Wow you guys! Thank you for all the donations, public or anonymous, the Amazon packages that continue to show up, the letters and cards in the mail, the gift bags, all of it!! The amount of support continues to astonish us and we feel so much love in this time of chaos. Bradley, Paisley, the boys, and myself appreciate each and every one of you!

Our hospital stay was rough and full of all kinds of things that I'll spare you the detail of. Just know that mommy handled it. 😅 Paisley had many reactions to many of the meds they tried to put her on. We got her off all that and once she was only on "home meds" and was showing signs of being down and depressed, I made the decision to bring her home yesterday afternoon. (April 28, 2024). She was sleeping all day, wanted the room dark, felt nauseous, crying with head pain, no TVs or lights could be on and was just miserable. Not to mention, they had maxed out her dosage of Tylenol and Ibuprofen for THE DAY by 5pm!!! 

I can't remember if I mentioned before but she had not had a bowel movement since before surgery. (I wouldn't either if they kept shoving strong meds in me...) But as soon as we were home, and I mean AS SOON as we were home, she went to the bathroom and was able to pass stool normally. (I've never been so excited about my kid pooping! 😂

She took less than half the dose of Ibuprofen that they were giving her at the hospital and went to sleep. Against some people's suggestions, I did not wake her to have a dose in the middle of the night. I let her rest. She woke up this morning and said her head hurt but no tears or major signs of pain. I gave her less than half the dose of Tylenol they were giving her. She ate breakfast like she hasn't eaten in days. She sat up and was watching some TV with the blinds open. She has been moving around the house and out of bed. Even asked if she could go gather the eggs from the chickens. She took some medicine at lunch as scheduled without asking before because of pain. She ate 2 whole sandwiches for lunch and has already asked for a snack by 3:30pm! I pray we have many many more days like today! My baby just needed to be home.

We have an appointment with the oncologist on Wednesday to explain the biopsy results with her and talk more in detail about her treatment options. I am also going to discuss the possibility of returning to school, even if it's half days, with them and see what we can do to get her mental health where it needs to be while we work on her physical health as well. She misses her friends and teachers! I've been told some of you are reaching out to the school trying to show support as well. We appreciate it! 

As of right now, we have a few activities that friends and family are working on. A golf tournament, a benefit pageant, some t-shirts, a fundraiser at a family member's work in SC, and I think I'm missing one... if I am, I apologize! Can't imagine why I'm scatter brained. 🤪 I will let you guys know more when I have finalized details. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions and feels lead to do something, just let me know via text, email, or FB. 

I've had some questions asked and I'm going to try to address them all but if I miss yours I'm sorry. So with the surgery, yes we done a biopsy but we also done a "debulking" which means that they took part of the tumor out. Approximately 1/3 to 1/2 of the tumor was removed. The surgeon said he didn't have an explanation for how she wasn't severely sick with hydrocephalus. I do! My God is a Mighty God! We will not be able to surgically remove the entire tumor, ever. There is no way to know where the tumor ends and her vision begins. So hopefully this will be the only brain surgery she has. Her incision looks great! No swelling, pulling, redness, or even bleeding. The hair is growing back so quickly. It's healing fantastically! OH! And thank you to whoever anonymously sent the headbands! They helped with holding her hair back during the nausea and I think they will help to cover part of her incision scar. For those asking about the cancer ribbon colors.. Gold is pediatric cancer and Grey is brain cancer. I also just learned that May is brain cancer awareness month! 💛🩶

I plan to make another update sometime Wednesday or Thursday to share some treatment ideas with you guys and any other information I have gathered or forgotten now. I know this was a lot so thank you to all who stuck through it! 

We love you guys, we appreciate all the love and support and prayers, we feel the power of the village! We serve a God who has blessed us even in this difficult valley. Let's pray for healing, understanding, guidance, and strength. It's been tough having our family spilt into 2-3 different places. One day at a time. We will get through it. 

Thank you guys! God Bless! 🙏🏻