Week 33- 1/4-10
Jan 4th  The Dr.s' office called today and said that Michael is to go in on the 10th for pre-op and a physical.  He will then have surgery on Thursday, the 12th.  Michael is nervous of course.  I am relieved actually that it is happening soon.  I have been worried about the fact that Hannah is due at the end of Jan/beginning of Feb.  What if it all happens at once?  I definitely don't want to miss being there for Michael as he goes through surgery and recovery.  And...I don't really have the opportunity to postpone Hannah coming if that is what she chooses!  We won't know more details about the timing of the surgery on Thursday until we go to the appointment on Tuesday.   Please pray for Michael this week as he needs to add as much weight this week as he can and needs to keep from catching the cold that his brothers are passing back and forth.  Also pray for peace for him so he isn't worrying himself so much this week as it approaches.  I know he is going to do great!  I keep telling him that he has been through the worst.  He did the chemo.  Lots of people have surgery and yeah, it hurts afterwards, but at least you know that it will heal and the dead tumors are gone!  I wouldn't want to have that inside me after spending all these months going through the chemo treatments.  I'd want to know I beat it and that it is gone!   I am in week 34 of being pregnant.  My weeks change every Friday, so I am almost in the 35th week.  Hannah is growing and very active.  She gets the hiccups almost every day!  It's a funny feeling.  I've had lots of Braxton- Hicks contractions (false labor)...which usually happens at night and keeps me up all night.  I sleep a lot during the day to make up for it and to keep my blood pressure down.  At my last appointment, the blood pressure was perfect and the Dr. told me to keep it up.  I told him that was easy as all I do is lay around all day!  I'm not used to resting this much, but am sure I will look back on this time after she is born and wish I could nap this much again!   Chris is really looking forward to Hannah and keeps telling me how he is going to spoil his princess.  He tells me that every time I tell her no, he is going to tell her yes....this is in retaliation for over ruling him when he would tell the boys no as they were growing up.  I am in so much trouble!  He picked out her crib and put it together (for those of you who know us well...you know Chris typically puts together nothing!  That's my job!)  He picked out her car seat, her stroller (a jeep with a built in MP3 player and speakers) and he even picked her diaper bag!  I, of course, have picked all her pink blankets, pink sheets, pink clothes, pink towels, pink hats....do you see the theme here?  All of her things are here and waiting for her to arrive.   What a busy, but happy time for us.  Michael is about to be completely cancer free and be able to get on with the rest of his life and at the same time a new little life is going to come into our family.  God's timing is all his own and something I don't understand...but I am happy with it and feel really blessed.    Got an old Cell Phone, Empty Inkjet or Toner Cartridge? Recycle it today! Support The Amschwand Sarcoma Cancer Foundation by donating these items today. This fundraiser is easy, free and helps us earn hundreds, even thousands of dollars. The more we collect the more we earn. Just ask neighbors, friends, family and coworkers for these items and they will be happy to donate them. Recycling these items today builds a strong future for our kids and ensures a clean environment; it’s up to you to make a difference today. Free Shipping – Free Boxes – Free Registration It’s as easy as A B C: A)  Go to www.recycle4charity.com B)  Register Now (FREE).  On the registration form in the last two fields use to Enter the following information so that we may get credited for your cartridges. Reference Field #1write this: Donation.   Reference Field #2 write: 53936. C)  Order FREE pre-paid postage boxes or print free pre-paid postage labels and mail back via USPS your empty inkjet and toner cartridges today! Recycle and raise funds for The Amschwand Sarcoma Cancer Foundation today! Thank you for your support. Or call (800) 588-7960 to arrange for free pickup from your home or office whether you have 1 or 1000 items. Visit online www.recycle4charity.com

Jan 8th  Yesterday I went to The Pond Shack.  Chris and Taylor was working and I went to see what he had done
there.  He's been doing a lot of remodeling.  It was very cool.  He took out a wall, painted, added new lighting,
moved around inventory.  It's wonderful.  It looks so much bigger!  I ended up being there all day with them and
ordering around.  It was fun being there and getting to see a lot of our regular customers.  Chris and I aren't there
very often, so it's nice to get to do that once in awhile.  I was exhausted though when we finally came home
yesterday.  

Michael has some friends over tonight watching wresting.  He was joking around with Chris today and said on
Thursday he was getting a late Christmas present.  Chris asked him what he was getting and he said "surgery".  
Then he started laughing.  I'm glad he's in a good mood about it.  He's been worried about it and we just keep
telling him this is the easy part.  

Jan 10th  Michael did his physical and pre-op appointment today.  He passed the physical ok and will go in for
surgery at 8 am on Thursday morning.  They said he will be in the hospital 2 or 3 days.  When he gets up and is
moving around, eating, goes to the bathroom and doesn't need all the pain meds, they will let him go home.  Chris
took him to the appointment by himself today.  Michael was making a lot of jokes he said.  Michael said is was
making him feel better because he is nervous.  

When he came home, the first thing he told me was he was definately loosing one of his testicles.  I told him we
already knew that, but he said, he thought maybe they wouldn't do it.  He was hoping I guess.  He will be ok though.
 They said that they could do reconstructive surgery later.  He doesn't have a problem doing that surgery!  I was
teasing him about that cause he is willing to do it for the sake of vanity.  

Anyway...He will be at Hayward Kaiser.  The surgeons work out of that hospital.  We aren't going to be spending the
nights with him this time as he won't be being given all the chemo meds (which is what we always worried about)
and because I am too fat and uncomfortable to sleep in a chair now!  He will also probably have to share a room
this time.  

Please pray for Michael tomorrow and during the surgery and recovery time!  We really do appreciate it and feel it
every time it is needed!