"Shh, mommy's surgery"

My surgery was Thursday and it went well. It was indeed the cholesteatoma that was back and it had been compressing a vein that supplied blood to my brain, which explains my headaches. The Dr. was able to remove it all without any complications and even place a plastic sheath over that vein so in case the cholesteatoma ever grows back it will not attach to that vein or compress it. He called me at 7pm the next night just to tell me that it was the 2nd largest cholesteatoma he had ever seen and if I would have waited just a little bit longer for my surgery it would have been the largest!

The pain is tolerable, but I have been very tired and hope that soon I will snap out of it and back into my routine.

Thank you for all of your prayers.

Blake and Bryce are being very good and understanding that Mommy needs some rest. Mimi has been here to help and Sean and Erica took the boys over night one night. Bryce keeps walking up to me with his finger to his mouth, "Shhh" and Blake tells everyone about "Mommy's surgery". Too funny!

Brycie the Barber

You can't see it very well in this picture, but if you look close you will see a nice chunk of hair missing from that little blonde head. Mr. Bryce gave himself a stylish new look and it is VERY short. Do you remember how I told you Bryce loves the shower? Well, he was in the shower again and used my razor on his head. I know, the horror I felt was indescribable to think that I left my razor on the ledge instead of in the holder way up high. I am so thankful that all he cut was his hair!! It could have been very bad. So, now that we are over the what ifs and have beat ourselves up feeling like bad parents, we have calmed down enough to talk about it. I only wish I could get a better picture . . . maybe when he's sleeping :)

Bryce in the Box

Wait for it, Wait for it . . .
There he is!!
Oh, and here is Mr. I only eat peanut butter sandwiches Blake

He asked for Green Eggs and Ham for lunch and I obliged
Don't get too excited, he wouldn't eat one bite. It was just like every other meal, Bryce ate his own meal then polished off Blake's as well!!

Quick Note

My Doctors are finally in agreement and they don't feel there is as much brain involvement as originally thought. I do have "something" the size of a walnut in my ear, though, and it is causing problems. I am scheduled for surgery Thursday, June 26th.
Thank you!!

"The Credible"

These pictures are for Grandpa O'Mara. Blake just LOVES Grandpa's convertible, and he was so thrilled when we had it at our house for a week. He calls it "the credible" and would beg me to let him go out in the garage just so he could sit in it. I know Grandpa will be proud when he see these pictures :)

Blake would say that him and Bryce were in a parade and asked that I please wave to him when they go by. He actually cried when Uncle Sean came and took the credible to his house. The crazy kid is going to love mustangs just as much as Grandpa, Daddy, and Uncle Sean!

Ear Update: The Neuro-otologist says I will need to have surgery within the next couple weeks, but he wants me to see a Neuro surgeon first to discuss the brain inflammation and cranial nerve involvement. I meet with that Dr. on Tuesday.

It's Back

Most of you are aware that I have an extensive history with my Right ear including infections and several surgeries since I was quite young. Well, I have been doing great for several years now; however about a month ago I went to my ENT Dr. complaining of severe pressure headaches that have occurred for several months and some ear tenderness. He took a look under the otoscope and said it looked healthy. I stressed the fact that this a new symptom for me and I feel as if something could be wrong. He agreed to order a CT Scan. The scan showed a 1.5cm benign tumor in my mastoid cavity (WAY back of the ear). I then had an MRI and he called me at work today to tell me that the tumor (called cholesteatoma) has eaten through bone and is VERY close to my brain. He went on to say that I need to have surgery as soon as possible and because it is so close to my brain he doesn't feel comfortable doing the surgery and I am scheduled to see a neuro-otologist tomorrow at 9am. So, that was not the phone call I expected today in the middle of a work day.
I know many of you are probably thinking . . . is this girl some kind of FREAK OF NATURE???? And YES, I did question my Mom on what she may have taken or smoked while she was pregnant with me . . ha ha, just kidding Mom xoxo. Seriously, though, I am quite nervous about the whole Brain thing, but hopefully this means we caught it in time and everything will be just fine. Someone please remind me to ask for a prescription of Xanax next time I see a Dr!
We are leaving to go camping after my appointment tomorrow, so I will update after the weekend.
LOVE TO ALL!!!

It's a Date!

Okay, for some reason these pictures didn't show up before, so here they are. I lost the text, though. Long story short: Boys at Mimi and Pa's, fun in pool, Mommy and Daddy golfed and went to a wedding. The End!

4th of July Festivities

We had a fun 4th of July at Mimi and Pa's house. The boys were oh so festive in their flag bathing suits.
Little Brycie mowed the lawn, the sidewalk, the patio, and the carpet, etc.
Blake is a self proclaimed BIG BOY with his arm floaties and swimming in the deep end of the pool "all by my own self".
They love their little red wagon :)

Pa played wtih the boys in the yard working on their catching skills and keeping their eye on the ball.