2009 in Review

What a year. Never in my life have I been so aware of my many blessings. And I thank my Wonderful Almighty God for that...

Here's a recap...most likely more for my benefit than your pleasure :)

January - I decided almost on a whim to go back to school (of course after discussion with Holmes). I enrolled in the online pre-reqs at Longwood the day *after* the classes started. I ran the Frostbite 15k in Richmond, my second of that distance, knocking out a PR in freezing weather. Holmes and I celebrated the one year anniversary of our second time around first date.

February - School and work kept me busy. I also decided to register for my first marathon...so training, school and work were my life. We celebrated Holmes' 28th birthday. He was out of town over Valentine's Day, but sent beautiful tulips. Friends threw us our first wedding shower here in Richmond.

March - Holmes and I went to the Tech vs Heels basketball game in Blacksburg to watch the Heels on their way to a National Championship. Holmes ran his first 10k, with Josh at the Monument 10k. My little brother turned 13 (WOW!)

April - Holmes and I traveled to DC to see my friend Sara and run the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler (Holmes ran the 5k). Again, my second at this distance and another PR! The next day, returning to work, I was laid off. Holmes and I decided it would be best for me to attend school full time. I took a trip to Greensboro because I could :)

May - May 1st was a pretty awesome day. Our first nephew was born, Jackson Reid Galloway, to Holmes' sister and bro-in-law, Kathryn and Eric. I also ran my first marathon and Holmes ran his first half marathon (automatic PRs-woo!). April came to visit and we attended our friend's Ashley's gorgeous rose garden wedding. I had my first wedding dress fitting and we started looking for places to live in Midlothian. Holmes went to Key West to celebrate his little brother Scott's 21st birthday!

June - Brian and Rocky got married and we were honored to be a part of their event! I ran my 10th 5k, the first one I ever trained to race. I finished with a massive PR and first in my age group. I followed that with a night out with the girls for my bachelorette party. I started my observation hours for ASHA at Healthsouth...here I met Scott, the COO, who set Holmes up with two bass playing gigs and we finally found a church! A couple weeks later, Holmes played his first show with Stoke Row at Capital Ale House.

July - Let's see...what happened in July...
I GOT MARRIED! To the most wonderful man in the world. Don't argue with me, you won't win ;) The honeymoon cruise to Key West, Cozumel and Belize was fantastic! When we returned we thought Holmes sprained his wrist, but it turned out to be worse when they found a tumor. Many test were scheduled and completed. We moved into our new townhouse in Midlothian!
I started a graduate assistantship at Longwood a few days a week.

August - Holmes had surgery to remove the tumor and implant a steel ulnar prothesis. Our family and friends were amazing throughout this time...prayers and support. We can't thank them enough. He healed quickly. I started school full time on campus at Longwood.

September - School overwhelmed my life. What a switch. Dad visited in Richmond one weekend. Holmes attended all the hokies games and I finally made it to one the weekend before my birthday. Brian and Elea visited.

October - Mike traveled to Oregon for a few days for work. School continued to swamp my life, but I started to balance everything a little more efficiently. Holmes had another Stoke Row show and we finally went camping at Bear Creek State Park. Another year with no Halloween Party, but we threw together last minute costumes and handed out candy with the other Holmes' in their neighborhood.

November - Holmes had ANOTHER Stoke Row show. We attended a baby shower for our friend's Lara and Chase. I decided the night before the race to run the HCA 8k that was part of the Suntrust Richmond marathon. This was my first race at this distance, but I was pleased with my performance without really training. Another trip to Blacksburg for the State game. Pinehurst and Greensboro plans for Thanksgiving were changed last minute as my Uncle Mike in Pennsylvania received news that he was getting a new heart! Mom and I drove up for the surgery. What a blessing!

December - I ended the semester with a 4.0. We had a smallish Christmas Party and made Candy Cane Martinis. Christmas Lunch in Richmond with some of the Ossman family was followed by a whirlwind tour of North Carolina for our Holiday break. We stopped in Greensboro, dropped off Riley, drove down to Charlotte to see old friends and tailgate for the Panthers game, which we managed to score tickets to last minute. Back to Greensboro, then a brief trip to Raleigh to see friends, then back to Greensboro, then down to Pinehurst for a few days. BACK TO Greensboro for a few more days and yesterday we returned to Virginia. I did NOT want to leave. But, it IS good to be back and we have a lot going on this week. We are celebrating our friend Josh's 30th birthday tonight. Tomorrow, we're having a viewing party/NYE party for the VaTech vs Tenn bowl game, then Holmes' band plays at the NATIONAL (BIG DEAL!!!!!) on Friday night! Yes, that's technically 2010, but it's really exciting, so I included it!

Seriously...wow. If you made it through, hope you enjoyed, but if not, well, it was fun for me to think back!

THANKSgiving

Settle in, this is gonna be a long one...

Tuesday night at about 10pm after getting home from class and getting some last minute work done, I sighed. I was looking forward to five days of no books, no schoolwork, no paperwork and lots of food, family, friends and football! Wednesday morning, I woke up around 7am with a plan to go to the gym, clean the house a bit and pack to leave for Pinehurst that afternoon. Of COURSE I checked facebook first. My Mom had posted a status about how her brother, my Uncle Mike, had gotten the call from the Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) saying they were inspecting a heart that morning for him.

For those of you who don't know or don't remember, my Uncle Mike had an LVAD put in back in March (you can google it, but it short terms, it helps pump his heart) and he was placed on the heart transplant list in PA. Traditionally big deal aside, it was an even bigger deal, because they didn't think he could leave the state until he received the heart and we were planning on him being our officiant for the wedding in July...in North Carolina! Anywho, it all worked out and he came and it was wonderful

back to Wednesday. He had been number one on the transplant waiting list for about two months, if not more. I called Mom and Mamaw (in Mississippi) and started to prep travel plans, in case they got the call that the heart was in fact a match and the surgery would happen that day. At about 9:30am, I clicked book on the Southwest Airlines site for Mamaw and Grandaddy and Mom called to say she'd be here in Richmond to pick me up around 2. So we hopped in the car and headed north on 95 through DC and Baltimore on the day before Thanksgiving.

Obviously, we knew there would be traffic. Holmes gave us some alternate routes so we didn't have to go straight through the big cities and even with that help, it still took about 9 hours (including a stop for dinner and Wal-Mart to get waiting room snacks). Mom was on the phone with every person who has ever met Uncle Mike letting them know what was going on and that updates would follow. We are a blessed family, to have such a wonderful support system within and also in an extended fashion. Lori and Jamie and others all said they had prayer chains going all throughout their churches. People that have never met us!

The surgery was scheduled for 3:30 and somewhere around that time, Aunt Lisa tells us that they are doing a visual inspection of the heart. Apparently, there was still a possibility to not get a "green light". But we did anyways and he headed down to the OR around four, I think. At 5:59, the first incision was made. The HUP team told Aunt Lisa 4-6 hours. I read on the internet 4-12 hours.

Around 11pm, Mom and I crammed Mamaw, Grandaddy, ourselves and lots of luggage into the Matrix. It held everything, but not exactly comfortably. Fortunately the airport wasn't too far from the hospital. We got lost for the first and only time (an exit no longer existed, so it wasn't our fault). We made it to the hospital and up to the 5th floor SICU waiting room just in time and I mean three minutes before the surgeon walked down the hall to give an update. The heart was in and pumping. This was midnight. Six hours my uncle laid open on the table while surgeons and nurses traded hearts for him. They had another hour to go, getting him all sewn back up and such. At 1:07am, the screen in the waiting room flashed that he was being transferred to recovery. At around 2:30am, we got to go back and see him!

HUP has a hotel attached to it, so we took the grandparents and crashed for the night. Up early at 8ish, I decided to go for a run, because we weren't permitted to see Uncle Mike until later. I ran down a greenway along the river to the Philadelphia Art Museum, my own personal turkey trot. It was a great path and I was glad I thought to take my camera. There was a Thanksgiving/Christmas parade ending at the Art Museum around the time I ran past. I also happened upon the Hokies basketball team while running past the UPENN basketball arena.

Oh! Holmes headed down to Pinehurst the same time we left for Philly...so he was not with us. My in-laws are so wonderful and supportive to be understanding about me not coming like originally planned. I sure did miss them though!

After my run, we got to see Uncle Mike, he was propped up. Still had the breathing tube, so he couldn't talk to us, but he was definitely alert and aware, nodding and smiling as much as possible. It was amazing. This was not even 12 hours after a HEART TRANSPLANT! The doctors and nurses kept coming in with surprised looks on their faces saying "we don't see numbers like this on this floor" (this floor being the surgical ICU).

About 12, Mom and I went to pick up Christina, Uncle Mike's youngest daughter, who was able to get a flight from Mississippi as well. His older daughters decided to wait to make the trip so Aunt Lisa has support spread out during Uncle Mike's recovery. (Wendi leaves next week to go visit, his oldest, and I'm not sure about Brandi, her husband is in Iraq and she has a four year old, they are in Kansas, I hope they get to go soon). Uncle Mike's son, Josh is also in Iraq. But they got to talk on the phone before he went into surgery. When we got Christina back to the hospital, we did some more visiting, then remembered we needed to eat. The cafeteria had Thanksgiving Dinner!!! We all had turkey and dressing (even though we had to explain dressing is the same thing as stuffing, since the staff had no clue what we were asking for), sweet potatoes, rolls, green beans, mac and cheese and what they called pumpkin pie. The pie was rank. But it was still nice to have the tradition there on such a chaotic exciting day. Uncle Mike was already asking for Milky Ways and Diet Mtn Dews. Mamaw and I went back to the hotel to take a nap and sneak in some football watching. Then we visited some more that night with him. At this point, they took out his breathing tube and he was TALKING! The day after, not even 24 hours after, a heart transplant, he was sitting up and talking and joking around with us all!

Friday, the docs were already discussing replacing equipment with lighter loads and were continuing to wean him off the supportive meds and measures. Amazing! The staff at HUP is incredible. The overnighters on a holiday weekend and the Thursday staff were all smiles. No matter they were away from their families on that day, they were happy to be taking care of ours. It was so special (and humbling to be honest). Many of them remembered Mike and Lisa from the last time he was there, for the LVAD surgery. They are memorable for good reasons :) Lots of visiting in and out. Only supposed to be two people in the room with him at a time, but they were slightly lenient at times, and we all got to be there at once a few times.

I ran again, to the Liberty Bell this time. Pretty neat. That afternoon, the girls walked around the shops and such near HUP for a while and let Uncle Mike spend some time with his parents. Mom, Christina and I had dinner at a mexican place down the block. We brought some back to Aunt Lisa...I wouldn't have left if I were her either! Saturday morning, we went to visit Uncle Mike one last time, Mom decided since he was doing so well that we should get back on the road to avoid the Sunday after Thanksgiving travel rush. The drive home still took six hours, but both ways, it wasn't really a bother. We stopped in Richmond to spend the night (help break up the time on the road) and got up early to head down to Greensboro Sunday morning. While we were traveling on Saturday, HUP moved Uncle Mike into a patient room. Not even 72 hours after a heart transplant, he was out of the ICU. Talk about a blessing and a miracle!

Getting home Sunday made it possible for Neena and me to go with Kristin to pick up her wedding dress! We took pictures, but I won't be sharing them here ;) It was beautiful and it was fun to do wedding stuff again! Brian and Elea and Kristin came over to watch the second half of the Panthers game (waste of a football team, ugh) with Mom, Alan, Holmes and me. We had a great time. I haven't seen any of them since our wedding! I was so glad they came by. Then Holmes and I loaded up all our Christmas decorations (six large rubbermaid tubs worth) and hit the road back to VA. We made it home by 8 and the house was fully decorated by 9 (it's not a big house, hahah).

Now it's Monday morning and I have one week left of classes and one week of finals. Two more big assignments, end of the semester clinic paperwork, and three finals to go. I can do this.

Thanks to EVERYONE for all the prayers and good thoughts. It was an amazing Thanksgiving, that's for sure.

Interesting Follow-Up

Just a quick note...

one of the verses in the devotional I picked this morning says this
2 Corinthians 3:18
18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect (contemplate) the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

If that doesn't describe meditation, I'm not sure what does...

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

So I've been listening to the book Eat Pray Love on my commutes to and from school. Its not what I expected at all, but I'm really enjoying it so far. I like listening to people that are clearly smarter than me sound real. If that doesn't make sense, you'll have to get the book. Anywho...

So the book isn't biblical, in fact, she claims not to claim any God and denies that there could be only way to Heaven, so we disagree on several points, but her methods are interesting. She practices yoga and some of what she shares about what she learned in India while studying, and I mean studying, yogic practic is kind of fascinating. I started doing yoga randomly at the Y about three years ago. I started for the fitness, but found the philosophy vaguely interesting. It's a lot of focus on your breath so that you are truly focusing on the current present, not the past and the future. Well, that's kind of biblical... There's some quiet your mind and focus on your body, not as physical, but as something that holds divinity. Well, that's kind of biblical... There's a LOT of discipline yourself, don't indulge, etc etc. Well, that's certainly biblical. Once a few years ago, I actually looked up Christian Meditation. The websites out there (at least three years ago) were creepy. But the idea has come back to me while listening to this book and hearing about her experiences with her god. My Jesus lives in me...so why can't the same practice be used for Christianity...

As I was saying yesterday, my current "time with God" is pretty minimal, if existent at all, so I think this might be my answer...

I have no idea how to start, or when I'd start, or if it's a whole load of crap. But I think I might try. If anyone has any experience with this, please PLEASE let me know!

Coconut

Does anyone remember the fruits of the Spirit song from bible school?

The fruit of the Spirit's not a coconut
The fruit of the Spirit's not a coconut
If you wanna be a coconut you might as well hear it, you can't be a fruit of the Spirit.
For the fruits are : Love Joy Peace Patience Kindness Goodness Faithfulness Gentleness and Self Control

After you sang coconut each time, you knocked on your own head. It was silly 10 year old fun, but dang it if I haven't been acting like a coconut.


I haven't been spending any time in the Word lately and it takes about two weeks for it to "show" (to me anyways, probably earlier to others). I've never had an actual anxiety attack, so those of you that have experienced that, please forgive me for this analogy, but that's the best way I think I can describe. For no reason, all of a sudden, I'm overcome with emotion and almost crippling feelings, of the need to just crawl up in a fetal position. Like I said, it's not an actual attack, and so (fortunately) I'm able to shake my head and snap out of it, but the residual feelings linger and then my whole day is ruined. I start wondering why I feel like that, what's wrong with me? Well, nothing, well, a lot. What's wrong with me is that "this *me*" isn't the right *me*.

An old high school friend Erin, put a Joyce Meyer quote on her facebook status recently (which might have sparked all this in me) "If I don't spend time with God, I don't act right." You have to hear it in Joyce's voice, which is not exactly harsh, but its definitely to the point. Well, I haven't been acting right. So starting back to a morning devotional today, the verse was Galatians 5:22-26. About the fruits of the Spirit. I haven't been exemplifying ANY of those. And as much as I would love to try and knock them all out today, I'm human. So I'll pick one. I see my high school clients today. So I pick gentleness and patience. I already regret typing that. Have you ever prayed for patience? Oh, God loves this one. He L O V E S giving out opportunities to be patient. Today should be interesting. So please, if you are so inclined, pray for me today, to remember that I ASKED for it, and also pray for my supervisor, as she will have to witness these encounters. As for gentleness, if you've met me, gentleness isn't really how I roll. I think maybe I compare it too much to gracefulness, which is mega-lacking in my life, but either way...I picked two hard ones. (side note: I didn't put a whole lot of thought into them, just the first ones that came to the ole coconut).


another side note: A lot of times, I will consider this blog writing or the 2 minutes it takes me to read the devotional as my time with God. Although the book isn't necessarily biblical, Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert is showing me differently. Man, this blog could get long...I'll post this tomorrow...

Non-Running Update

Other than that epic training fail...life is GOOD.

Michael has really recovered well from his surgery, the docs were really impressed. He's running again and if I had more time at home, we'd be playing tennis again! He's made it to a bunch of Hokie games...and we haven't missed a Panthers game yet. Finally found a non-sketchy place to watch the games. He's still playing bass with the worship band at Southside Church. The people there are so great. His other band, Stoke Row, is also doing well. They put some songs together in the studio one day a few weeks ago and had another show at a place in Powhatan. 35 of our friends and family came out to support him, it was really great.

School is going really great. Busy as usual, but still learning a ton. Amazingly, there's only the rest of this week, two days next week, a full week, then finals! We get an entire month off. I'm glad we'll be traveling otherwise, I know I'd get bored... We're headed to Mississippi for a week, hopefully Pinehurst for a few days, maybe Atlanta one day and fingers crossed to make it to Charlotte at least one night...

Fairly boring update, but there ya go!

Training Fail

I trained hard the first five months of 2009. I wanted to finish a marathon and place in my age group in a 5k. I did both. And then stopped training (you know, to get married and go honeymooning and move and take care of the hubs after surgery AND to save money on race fees). I only took two full weeks off (not consecutively either). I kept my mileage up, running at LEAST 15 miles a week, averaging probably 20 or 21. My long runs were not long...six mostly, with a few 8-10'ers in there every once in a while.

Then last week, Friday night I go spontaneous (extremely not like me) and drive down to the chaos that was the Suntrust Marathon Race Expo and register for the 8k the next morning. I run a 43:20. On a whim! and I had PLENTY of energy after the end, I was (and still am) sure I could have done better.

p.s. My name was in the paper, that's pretty cool. 39th in my age group (out of 362).

So this turns me cocky. And I enter this time into the Runner's World Smart Coach, which helped me train for the marathon (beat my goal) and the Autism 5k in June (beat my goal). During BOTH of those trainings, I think I had one major fail. I was supposed to run 6 800s at 7:31 or something loony like that. I only got through three or four. So I was feeling pretty confident about the prescribed tempo run for this morning...five miles with three at 8:21.

Wake up at 6:30 after eight hours of sleep. Get dressed for the 45 degree run. Eat one packet of oatmeal, one cup of coffee, forgot the water. Got distracted by schoolwork and laundry, didn't make it out the door until 8 when it was already up to 55 degrees (still in 45 degree gear). Easy peazy warm up mile around 9:50pace. Pick it up for mile two. Breathing just didn't fall into place. Kept going. 8:34 Mile 2 (FAAAAAAIL). Breathing all out of whack, can't catch it, what the crap, is that a SIDE STITCH? yeah, Mile 3 8:44 (FAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIL). and then? I walk. LAME LAME LAME. Yep, I walked about a quarter mile, got bored and started running (jogging?) again. Cut the entire run short by over a mile.

Now I have a decision to make.....the Frostbite 15K is in 10 weeks. The NC Half Marathon is in 18 weeks. Should I scrap this training and start training for the half the first week in January (12 weeks)?

Sigh.

Welcome Fall!

I LOVE this weather!!

Quick updates on school: Midterms finished! Plenty of projects still ongoing. Decided not to present at SHAV this year. Still enjoying it immensely, learning gobs and gobs.

Mike: Arm is doing great! Still some at home rehab, but last PT appt gave him the go ahead to run and play bass as much as he wants! So he has...Stoke Row had their second show Friday night at Capital Ale House in downtown Richmond
This is a cover of a song called Stigmata by Slave to the System. Next time, I'll be sure to vid an original. They go into the studio this Sunday and are really excited about it! As usual, he's been consistently super supportive while I was sick and during my midterms-missing hokie games, cleaning the kitchen, walking the pup. I ironed some pants for him last night in an effort to reciprocate all his help...not quite equal, but I'm doing what I can!

Running: two weeks ago, a cold hit me pretty hard. I stayed home one day and skipped the gym, but as usual, I went out running, because there's no reason to skip a run if it's just a head cold. Well, this is really only true if you are able to still get sufficient rest, which I'm not. So, the cold lingered and I hacked out three runs last week. Start back today. I have today and tomorrow "off" from school (still doing a project today and heading to campus tomorrow) and this 'extra' time combined with this weather has me geeking for REAL training. man, I miss it. I finally hit a 20+ mile week before I got sick. I want to get three of those consistent under my belt, then I'm going to start speedwork again. For what, I'm not sure. It'll be mostly hills and 800s, because I think they are fun. The Frostbite 15k is most likely the next race for me...I can use Christmas money to cover the race fee.
Aside from training, I'm really impressed with my self discipline overall. I really used to think that I wouldn't run consistently if I didn't have a race coming up that made the training worthwhile, but I'm pleasantly surprised with myself.

****Special Thank Yous*****
Joy Blocher and her precious daughter for letting me invade their house and take speech and language samples.
Christine Evans for taking me up to Charlottesville and allowing me to get experience giving assessments.
These ladies have taken time out of their busy lives to help me get through school! I'm lucky to have such wonderful friends!

the month in review

Wow, I haven't posted since August!

Quick update...

School is going really well. It's crazy insanely unbelievably busy, but it's great. I'm taking four classes, Adult Neurogenic Disorders, Language Disorders birth through preschool, Advanced Articulation and Phonology, and Clinical Ed. I also see student for two hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays in a near by school system and also have clients at the clinic associated with Longwood for an hour on Wednesdays. We have clinical team meetings (since we all have such different caseloads, we all get together and talk shop) for an hour most weeks. I just finished up 60 hours of a graduate assistantship in three weeks (no more of that, thank goodness!) I've been doing screenings once a week at an elementary school as well. That assignment is also finished. Starting next week, I go observe/work in a severe to profound classroom in another school system. That also only lasts for three weeks.

Of course, because it's graduate school, there are at least ten chapters of reading a week (looooooooooooooooooong chapters) but fortunately, all of them are really interesting except one book. I'm at school until 8 on Mondays 9 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 6:30 on Wednesdays. I think my Fridays there are done for a while (again, thank goodness!). There are of course assignments in each class, usually about one a week for each (so four), some are just "jot keywords from this chapter" and some are "give an eval to a child, transcribe and write a report". A lot of planning goes into the the sessions with clients at the clinic and students at the high school, but all these hours are worth it. I know its a little early to make this call, but I think I will feel pretty prepared when its time to start my external placements.

I'm learning so so so very much. My clients on Wednesdays are working on Phonological Awareness which is really new to me, but I'm pretty fascinated by it, so I think in the long run it will be really fun. High Schoolers are definitely new to me, but I think I've got them figured out.

The other girls in my program are great. We're not super diverse, but everyone gets along really well and I think we learn a lot from each other, as well as the professors and clients.

Ok, to acknowledge the not so obvious fact that school is not my ENTIRE life, here's an update on the rest of things...
Mike's arm is cast-free and in the midst of physical therapy. It's going well so far I think, he says he can feel new ranges of motion each day. Long road ahead though. His band is scheduled to play again soon and he's been wrapped up in the wonderful world of hokie football. I'm hardly ever home, so he's been living a bit of the bachelor life, but he is so wonderfully supportive. Cooking, cleaning, asking how my classes and clients are going, helping me if I have a problem. I could not ask for a better husband.

Riley is doing great in his new home. He's been running with me every day (although not today, he's been gimping off his back feet a bit, I'm going to let him rest). He slips and slides from time to time around the hardwood floors and was scared of the stairs for a while, but he's all good now.

Families on both sides are doing well!

That's all I have time for...but one last thing, I'm so sorry to anyone if they feel neglected. I knew grad school would be hectic and time consuming, but I have to be honest and say I had no idea it would be to this extent. I think I'm getting the routine down and a better grasp of my weekly responsibilities (read: I can do them faster now) so hopefully soon I'll be able to call more, chat more and even visit! Just bear with me. Thanks for your patience ;) I sound like customer service hahahah

Can't Run Without...

I mean, I *COULD* run without these things, but I tend to get really irritated in those cases...

the specific combination of a pair of under armour socks over a pair feetures socks (M)

Ryder Salty Dog sunglaseses. even when it's overcast. after watching a bug the size of a mechanical pencil eraser lodge itself into Ben's eye while running one day, I've never run without them. they also prevent spiderwebs in the eyes...ugghhhh.

the 405. if only for the pacing. since I've started getting faster, I like to actually GO fast. but that's not a great idea on longer distances and I have a HORRIBLE internal monitor for my speed. plus I just really like to *KNOW* that I went exactly 5.62 miles (like this morning). without the 405, I would spend the entire day wondering if I actually went the full 5.5 and doubting myself.

two c9 sports bras.

a pair of sauconys. which currently need to be replaced. i've worn three different models of saucony, and one model of brooks. i hated the brooks. i'll enver betray saucony again.

a running skirt. this is the ONLY reason I'm sad for cooler weather coming. I love cold weather running, but I will miss my skirts.

body glide. if you don't know, you don't want to know. trust me.

dog spray and whistle. it's pretty much just mace. i dont' run anywhere unsafe, but I'm scared of dogs off leashes. and i'll tell you WHY i'm scared of dogs off leashes. because dogs off leashes are often scared of strangers running towards them. and when they are scared they bite.

the stick. well, i don't run WITH the stick. that would be awkward. but i roll out my muscles to warm them up before I go out.

Last Weekend of "Freedom"

Last week, I had orientation at Longwood University for the full time 09 cohort graduate speech language pathology program. It was Thursday and Friday. Long days, but I enjoyed meeting my new classmates (one of whom is TWENTY YEARS OLD, WHAT?!?!?!) and my new professors. I learned the campus a little and was reminded was college textbooks are like (expensive and heavy). All that paired with an hour commute each way...I was ZONKED after those two days. Some friends sent Mike a PF Changs gift card as a get well gift, so we had a last minute date night.

I was almost disappointed when I discovered that the cucumber lemongrass gin drink was no longer on the menu. I don't remember what it was called, but fortunately the bartenders remembered how to make it. If you ever go, even if you don't like gin, order this drink. Its better than a mojito. We had a blast...people are not shy about asking what happened to Mike's arm, maybe because its safety cone orange wrapped in maroon ;)

Saturday, I got up early(ish) to run (4.5, not far) and then started working on the house. The new bedroom suite and mattress were scheduled to be delivered and I knew this would be the last weekend for a while where I could REALLY clean. So top to bottom we scrubbed this place (yes, we, I didn't MAKE Mike do anything, I think he's just really excited to be ABLE to help again). I also trimmed the giant unwieldy bush outside, long sleeves and gardening gloves and all...probably should've waited until it was 85% with 72% humidity and full sunshine, but oh well. The bush looks great now. The mattress and bedroom were delivered. But the company sent the wrong rails. So the bed is only half put together. The mattresses are on the floor, but sleepable. hmmm, sleepable is most definitely not a word. Oh well. The dresser and mirror and nightstands are set up. So it actually looks like a real bedroom now! After all that, we cooked steak and fresh green beans and rice. Holmes is definitely excited to be able to cook again (I am too, of course!). We started to watch freaks and geeks (we are getting the series from netflix) but ended up pausing it and talking and looking at old pictures all night. I'm so lucky. I can't express how wonderful it is to be married to him.

Sunday morning we went to church. On our way, Holmes wondered aloud how we were going to top the last two nights. It was a pretty fantastic weekend. Church was great, I'm really enjoying it. Then we found this new little barbeque place for lunch. I studied and ran errands the rest of the day. Holmes made chili and broccoli cornbread. See, I told you he is excited about cooking again!

Today I start school officially. I'm going to campus early to get my ID and parking pass, etc. Class is at 6:15. I also need to start knocking out my 68 graduate assistantship hours before the end of September. I'll be on campus a lot. My other classes are Tues and Thursday at 6:15, Wednesday at 9:15. I also have "clinic" hours. I'll be working with middle and high school students (NEW to me!!!) on Tuesday and Thursday mornings in one of the nearby counties. There are some Weds at 5:30 meetings, seem to be once or twice a month. Three Mondays I will go work with a severe to profound class. I don't have many details on that. Tonight's class is an aphasia class, I'm thrilled to learn more about this.

I started my day with a run and some yoga, so my day should be ENERGY FILLED. ha. maybe.

New Cast (pictures!)

Mike got his splint off today! Wooo! It was quite a long appointment, but the PA was SUPERB, so I wasn't complaining. Pictures below are of the incision as soon as she took the splint off his arm.

Apparently it is an excellent incision that's healing well and shouldn't leave much of a scar. Praise God for such a wonderful surgeon. The next picture is of the new cast. She first showed Mike his options for colors...blue, red, yellow, green, pink, purple, black and white...no orange. Disappointment strikes. But he didn't give up, he asked the PA. Hmmm, she thinks she might have some in the back... What about maroon Mike asks? The PA is pretty much trying not to crack up laughing now... Uhhh, I don't think we have any maroon. Oh well, orange will do. Safety cone, hunting orange at that. (the nervous wife in me is super happy with that, noticeable, people won't bump into it, etc etc) She's almost done wrapping the orange and another assistant walks by. Lisa, our PA calls out, do we have any maroon casts? OF COURSE, for the virginia techies (her words not mine), I ordered some last week! Lisa tells us. Disappointment is wayyyyyyyyy gone.

Below is a picture of the xray. That odd shaped item in his arm is the prothesis (duh, I know). The long end is embedded down in the bone and the funny shaped part is what has actually replaced the bone they removed. It is made of stainless steel. Marcus started calling him Bionic Hokie and with this cast, I'd say that's pretty appropriate.

The best news is that the pathology report is already back and showed that it is a giant cell tumor. The treatment is removal. So treatment is done! There are recurrences with this type of tumor, but the chances is decreased greatly when the affected bone is completely removed (we had the other option of 'scraping' the bone to remove just the affected portion). So after four weeks of this cast, he gets a removable splint and starts therapy. Not sure how long therapy will take, but once that is finished he will be back to steel arm normal!

This is really fantastic news. Thanks to everyone who prayed, called, sent cards, cooked dinner and sent good thoughts and vibes Michael's way. God is an amazing Father and we are so grateful for His work in all this!

Overdue Update

Oops, sorry for the lack of updates!

Friday, Mike decided to try to go longer between doses of pain pills. Then he decided to just not to take any that day at all! He said he wasn't having any bad pain anymore. It was GREAT news. The cast still made it difficult for him to get around and be active, but coming off the painkillers was a great first step to recovery.

Friday and Saturday, he got out of the house for a bit...he just ran a few errands with me, unfortunately nothing fun. Saturday night, we had a few friends over, just to give him some company. It was supposed to be our housewarming, but there were a lot of scheduling conflicts for folks and having a *party* while Mike was still not quite 100% didn't seem like the best idea. Since Mike had been off painkillers for two straight days, he finally got to have a Fat Tire that his Mom brought for us the week before! Sunday, we didn't do much again...I think Saturday night took more out of him than he expected. So we missed church again but fully expect to make it this week. (Mike is half expecting to be able to play bass this weekend, but I'm not as optimistic).

Since Mike is a little more self sufficient around the house, I've been extra busy just kind of catching up on life before I go back to school. I got everything done for my name change...but have nothing to show for it! Everything is being sent in the mail. I also started prepping for my grad school orientation tomorrow and Friday. There were manuals and forms I had to print...I went through almost a ream of paper and I'm not exaggerating. It's slightly ridiculous. I'm getting back in the running routine groove, trying to keep myself at a 10% a week increase, even though I want to do more. I've also been trying to do yoga four times a week. I always realize how much I miss it when I haven't done it in a while. I have to get my grad school schedule under control before I can really nail down the work out routine.

Today we head back to Mike's doctor, hopefully for a new smaller and better cast. And by better I mean maroon and orange. But they don't have those color options, we go with white and I get artsy this afternoon. Josh and Kristina bought him maroon and orange paint pens, just for that!

This weekend is the last weekend free until, well, mid December. Ok, this time I am exaggerating. Definitely until October though... Friends are visiting the 29th, we head to Atlanta for college football kick off over Labor Day, then three straight weeks of football in Blacksburg. I'm not sure if I'll go to every game, it will depend on my courseload for school.

I've rambled enough. Hopefully, I'll follow up with pictures of Holmes' new cast!

Professional Wedding Pictures!!

Click Here to see the professional wedding pictures

the password is holmes

Enjoy!

p.s. you can leave comments on the pictures

Rants. Short Version

I could write two very long rambling ranting blogs about the following two subjects. But I will cut it short.

There is like a 10% chance that Michael Vick will become a panther. Shhhh. John Fox publicly stated that he was not saying yes or no. That is how he rolls. On every topic. So cut the speculation. Sheesh. Also. For every fan of every team saying, I'll never cheer for (insert your team here) again if they sign Vick, SHUT IT. The man did his time. End of story. There are numerous other felons in the league. Some of which committed crimes against HUMANS.

Personally, I do NOT want Michael Vick as a panther. But not soley based on the dogfighting. He's an idiot. He does not make good choices. The man was on probation and still thought "I bet I could make it through this airport security checkpoint with this weed". Fox and Hurney don't put up with delinquents, so I'm not concerned.

Next rant. Time Article Why Exercise Won't Make You Thin
Reading this article made me angry for a few reasons. First of all, it's common sense. Work out, then eat a large fast food french fry, you won't lose weight. SHOCKING. Second, they use studies done on children to prove the point. Slightly different from weight loss issues with adults. Third, the spin is horrible. The focus of this article should be on the fact that when you get hungry from working out, you should eat healthy food. Instead, it spins all the information to tell people what they want to hear. Excuses to be lazy. Who actually *reads* an entire Time article? I only did because we started getting the subscription for free. Most people just pick it up in a doctor's office. Ok, I have to cut myself off or this blog could run REALLLLLY long.

Rants finished. Excited about pulled pork tacos tonight!

better day!

Yesterday was the best day so far. It wasn't great, but definitely better.

He suggested knocking himself back to the Hydrocodone (the nurses indicated it was for less intense pain). So we tried that for the morning dose. It makes him SUPER jumpy and restless. I mean, just sorta moving around constantly. Even now, as he's sleeping, his legs are just jumping away. I think this is really frustrating for him, but on the flip side, he's up and moving around. Definitely less debilitating than the demerol.

Yesterday morning, we took a short walk around the pond and after lunch, he played some wii (one handed sitting down tennis and cornhole, HA). There are still stretches where its pretty bad though. He grimaces and sometimes hits the column near the couch. Sometimes when he's talking, it just sounds strained. But overall, it does really seem to be getting better.

I'm feeling less nervous about leaving him for short periods of time as well. I went to Wal-Mart yesterday (look out, I'm wild...) This Wal-Mart is a nightmare. I've only ever been on weekdays during the day (not at lunch time) and it has been jam packed every single time. I will NEVER EVER set foot in that place on the weekend, I might end up in jail for taking someone down with the squeaky bumpy cart.

Pulled Pork Tacos are on the menu tonight, so I need to get the meat in the crock pot!

It IS...

not it might be...

not it could be...

It is

Matthew 4:4, 7, 10

Matthew 14:27

John 19:30

Verse and Update

1 Peter 5:6-11

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.

7 Cast all your anxiety on him because He cares for you.

8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

10 And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

11 To HIM be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

My friend Lindsey's Mom is a nurse...we checked in with her yesterday (thanks Linds!) She told us that the third post op day is usually the worst. Today was definitely the worst it had been, so let's pray that third day thing is true. Today is the fourth day.

I think he actually got over 8 hours of sleep last night, but the last one or two didn't sound too restful. He would be sleeping and all of a sudden jump and sort of snort/gasp. When he woke up, I asked him about it and he said it was spasms in his arm that would wake him up. Not awesome.

As usual, thanks to everyone for checking in and offering help. We are doing ok so far. We have plenty of food and the netflix movies should start arriving today. I was able to get out and run three miles this morning while he was still sleeping and even got some yoga done after the run. I hope the weather cools at least a little soon, because I hope to try and get Mike out for a walk around the neighborhood one evening. We'll see...

Recovery Continued

Saturday in the hospital, the anesthesiologist came by and explained all about the medications. It was great to have someone explain all that and be there so willing to answer our questions. He explained about Mike's nerve block. It was a drip of ropivacaine administered through this "On-Q" device.

That tiny end of the catheter was inserted just below his collarbone. The ball itself was in a little black bag that Mike had to carry with him anytime he moved around. It's a pretty cool device. The anesthesiologist informed us that I'd be the one that needed to remove it the wire Sunday morning. He also gave us his cell and pager number, saying to call anytime. That really made us feel comfortable.

Next we had to wait for the surgeon's associate. Our surgeon went out of town, pretty much right after he checked in on Mike Friday evening. This "associate" was, um, different from Dr Desai. I'm really wondering if this guy walked in off the street from his hunting trip to consult with us. He was so weird. Just strange, I can't even express the situation here, but fortunately Dr Stevens had already answered all our questions, so we didn't really have to talk to this "associate" for very long.

Finally, he was ready to go home around 11ish. The trip home was uneventful. Both of our Moms and Alan were still at our house. They were so helpful. They went to get Mike's meds and even went grocery shopping for us. While they did all that, I was able to get Mike settled on the "Chase" lounge. It's a pretty sweet set up for him. The way the dining room is elevated a bit above the living room, he has the floor next to him on his right side and can keep everything in reach! The lounge's big pillow lets him be reclined a bit, but still sitting upright. He has three pillows and a blanket under his split/cast/bandage/massiveness. The Moms got him a lap desk thingy so he can play online.

Yesterday we had some trial and error learning about how and when to give the medicine. Apparently food decreases the effectiveness of pain killers, so he was hurting quite a bit yesterday. I think we've figured out the scheduling though. At some point in the day, the air conditioner stopped running. I changed the filter hoping that would help. It didn't. We cranked a huge fan on him and it wasn't so bad. He was able to rest for about six hours. It was almost the exact time frame as in the hospital.

I finally remembered at 6am that this air conditioning problem happened one time in Charlotte. I went to check the outside unit and I was right. The line had frozen because we turned the air down too far. I turned the air off for several hours to let it thaw. It's cranking again now, no problem.

The on-q ball deflated this morning. That meant it was time to take out the catheter. Ick. I was able to get the bandages off, but as soon as I saw the wire poking into his skin, I couldn't handle it. I'm such a wuss. Poor Holmes had to pull the thing out himself. Fortunately, he said it didn't hurt, that he actually couldn't feel it at all. Then he was able to take a shower, we just had to bag up his entire arm. Dr Stevens called to check on him this morning. I'm so impressed with that whole practice and hospital (exception: the "associate).

Other than the soreness and pain directly associated with the incision, he's really doing well. The meds aren't giving him any crazy side effects, he's eating well and resting enough. Although, I wish he would take a nap. He's a little bored though. So we've signed up for the Netflix free trial-two weeks, how convienent ;) And there is football on tonight! Not that we care about the Bills or the Titans, but the first quarter might be fun to watch.

I was supposed to work at Longwood three days this week, all day each time. I emailed them to let them know that just wouldn't be happening. I haven't heard back from them. I hope they understand. I just can't leave him this week.

Thanks again to everyone for all the prayers. Keep 'em coming!

Surgery and Recovery

Yesterday at 12 noon, we arrived at the hospital. Susan (Mike's mom) had just arrived from Pinehurst. Mike checked in and they called him back around 12:20. Scott, the campus pastor from our church stopped by to see him. Mike came out for a brief moment and said he was going back for prep (it was about 12:30). I started to follow him back and he said they told him I couldn't come because of patient privacy issues. This concerned me so I asked the admission nurse about it. She explained that it was just a space issue, that there was no room in the back for me. About ten minutes later, one of the nurses from the back called me over and explained the same thing. I assured her I understood their policy completely and wasn't upset or angry. She said that was ok, but they were going to let me go back and see him right before he went under.

He was really concerned...less about the surgery, more about the anesthesia itself. He's never been completely knocked out before, so I can understand that anxiety. Around 12:45 they let me go back and talk with him. This time, he was smiling. Not just calm and more relaxed, but actually smiling. I asked if they had given him anything yet...he claims they didn't, that the anesthesiologist just put him at ease because he "really seems like he knows what he's doing". Heh, I think he was high.

That was the last time I saw him until much much later. My Mom and Alan arrived a little after two. My grandmother and the worship leader from our church stopped by as well. The pastor came back again later in the afternoon. We are really blessed to have such a supportive caring group at that church. The doctor rang the waiting room to speak with me around 4:30. I really can't remember what time it was...that seems about right. He reported that everything had gone as planned and as well as it could.

The entire distal end of the ulna was removed and the SBI U-Head prosthesis was implanted. Here's the website of the manufacturer.

Just before five, the super nice addmissions nurse let us know which floor he'd be assigned and said we could go on up. So up to the fifth floor we went. It was a smaller waiting room and looked about as typical as a hospital can look. I walked down to the nurses station just to let her know we were there. Good thing, because about five minutes later, she came back and told us he'd being going to the third floor instead. Down we go. Getting off the elevator, it was as if we'd been transported to a different building altogether. Mike was *still* asleep at this point (5:30ish). This waiting room was huge. The floors are decorated and nice hardwood. There was a small but fully stocked dining room. Again, I walked down to the nurses station to tell her who and where I was. She said it would still be a while before he made it to the floor and to help ourselves to dinner. The four of us had turkey, green beans, mashed potatoes and gravy, chocolate mousse and apple pie! This place is like a hotel.

Mike arrived in his room around 6:30. He was awake and alert. It was sooooo good to see him, even though he has this massive thing attached to him...

Yep, he's smiling! The nurse let him try some jello right away, then some saltines. He was able to keep it all down no problem. He was absolutely starving (hadn't eaten since 11pm Thursday!!) Around 7, the nurse brought him a small cup of chicken noodle water (it did not have any flavor and could not actually be called soup). She said if he could keep that down, he could eat anything he wanted. He asked for wings. I talked him out of it and he settled for Chick Fil A nuggets and waffle fries. Our parents stayed for about an hour. He also had a piece of chocolate mousse pie and apple pie. Our moms had brought all kinds of snacks, he had a bag of welch's fruit snacks too. I'd be that hungry too. I was just glad he wasn't nauseous.

I was drinking full strength coffee because everyone kept saying he wouldn't sleep or be able to rest tonight. I wanted to make sure I could stay up with him. Before the surgery, he received a nerve block (apparently similar to an epidural). Its a direct drip onto a nerve that numbs everything below his shoulder. Who knew that the arm and shoulder are the most painful in recovery (per third floor nurse). This block, on top of the additional portable block was keeping him feeling pretty good.

The nurse said those nerve blocks would be wearing off soon(ish) so she gave him two pain pills...we definitely both appreciate the proactive-ness on her part. She said he could have two more at 1:30. We started to watch a movie, but about thirty minutes after he took the pills he said the drowsiness hit him hard and he slept. I didn't think he'd actually sleep well, so I stayed up for a bit. When he seemed really out and his heart rate slowed and steadied, I laid down as well. The nurse came in to give him more pain pills at 1:30...we both went back to sleep and didn't wake up until 5:30 when she was back with more pain pills and the last of his antibiotics.

Oh, the antibiotics are the only reason he's here overnight.

It's 7:15 and he says the pain has "leveled off". When the nurse first asked him what his pain was, he said 3 or 4. Later in the night, he said 5 or 6. This morning, he's says its still about the same. It's a dull ache down the whole length of his arm. Other than that, it is numb. He can't straighten his fingers out, but can wiggle them down and around a little bit. He's supposed to do that from time to time. Every few hours he says that it feels like his arm is in a different position. Once he said it felt like it was stretched out down the side of his body towards his feet...just now he said it felt like he had it lifted up in the air.

The doctor is supposed to come by this morning and just check in, and if Mike isn't feeling nauseous, then he can go home. So what time we leave all depends on when the doctor comes. Mike had a blueberry muffin earlier and is drinking some coffee now. He thinks I've already pre-ordered his BWW wings for tonight ;)

We can't thank everyone enough for all the prayers and good thoughts and support and care you've shown us. It means the absolute world to him and I believe it helped him be at ease through the whole experience. I know it helped me. We are so blessed. Also for the nurses here at Parham Doctors' Hospital third floor. We do ask for your continued prayers. He can't drive for two weeks. His cast is SO big, it will take a while for him to get used to maneuvering it, even with the sling. He'll be sitting around, not doing much for two solid weeks. If you know Mike, then you know this is likely to drive him absolutely nuts. So send him emails and play online games with him...any entertainment will be welcome :)

Morning Person

I'm a morning person.

I need about ten minutes into my first cup of coffee before I'm really interactive, then I'm the usual morning type

But not lately. I'm not so sure anymore that its just a personality trait. It is typically unusual for me to wake up LATER than 6:45am. But after several weeks of finished school, honeymooning, and general laziness, I think I've lost my affinity for mornings.

I think part of the problem is our bed though. It is like the mattress lost integrity in the move. Or maybe we fixed the rails wrong, but I haven't slept well since we moved here. We had plans for getting a new bed and mattress, but with the surgery and tests and a high deductible, that won't be happening too soon.

(ps, I am N O T complaining about our insurance system. It is corrupt in some ways and has a lot of places where it could be improved, but the current ideas and plans in play are NOT the answer. Those ideas and plans frankly scare the bejeezus out of me).

oops, off track...not that I'm ever really on a track...anyways... I've started the meat of my graduate assistantship. It is unexciting, but it is a job and I'm enjoying meeting the staff in my department and learning my way around the clinic and campus. I'm also learning to use Boardmaker, a program used a lot by speech language pathologists (that isn't very user friendly). So it's a pretty sweet gig. Longwood is an hour commute (45ish miles). I'll be making this commute four times a week. You might think I'm crazy, but the majority of the students make the same commute. For the assistantship, it's a during the day gig, so I've been getting up earlier than usual. I don't like it! I can only hope that my morning adoration comes back eventually after a few weeks of repeated early mornings.

Until that comes back, picture me scowling and irritable...at least until after second breakfast (usually around 9...)

update

We met with the orthopedist this morning. The MRI and CT were clean, meaning nothing has spread. Chemo and radiation aren't recommended treatments for giant cell tumors, the treatment is actually just surgery, which we were already planning on doing! During the surgery, an ulnar prosthesis will be implanted. Once the affected bone is out, they'll send it to pathology to biopsy it.

Surgery is scheduled for Friday and he'll be there overnight. That will be followed by 12 weeks of different types of casts and braces, with rehab.

This is good news. Minus the fact that there is probably very little golf in his future...

Psalm 150:2

Woodbridge, the new digs

quick clarification

I think I may have made it sound as if today's appointment was going to give some answers...

I apologize for the confusion. This morning was just the MRI of the brain and a CT of the chest. We won't see the results until Tuesday morning.

Matthew 8:26

Verses from friends and family

We are so blessed to have so many people who care so much about us and are praying for us. Here are some other verses they've shared...

Jeremiah 33:6
Psalm 86:7
Matthew 7:7-8
I Peter 2:24
Isiah 53:5
Psalm 103:2-3
Phillipians 4:6-7
Isaiah 41:10

MRI of the brain and CT of the chest this morning.

The reason for the bible verses

Several months ago, Holmes started playing tennis on a team. He started at a 3.0 level and was doing pretty well, the captain always picked him to go up against the guys on other teams who were probably 3.5s. He enjoyed it and it was a great complement to his running. From time to time, his left wrist would bother him a little, but nothing that slowed down his game or hurt to the point of any significant complaint. Then a few months later, he twinged it pretty good and began to notice the slight pain more often. Two weeks ago, playing basketball at the gym, a guy shoved up against him so that his left wrist bent completely backwards and it hurt enough to make him stop and get ice. Of course, we assume a sprain. He went to our GP, where he had an x-ray done and was sent home with giant aleve and a tiny brace.

The next day, we received a call from the GP about seeing an orthopedist. Apparently the radiologists suggested the visit. This appointment was scheduled for the following week (the 21st). At this visit, the orthopedist tells us there is something there. He doesn't know what...it could be a cyst or other random growth or it could be cancer, who knows, no reason to panic now, blah blah blah. He schedules an MRI of the wrist and a full body bone scan for the 27th. The full body bone scan is to ensure that there aren't any other white spots like the one in the wrist. The MRI is to get a better look at the growth.

The morning of the MRI and bone scan, I pull out the paperwork from the orthopedist that we are supposed to give to the nurses/techs for the MRI. It says something along the lines of suspected aggressive malignancy. Cue slight panic. The only reassurance that morning was that if it were possibly that, surely the orthopedist would have told us to our face...right?

Holmes was able to actually watch the screen during the bone scan and said there were no other white spots that he saw. Very reassuring. After three hours in the radiology clinic, we were put into wait mode. The move and zillion errands needing to be done around the house was a wonderful distraction as we waited for the results appointment.

That brings us to this morning. We met with the orthopedist again. I started taking notes during the appointment because it was so much information. The orthopedist suspects that it is a giant cell tumor on the end of the left ulna. Apparently it isn't a a black or white issue as far as benign or malignant. The doctor said it is probably benign with aggressive tendencies. The doctor wants to consult with a bone tumor specialist and get CT of the chest and MRI of the brain. There is low risk that it has spread since all other bones are clean, but these tests are just to be sure. Surgery to remove the end of the bone is next after the CTs. An ulnar prothesis will be put in, hopefully soon. After surgery, the bone tissue will be examined. The words cancer and terminal were never said by the doctor. The good news is the fact that it is the ulna and not the radius...and that it is his left wrist and not his right. The MRI of the brain and CT scan of the chest are scheduled for Friday morning. The orthopedist will be able to consult with the bone tumor specialist and the oncologist in the meantime. We may need to meet with the oncologist. We are schedule to see the orthopedist again on Tuesday morning to discuss MRI and CT results as well as any news or info from oncologist and bone tumor specialist. Apparently this is "fairly" common at this age and dr thinks we've caught it early. The paperwork says hemangiopericytoma. I googled this. The first site is about dogs. When I add "of the bone" to the search, there are very few results. There is a yahoo group I tried to subscribe too, not sure if that will end up being helpful or not. I chose not to read the handful of medical journal articles including the word. None of them seem to relate to the bone.

So that's where we are. I'm just not even sure what to think. I still feel that there are too many unanswered questions. Maybe the CT and MRI will have those answers. I'm glad its coming out, I think surgery could be scheduled as soon as next Friday.

Deuteronomy 31:8

The Positives

it was caught early (?)

its not in his right arm

there aren't any other spots in his bones

he's not sick

the pain is limited

the prothesis does not have to be custom made

we like the doctors so far

before us

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. (Deuteronomy 31:8)

The Lord goes BEFORE us. This morning while we are driving to the doctor, the Lord will get there BEFORE us.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Psalm 73:21-28

21 When my heart was grieved
and my spirit embittered,

22 I was senseless and ignorant;
I was a brute beast before you.

23 Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.

24 You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.

25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.

27 Those who are far from you will perish;
you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.

28 But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds.

Moving (Long and probably Boring)

Saturday morning, Holmes and I woke up at 6:30am to start our moving day. Everything was packed, so we planned to hit up a panera or starbucks to grab coffee and breakfast on the way to pick up the moving truck. We passed a Shoney's on the way...yummmm, buffet.

We started loading the 26 foot moving truck at 8:30am. Holmes' parents, Brent and Susan, and brother, Scott arrived at 9:15ish. Holmes' friends, Chase and Adam, showed up a little later as well. We had everything out of the apartment at 11:30. Nothing broken, no one hurt, and everyone happy and in a good mood! After three hours of up and down stairs and around the apartment, I covered two miles! I find that amazing. I also wore my heart rate monitor (yes, I'm a weird exercise dork) and the HR hit over 130 a couple times. Not bad!

After stopping for lunch at Padow's near the new place, we started unloading the truck. With the same crew, we were done at 3:15. We were able to take the truck back early and save a bunch of money. We are so appreciative of Brent, Susan, Scott, Chase and Adam's help! We grilled out burgers and played Wii for our first night in the house. Chase came back by later in the evening with Lara so she could see the place too.

We've been working pretty much non-stop to get things put away. Sunday afternoon, we had all our boxes broken down so Val and Chris could come pick them up (they are moving to Indy, sad!!). At 4:45, a WICKED storm unleashed itself on Midlothian. It was wild. Hail on our skylights sounds quite scary. The boxes were destroyed (we had them on the patio). The power also went out. No power, no cooking. Josh and Kristina were awesome friends as usual and bought us dinner. We got back to give them a candlelight tour of the place. My grandmother had come by from Northside to give us champagne and celebrate, but we missed them! We were able to enjoy the champagne with Josh and Kristina though. We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family.

Upstairs was sweltering with no a/c, so we decided to go see a movie. We saw G-Force, it was actually pretty good. Zach Galifinakas is not his usual kind of character, but Tracy Morgan and Jon Favreau were pretty hilarious. The power was still off when we got home, so we had a slumber party downstairs on the couches. The power came on around 2 or so and then another storm passed through and it went right back out. This storm was worse than the first...maybe it just seemed worse because it woke me up and scared me crazy. Hail on those skylights is not exactly whale music.

We were up earrrrrrrrrly for a doctor's appointment in West End for Holmes' wrist (more on that later). Afterwards we cleaned the old apartment and turned in our keys happily. I'm so excited to be out of that hole and off of Broad St. Holmes got some work done while I continued to put some things away. Then we did something very very fun. We went shopping with gift cards. Oh man, that is so inexplicably fun. Our guest bathrooms are fully decorated and stocked. We have proper storage and shower accessories. Our kitchen has every gadget you could ever possibly think you might need. Macy's, Bed Bath and Beyond and Target. Oh so fantastic. As a special bonus, we realized it was dollar burger night at Capital Ale House. Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet. (Too bad it's on Monday and I have class every Monday night)

While Holmes was at work today, I actually focused on school work for a few hours while waiting on the Verizon guy to get everything hooked up. I finally cleaned up after all the moving mess as well. When Holmes got home, we organized the storage closet. There are only a few things left to do! Once we get everything hung on the walls we'll take some pictures.

It's storming again. Crazy weather. Sweltering hot and rainy. I haven't run since Thursday. I should be able to start again this weekend, I hope. I miss my routine, but this craziness has actually been enjoyable. I have three finals due by the end of the week and I start going to Longwood on a regular basis next week. Plenty of time for boring routine ;) Time to be lazy on the couch tonight with a belly full of grilled potatoes and steak...I'm so lucky to be married to this man.

Hate 6, Working on 4

I love running in the rain. I planned to go four miles, but I started calculating my 15% increase in mileage from last week and cut today's run back to three. I'll run four on Weds, three on Thurs, and five bright and early Saturday morning before we started moving. For those of you who don't know, you should never just start running more and longer all of a sudden. The smartest increase percentage is 10, but I figure I only took a week off, it wasn't because of injury and my overall fitness level is pretty good, so I'm going with a 15% jump for two weeks, then I'll cut back to 10% until I reach 25ish miles a week again. Then I'll hang with some maintenance miles for a couple weeks until I start training again!

This is our last week living in the West End. Every day this place shrinks. We can't even get around the place if both of us are moving. To pass each other, one of us has to back up and wait for the other to go by. And this is not a result of our cruise eating habits.

Should you find yourself incredibly bored this weekend, any help would be appreciated. Mike sprained his wrist and I'm worried he's going to make it worse trying to do too much.

I have finals next week, then the first few weeks in August will be filled with name change fun and getting the new place in order. Any tips on the name change deal are appreciated!

I've run out of things to say. :)

Humidity Attacks

I haven't really experienced our typical southern miserable humidity this year. We've had some really nice days and exceptionally nice evenings up here.

That changed last night. It was in the 90s all day and I don't even like to run in the 80s. Well, to be honest, I'm not a huge fan of the 70s either. I am a cold weather running lover. I adore being bundled head to toe, everything covered but my nose and mouth. Snow running is quite possibly the best thing in the world. But that's beside the point. Because its not going to be below 65 degrees in July and I refuse to run on the treadmill, so I stick it out in the heat.

That was quite a ramble...I need more coffee...

As I was saying, that all changed last night. Holmes had rehearsal at 6:30 and figured it would be a short one, so I decided to wait on him to get home so we could go on a late run together (and skip some of the heat)! He wasn't feeling well when he got home, so I went out alone. I was sweating the second I stepped out the door, but then a nice breeze blew and I thought, see, this will be fiiiiiine. I was WRONG. The breeze stopped and it was like running through damp cotton. The run itself felt good though, so I pushed hard and was pleasantly surprised with the run overall. It was only three miles, but after a week off with no running and constant eating and drinking, I was worried about this week. I ran twice on Tuesday (both were easy runs and the second was out of boredom and wanting to spend time with Holmes) so maybe that helped, but last night's run was just fantastic. My quads were killing me after the two runs on Tuesday, but last night they felt fine.

I'm so glad to be running again. It's amazing how much I miss it. I don't think I mentioned this in the honeymoon post...We arrived in Ft Lauderdale Saturday morning the 11th around 8:30. Our hotel was on the beach and so we had a decent length cab ride down the beach front road. I have never seen so many runners out in the same place when there wasn't a race going on. When we got to the hotel, at least four runners came down while we were waiting for our room and three others came back in from running. It amazed me. Same thing Sunday morning! It definitely was a beautiful place to run.

I'll probably keep the mileage low for my 'long' run this weekend, then start ramping up...I suppose I'll use the 10% rule, with maybe a 15% week thrown in every once in a while.

Joyce Meyer's Daily Thought from 7/15

Just a nice reminder I think...God doesn't want us to agonize over our sins, acknowledge, admit, ask for forgiveness and move on.

So wonderful to be granted such grace.

Joyce Meyer's Daily Thought
For by the death He died, He died to sin [ending His relation to it] once for all; and the life that He lives, He is living to God [in unbroken fellowship with Him]. Even so consider yourselves also dead to sin and your relation to it broken, but alive to God [living in unbroken fellowship with Him] in Christ Jesus.
—Romans 6:10-11

Meditating on all of our faults and failures weakens us, but meditating on God's grace and willingness to forgive strengthens us. Our relationship and fellowship is to be with God, not with our sins. How much do you fellowship with your sins, failures, mistakes, and weaknesses? Whatever time it is, it is wasted. When you sin, admit it, ask for forgiveness, and then continue your fellowship with God. The scripture above says we are alive to God, living in unbroken fellowship with Him. Don't let your sins come between you and the Lord. Even when you sin, God still wants to spend time with you, hear and answer your prayers, and help you with all of your needs. He wants you to run to Him, not away from Him!

Honeymoon

Our honeymoon was everything it was supposed to be.

An entire week of uninterrupted time with just the two of us.

Because we are so blessed with such an abundance of friends and family that wanted to celebrate with us Saturday night after the wedding, we were out quite late. Our ride to the airport (my mom, bless her heart) was coming to pick us up at 5am. We thought it would be a good idea to just try and stay awake, so we ordered pizza and watched a movie. Well, it didn't work and it was one rough morning and just in case you don't believe me, here's proof
(us at the airport sunday morning 5:30am)

After two first class plane rides (thanks soooo much Brent and Susan), plenty of napping and free drinks,
we arrived in Ft Lauderdale. It was so nice not to be rushed to get on the boat that day. We had lunch, went to the pool and then went on our first "date" as husband and wife. If you are ever in Ft Lauderdale, I recommend Rendezvous...the music was a little cheesy, I've never seen a guy play acoustic guitar and sing at a bar with a back up track. It was interesting...but the food was GREAT and the view was really nice too!

We boarded the boat on Monday, early enough to eat lunch...it was a buffett and I've never seen so much food in my life. It was fantastic. In our haze Sunday morning, we ditched our running shoes and planned to forgo exercise the entire week. Looking at the buffett, I wondered if that was such a great idea. Oh well, a honeymoon is a once in a life experience (and we still don't regret the decision!)

The boat is so fun. We played several rounds of trivia, blackjack and poker. We even competed in a battle of the sexes game where we won MEDALS! Mine is gold, Holmes' is silver. I'm just saying. They are currently hanging with our race medals. It was never boring

The ports were great. Key West was our first stop and this is my ONLY complaint about the cruise, it was too early to be in Key West...the town was still sleeping! The bars were open, just pretty empty. We still went :) Hogs Breath, Sloppy Joes, the World's Smallest Bar and El Mason de Pepe (I think).

Our next port was Cozumel and we opted to take an excursion. It was called Passion Island getaway or something like that. This catamaran took about 50 of us over to a beach where they had a buffet, drinks, beach volleyball and other stuff set up. It rained on our way to the beach and on the way back, but not while we were there. It was so beautiful.
Neither of us are HUGE beach fans (sand bugs us) but this was worth it.

The next day was in Belize City. Stormy weather. We opted not to take an excursion and just explore on our own a little, which ended up being a good decision. The restaurant bar where we ate lunch was pretty yummy (lobster tacos and a seafood burrito) and the beer from Belize, Belikin is quite tasty!

We had one full day at sea on the boat and then came back to Ft Lauderdale for another day/night before going home. Again, mega thanks to Holmes' family for everything.

If you know me well, I tend to treasure my alone time. It doesn't seem to matter who you are, I end up needing to "get away" if I spend a long period of time with one person. That didn't happen at all over the honeymoon. Not that I needed a reason or proof that I'm meant to be with Holmes, but it was great reassurance. I enjoyed every single second of our week together. And that officially makes me the happiest girl in the world.

Cruise Animals

back to the real world...and the road

I haven't run since Friday the 3rd. 10 days!

We had planned to take our shoes on the cruise, they have tracks around the top, but in a split second decision Sunday the 5th at 5am, we yanked our shoes out of our suitcases and left them in the back of Mom's car. I didn't miss it one bit.

I can't wait to start building my mileage again though. Couple weeks of rebuilding and maintenance, then we'll start training for the Thunder Road half after the beginning of September (just in time for football!).

At one point last week, while I was reveling in the joyousness that was the honeymoon, I started to wonder if I would go through some sort of post wedding bummed out period, with nothing to look forward to....but turns out, there is plenty to look forward to.

We move into our new place the last weekend in July (anyone wanna help? I'll provide pizza and beer afterwards as always!) And we get start attending our new church regularly.

I finish summer grad school classes the last week of July.

I get to go through the name changing process (so the "means" aren't the fun part, it's the "ends" that's exciting!)

Panthers football starts August 17th...I am beyond excited for this. It's SO CLOSE! And my cousins got us some rockin' awesome Panthers CORNHOLE BOARDS! and we'll have a yard where we can actually play!!!!

I start real grad school the last week in August, going to campus and everything. This is actually slightly terrifying to me, but that's a blog for another time.

September starts college football again, I don't know how many VT games I'll be able to make it to with school, but hopefully at least a few. I already know I have to miss the UNC game...in Blacksburg...because I have class on Thursday nights. Who knows, maybe my professor will be a football fan. Ha. (oh yeah, and Sept has my birthday).

October is Halloween month and we have a place to throw parties again so start thinking of your costumes! (No VT game that Saturday, so Richmond folks are REQUIRED)

November is Thanksgiving and traveling to see family (hopefully some will come to see us? the new married couple in their first home for their first Thanksgiving?)

December is duh, December. Both football seasons are exciting, the semester will be finishing up and it's CHRISTMAS!

In case I lost you on WHY I'm posting these ramblings...my point is that real life is exciting too. Our honeymoon (post and pics still to come) was fantastic. More than I could have ever expected or asked for. But going back home isn't sad, it's time to start my life as Mrs Holmes.

VII IV MMIX

I don't think I can begin to put this experience into words...

and I don't know that you would want to read that much...

I'll hit the highlights (edit: I couldn't stand to leave things out....this ended being very long, I apologize...)

Having a morning ceremony was the best decision of the entire process. I canNOT imagine being forced to wait around all day for that. Miranda and Kristin had spent the night with me at the O'Henry, we were up bright and early and ready to go in no time. April joined us early as well. Dad and JR were staying upstairs and treated us to a bloody mary. Carol arrived at 9:30 to start pictures. We got all the bridesmaids pics done and even a few family shots done pre-ceremony. Another great plan. Holmes had arranged a limo to pick us up. We were early to the Butterfly Garden at the Greensboro Arboretum, so we sat in the A/C for a bit. Good times.

It felt pretty fantastic in the shade and I think most of the guests were in the shade during it. Holmes and I, on the other hand, were "glistening" as the sun was beating directly on us. But I didn't mind. It was perfect and so beautiful with all the green of the garden, the gold of the sunlight, the reds and pinks of the flowers, and the white of the arbor. My Uncle Mike was our officiant, and we want to thank him for doing such a special thing for us. Please pray for him: when he returned to PA the day after the wedding, he was bumped to Level 1a on the heart transplant list. Patrick Rock played acoustic guitar before the ceremony and while I walked down the aisle. To be quite honest, I don't remember what he played as we walked down. Both my father and my stepfather escorted me down the aisle. I was overwhelmed by the amount of people standing in that garden. Talk about feeling special and loved. Two of my bridesmaids performed "Be Thou My Vision" during the ceremony. Kristin signed while Miranda sang A Capella and it was beautiful. Our bridal party consisted of Ben Marks, Chase Hill, Josh Holmes, Brian Williamson, April Boyett, Kristin Swindle, Ben Robbins, Miranda Dauphinee, Kathryn Galloway, Brent Holmes, and Scott Holmes. One of my bridesmaids is currently in California for graduate school but she was able to watch the entire ceremony thanks to Skype and my cousin Wendi, who carried her laptop to the garden. We walked back down the aisle to an acoustic version of "I Go Blind".

The reception was also, of course, huge. It was such a sweet setting at the Proximity Hotel. I loved seeing so much family and so many friends. My only regret was not speaking to everyone or getting to spend more time with the people I did see. I apologize to each of you I missed. A quick thanks to Trunk and Rocky who gave me some advice the night before : don't stress about going up to each and every guest, they would come to me if it was possible. If they hadn't told me that, I really would have worried the entire reception.

The food was GREAT. Patrick Rock and Tim Lambert provided a perfect musical atmosphere. Our first dance was to Dave's new song, You and Me. Yeah, leave it up to me and Holmes to not come across an "our song" until a month before the wedding. Half way through the song, we had the bridal party and family join us in dancing. The rest of the reception is a bit of a blur...the food was fantastic, the cupcakes were even more fantastic (big thanks to Joan Poole for bringing them up for us and to Donna Foley from The Belmont Village (Fayetteville, NC 910-485-8433) for creating them). During the cake cutting, we smushed our "big cupcake" because we tried to cut through one of the sugar flowers, oops. Holmes fed me a piece and I fed him a piece. As we smiled for the cameras and chewed away, the guests let out a collective dejected "awwwww". They sounded so very very disappointed so I picked up another piece and shoved it in Holmes' face. The guests cheered! Guess that's what they were looking for. Bless Holmes, he didn't even try to get me back. After some touching speeches which I sobbed my way through, we finished off all the wine in the place and everyone started to head out. We hope everyone else enjoyed it as much as we did.

We headed up to our room to change for the Saturday night party. Holmes had arranged for another bottle of champagne and some chocolate truffle balls, awwwwwwwwwwwwwesome. We ordered room service from the Proximity's restaurant, Printworks Bistro. Two cheeseburgers and some bacon flatbread. Basic, but so wonderful. We stopped by the Grasshoppers game for a bit to see some family and then went on over to Natty Greene's to meet up with more friends and family. The rest of the night was also a blur but just as fun. We enjoyed seeing even more friends that came out to celebrate with us. We ended the night at Corner Bar, because and I'm quoting Holmes here "Acey HAS to end her wedding day at Corner Bar, she has to or it just won't be right".

We were out pretty late ensuring that we celebrated right with people that had traveled so far to see us! Mom came to pick us up for the trip to the airport at 5am. We woke up at 4:30. It was ROUGH. ROUGH FRIENDS. But worth it.

This is enough rambling, and I'm sure you are sick of reading, if you are even still here...
I'll blog about the honeymoon and post more pictures soon!

Wedding