longest run-on post ever…

Remember all the talk and prayer needed for a functioning shunt? Here’s why we needed that miracle to work:

Yep. The little dent/ bump on top was the exit route for the CSF. The black space on top of my brain is fluid smashing my brain. Not like I have that much to work with anyway, but, ya know. I would like to salvage whatever brain power I have.
Back to why I posted- results!!! You all have so kind to ask. The very expensive nuclear 4 day test I took last week, (I pray we don’t have to pay for), showed the shunt IS working!!! No more leaky-leaky. Thank you praying friends! Wow. Overcome with gratitude. What a perfectly answered prayer. This means I am home for good, Lord willing. The next big hurdle is figuring out what we can do with this remnant:

 

Meeting with the nuero oncologist is in July.  I am not going to lie…I am intimidated. I am hopeful there might be some other treatment to help eliminate what is trying to (but will NOT) put a damper on my, and my familys’ life. One of the hardest things to overcome is the fact the tumor is progesterone receptor positive. Us females produce that each month. That coupled with the fact the remaining part of the tumor lies on my sinus cavity, (where all the blood flows into the brain), which makes eradicating it forever an impossibility. This post sounds kind of Wah, Wah, Wah. I am not and will not be defeated. It could be so much worse, and I remember God can take it all away in a moment. The loss of Christian reminds me of that every day. And you know what else? His little life reminds me that God’s plan prevails always. And that His plan is perfect. As confusing and hard life can be, my trust remains steadfast in Him who authored life.
Now, onto the lighter stuff:
I have more in common with people over 80 than I ever thought possible. Namely this sweet ride. 

Then I have her sister, wheelchair. (for longer distances) ps, when you are in a wheelchair, you get one of 3 responses: 1-smile. 2-eye avoidance and a clear path. 3-kids on wheels actually try to run into you. True story. I started off with this beginners bad boy, whose name is drive. 

More like don’t drive.  if you are using this piece of equipment there is a 90% chance you are NOT driving. Or probably shouldn’t be. Then I have the enormous blessing OF MY VERY OWN handicap placard. We get the biggest satisfaction out of using it. I hang her with pride and thanksgiving. Yay for prime parking spots! Yeehaw!
The physical therapists tried getting me to buy the toilet stilts (raise the height of the john) but I put my foot down. I will simply enjoy squatting over public handicap toilets with no twinge of conviction. 
Then these bad boys: 

Thank you modern medicine for protecting me from my an IV site infection-with…..PINK PILLS?!?!! I was entirely too excited about this.  Then, there is one of the current issues at hand: weaning off of the pain pills. Over a month on IV dilaudid, {which served a very great purpose of keeping my head rom exploding}, I was sent home on a much lesser narcotic, percocet.
“Give stong drink to the one who is perishing and wine to those in bitter distress.” Proverbs 31:6 
I will not apologize for taking what has been much needed and has made this experience somewhat bearable.
I am, however, desperately wanting to get off everything so I can know what my baseline pain level is. But that friends, is another painful experience. One has to come off of these suckers slowly, which is also uncomfortable and painful, just not nearly as bad as cold turkey. Until, of course, you miss a dose, then you are the sweating cold weirdo crying in a corner. So please pray for me these next week or so, as I come off all pain pills. I am so thankful I do not have an addictive personality, because I completely understand the physical dependence part. I also have begun to independently figure out the rest of my meds. This adventure took the better part of an hour, and I still screwed a few doses up. What…a shocker.

I am so grateful to be home. SO thankful for the desire to be myself! So-what have you been doing with your life Michelle? So glad you asked. Showering. Just because I can. 

                              Technically, the above one was in the hospital, but, you get the idea.

I reviewed all 50 something pages of the kids schoolwork from this last year. So cute! I found this diamond…

We are praising and thanking God for each and every prayer you all have prayed for us, the many ones He has mercifully answered, and the very generous acts of love you have showered upon us. You all are gifts to our family! Showing us love and care in such practical ways has just knocked our socks off and helped us continue to put one foot in front of the other.You have encouraged us to keep on keepin’ on with smiles on. Onto recovery!