Update on my dad

Since I facebooked almost everyone anyway, I'm just copying and pasting my mom's email she sent to family and friends. (Minus the funny story at the end)

Today's appointment was a little crazy. Scott's surgeon kinda threw us for a loop by giving us an alternative to surgery to think about. He said a radiologist could insert a needle and just burn that area. It would be a very quick in and out for Scott, compared to the surgery. Only problem is they might not have been able to fit us in right away, with the upcoming holiday. He also said with surgery there is a 5% chance of the cancer coming back to that exact spot, with the radiation there was a 15-20% chance. He left us alone for awhile to talk things over, while he checked the the schedule of the radiologist. We were pretty torn. Scott definitely liked the idea of an easier procedure. I liked the better odds of the surgery, but felt it had to be Scott's choice.

The surgeon made it easier for us when he returned. The radiologist had pointed out that Scott's appendix had doubled in size since we were here in 2008. Dr. Kendrick thought that really needed to come out, so it doesn't cause problems down the road, and to rule out that cancer has anything to do with its increased size. He pointed out later that the option of burning the tumor turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Without it the radiologist would have never looked at the scan and noticed the enlarged tumor.

My dad has had the same complication with both surgeries so far, and has been pretty nervous about the recovery for this one, knowing it could very well happen again. So, he was really getting his hopes up about the possibility of them doing it laparoscopically, and was even more excited today about the option of burning it because there wouldn't be that risk. Needless to say, he is disappointed that it will be a full blown surgery, and even more complicated than we were anticipating. But I am admiring his positive attitude and sense of humor about everything. He has had my mom and I laughing ever since my plane touched down. Love that man.

Yesterday my mom was filling out some of his paperwork and one of the questions was "Do you ever feel afraid at home? Are you ever fearful for your safety?" Without missing a beat, he answered "Yes, about once a month."

We are checking in tomorrow at 5:45 am and his surgery would be around 8:00! Keep praying! We feel them helping already.

The best things last forever.

I have heard my boss say on many occasions, "Good things always come to an end." She said this to me personally when I gave her my two weeks notice. I suppose it is an ending for her, as her steady flow of money from my eyelash extensions will come to an abrupt end. For me, however, it is the start of something great. And I know that it doesn't matter where I am, or even what I am doing, as long as I always keep the relationships I have with the people I love.

I would be lying if I said that Kyle and I have been equally excited about this move. Not because I have had reservations about Utah. I love Utah and I LOVE our family and friends there. However, unlike Kyle, I am leaving a job and coworkers that I have come to love here. Not to mention our ward and friends in Yucaipa. We were both sad to leave them. While I have liked every ward I've been in, I don't know that any will ever compare to this one. They have truly been our family away from family, and as cliche as this sounds, there will always be a special place in my heart for them. These were both on my list of "cons" (yes, we really did make a list), but the #1 is leaving my friend Lindsey.

To say that we "click", or even that she has become one of my best friends is an understatement. She and I use the acronym LYLAS lightly, but I really do love her like a sister. I can be myself around her 100% without worrying what she's going to think of me. While my mom and sister were only a phone call away, Lindsey made up for those times I needed a physical shoulder to cry on about silly things that only girls understand. She makes me laugh without even trying to. She's there when I need someone to watch mindless TV shows like the Bachelor with, and for (many) times I need someone to eat Cafe Rio with. I can admit that I'm too lazy to go to the store and ask for a stick of butter, and she'll give me a whole box. I can rely on her to help me with anything, and believe her when she says she wants to. She truly could not be a better friend and I will miss her and her family more than words can say. But no matter the distance between us, they will always be a huge part of my life. A life that is better with them in it.

The best things in life don't end, because the best things in life are the people we can count on and the experiences and memories we gain because of them. For me, those people are my family and my good friends. While moving was one of the hardest things I have ever done, I know it will be okay because I will always have a part of Yucaipa with me. We have made friendships that will last forever. I also know I will be okay because I have the best darn husband in the whole world and our marriage is going to last an eternity. When I have bad days (and I have had a lot of them lately) I think to myself, "But I have Kyle." It's hard to keep feeling sorry for myself when I remember that I have him forever.

This is old news, but for history's sake I will put it in writing.....

We are moving to Utah!!

(I wrote this before we moved but never posted it)

I like to think that I deal with change well. I've always been the fairly laid-back, go with the flow kinda girl. When I plan on spaghetti for dinner but then realize I have no ground beef in my fridge, I try shredded chicken instead. (Ew.) Or when I go to the pool with friends but forget half of my swim suit, I stop and buy the cheapest one I can find whether it matches or not.

But when my whole world changes in a matter of 3 days, I think I'm entitled to a slight meltdown, yes?

About 2 months ago we put an offer on a house that we were very excited about. It was a short sale, and we were warned it would probably take months to hear anything. I was patient, but eager for an answer. In the meantime, Kyle's boss/good friend/mentor/reason he loved the office left the company, leaving Kyle wondering if he wanted to stay. Realizing it would give us time to make a decision, we decided the waiting process on our house would be a good thing. Surely we wouldn't hear back in just four weeks.

Wrong.

Our realtor called the very next day with "good news" that the bank had accepted our offer. We had to tell her we weren't sure if we wanted it any more, leaving her waiting on us instead.

Our goal has been to move back near family when the opportunity arises, so we decided we better take action. Kyle called the Merrill Lynch office in Salt Lake and asked if he would be able to transfer. They had him fly there a week later to interview. Kyle's family thought he was just there for an appointment, so it was fun to call them later and surprise them with the good news. It is also fun to see my husband so excited. I want him to be happy, and this is definitely where he will be happiest. Don't get me wrong, I am excited! But I'm also overwhelmed. In the same week we turned down the house (really not a big deal, just stressful) and decided to pursue a move to Utah, we found out that my dad's cancer was probably back. That was devastating in itself, but what made it worse was that we didn't know where it was located or how bad. Between that bad news, and packing up and leaving a job, town, and friends that I have come to really love, poor Kyle has had to deal with a pretty emotional wife these last few weeks. I may have had to leave church early one day because I couldn't stop bawling....

As for my dad we finally have results. The cancer is back in his liver, where it was the last time. Although we were hoping for better news, it could have been much worse. We are grateful it is localized in his liver and it looks like they are able to operate. His surgery is set for July 1st at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. I am flying there the 28th and then will be driving to MI with them after. We are praying that the surgery will go well and that they will be able to remove all of it.

As for leaving Cali.....I'm not sure yet how that's going to happen. You know when people ask you what kind of super power you would choose? I used to say that I would want to be able to eat whatever I want without gaining weight. But I have a new one. I wish I could live in three places at once.

:( :(