Thoracentesis:a procedure to remove fluid from...

The space between the lining of the outside of the lungs and the wall of the chest.

Well it's done. The Pulmonologist, Dr. Marisa Magana was great. A young mother of almost 2 kids. She was practical and calm. Had to wait quite a while for her to arrive, so thank you for the continued prayers all morning long:). She numbed the area around my left ribs, in the back, put a catheter in and then a needle that resembled a "harpoon" in Jason's words;). Lol

It was fairly painless and took about 30 minutes to draw about 1000ml= about 1quart of fluid. Ofcourse I wanted to see it. Yuck, but cool at the same time. I then was taken for a chest X-ray to be sure no damage to the lung was done. Everyone at ucsd is so friendly and personable. I love finding out about them, do they have kids? Where did they go to school and grow up? It makes the experience much less sterile and "hospital-ly".

I was able to breathe deeply right after, without the "stuffy" feeling but, as expected, am a bit sore and kinda feel like my left lung gets stuck to my chest wall when I breathe. It should work it self out in a bit. 

Now the fluid is tested and sent to pathology. Should hear from the Pulmonologist next week sometime. Please pray for an "easy fix" infection. And if it is cancer, we will be believing and trusting God for complete healing! He is so faithful. All the time. 

Now, off to Palm Springs to our church's marriage retreat and to celebrate being married to my BFF for 15 years!

Ps I slept great last night, with no anxiousness, thanks to all the prayers...gracias!

Thanks to the Rock Marriage Retreat Staff for spoiling us!

Prayers coveted

Tomorrow at 10am I am seeing a Pulmonologist to have the fluid aspirated from my left lung. There are also a few nodules showing up on the ct scan. Please pray that the fluid has NO cancer cells in it and the nodules are benign or dissipate, I'll take either;). It will take til at least Monday or Tuesday to get the results. Thank you I covet your prayers!

Eyes above the waves

So the week before Meran & I left for New York I came down with what I wrote off as strep (again). I had a busy week, getting ready to leave Jason and the other 3 kids behind and also entertained company twice. Probably not the best choice, knowing that I get myself run down and start to feel sick when I over do it (such a baby). We went to New York and I rallied for the occasion. (Aka took Motrin:)

When we returned, we hit the ground running with end-of-the-year school events and happenings. All super fun stuff, but I just was feeling very tired still. I saw my regular doc last Friday, who sent guessed it was my thyroid. We ran tests, did a neck ultrasound and chest X-ray. All came back normal! 

Gotta love my veins...it's like I don't have any!

Proud of all this blood, the nurse had to poke 3x to get this much

Almost, normal anyway. The chest X-ray revealed that I have a small left pleural effusion (build up of fluid between the layers of tissue that line the lungs) and slight elevation of the left hemidiaphragm. 

This was thought to be caused from perhaps mono....but that test came back negative. 

So yesterday I went for a CT Scan of my chest and neck. My doc called me literally an hour after I had the scan (not usually a good sign). She told me they saw signs that could be "lung cancer" in my left side.

 I said, "okay, but I don't believe you" (sassy, aren't I ;)

She told me a bunch of stuff I couldn't remember once I hung up because I need stuff in writing to process it & that I have an appointment at my oncologist's Thursday afternoon. So, after a quick call to Jason to give him the scoop I bee-lined it up to the 3rd floor to request prayer from any and every pastor who was there at that time. God's timing is ALWAYS perfect. 

I was met and guided into Pastor Miles office where he and about 12 other pastors prayed for God's healing hand, peace and guidance. I felt God's peace from the very start. And so it begins...I've been at this door before. Not really wanting the door to be opened and then once it's opened, do I want to pass over the threshold? Don't have a choice really, but I am trusting God, believing that whatever we find out today out at the oncologist God will heal and He is in control. Please join me on beseeching the Father for complete restoration to my lung!

Oceans by Hillsong United

You call me out upon the waters

The great unknown where feet may fail

And there I find You in the mystery

In oceans deep

My faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name

And keep my eyes above the waves

When oceans rise

My soul will rest in Your embrace

For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters

Your sovereign hand

Will be my guide

Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me

You've never failed and You won't start now

So I will call upon your name

And keep my eyes above the waves

When oceans rise

My soul will rest in Your embrace

For I am Yours and You are mine

(6x)

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders

Let me walk upon the waters

Wherever You will call me

Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander

And my faith will be made stronger

In the presence of my Savior

(Chorus)

Joy

Party Time

It's still a week and a half shy of his "real" birthday but we threw Sutton a little party Saturday morning at the local frozen yogurt shop. It was an hour prior to opening, so we had the shop to ourselves...we invited his pre-k class and the cousins in driving distance, and even his teacher and her husband came.    

He was happy... Party was a success!

Annual Rock Academy Awards

One more event to conclude the last week of school....the annual awards night.

This is a special night out with the older two, leaving Sutton & Bellen with a sitter. We attend the awards and celebrate after the ceremony with dessert out. 

There are only about 9 categories and one student per class receives an award in each category, so not everyone gets an award. This CAN pose a problem if you are a multiple child family and not every child receives an award. We have been in the position in the past... Happy for one kid, heart breaking for the other. Awkward indeed! However, tonight was one of 2 joyful celebrations! (Whew!)

Both Meran and Jameson were called forward! 

Jameson received the "heart and soul" award. It goes to the students who earned honorable mention from the faculty and are considered outstanding in many areas (Proverbs 2:10)

Meran received the "warrior" award. This award is given to the top students who represent all of the qualities desired in a rock warrior-academic excellence, spiritual leadership, positive social engagement and physical fitness (Luke 2:52)

A great way to finish the school year! Now, for the end-of-the-year school carnival tomorrow and then we can officially welcome summer!!! Lazy mornings, days at the beach, walks to the park, trips to library, swimming, BBQ-ing, vacations....yippee!!

Her Vow

Continuing in her week of monumental steps in her faith/life, tonight Meran took a vow of purity with fellow junior high youth groupers. They have been meeting weekly, together in small groups. The boys upstairs..."hey Bro" and the girls downstairs..."hey Gurl". The youth staff works so hard on this series. They have such a passion for seeing these young men and women live their life in a pure way (inside & out) so that they can live the life God has purposed for them, without distraction. Plus, they do it in such a way that it is "cool" without compromise- which is a big part of reaching youth today. 

Meran wore the dress we picked out on the 7th floor of the NYC Macy's a few weeks ago. I let her wear mascara, which she does on special occasions. As I curled her hair I was thinking how fast these (almost) 12 years have gone. Seems like just a few years ago I was standing outside her nursery listening to her cry (as we worked through bedtime challenges in her 2nd year). That day didn't go fast.

As my children age, the ball of time seems to pick up speed as it descends, unstoppable, down the hill of life. While from age 0-20 it's as if you are climbing that hill, anxious to get to the top. You spend a few seconds at the peak, then marriage, kids, moving, job changes, life joys, life challenges, life sorrows somehow make that hill seem as if it's greased with Crisco (do they even make that anymore???)

Thank the Lord it's not a free fall though! God's merciful hand is on us, every step of the way (or roll of the ball:). So now we'll pray our daughter (as well as the other 3) through these next years, trusting God and remembering to...

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Pray for Baby Kylie

I am following this Facebook page (even though I am not on Facebook) on sweet Kylie. A 2 year old that was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma at 19 months old. I do not know her family personally but know people that do and she is from San Diego County. The Lord has given me a great burden to pray for this sweet angel. It's very hard to see the pictures and hear what she is going thru but nothing compared to how hard it is to be walking thru this! We need to come before The Lord on behalf of Kylie,  asking for healing in Jesus' name. Please check out her page and pray for her! And also pray for the strength of her sweet parents.... Cannot imagine watching my babies go thru this. I am so glad it was ME that faced cancer and not my kids.

Prayersforkylie.com

Then click on about Kylie and follow link to her Facebook page.

Step of Faith

I remember my own baptism like it was just last week. Pulling up to the cove at Corona Del Mar in our family's blue station wagon, with my best friend Amanda riding next to me. Excitement and anticipation as I make an outward expression of my inward commitment of following Jesus all the days of my life. Fast forward 27 years later...tonight we drove in our family's blue SUV to the cove at Mission Bay. My (two weeks from being)12 year old daughter is making her own outward expression of her faith in Jesus Christ. Jason got to baptize her, being a Pastor at our church. Proud dad to say the least. He actually wanted to have a party after her baptism, he was so excited. Meran wanted to keep it simple though, hitting up frozen yogurt with a few friends and family afterwards.

"These are the good ol' days"...to quote my hubby (who I'm sure was quoting someone else). Soaking it in. Witnessing my kids as they grown in their journey with Jesus. Teaching me as they learn. 

Birthday Boy

Jameson turned 9 today. My first born boy. My only green-eyed child. Boy I sometimes call my youngest brother's name. Tender hearted. Strong willed. Leader. Faithful friend. Football enthusiast. Chocolate craver. Artist. People pleaser. Creative mind. Lego lover. Mac and cheese connoisseur. Big brother. Little brother. Laughter giver. Birthday boy.

We had a simple party in the park...flag football, pizza and friends. Just what he wanted. 

 Happy 9th Year Jameson Wesley.

We love you, we are your biggest fans!

The Big Apple

Just returned from a quick weekend trip to NYC with Meran and a dear college friend and her daughter...who has since become one of Meran's good friends upon our move to San Diego.

We had a blast and packed as much fun and adventure as 4 girls could in 72+ hours. The Empire State building, Macy's, American Girl, Soho, 9/11 Memorial, Central Park, a Broadway Show, the Brooklyn Bridge...

Ofcourse we didn't get to "it all" so we will be forced to return;)....although Meran & Alexa have already decided we are going to San Francisco next Winter together;).