. They got to come over for the day and we had a great time. But I will let you in on a little secret. Pastor Josh worked at Disneyworld for a few years. He played characters. Most notably, are you ready for this, Peter Pan. WOW. I just wanted to walk around and tell everyone that he use to play Peter Pan. He played many other characters as well. Chip or Dale, can' remember which one. A coachman for my fav, Cinderella. There were many more but I can't remember them all. Oh I remember one, Pluto. How lucky are we!

He is an angry man. He kept growling at me and staring right at me. Yikes. Nicky and all three Matteson boys were picked to be in the Jedi show. How fun is that!

While waiting for Kevin and Nicky to get off my fav ride, Big Thunder Mountain, look who walks by but Pocahontas.

Tinkerbell herself! The Tinkerbell movie has become a family favorite. My husband is probably the biggest fan of it, not sure if it is for the message of the movie or how stunning it is in BluRay on the TV.

Emma was very unsure about characters this time around so no real good pictures of her with Tink but Nicky was quick to jump in an take a picture. Wonder why!

And then the big cheese himself. What a fun time.

BJ and Sam!

Not sure if Emma is pretend sleeping or pretend praying but she was laying in her sister's bed enjoying her time with sissy.

Not sure who had the better time. They so love each other.

Emma did not let her sister do much of anything without her being in the middle of it.

Zoolights 2009

Our handsome son-in-law and our beautiful daughter

Just the cutest girls ever!

Emma fell asleep on her sisters lap while they played video games. So cute

Christmas

Emma received many dolls for Christmas but her favorite is the one that she received in October for her birthday from our pastor and his family. She dances with it and loves and takes care of it. The others she will grow to love but this one, for now is her favorite.

Christmas at Disneyland!

Its a Small World at night

Castle light up after fireworks show. It was amazing. With snow and everything.

The castle at night before fireworks show.

Our "little" family at the Christmas tree in California Adventure.

Our favorite show in Disneyland. Billy Hill and the Hillbillies best 30 minutes you will spend at Disneyland. They appear at the Golden Horseshoe.

Kevin and Nicky going down Splash Mountain. Notice my husband holding onto his hat!

The big Christmas tree in Disneyland. Beautiful

Well no introduction needed here!

Favorite thing that happened to my husband besides the Billy Hill show. He loves Stitch and it was the first time he had seen him at California Adventure. He came into a store I was in and was very serious and told me to come now with the camera because he had found Stitch and it was the only thing he wanted was to have his picture with Stitch. So cute!

Emma favorite. Pooh! She loves him!

Its a Small World opened back up after being closed for the whole year. It was decorated for Christmas. It was beautiful. We went threw it the first time and when we were almost done Emma signed "more" so we had to do it again the next day.

Its a Small World

Main Street looking torward the Castle. You can now go into the Castle and it tells you the story of Sleeping Beauty. So Fun!

Isnt this a cute picture!

Main Street Christmas Tree!

Hope you enjoyed our pictures