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LAST update on this brain issue/ recovery. Don’t cry for me Argentina. The truth is I am doing well! Back to normal in almost every department-Huge praise. This whole enchilada has taught me more about humility than I would like to admit, but that is good. I needed it;) God’s mercy over arches any lesson I could pretend I learned from this. He is so good to us, ALL the time. Regardless of circumstance, I can truthfully say, His Word is true and ever comforting and that is more than enough to spur me on.
This week was my first week solo with the kids, and I can’t tell you how wonderful it was to have the capacity to be a mom all by myself. (ok I had my sweet mother in law’s help Monday and sweet sister in law Wednesday) Even still, praise God for allowing me to step back in my role! Granted I have had some crazy person moments when being over zealous and braving the park-(der)-with 3. I was the banchee like mom screaming her kids into obedience. Don’t worry, it didn’t work, and I learned I am not ready for that circus…..yet.

A couple items of note:
a) I am over hats. They are so not me, but I so don’t have a choice, SO I will do you all a favor and wear ’em anyway.
b) I am driving. It is rough, and I am pretty sure all 3 kids get car sick, but hey, we make it point A to point B dent-less.
c) foot is still numb. Hence my amazing driving abilities. It’s cool though. If that is the worst thing I take away from brain tumor-dom, I am a happy woman.
d) I am so deeply thankful for each and every person who has helped us through this-seriously I love you all. I don’t know how to properly thank you. Between our AMAZING parents, WONDERFUL Church body, and Ridiculously AWESOME friends, this journey has been joyful, and something to be thankful for. You all have forever changed my heart! I love you xo

Now that I am done writing about recovery stuff, get excited…the next post will be about baby poops. 🙂 j/k it is the 3rd. It will be about why the 3rd never gets photographed and why she keeps wearing the same 4 outfits and why I haven’t utilized ONE bow.

Thank you sweet prayer warriors. How blessed I am by your faithfulness to lift me up in prayer, asking for God’s will in this whole situation. Thank you so much! The appointment was a smashing success, could not have gone better.
Dr. says I am clear to drive!! Only problem is my reaction time is more on the Eor side of things and my right foot is numb which makes driving kind of overwhelming and scary. So… I might not be hurrying off to do donuts in the parking lot as I had hoped.
Radiation is out as the risks outweigh the benefits, so the next step is another surgery. Which the doctor says can take place when I am recovered from this one. He is letting me choose when, and he gave me 6 months to a year. I think a year is looking good. If they do the surgery there is a 5% chance of regrowth, if they don’t do it, there is almost 100% chance of regrowth, so I am much more comfortable with the idea of another shaved head;) He says my recovery is going as well as expected and he wants me to start transitioning into normal life again at my own pace. Exactly what I needed to hear! So nice to not get a list of ” you cant’s”. Can you tell I am not a rule follower?
Praising God for His hand in each and every step of this- and thanking Him for the continual mercy He shows. What a wonderful God we serve. I am a happy lady- completely content with what I have been given. I worship louder, pray harder and love a whole lot deeper. (just to get all Tim McGraw on you.) It has been a good thing and I am thankful my hope and trust is in a loving God whose provisions have made this journey joyful.

Life is getting better each day. I am able to do a little more here and there. The top of the list always seems to be shoveling my favorite foods in my face. 11 days of hospital food is traumatizing y’all. I seriously think I have gained 20 pounds since I have been home. The scale and I have an agreement-I won’t stand on him and he gets to live and here we are; one big happy family. I am remembering things, not getting confused as often if at all. (2 days “Wha?” free) So excited and encouraged to be getting back to myself. Just a lesser version. Michelle half-point-0.

I am anxiously awaiting Monday’s appt for no reason other than I WANT TO DRIVE. Anywhere. I am not picky. CVS, Little Saigon, empty parking lots, I really won’t discriminate.  It will be nice to know what I can look forward to and be praying about as well in terms of what the next step is, and YES, a haircut.  I am lame and shallow and kinda over looking like bozo.

This whole journey has been good. I am so thankful for every step of the way. Seeing God’s handprint in each part of this hooplah has brought me to my knees with thanksgiving that I serve a REAL and loving God. He loved us enough to send His only Son for us, and He loves us enough to carry us through the trials showing us every step of the way He is in control. What I am MOST thankful for today is the tangible help our church, family and friends have provided through this time. I feel so cared for and loved and I truly enjoy spending all the time with everyone that I would have never gotten to spend. As in, why can’t we be all tribal again?   I love you all and am so thankful for all the help you continue to provide so I can heal and pony up.  xo

I have received lots o’ questions, and wanted to give everyone an update. The details of my recovery are by no means glamorous, but I assume since people are asking..somebody cares? 🙂 
This is completely unorganized which should let you all know things are getting much more normal up in here. They shaved the top half of my head for surgery and left my bangs. Thus, I am a new hat fan;)  The staples are out, and I do still have some scabbing but it is manageable. Did I mention I am a hat fan?  


I am weaning of the steroids and pain medication which is making me a little more tired than before…but this is good, because that means I am one step closer to being Michelle again. One of the biggest hindrances is I can’t drive. For 2 super special reasons: 
1) I am a seizure risk due to swelling of the brain
2) I am on some crazy pain pills. The kind where they write out the prescription on a note pad and make you fill it at the pharmacy RIGHT away. I think they impair motor function and make me say embarrassing things.
Getting off this stuff will allow me to drive again which will be AWESOME because that is one less thing someone has to sacrifice their time to do for me.
They had to leave half of the tumor due to the size, so the next big decision is how to get rid of it. It needs to go so if you could pray specifically for wisdom for the doctor on the best plan of action, I would so appreciate that! The appt is March 19th.  I also need prayer for my right leg. Because of the surgery it is numb/ dead which is giving me balance issues. With a 7 week old it makes holding her and walking something I have to be very careful with.
My husband is my hero. God has strengthened and equipped Him to be AWESOME times eleventy billion. He takes care of my role, his role, my medicines, (super intense), the household….it has been incredible to witness. The help I have received from our church has been unbelievable. There are 2-3 people from our church here each day as I need 24 hour care. They are all SO kind and generous to cook, clean, care for me and the kids, talk, drive us where we need to go-it is truly the biggest blessing. The body of Christ is beautiful and I hope they all get extra treasures in heaven for the love and help they are giving me and my family during this time. I am simply in awe of their servants heart and how quick everyone is to help.   
Mamabird has been coming every single morning to help me get out of bed and take care of the kids as Chad leaves at 5 am for work. She cooks breakfast, and helps me get dressed and function. My wonderful in laws have been taking the kids as much as possible to ease the burden…. 2 of my best friends FLEW out here from across the country to care for me and help out when I was more on the vegetable side of things and not too much fun to be around. (true love) My heart is just overflowing with gratitude. I don’t know how to thank everyone. Praise God for all His provisions. We could not do it with out this help…we are so deeply grateful. Thank you to everyone who has helped me or prayed for me or just loved on me. I love you more than you will ever know. xo