Oh Happy Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Uncle Paul & Austin

(Sorry ahead of time if this whole blog is jumbled together in one long paragraph. I don't know why it keeps doing that and won't let me seperate thoughts, paragraphs, ect.)

I don't even have the words tonight. I've been sitting here for about 10 minutes trying to figure out how to start this post. I'm just speechless.
Some of you may know, and some of you may not. 11 months ago, our Uncle Paul was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Glioblastoma to be exact. To get a grasp of the severity of his tumor, here is a blog I posted on my Myspace page 11 months ago right after they found out his prognosis:

Uncle Paul. Goofy. Insane at times. Life of the party. Loving. Caring. Loyal. Amazing.
.....Drooping mouth. Arm Problems. Slurred speech. Doctor visit. MRI.
Oh shit.
Our Uncle Paul went in not even two weeks ago to see the doctor. He's been realizing that his left arm has been not functioning quite right, the left side of his face had been a little "off" and he just wasn't Paul. So him and Aunt Connie went to see the doctor, thinking what anyone would think... he had a stroke. No, I only can wish on a million stars that was the case. But it's not. They found a huge tumor in his brain. And I am not exaggerating when I say huge. It was/is HUGE.
And that's when their life started falling apart.
Surgery, the best option for brain tumors. Brain surgery. Oh my God. Just those two words together.... they just shouldn't fit.
They knew going in that the tumor was malignant. Paul came out of surgery wonderfully.... better than anyone could have asked for. He went in, and 4 hours later he was out.
The doctor, however, didn't share in such joys. Wonderful that he came out so well.... but prognosis, not great. They weren't able to get much of the tumor due to horribly interrupting motor skills and overall brain function. Full recovery? Not hopeful. In a few days they'd have a complete biopsy, the doctor said.
Well, today was that day. Final results are in.
Glioblastoma. The worst kind of tumor one can possibly have. What stage you ask? Stage 4. And if you know, or if you don't.... there's only 4 stages.
Oh shit.
Glioblastoma is an incredibly fast moving tumor. Some can double and even triple in two days time. Some cases, as in my Uncle Paul's case, the tumor can grow so incredibly large and do it's damage, before you even know you have cancer.
Not only that. Stage 4. A year or less, at best.
Oh shit.
The bottom just fell out of the lives of many people today.
Keep it together? Are you crazy? Are you kidding me? Do you hear what I am saying? A year AT BEST. Now YOU keep it together.
But I know my role, I know I've got to keep my chin up, I've got to stay strong, as everyone in the family does right now.
This will be a trial. This will be a task that I hope we can all accomplish to give them the peace and serenity that Conne and Paul need right now.


So that's that. That's what they were dealing with. Paul has fought harder than I thought possible. He went through horrible round after round of Radiation/Chemo. Treatments that made him sick. So sick he kept ending up in the hospital for IV fluids. I just can't even describe the things that he endured during this time. Not to mention Aunt Connie. They are so strong. SO strong.

His Chemo ended, and Monday was his "tell all" MRI. The MRI that would tell them whether his cancer was better, or worse. And as you can see from my blog 11 months ago, it's always hard to keep your hopes high, and always hard to look for that silver lining.

His doctor appointments were today to reveal the results.

GOD IS SOOOOO AMAZING. The tumor, this deadly tumor, is mostly just dead tissue now. There are two noduals on the MRI that showed up Monday that were not in the September MRI, but the radiologist and both oncologists strongly believe that it's residual of the radiation!!! He goes in for another MRI in July to check those two spots. But you've just got to be kidding me?! DEAD TISSUE!!!! A miracle is all that is. Plain and simple. God is so good!

Please continue to keep them in your prayers. The doctors told them to get back to the normalcy of life, but continued support and prayers never hurt anyone!


ONTO my project of today!


I finally found stencils that I loved and wanted to use in Sydney's room. So my friend Sarah and I tackled her room today. I'm not quite done, but am so in love with what it looks like that I just have to share it!! Check out the pictures!!! (If you click on the pictures, it will bring it up bigger so you can view detail!)

xoxoxo

k.