An Iowa Blizzard!

Usually in Iowa, the forecasters try to warn us too far ahead that there is a winter storm on it's way. They make it sound as if it is worse than it is by using terminology like "Winter Storm Watch". To me, that sounds pretty bad...a storm coming! Everyone runs off to the grocery store and buys up provisions for a long winter, a few parties, and some extra snacks, just in case.

There was something about the latest storm that was different. The first forcasts began saying 6 to 8 inches. Every day it got to be a little more.



When it finally started snowing, they began to add even more inches. When the snowfall accumulation was already at a foot and more snow coming, they just admitted there might be "pockets" of areas with 20 inches. Once the wind started, it was a real blizzard. We were warm, dry, well fed and had a few unexpected days off of work, so for us it was not too bad. We think we got somewhere around 15 inches in our yard. Hard to tell with the wind, though.





I did get stuck on the way home from work and had to be pushed out...but that is for another post!


This is Jason and Jaxon, out in the storm. It was Jaxon's first time in a snowstorm and he wanted to go for a walk! He tried to run down the sidewalk, but Daddy scooped him up and brought him in. Maybe next time...





I spent my days off with my kids and grandson, baking, sewing, watching movies and generally goofing off. That's what having a snow day is all about, right?

University of Iowa Hawkeye Football

We had a great time cheering for the Hawks!

Go Hawkeyes!

Just when we thought it was not going to happen, Justin's friend came through with tickets to an Iowa game! Not just tickets, but four really nice tickets in the Outdoor Club! We went in November for a great day of Hawkeye football, food and fun. All of us had a fantastic time! Even though Tammy and Jason are Iowa State fans, they couldn't pass up the chance to be Hawkeyes, just for the day. Iowa fans know how to do football, and the Hawkeyes won the game, which made it more special.

The MRI

The night before the MRI, it is very hard to sleep. There are so many things running through my mind. I want to--and do--trust God to be there for us. But at the same time, my memory keeps bringing up things in the past and my anxious mind plays through "what MIGHT happen". I know much of it is while my body is exhausted and trying to sleep, so it seems worse than it really is.

As soon as Justin finishes his MRI, we walk over to the cancer center, where they are waiting to see us with the results. There are three main options; the doctor will flip out and say, "IT'S GONE! There's no sign of the cancer!" Or, he might say, "there is no change." Or, he might say, "I'm sorry to inform you, but it is getting worse."
The first two I can live with! But the third one is frightening. Might there be a recurrence of the seizures? That would mean no more driving and probably no more job. I can live with that because Justin is my son and I will take good care of him. But I hurt for him when he can't do the things he would like to do. To take away a man's ability to drive is very difficult for him. It is hard to be dependent on others to get to where you need to be, and impossible to get out because you just plain want to. No more hopping in the car and going for a drive because you feel like it. And no more errands on your own schedule. It is very hard.

So the night before his MRI, I tried to sleep and did not have much success. Initially I slept a few hours, then woke and couldn't get back to sleep. Then I felt pressured because I have to drive 120 miles each way and didn't want to drive tired. My mind churned over and over with all sorts of unknown situations. I finally fell asleep, only to have my alarm go off an hour or so later. Ugh.

Justin's MRI went well, although the wait was much longer than usual. They got the IV in on the first try, which is a blessing! We walked to the radiation oncology center and they called us right back. The doctor came in and shook our hands, and made some small talk. Then he got right to it. "Well, I don't see any changes. Everything looks good. How long has it been since your last MRI?" So we discussed how long to wait until the next one, and I told him about the thyroid appointments. He said he'd like to see us in three months again.

Wow. Good news again. And are we thankful! Up until that time, we are wound up really tight. As soon as we digest the news, all the pressure is released and we feel tremendous relief. Then I could sleep for 24 hours!...but have that drive back home.

This time I had a dentist appointment to recheck my January root canal. Thank goodness everything was fine.

My Monthly Update

I'm getting pretty bad at blogging. I had a blog years ago and gave it up because I got tired of thinking of something new to write about. But because of the content of the beginning of this blog, I want to see it through.

A week in Atlanta was just what I needed. It was great to be there and see my southern family. If it were a little closer or a little cheaper, I would love to go more often. This is Josh dropping me off at the airport, on his way back to work. It was wonderful to see him and Hannah again.

Now it is October, and we are gearing up for fall and winter. When the house went up for sale, we had two families look at the house right away. And since then, not one person has shown any interest. It will be interesting to see what happens. I hate moving in the winter, but then I hate moving any time. I am not looking forward to that, but I try not to think about it much.

Justin had his appointment to find out about his thyroid. There has been very little change in 18 months, which is good. However, the hospital here wants him to see the surgeon and the endocrinologist, to get their approval to let him have any surgery or treatment in Iowa City. Funny thing, though. He can't get in to see the endocrinologist until mid-January. Guess they are not in that big of a hurry, or else their doctor is swamped with work. At least we are reminded it is not an emergency.

This Wednesday is the MRI we have been waiting for. If the MRI shows the cancer is stable, they will let him go longer before the next one. Part of me is excited that they are confident of the slow growth of the cancer, but the mommy in me would rather go more often, just to be on the safe side. And this time, his appointment isn't first thing in the morning, so we don't have to leave home at the crack of dawn. Yea!

While we are in Iowa City, I get to return to the dental college to have a recheck on my root canal. I can still "feel" my tooth, which is weird since the root canal is supposed to kill the nerves. So I am not sure what the outcome will be. If I do have to get it done again, I will just bite the bullet and have it done near home...I don't want them to mess up my crowns again. I would trust them to do great work on any of my other teeth, but they don't have the tools to work on ceramic crowns. I'm still paying off my bill from their mistake.

We've had an inch of snow already, so the weather bug in me is gearing up for the winter...I know I'm not normal, but I love snow, snowstorms and the renewal that happens when the winter is over. It's part of the normal process of seasons, and I try to enjoy each one.

Vacation!

I needed a vacation! I really didn't know how much until I was away from my normal day-to-day. I like what I do, but there is a "rut" that is good to get away from now and then.

The doctor I work for took a week of vacation, and I would have had very little to do during that time. It happened to coincide with Josh's birthday, so I quickly made plans to take a trip to see him.

On the flight down, we had some rough weather. We had to fly through a thunderstorm in order to land. I have had some bumpy flights, but never experienced "drops" before. Several times during the decent, the whole plane dropped. I was sitting above the wing, so I could see the wing bouncing! Everyone in the plane squealed like school girls, then laughed once we were flying smoothly again. I was listening to classical music on Sirius, and the selection was very animated, almost circus-like--very fitting to the flapping and bouncing the plane was doing. Call me weird, but I enjoyed it! (I had Dramamine in me, so it didn't make me airsick.)
The train ride was fast and interesting, with the exception of a "homeless" man that solicited funds from the passengers. I just acted like everyone else and ignored him.

I have had a great time so far. I love spending time with Josh and Hannah, but it is also nice to have some days with very little to do. I will post some pictures once I am home.

Happy Birthday, Josh!

It was a surprise, so I didn't share it with very many people. My oldest, Josh, was having his 30th birthday and I didn't want to miss it. So I got on the Internet and found a great deal on plane fare. The morning of his surprise birthday party, I got in the car, drove 3 hours, parked, and flew south. The plane trip actually took a lot less time than the drive. I arrived in the big city and took the train to the station near their house, where Hannah picked me up. Jason called from home and said Josh was at the mall next door to the train station, where he was getting a hair cut! We had to get out of there! Josh called Hannah while I was in the car and they talked for a few minutes while I sat, grinning. He had no idea I was in town!

Hannah and I had a great time walking around the square and doing a little shopping before the party. We got to the restaurant about a half hour before he did. We knew the surprise party wasn't really a surprise anymore--it is hard to pull a fast one on Josh! But he had NO idea I was there. When he saw me, he said, "Now THAT'S a surprise!" It was great to see him, his wife, in-laws and friends.

Afterward, we went to Pete & Hollie's for cake and ice cream. We had a wonderful time.

While your children are little, you wonder if they will grow up to be decent, normal people! It is such a blessing to see Josh and Hannah all grown up and living their lives far away from their childhood homes, prospering and blessing those around them. They are doing great!