Waiting and More Waiting

After Nathan's MRI yesterday, we got some new information that could be no issue, or could be something we'll have to watch for. It seems like one of the tubes in his brain that drains fluid could be swelling, possibly because a hole the surgeon made has closed back up. Or, there may be no issue at all. The surgeon or the neuro-oncologist really didn't know. So, we are back to watching for brain swelling, headaches, etc, which could happen in a month or more. But it may not happen if brain fluid is draining normally. We're hoping for no issue.

The tumor looks unchanged, and so does the cyst. I didn't know it before, but apparently there are some other cysts around the tumor. It's the cysts that are the most pesky at this point. But, other than that, Nathan is doing great. He's growing and looks good.

At the home front, we're trying to keep the house clean for showings, and having to leave the house more than we normally do. The nice weather has been a blessing.


First thing Nathan does every morning is EAT. He's always up before the girls.

A blueberry picnic, reading Daniel Boone.

Coming home after a showing. It's an odd thing to have to leave your home so strangers can walk through it, but we're getting used to it.

BIG CHANGES THE LAST FEW MONTHS

I apologize for the long absence from posting on our blog. All my energies and time had to be directed toward some major decisions and changes for our family, and a lot of hard work.

In a nutshell, we decided to put our house up for sale, which led us to have to renovate, fix and clean up parts of our house. It amazes me how we could accumulate so much unnecessary stuff in just under 7 years! We hired a home stager, who told us the wallpaper had to go, we needed new paint and light fixtures, etc, etc.

But all the hard work has paid off. We started having showings on Tuesday, and so far, two realtors have told us that our house is the best one they have seen on the market. ( I think that's mostly because of Jan's staging and the great accessories & artwork she brought in; and of course, God's grace.) So, hopefully it will sell soon. Living in a staged home is great for training in neatness, but it's not the easiest thing, especially with children.

From what I can tell, Nathan is doing great. He will have his next 3-month MRI on April 19th. Here are some photos from Easter.

Before And After MRI Pictures

Yesterday Nathan had an MRI to have a look at how things have settled in after the surgery. No wonder he's so much happier now! The before and after picture showed how much pressure he had in his brain before surgery. The tumor looks unchanged and so does the small cyst which the surgeon wasn't able to get. The neurosurgeon said that he is at this point more concerned about cysts than the tumor, since Nathan seems to be in the camp of cyst-producers.

But for today, he looks and acts happy and healthy, and we're thankful for that. The future isn't ours to worry about.

This week he wrote his first words on his own. VERY exciting. Every day he seems to have a word he wants to know the meaning of. "What's typical mean?" "What's a paralytic?" (He meant a paramedic.)

Tonight he was the one who was helping me in the kitchen. He chopped peppers with a sharp knife, which made it exciting. I told him the greatest chefs in the world are usually men. He said maybe that's because moms are too busy to cook. Then he decided to set the table special, with goblets and cloth napkins he folded in a triangle. Oh, and he wanted to have candles too. And have water with lemon. After all, this was homemade pizza night.

The New and Improved Nathan

For all of you who have been faithfully checking our blog for news - sorry it's been so long. No excuses.... I just needed a break from blogging.

The main story is that Nathan appears happier and healthier than before surgery. He goes around the house singing, and is more prone to giggling than ever. I think we never got to see "real Nathan." Two years ago he was affected by the tumor and the first big cyst, then brain surgery, a year of chemo, then another big cyst. So now I think this is more like him, or it is an answer to my prayer that he would have more capacity for joy now than he had before.

He loves going to the homeschool co-op on Fridays. And since this isn't public school, he gets to pack his toy dagger, pocket leatherman's tool, and pocket knife. He pulled out a screwdriver when one of the moms needed to fix something during his class. A chip off the ol' block. One of the girls told me, "Asher said Nathan's cool!" He is becoming pretty popular with the 5-6 year old crowd. I think it's a Tom Sawyer kind of thing.

Phew!

Aaron's surgery went well, so much better than 10 years ago, and better than we expected. He'll just be in pain for a few days, but he knows a brave little boy who has been a really good example of handling pain.

One week ago when we arrived at the hospital for Nathan's surgery, he said, "I never get to have a 'normal' day." What he meant was the girls get to stay at our friend's house and play, but he has to be at the hospital. Well, today he got to stay at their house and play, too, reminded that this was God's gift to him.

Now It's Aaron's Turn

Aaron goes under the knife at about 10:00 a.m. tomorrow for his hernia operation, God willing. Tonight he's feeling achey, flu-like. It's never boring around here. Please pray for my dear husband, the rock of our family.

These Pictures Tell About Nathan's Recovery

This was taken today. The lump you see is the shunt. I prayed that the Lord would give Nathan joy to outweigh his sufferings.

Today we got a visit from the young man who gave Nathan his racing trophy, and his brother. They are John Bandimere's grandsons (of Bandimere Speedway), and I'm sure he's proud of them. Their family had been praying for Nathan, and called a few days before the surgery. These boys wanted to buy Nathan and his sisters some Christmas gifts with their own money. And they came with some very nice gifts. We have received so much kindness from this family, and we are Bandimere Speedway fans for life!

Opening gifts on Christmas Day, three days after surgery. Best Christmas ever!

In the wagon getting ready to leave Children's Hospital the day after surgery.

The day after surgery, napping with policeman bear. He wanted to be dressed in his own clothes to be ready for a visit from his favorite police officer.

We thank God for sparing Nathan's life, for sparing him the massive headache and the rush to the hospital for emergency surgery. He was throwing up the day of surgery, we think from the cranial pressure, so it couldn't have been much longer. God's timing was perfect, that his surgeon could do the surgery, and as a bonus, that we could be home for Christmas.