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Surgery

On Tuesday we left at 7am to get to Jefferson Hospital for my surgery. We waited until about 11am and then were called back. I changed into a heavy paper-like gown and then wheeled on a bed to the holding area. Before getting wheeled to the holding area, I said my goodbyes to Denver. In the holding area, I talked with my Dr. (Dr. Cognetti) and the residents that were going to be helping him and I met with the plastic surgeon. (Dr. Heffelfinger). Everyone was so nice and made me feel comfortable and safe. I also met with the anesthesiologist. He was my favorite. I really liked him.

Then I was wheeled into a very cold room. The had me move from my bed to a very skinny bed. I couldn't lay my arm to the side of me because there was no bed so I had to lay it on top of me. They prepped me with all the ansthesia stuff and then I went to sleep. Next thing I knew I was in another holding area and they were giving me a drink of water. My mouth and throat and lips were extremely dry. My head was bandaged and I was very groggy. The small amount of water that I drank made me a little nauseous. I found out that the surgery started at 1 pm and was done by 5:30 pm. The tumor was very big, 5 centimeters, but they were able to get it out in one piece, which is a good thing. The Dr. said he had never seen a case like mine because the nerves were crossed and one was folded over. You'll have to ask Denver more of the details because he talked with the Dr. more. I was kept in the other holding area until about 8:30pm and then they wheeled me to my recovery room where Denver was waiting for me.

The hospital was so full we had to share a room with someone. We got the bad side of the room. The lady next to me was waiting to have surgery because she had pain in her gall bladder/pancreas. At about midnight, the new nurse on schedule told Denver he had to leave because we were in a shared room and it was hospital policy. This was right when he was helping me pump. I, not knowing he couldn't stay with me all night, got really emotional. I couldn't pump on my own and didn't want the nurses to help throughout the night and was scared and in pain. The lady next to us was very nice and told the nurse she didn't mind if he stayed. The nurse went to ask and came back and said he could stay if our neighbor lady truly didn't mind. I was so grateful for her! So, he stayed. In the morning, the Dr. and residents came in to look at the swelling and to take out the drain (that HURT!). We were discharged early, around 10am. I still hadn't eaten since 10pm the night before the surgery so I was pretty weak. They brought me breakfast of cold scrambled eggs, a piece of toast, milk, OJ, and coffee. I tried to eat, but it hurt me to chew so I drank the milk and some of the OJ.

When I got home, my mom and Denver took good care of me. I got some yogurt I could drink down, some soup and a milkshake. I've been laying in bed, hoping that I'll heal quickly. I have more anxiety than anything. I have staples in my head at the beginning of the incision and at the end that I am nervous about getting removed. I have a lot of soreness and throbbing.

Thanks to everyone for your prayers and fasting. It was very appreciated and I know I've been blessed by them.
This first picture is a picture of the size of the tumor. Dr. Cognetti took an actual picture of the tumor once it was removed so hopefully we can get a copy of it at my post-op appointment.

Right after I was wheeled to my recovery room.

My hair was all matted with blood and other stuff. Ignore the hair-do. Here you can see where the incision was made. It also went up and behind my ear into my hairline. The plastic surgeon did a good job and i will be left with minimal scarring once all is said and done.

Nov. 5

I wanted to post yesterday, but I didn't have any time to do it. From 7 am to 9:30pm I was home maybe 2 hours. Yesterday was a day of Dr. appointments, remembering Shelley, learning our future, and YW in excellence.

I left really early to get to Center city for my multiple Dr. appts. Because the buses and subway (Septa) are on strike, traffic was much worse than normal and parking was crazy, so I left at 7:30am, 1 1/2 hours before my first appointment. I got there in 1 hour 15 minutes. Crazy traffic! My first appointment was my MRI.

I had to lay on a table/bed thing like this: and was rolled in the tube, just to my shoulders, and was told to lay still for 40+ minutes! That's a long time! While in the tube, I heard a ton of banging noises. It sounded like someone was hammering all around me and then I heard sounds like machine guns going off all around me. It was loud and constant, even with the big headphones they had me wear. I thought for sure I was going to get a headache. I also had an IV so they could pump some GAD (contrast) in me for better pictures :).

Then I walked a couple blocks to my next appointment with the Otolaryngologist. He showed me the picture of the MRI and said the tumor was big. There is a higher chance of recurrence for me because of it's size. It's 'to the limits' meaning when they remove it, they can't take extra tissue around the area to lessen the chance of it coming back, so the chances are going to be greater.

After that, I went to my pre-admission testing. There I got paperwork to do my will (nice huh? Oh, you're having surgery? Fill out this will.) Then I met with 2 nurses, nurse practitioner, and an anesthesiologist, all at different times. It took forever. I was able to ask all my questions and get everything done and ready for surgery. Finally I was done and headed home. I got home around 3:30pm and was very tired.

Nov. 5 was also a day to remember Shelley. when thinking of her, I think of the plan of salvation and am grateful for our Savior and what he did for each of us. I am grateful for the gospel and that my parents were sealed in the temple. What a blessing to know that death is NOT the end.

Yesterday was a day we found out where we are going to move, come May or June.

Just a few great things about Scott AFB area:

It is 4 hours East of Indepence Jail, Adam-Ondi-Ahman, and Far west:

It is 3 hours South of Nauvoo, Illinois:

and There is a temple close by in St. Louis, Missouri:

Is that a good enough plug to get some visitors?!?!

We are really excited to be moving to that area! We're ready for new adventures.

Last night was one of the special activities we have for the Young Women. It was our Evening In Excellence. Although I was exhausted, it was a really great night. The speakers and musical number were amazing! It's fun to watch the girls get up in front of everyone and share their experiences in making their projects. I've been to 4 Eve. in Excellences with these girls and I have to say that Javon Lee has changed the most. At my 1st eve. in excellence you couldn't get her to stand up and say anything about herself or project. Last night my jaw almost dropped when she didn't even complain about getting up and talking in front of a crowd. She actually seemed excited to do it. She has come a long way.

Our Destination

We got accepted into the AEGD program through the Air force and this is where we are going: Scott AFB in Illinois, near St. Louis Missouri

Pre-Halloween fun

Why is it that this time of year flies by? It's already Halloween! Some of the funnest things about Holidays is doing the activities beforehand. For FHE we carved pumpkins. Instead of carving the kids pumpkins, we let them draw on them. They were happy with that idea.

This is our pumpkin

All the pumpkins: Garrett, parents, Maelie, Sterling

Also, Maelie had picture day at school. Of course when one gets their picture taken, they all want their pictures taken.

4 cute kids, all in a row.

And a tired Daddy and baby.

Thursday we had a Ward Halloween party! The kids costumes. Sterling: Sylvester the cat Garrett: a Ninja Maelie: A fairy.

And the cream on top : A Woopie cushion. "Ooops"

At the Party, there was a cake decorating contest and my Halloween train took first place! I decided to make a cake about noon the same day of the party.

Colson with the prize we won for the cake. It's bigger than him!

Fun Pre-Halloween stuff!

My view from the hospital. It was beautiful! I was lucky to have such a view. I loved watching the sunrise in the morning and set in the evening through my big window. Leaving the Hospital. I've never actually walked out of the Hospital. they've always wheeled me in a wheelchair, but I walked this time. It was nice.

In the car seat for the first time. He likes his car seat.

At home, eyes wide open.

Introducing...

...Colson Brant Palmer 6 lbs. 12oz.

On the morning of October 9th we woke up and got ready to go to the hospital to be induced. This is the prego picture right before we left.

Waiting in the bed for things to progress. Still smiling.

They started the petocin at around 8:30am at a very slow level. I was GBS+ so they had to start the IV and get the stuff pumped into me before. At around 11:30 my water broke. I got an epidural at around 12:30 and pushed him out in 3 contractions and Colson was born at 1:16pm. We've never had a day baby! They've all been born in the early morning. Thanks to all those who watched our kids throughout the day.

The kids came to visit around 7pm and to meet their new brother. She looks like a pro.

Garrett was very sensitive to Colson.

Sterling hadn't had a nap all day so he was tired and wasn't so sure about Colson. He just wanted to be with mom and touch EVERYTHING in the hospital room. He also tried to escape our room a few times.

A mother of four!

A very proud daddy! He is so great with the kids and I look forward to watching him hold and love Colson.

So far he seems pretty mellow. He loves to suck on his hands and on day one found his thumb! Incredible! We'll be working on the binky alot. He's a good eater and already so much fun! I would have to say he looks most like Sterling, but that could change.

We feel so blessed to have a healthy little boy. It is such a miracle!

Update

So now that summer is over and vacations are over, my vacation from blogging is over too. Now I am up to date.

Sterling is as cute as ever. In this picture he is trying on his daddy's shoes. He loves to play with cars, color, and jump on the trampoline (if he is jumping by himself). He talks more than he used to, but still not a ton. He loves to play with Maelie and Garrett. He loves to tackle Dad. He likes to open the hymn book and sing. He is in the bottom bunk now and Garrett is on the top. He transitioned really well to a 'big boy' bed. Garrett is doing preschool at home with me. He loves it. At first I was worried he wouldn't really care about it, but he does it willingly and for a couple hours 2 or 3 days a week. He loves to show Denver what he did at "school". He loves puzzles and cars. He plays with Sterling while Maelie's at school, but once she gets home, he just wants to play with her. He makes his bed every morning and he is the best little cleaner.

Maelie loves her teacher and loves first grade. She is at school from 8:30 to 3 so I don't get to see her much during the day. She comes home, does her homework, and then plays with her brothers. She loves to read to Garrett and Sterling. She is a huge help to me when she is at home and she is so excited to for the baby. She will share a room with the baby after he is 2 months old.

I am ready to deliver any day now. I'm hoping because I went early with my other 3, I will go early with #4. I think the odds are in my favor, but who knows. This baby is a kicker and usually kicks the hardest from midnight to 2 or 3am so we will see the schedule he's on when born.


Denver is doing good in school. He has some classes, but most of his time spent at school now is in the clinic. He has been working hard on getting his requirements done. He is training for the Richmond, VA marathon which he will run in November. He is excited for the cold weather to come.

All of us are excited for the Fall here. It is my favorite time of year in the East. I love Fall and will really miss it when we move. We will find out where we will be moving after graduation in November or December. We'll keep you posted.

first day of school

First day of 1st grade...

and first day of Senior year! Both Maelie and Denver started their first days of school on Sept. 8th. The night before school started Maelie was up till 11pm because she couldn't sleep. I think she was too excited to sleep.

Outer Banks, North Carolina

Our last trip of the summer was going to OBX, NC. We rented a house on the beach with 5 other families. We each had our own bedroom and bathroom in the house. It was such a fun trip. Our first touristy stop was the Bodie lighthouse.

This lighthouse was not open to go inside so we just admired it from the outside.

The Cape Hatteras lighthouse, however, was open to the public. We were able to go inside and climb 257 stairs to the top. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to do it so pregnant, but I really wanted to go in a lighthouse and get to the top, so I went for it and I made it! It was so nice to be at the top of a lighthouse. The scenery around was beautiful! Maelie was tall enough to go so she went up with us. The boys weren't tall enough so they stayed below with some friends.

The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.

Sterling had his birthday while we were there. In fact, 4 kids had their birthdays while we were there so we had lots of birthday desserts!

Sterling's farm cake:

Enjoying the beach.

We had a date babysitting swap while we were there. 3 couples go out while 3 babysat and vise versa. For our date we went fishing in the ocean. It was a different kind of fishing from the lake and the waves were rough, but we really had fun. I caught a huge crab, but didn't want it to snap at me so I shook it off my hook before I brought it all the way up. Unfortunately we didn't have our camera on our date, so no pics.

While we babysat the kids played pin the treasure chest on the "X"

We went crabbing one of the days with the park ranger at the Bodie lighthouse. We caught a lot of crab...

...took the biggest ones to the beach house with us and...

...played with them and...

...cooked and ate them.


Our family at the beach

Our group at the beach. (left to right) McGowans, Farnsworths, Rogers, us, Stevens, and Dobsons.

One evening after the kids were in bed, we went to a 50% off store and each got the same shirt. It was tons of fun.

On the way out, we took a group picture outside the house.

We had a ball!

Before we headed home, our family stopped to take another look at the Wright Brothers monument.

A view of the Atlantic ocean from the monument.

A replica of the plane.

We also went to take a quick look and have a little fun at the sand dunes.