the verdict is in.......

let's just get it out of the way!!! I spoke with moms oncology nurse today, and they finally received the comparative CT results. It was a positive review. Chemo must be helping. The metastatic areas have decreased in size. That is wonderful news. Mom will now go ahead with 2 more rounds of chemo. She was quite encouraged by this news, and is ready to re-start chemo. My dad was very happy. He's been so impatient-waiting for those results. It's so hard to wait!!!! So I would imagine she will be at chemo again next week.



Moving on.....the boys and I spent the evening at the rink. The boys were at practice, and then there was a Midget game. It's my week to work at the canteen. What an awesome week to get! This was the only game scheduled. Don't know how our group got so lucky, but I'm sure we'll make up for it on our next week! (We have to do 2 weeks of canteen duty if our kids are involved in hockey or figure skating.) Worked the canteen with two other couples and we had a good time, working and visiting. Great to catch up on everyones lives. Del went to watch a AAA hockey game in town. By the time the boys and i got home, he was snoring. The boys dropped into bed, and I'm winding down on the computer.



So, on Monday morning, I was so motivated to get alot done in the house. My mental list went something like this-paperwork, laundry, bake, clean.........And I got a good start on that list. I answered the phone at around 945, and I was cleaning up the living room. I happened to glance up and out our front window, just as a cattle truck was driving by. Really slow. I happened to mention to Andrea-hmmmm, that truck couldn't be coming here, cuz we're not expecting it, but its going so slow, I wonder if they are picking up our cattle and no one told us. Not 10 seconds later, I heard the long distance call waiting beep on the line. I switched over to it, and a male voice asks if it Del Barkmans home. I say yes, and he asks if hes at the right place. I ask him all the particulars. He informs me hes picking up cattle, and was sent by our cattle buyer. So, I knew Del had spoken with our cattle buyer, but the guy had not called us to inform us of what was going on. So, I'm imagining loading cattle by myself, cuz Del was going to be on the road for work. I called his work, and fortunately for me, He was still there. So, he had to come home. We set up gates and such, and then we loaded cattle. And a bull. Yes, I landed in the 'muck' many times over. I slid down a hill of 'muck, and landed on my front side. I jumped over a fence, and landed on my back side, to avoid a run in with the bull. Let's say by the time we were done loading, I was covered in crap. Literally!!! When I got in, I was so tempted to blog immediately and vent about the joys of farming!!! Instead I hit the shower, threw in another load of laundry, and got to have lunch with Del. Lucky me!!! And, another job taken care of, without any anticipating. By the way, apparently those cattle were sent thru the auction ring yesterday. I don't want to know how they did. Some days I really hate farming!!! It seems like there are way more hate days than love days lately. Don't think you want to hear me rant about the injustices of farming right now!

A friend of mine lost a 33 year old sister to leukemia, yesterday. She had been diagnosed one month ago. This family had lost a 6 yr old son to leukemia 2 yrs ago. She leaves behind a husband and a 6 yr old son. A young man- in Jayde's class at school-his mom is missing for the last 4 days. Mother of 5 children. This young man has had to be a 'parent' for many years already. Okay-now where is the justice in all this?? How do people move on from these travesties? it's one thing as an adult to cope, but how are children and teenagers supposed to deal with tragedy? How much does God send someone's way?? When is it enough?
Kind of puts our lives into perspective. Life is a gift. Family and friends are gifts. They are precious and irreplaceable. Treasure and value them. Live life to the fullest. (Doesn't mean to be an idiot, tho!!)

Don't know if I've mentioned this before. Jayde is scheduled for plastic surgery on Dec. 17. Hopefully this will be his last reconctructive surgery. This is an attempt to 'redo' some of the previous work from 2 years ago. They will try to remove some scar tissue, and then do a skin lift to try to equalize the sizing of his left eye to his right eye. I hope for his sake that this will be a success. He doesn't feel the need for this, but I'd rather have this done now, before it becomes a self esteem issue. I remember shortly after his accident, when his face was bruised, battered, and rather gruesome-he wanted to hide. And yes, that would have been the easy way out. But, the stubborn mother that I am, told him to wear his face-stitches, scars, bruises, and mishapen areas-with pride. I told him it was a story of true courage and bravery. And then, I struggled with thinking I was too hard on him. Should I have eased up and let him feel sorry for himself??? I was so afraid of the emotional scars that this could create. Looking back today, I'm so glad we were tough with him. He seems to have managed so well. But, I don't want him to ever develop a complex about his issues. I actually get really angry when he makes fun of when people stare at him as if he's scary. He may be joking but I still wonder if deep down he hurts about it. He is so not a sensitive kid, but it worries me that his joking and bravado cover up for some inner need to look better. So, in a nutshell, thats why he's having the surgery now. :-) I am so proud of Jayde. He was my hero after his accident. I will never forget his extreme bravery and trust when he was hurt and in the midst of the craziness. I will always admire his ability to be strong and sensitive at the same time. He cared about the people around him, and how they were coping, even when we weren't sure how things would turn out. Okay, I have tears streaming down my face-it must be time for me to go to sleep!!!-but truly, I'm so proud of my son, for his ability to overcome adversity, and maintain a positive attitude! And I'm so grateful that both boys are safe, that they've maintained a close bond through the years, and that they look out for each other continously. They are a blessing from God!!!
On that note-please hug your kids tight! Enjoy the time you have with them, even at the rink! :-) Appreciate your parents and siblings. Time together is quality time spent.