Brody's Surgery

We bought these bananas from Costco...like a week ago. 

 I think something is wrong with them...

It was so nice outside Sunday.  Sunny and 60 degrees in January.  I needed to shave John's head again, so we all headed outside.   I won't lie, it was muddy and I was cringing, but they had fun.  

These two were in rare form all weekend.  Wild.  Wild.  Wild.  

But they are as cute as can be.  

Michael and Sherene brought us dinner Sunday night.  Michael's famous spaghetti and homemade meatballs (I told John he should ask for his recipe and make me a batch one day), salad, and cupcakes.  

We were able to have our bunco Christmas Party finally at Firebirds.  It may have been January but that's okay.  We were suppose to have it when we were in the hospital, but obviously we had a change of plans.  We had such a fun time.  

Little Brody had tubes put in Monday morning.  We had to be there at 6:30 (who needs sleep anyways?!)  We had to do some waiting but he had plenty of things to keep himself entertained.  The surgery was scheduled at the Le Bonheur outpatient and it was perfect.  Toys and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on TV.  What else could a little boy want?!

How cute is his little yellow gown and hospital socks.

How sweet is he?!  We brought his favorite stuffed animal and he clung onto him before surgery.  

 We used the same ENT who did Mason's surgery.  I forgot just how much I love him.  He is so nice and he always prays with the family prior to surgery.

Brody did so well.  They had us walk into the toy room where he could pick out anything, then we handed him off to the nurse.  He never even cried when she took him away.

Surgery lasted a whopping 5 minutes.  His left ear was in bad shape.  Not too sure how much he was hearing, so we are so glad this is over.  The nurse and doctor told us how "juicy" his ear was.  Lovely.

Of course, it took about another 5 minutes to calm the little guy down.  Waking up from anesthesia is no fun.  We tried everything and then all of a sudden I thought, why don't I get the phone out.  Of course Disney Junior cheered him right up.  What in the world did people do before smart phones?!

I had to go back to work after his surgery.  I knew, from experience with Mason, that Brody would just sleep a little more, but feel fine.  Mom was nice enough to take a day off work to watch him.  He did perfect and got some quality cuddle time.

Obviously, I would have loved to be there with him and snuggle all day (especially since it was pouring down rain).  If you would've told me two months ago that I would've worked all day after his surgery, I wouldn't have believed it.  But life has changed a little in the past month and I really needed to be at work.  It sure does help to know he was in good hands though.  




My friend Shelly from my Friday job brought us McAllister's for dinner Monday night.  I devoured my food before I could take a picture apparently.  =)


John's parents came over with dinner tonight.  We had salmon, spinach, and potatoes.  Mason is a little different than most kids when it comes to eating.  He doesn't like fries or potatoes...but he LOVES fish.  He ate almost an entire piece of salmon.

Or maybe he was just showing off so he could get some of this key-lime pie.  I'm sure it won't pack any pounds on me...

And here is the new shaved head.  We did have to go down a size on the clippers because his hair is getting a tad thinner.  But overall, he has done really well this week.  He is getting some horrible ulcers in his mouth.  They look like no fun.  No one ever wants 4 giant ulcers at once.  This is definitely a side effect from the chemo but thankfully,  the doctor called him in some Magic Swizzle that numbs the mouth so he can at least eat!

And look at this guy.  Will really shaved his head this time.  He wants to keep it like this while John's is bald (or on its way to being bald).

Weekend Shenanigans

We have had a fun, yet boring week/weekend...which is a good thing these days.  

John worked all week.  He did great, just pretty tired when he gets home.  He even worked late one night...which scared me half to death.  He really should work on his phone skills.  =)

This little guy had a few rough nights this week.  But if I give him a bag of fruit loops to take on the car ride to school, it turns his frown upside down.  

Most likely, I would say I've gained about five pounds this week.  I'm doomed to wear a bathing suit this summer.  I have been eating some salad...

Along with this chicken spaghetti greatness made by the best sis-in-law ever Becca.  It was so good.  I know she had her hands full with a sick family last week so we REALLY appreciated it.  

Jake and Blake brought us our favorite Chinese food from Formosa.  

I finally had to take Brody to the doctor Thursday.  He had to get checked out and okayed for tubes on Monday since he was congested and not sleeping well.  Turns out he has ear infections.  We got on another round of antibiotics and were told he needs tubes desperately.  We have to be there at 6:30 in the morning.  Surgery at 7:30.  

25 lb. 10 oz. of cuteness right here.

I am so thankful for my job.  I may have broken down Thursday when I realized Brody needed to go to the doctor.  It just isn't a good environment for John to be walking into, which left me.  I have already taken off so many days.  But no worries, immediately they rescheduled my last patient and helped me get out of there quickly.  I do not know what I would do without them all.  

That night, Jessica had pizza delivered to us.  I've said it a million times but thank you thank you thank you! 

John has been stuffing his face trying to gain weight while he is off of chemo and feeling better.  And I mean eating EVERYTHING.  Not sure it is working, but it's worth a shot!

Our friends Ben and Brennan sent this cookie basket for John.  It says Bounce Back Soon and the boys were super excited when they saw it.  It was like Christmas morning all over again.  

These two...

They have really gotten into playing with each other.  The problem with that is there will also be fighting.  They play so rough together!!!  It's crazy.  I guess boys will be boys but goodness, it is so exhausting!!!  They can be so sweet one minute and then hate each other the next.  

Tyler and Beth came by Friday night.    Mason had such a good time playing with them.  Him and Mr. Tyler may have gotten a little carried away playing football.  He was quite sad they had to leave.  We ate this yummy Chicken Alfredo along with a strawberry salad.

Friday, Mason had show and tell at school.  They were to bring their favorite toy/favorite toy Santa brought them.  He decided on Batman and Superman.  He is very proud of these guys and I'm sure talked to his classmates forever.  

Saturday morning this little fella woke up first.  When he wakes up, he likes to just sit with you for a minute or two.  This has to be the only moment of the day he will sit still.  I love it.  

 I took Mason to Skyzone to meet Becca and Reese.  He had the best time.  It is a pretty cool place.  Just a million little trampolines to jump on.  

I love those cute little skinny legs.  

They also had a few other stations there.  This was a foam pit.  There was nothing I wanted to do more than bounce into that pit, but there was a long line of kids waiting.  =)

Saturday night John and I went out to eat.  It was really nice to get out of the house together for an hour or two for some good sushi.  We also had to stop by Hobby Lobby.

Such a wild and crazy date night, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.  

Stuffed Animals and a Special Day

We had a couple of rough days after the last dose of chemo.  John was sick.  He just felt awful and so sick to his stomach.  Mason was quite concerned.  It just makes you realize how innocent kids are.  He realizes his Daddy is sick, seems to get more concerned the worse it is, but won't ask too much.  He does all he knows to do, so he has been letting his Dad borrow all of his stuffed animals and praying.  

It may not seem like a lot to most people, but he sure does love his stuffed animals and makes sure every one of them is in his bed at night.  I don't know how many times I have had to run through the house in search of "Friend Bear" or "Doggy".  He gathered up some of his favorite, lined them up perfectly, and asked me to take a picture.  I didn't position him or anything.  =)

He has also wanted to pray for him every night.  Started it all on his own and hasn't stopped.  It is the same prayer every night:

"Dear God, thank you for all of our food and can you make my Daddy feel better.  I need him to feel better.  Amen. "

After talking with John about it, I realized Mason is only doing what anyone else can do.  I can't make John feel better.  I just try to do things to comfort him like grabbing him water, food, medicine, or just sitting here with him.  Mason is giving him his stuffed animals and thats how he is helping.  The only other thing we can really do is pray.  

 And I can eat...John is continuing to lose weight and I am gaining it!  I know I've talked about it over and over, but our friends have been amazing.  The only downside is, I am not going to fit into any of my clothes.  

Ben and Melissa brought us shrimp scampi, the best ever green beans on the Big Green Egg, brownies, and Mason some Captain Crunch.  That boy loves Captain Crunch.  

John started feeling better Friday afternoon.  We were able to get out of the house and watch the Packers play at Ben's parents' house.  Mason always has a blast there.  He has gotten pretty good with the Go Pack Go chant. 

He made Mr. Will wear the cheesehead.  

Teaching him early...sitting at their bar with Ben and Mr. Salentine, with the cheesehead on, watching football.  Fortunately, he was only drinking apple juice.  

It was really nice to get out of the house I must say.  We just watched the first half of the game because John got really tired, but he had a good time.  

Sunday night, Allison and Jacob brought us Mellow Mushroom pizza.  Yum.  

Along with the best salad ever and brownies.  

John started back work today so we got some things to keep his energy level up.  He is feeling much much better, but having a problem with fatigue.  I got some recipes for protein shakes and tried them out this morning.  He said he thought it helped and was able to stay alert today, so I will keep 'em coming.  

He also can't seem to get warm and this weather isn't helping.  It is freezing!!!  I changed the chalkboard out in the kitchen and it is pretty accurate.  

Today is my Special Day and Mom got me this awesome coffee mug.  =)

We had to bundle these two cuties this morning in their new sweaters.  We had to wake up much more earlier than the last couple of weeks and Brody was not happy. 

Mason was not too excited about having to go to school either...or that it didn't snow.  

I got a message from John's sister Lana.  She sent a picture of her Jon who got a new haircut and said he was inspired by John's style.  We are just so thankful for everyone's outpouring of love and support!

Brody had a great day at Pat's house and came home to fight off the bad guys.  

In honor of my Special Day, my parents got Red Lobster take out and brought it over.  It's a tradition that doesn't look like it is going to be ending anytime soon.  =)

LOVE these peeps and so glad I was placed into their arms 30 years ago.  =)

New Year's

Like I said in the last post, John had surgery to place the port a cath on New Year's Eve.  He did great with the surgery and went immediately to the doctors office for his chemo.  It was a big day, but he felt great.  The surgery made his arm/shoulder pretty sore, but he really wanted to be able to hang out with our friends for New Year's Eve since everyone was just going to Ben and Melissa's house (a mile away). 

He rested all afternoon and then got his party shoes on.  

Melissa had the house decorated so cute.  We literally sat around, played games, and enjoyed each others company.  It was a very fun, much needed, night.  We also got to hang with sweet little Mary Camellia.  =)

We woke up New Year's Day and I got these two ready for Mamaw's house.  She always makes the BEST food this day each year.  Here they are posing for their first picture of 2014 while holding about four superheroes between the two of them, and Brody has one in his mouth...

 Just another day at the Brower House.  

We came home to check on their Daddy and bring him his good luck food.  He started feeling pretty bad around noon so he didn't come with us.  We let him stay home, rest, and watch football.  The boys took naps and when they woke up, sat together to watch Justice League together on the iPad.  I thought it was the sweetest picture.  

John went to work this morning and was hoping to stay for a while but just couldn't do it.  He feels so bad for the 2-3 days after chemo.  I am praying he wakes up in the morning feeling better....or at least by Saturday.  He just feels awful and there is nothing I can do.  =(

Jenna made us dinner tonight and John actually ate which tells you how good it was.  I'm hoping that means he is going to feel better soon.  It was the best lasagna...it had Italian sausage in it so you can't go wrong.  =)  

I'm off work tomorrow and will have the boys at home with me.  Not sure yet what John will be able to do.  We are just playing it by ear.  I feel sure he will be MUCH better by the end of the weekend and will do great next week at work.  

Here is to a better day tomorrow! =)