May

May wasn't all about birthday fun. But we're grateful it ended that way. In March, I went in for a Women's wellness check and had some questions about why my uterus felt like it was higher in my abdomen than it should be. At least 5 people asked me if I was pregnant. And when I did crunches, I could feel what I thought was my uterus a few inches above my pubic bone. Dr. Small checked me and said my uterus was about where it would be if I was 8-10 weeks pregnant. I did a urine pregnancy test, which came back negative. So she had me schedule an ultrasound. She said it was probably fibroids. I had that US at Kadlec a few weeks later when Dr Small was out of town. The results came back the next day, a Friday. So I went in to CBHA to meet with Dr. Alvarez, whom I had never met. She told me that it was not fibroids, but a mass that had grown around my right ovary. It was a very tense and emotional 20 minutes and I wished that David was with me (he stayed home with the kids so that we wouldn't have to talk to Kathy or a babysitter afterwards if it was bad news). I will never go to a big appointment alone again. When I told Dr. A that my mom had died from ovarian cancer, she was quite concerned. I had a tumor marker blood test while I was at the clinic. And she ordered a stat MRI. I had the most stressful weekend of my life as I thought about what this could mean. I didn't get much sleep and I cried a lot. David was very supportive and positive. I went to Kadlec for the MRI on Monday. Aunt Julie went with me and Esther. I got the results from that the same day (I think). They showed that it was a type of cyst, most likely benign. That was a huge relief, but we still had concerns, of course. I met with Dr. Bergman in Spokane at the Cancer Care NW office a few weeks later. She was 90% sure it was not cancerous. She remembered my mom and that meant a lot to me. She said she would be removing the entire ovary and it would take a 3-4 inch vertical cut at my midline. The recovery would be similar to a C-section recovery. That was difficult news to hear. But we are still very hopeful that we will have more children. My left ovary should release an egg every cycle. We scheduled the surgery for a few weeks later on Monday, May 2nd. 

The surgery went well. It was an Ovarian mucinous tumor, close to 8 inches long. She took out my appendix while she had me open. This type of cell often grows on the appendix too. In recovery, I remember being in a good mood and quite talkative. I asked the nurses how long the piece they put in to keep my airway open was and I made sure they had pictures of the tumor. I'm sure they were entertained. We spent one night at the hospital and racked up a nice bill during our 24 hour stay. David took that whole week off. I usually took a morning and afternoon nap. The hydrocodone helped me get plenty of rest. I had people lined up to come each day the next week too. My goal was not to lift Esther for 2 weeks. I wasn't supposed to lift more than 10 pounds for 4-6 weeks. Aunt Julie and Dena helped out a lot. A few people brought us meals. That was really nice. The third week was difficult. My body was not ready to lift Esther. I fed her her baby food while we sat on the floor and I used a stroller to push her back to her bedroom to get her to sleep. Benson was starting to quit napping during that time. So we went on a few drives to get him to sleep. But, then I would have to carry him inside. Probably wasn't a good idea. But, I didn't dehis :) I'm so glad all of that is behind me. I'm going to give myself a few months before I start working out again. But going for walks will be good.

11 months old on April 28!

during the first week of May, while I was out of commission, Benson managed to smear poop on the seat.

eating homemade ice cream. Yum!

the list I left for Dena when she watched our kids while I was having surgery. She is such a good friend!

the stinker tumor. It's kind of beautiful to look at. But everything that it entails is not beautiful!

post surgery. I was so glad that the anticipation of surgery was behind me.

the nasty cut. The purple is glue, not blood! And the yellow is beta iodine.

ready to go home! That car ride was pretty uncomfortable. I didn't anticipate the cut going so low or I would've brought a nightgown to wear home!

looking soo good the morning after surgery

I found these hideous t shirt night gowns on amazon and had them overnighted. They were fabulous! They go down to my knees. I'm keeping them in my maternity clothes box!

doing the laundry!

Nathan took A and B home after work one of the first days after my surgery. They spent the night and stayed until Papi got off work (Pasco elementary school). It was so lovely to have the peace and quiet with just Esther home for 24 hours. And the kids had a blast at Heather's!

tickle time!

Heather put Benson to work. I'm sure he wouldn't rather have been doing anything else though! This boy loves to work outside!

lunchtime picnic

my other nightgown :)

my dad brought me flowers home after surgery :)

I found this picture in a box. I just love it. I love my mom!

Esther happened to be up around 5 am. And Keenan had planned a trip up to radar hill to watch the sunset (this is 5 days after surgery on Sunday). So we went along. It was beautiful and a unique experience. David was speaking that Sunday, Mother's day, and Annika was singing. So I had keenan drop me off for Sacrament meeting. I was glad I went. But probably should've stayed home. 

gorgeous view from the kitchen!

selfie time!

Grandma Stock came with Julie to help on one of the days post surgery. She was so fun! Esther liked her, which was a big deal she didn't like anyone else that tried to hold her. And we all painted rocks.

I broke down and bought her a Barbie for a potty prize. I never thought I would buy a barbie.

what a babe!

the kids loved helping me bring Esther back to her room for nap time!

my matching girls!

someone made this mess. Probably Benson, but I can't remember

Papi watched the kids outside the temple while we did initiatory work.

pre church cuteness

Annika had a tea party during the last week of May. Rose Vonbracht and her kids and Kelsey Roylance and her kids came. I wasn't quite ready to host something, but we did it anyway. Annika loves planning and hosting parties!

My new favorite shirt. Also, I don't look pregnant anymore! :)

Annika makes a lot of books. Dustin landed himself on the cover of this one :)

my sweet sleeping boy