{Bladder Cancer update}

After the removal of the cath, my dad got an infection and spent a couple days in the hospital...again!  He really hates the hospital.

AND

The results came back from the biopsy.

The Dr is 80% sure the cancer has not spread into the muscle.

80%?  Is that good enough?

If the cancer has not spread, he could do a 6 week round of treatment where they inject BCG (tuberculosis bacteria) into his bladder which will cause his immune system to fight off the cancer.

If that 80% is wrong and he does this 6 week treatment when really the cancer is in the muscle,  it will have been a waste of time.

The Dr said he could go back in and scrap some more to get a better idea of what we are dealing with.

It was hard to sit there and make the decision.  We all just kind of looked at each other.  I am so glad Lynn was there to speak up and say..."We want better than 80%"

Once he said that, we were all on board.

So in a few weeks my dad will be going in for another biopsy.

Cancer is so complicated!  It isn't just go to the Dr, find out what it is and treat it.  So many things need to lead up to that.

In the last 9 days he has had 2 admissions and spent 6 days hospitalized...3 days at Huntsman for severe infection, then he took a 3 day break and went to the U of U hospital for bleeding problems!

{Decorating for Christmas}

Every year it seems like I lose the Christmas spirit more and more.  I wasn't even in the mood to decorate.

Good thing Garrett is around or we might not have had anything put up this year.

Dave and I sat and watched him decorate the tree all by himself.  He did a pretty dang good job!

 

{Temple Lights}

We took a little drive up to the Temple to look at lights before it got too cold.

I love this little tradition of ours.  Afterwards we get some hot chocolate and head home.

 

{Biopsy}

 

My dad had a biopsy on his bladder. 

 

The Dr found a large, 8 cm. tumor inside the bladder. They removed the tumor and took biopsy's of the bladder wall. So we are awaiting those results in a couple of weeks before they will know the extent and aggressiveness of the treatment he will receive.

 

Waiting is torture. 

 

Losing another parent to cancer is something I can't even consider. 

It is hard to see him go through this. The strongest man I know is weak and scared. We joke around because that is what our family does to cope.  But then reality hits and I have a sick feeling in my stomach. 

He will beat this!  That is the only option!

{Early Christmas}

I love this picture for a couple of reasons....

#1 - Dave is so freaking cute!

#2 - Dave is in HEAVEN

#3 - Dave is a HOTTIE

Dave kicked some booty at work the last 3 months and wanted to treat himself to a new set of golf clubs.

We went to the driving range to try them out.  He is in love.  And that makes ME very happy to see him so relaxed and happy.

Work hard play hard!

 

{Turkey Trot}

We went and ran a fun little 10K on Thanksgiving.

I hadn't ran for a few weeks but I felt pretty good.  It wasn't my best but it for sure wasn't my worst.

Love getting out and running with these girls!

The rest of the day was spent at home, relaxing, cooking a yummy turkey & my mom's rolls.

Tara and Jeff came over to eat dinner, then Dave took the kids black Friday shopping at Walmart for $100.00 TV's. 

{Half Marathon/Girls weekend}

A while ago we were talking about signing up for a couple half marathons and when I saw the Snow Canyon one in St George I knew we had to do it.  It is mostly down hill and an excuse to get away!

Since Kim, Layne and Summer's birthdays are in November it was the perfect idea.

Thursday morning we headed out and had to stop at the big rocking chair

 

We went shopping, laughed our faces off, picked up our packets, ate some carbs laughed our faces off some more and headed back to the condo to get ready

The next morning we woke up bright and early. 
I'm not sure how we had so much energy at 4:00am

Modeling our sweaters from DI.  While running, a girl said to us..."nice valor"  We cracked up!

 

The back of the bus.  Our bus driver said "that is where the trouble makers are"

Yep!  We were the troublemakers.  I still don't know how we had so much energy that early.

We were LOUD!  So much fun!

We got there WAY to early and froze our butts off!

 

I felt SO good during the run and we were going FAST

Then we got to mile 7.... They ran out of cups at the water station....the worst place to run out of cups!  I was counting on that water and taking some energy chews.

After that it was painful.  I walked, I swore, I wanted to quit.  My legs did NOT want to move another inch

But we finished!

2:17 was my time.  A minute less than my first half marathon.  I wanted better!

My Dad and Vickie came and saw us at the finish line.  It was so fun to see them cheering us on!

I couldn't walk for another 3 days.  It was SO worth it!  We staying until Monday and had a BLAST!  Just laying around talking and relaxing with NO kids.

I think we will make this a regular thing!