Fabulous Army Life

Our Christmas trip to see family looked a little different this year. Because Nate was still on block leave from this most recent deployment, we really made our family of four a priority in planning how we would spend our time. In the past, we have done reintegration really well ... and really poorly ... and have learned that our nuclear family requires some time to get back to the 'normal' of having Dad home. We also love that we are in Texas, and close to ALL of our immediate family members so taking a trip to see them was an absolute must. The time was slightly more brief than other Christmas trips, but the time spent was just as valuable. Our first stop in my family was to see my dad. He has been through some serious health struggles this year and it was great to see him feeling good for our visit. The boys filled him in on their lives and we spent a great afternoon together.  As a former US Air Force airman, my dad is always interested in hearing about Nate's A...

Dad is doing well after his surgery. Today he was able to enjoy his first meal in eight days! It was broth and crackers ... and was hospital food ... but hey! It was food.

My sisters and Me After a stressful day at the hospital, all four sisters decided to have some dinner. We ended up at West End in Dallas, just down the road from the Methodist Medical Center. It was close to closing time for all the restaurants there and we ended up at a yummy little Tex-Mex place for a little nourishment.  A good end to a loooooong day.

My stepmom and sisters with Dad before his surgery. After tests and scans and more of each, Dad was scheduled for surgery at the Methodist Medical Center in Dallas.  His surgeon, Dr. Jeyarajah, was fabulous and was able to remove all cancer from Dad's body.  It required a full ileostomy and the removal of over half his liver, but it also came with a very positive prognosis.  Dad will still need to go through at least one round of chemotherapy to ensure all cancerous cells have been destroyed, but then we believe Dad will be cancer-free. I was so glad all the sisters were able to be together during this time and we are all amazed that our dad walked into the hospital with stage four cancer and walked out without a trace of it.  We are so thankful for the wonders of today's hospitals and now are hopeful for a quick recovery.

My dad with his dog, Timmy, on Lake Texoma. My family has a history of colon cancer.  My maternal grandfather died from this type of cancer, and the memories of how sickly he looked before his death have always stayed with me.  When my mom was diagnosed with this cancer a couple of years ago, I was relieved to find out that it was in an early stage and required only a portion of her colon removed.  She fully recovered and is now cancer-free. My dad was recently diagnosed with this cancer as well.  His was further along and will require a complete removal of his colon and at least a portion of his liver as well.  The cancer has spread and the doctors are not sure if they may find more as they are in surgery.  There are spots on his lungs, liver, and thyroid as well, although they are not sure at this time if any of these are cancerous or not. My sisters and I plan to be together with our dad during the surgery and have even created a webpage at Carin...