Sunday, May 31, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Haircut
It's a mess in this photo, but be honest -- short hair or longer? Eric, no need to respond...we all know what you think.
I see in this picture how much I'm starting to look like Mom, especially with my haircut. The funniest thing--for Mother's Day, Mom bought me a Sunday dress and I bought her one, as well. We wore them to church on Sunday and several people commented on how I look like my mom, wearing a collared shirt, and how Mom looked like me with a light, flowy dress. Like mother, like daughter (or vice versa), I guess.
I see in this picture how much I'm starting to look like Mom, especially with my haircut. The funniest thing--for Mother's Day, Mom bought me a Sunday dress and I bought her one, as well. We wore them to church on Sunday and several people commented on how I look like my mom, wearing a collared shirt, and how Mom looked like me with a light, flowy dress. Like mother, like daughter (or vice versa), I guess.
Ready for Summer!
Today was a momentous day! Leyna jumped right into the pool with no flotation devices. Grandma Teri pushed her under the water to pick up some dive toys and...voila....she was transformed into a fish. She figured out how to swim that fast. We're still working on breathing, but she's getting there. You'd be amazed at how long she can hold her breath. She cried when we had to leave the pool and kept telling us over and over how big she is and how she can swim by herself. She was ready last summer to swim on her own, but I admit that I was lazy and dependent on her life jacket.
What a relief to know that all my kids will be pool safe before long! Now those waves at the beach...I don't imagine I'll ever get over the fear of one of them swallowing up my babies.
What a relief to know that all my kids will be pool safe before long! Now those waves at the beach...I don't imagine I'll ever get over the fear of one of them swallowing up my babies.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Hold the Goat
When asked what he learned at church, Gavin said they talked about hold the goat. It took a little bit, but we figured out he was saying the Holy Ghost. He had us giggling all afternoon over that one. Then he came home from preschool so excited to share that he can hoop-a-loop (hula-hoop) all by himself.
You've gotta love toddlers. I never tire of hearing what they have to say!
You've gotta love toddlers. I never tire of hearing what they have to say!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
There's No Place Like Home!
We're taking it one day, or rather, one hour at a time. I wouldn't say I'm experiencing good days yet, but I do have days that are better than others and hours that are great. The 2nd nurse that came in taught Eric how to administer the antibiotics and he's a pro and a natural at this stuff (what a surprise, right? what can't the boy do well?). When he heads out of town, it'll be a bummer but at least I have nursing friends nearby that can help.
When I was in the hospital, I had, at one time, 5 different IVs in my arms, so they decided to access my chemotherapy port-a-cath. The downer news is that we received a call from the hospital a couple night ago and learned that the port-a-cath site somehow got infected itself and has to be removed. So...I'll be driving into Santa Monica again this week to have that removed. And if they decide to do a few more months of chemo in 6-8 weeks time like originally planned, I'll have to go in for yet another outpatient surgery to have another port put in place. Aaargh. Things ARE getting better, though! Don't forget us over here. We need your constant prayers. the Lord IS ALWAYS listening! Let's make so much ruckus from down here that He can't ignore us! :) ha ha
When I was in the hospital, I had, at one time, 5 different IVs in my arms, so they decided to access my chemotherapy port-a-cath. The downer news is that we received a call from the hospital a couple night ago and learned that the port-a-cath site somehow got infected itself and has to be removed. So...I'll be driving into Santa Monica again this week to have that removed. And if they decide to do a few more months of chemo in 6-8 weeks time like originally planned, I'll have to go in for yet another outpatient surgery to have another port put in place. Aaargh. Things ARE getting better, though! Don't forget us over here. We need your constant prayers. the Lord IS ALWAYS listening! Let's make so much ruckus from down here that He can't ignore us! :) ha ha
Back in the Hospital...Again!
This is my liver specialist Dr. Bilchick, and his amazing resident PhD, Dr. Washington. I don't think I could be in better hands.
For those who aren't aware, I had a rough couple weeks after returning home from the liver surgery. We just thought it was a tough recovery I was dealing with until my conditions declined quickly. I slept 20+ hours out of the day, didn't remember having conversations with people, and because I got back into a lethargic/non-appetite state, symptom upon symptom stacked up. One doctor prescribed an antibiotic that didn't do anything. My body was constantly experiencing severe chills one minute, then super hot flashes the next. I started coughing a lot. Finally, Eric, Mom & Kim decided to get me to the ER. So back to Cedars Sinai I went. We checked in at 10 am, got a CAT scan that reflected I had pneumonia and two infected abscesses that needed to be drained. My doctor was currently flying home from the east coast, so I never expected to see him, so when he came sliding in from behind the curtain like a magician late that night, I was so impressed(yet sorry for his poor family that was without him).
Due to the hour, I was sent to a room in ICU and given transfusions all through the night, then went in for a torturous procedure at 8 am the next morning. I was in just so much pain which made it difficult to hold still for them to poke and prod me on the small little table.
I stayed a couple days in ICU before going back to the oncology ward on the 8th floor where I remained in the hospital for a week and a half. During that time, I had to experience three paracentesis procedures where they numb with me lidocaine then stick a giant tube in my stomach and suction out the fluid on my abdomen that continues to build up such a significant amount of pressure and had me looking as though I was due to have a baby any day. Finally, it just got to the point that the infections were going to require weeks of IV antibiotics and I was miserable in the hospital. Dr. Bilchick thought it best to release me to my family and have a nurse come in to administer any help I might need. What a blessing that day was!
I did have fun rekindling friendships with the staff from a couple weeks prior and sneaking out to the mall with mom and walking the streets from time to time (a girl's just got to get some fresh air and a change of scenery). If I never go back again, however, that'll be fine by me!
For those who aren't aware, I had a rough couple weeks after returning home from the liver surgery. We just thought it was a tough recovery I was dealing with until my conditions declined quickly. I slept 20+ hours out of the day, didn't remember having conversations with people, and because I got back into a lethargic/non-appetite state, symptom upon symptom stacked up. One doctor prescribed an antibiotic that didn't do anything. My body was constantly experiencing severe chills one minute, then super hot flashes the next. I started coughing a lot. Finally, Eric, Mom & Kim decided to get me to the ER. So back to Cedars Sinai I went. We checked in at 10 am, got a CAT scan that reflected I had pneumonia and two infected abscesses that needed to be drained. My doctor was currently flying home from the east coast, so I never expected to see him, so when he came sliding in from behind the curtain like a magician late that night, I was so impressed(yet sorry for his poor family that was without him).
Due to the hour, I was sent to a room in ICU and given transfusions all through the night, then went in for a torturous procedure at 8 am the next morning. I was in just so much pain which made it difficult to hold still for them to poke and prod me on the small little table.
I stayed a couple days in ICU before going back to the oncology ward on the 8th floor where I remained in the hospital for a week and a half. During that time, I had to experience three paracentesis procedures where they numb with me lidocaine then stick a giant tube in my stomach and suction out the fluid on my abdomen that continues to build up such a significant amount of pressure and had me looking as though I was due to have a baby any day. Finally, it just got to the point that the infections were going to require weeks of IV antibiotics and I was miserable in the hospital. Dr. Bilchick thought it best to release me to my family and have a nurse come in to administer any help I might need. What a blessing that day was!
I did have fun rekindling friendships with the staff from a couple weeks prior and sneaking out to the mall with mom and walking the streets from time to time (a girl's just got to get some fresh air and a change of scenery). If I never go back again, however, that'll be fine by me!
Friday, April 24, 2009
Post Op Update
Well, I'm finally getting around to updating you all on my condition and surgery experience -- thanks to good 'ol pain meds. First off, Cedars Sinai Hospital was amazing. I loved the staff, who proved to be my biggest advocates, helping me in more ways than I'd even ask for. Here are a few of my nurses. I wish I had a snapshot of my Drs. Bilchick, Washington, & Green. I knew I was I was in good hands. 
What was expected to be a 4 hour surgery resulted in 7 hours. My blood counts were dangerously low and they couldn't even begin until I had had 6 transfusions: 4 units of red blood cells, 2 units of a clotting agent, and 1 unit of platelets. (each unit equals about 1 liter). When all was said and done, Dr. Bilchick had removed my gallbladder and 40% of my liver -- 11 tumors ranging in size of 0.2-5.0 cm. Most of the tumors were already dead or in the process of dying. We don't know for sure if I'm cancer free at this point, but Doc says he removed all that he could see, trying to be very aggressive. In fact, he wondered if he was too aggressive, given my blood counts. The day I was released (Apr. 20th) he admitted that he was scared he had done too much. My counts weren't back to normal, but I was improving faster than they expected.
I spent 3 days in ICU and 4 days on the 8th floor.
And here I am, 5 days at home post-op. Eric can't believe I'm posting these photos. Not a pretty sight. I've been pretty miserable. It seems that hot baths are my only reprieve from the pain for a short while. I was grateful for several hours of feeling good last night to attend the derby races. You can see from the photos that I'm still pretty swollen, though the edema has gone down considerably. My main focus now is to control the draining that continues to seep from my incision. I'm soaking through towels within no time at all. On that note, I'm grateful that Doc was able to use my same incision from my 1st surgery.
Thanks to Kim, Tiff, Mom & Eric for your visits that brightened my days in there. Thanks to all the young women leaders who continue to step up and keep the program running in my absence. Thanks to all those who have blessed our family with meals, love & support. I love you!!!
What was expected to be a 4 hour surgery resulted in 7 hours. My blood counts were dangerously low and they couldn't even begin until I had had 6 transfusions: 4 units of red blood cells, 2 units of a clotting agent, and 1 unit of platelets. (each unit equals about 1 liter). When all was said and done, Dr. Bilchick had removed my gallbladder and 40% of my liver -- 11 tumors ranging in size of 0.2-5.0 cm. Most of the tumors were already dead or in the process of dying. We don't know for sure if I'm cancer free at this point, but Doc says he removed all that he could see, trying to be very aggressive. In fact, he wondered if he was too aggressive, given my blood counts. The day I was released (Apr. 20th) he admitted that he was scared he had done too much. My counts weren't back to normal, but I was improving faster than they expected.
I spent 3 days in ICU and 4 days on the 8th floor.
And here I am, 5 days at home post-op. Eric can't believe I'm posting these photos. Not a pretty sight. I've been pretty miserable. It seems that hot baths are my only reprieve from the pain for a short while. I was grateful for several hours of feeling good last night to attend the derby races. You can see from the photos that I'm still pretty swollen, though the edema has gone down considerably. My main focus now is to control the draining that continues to seep from my incision. I'm soaking through towels within no time at all. On that note, I'm grateful that Doc was able to use my same incision from my 1st surgery.
Thanks to Kim, Tiff, Mom & Eric for your visits that brightened my days in there. Thanks to all the young women leaders who continue to step up and keep the program running in my absence. Thanks to all those who have blessed our family with meals, love & support. I love you!!!
Pine Wood Derby
Kade and Eric spent a couple days working together on a pine wood derby car, and it appears their work paid off. Kaden's car (The Orange Crush) took 3rd place. We're looking forward to next Saturday when the top 5 placers from every troop will compete in a massive derby race at the Ronald Reagan Library. It's fun to see all the different types of cars people create. 
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Leyna is 3!
Now celebrating three fun-filled years with Leyna! Because she's obsessed with dogs, we made a trip to the good 'ol $3 theaters to watch "Hotel for Dogs." Cute movie. Saturday was spent at the Santa Barbara zoo with the family and Leyna's sweet friend, Chloe. Here's a glimpse of our day.
The Penguins were so loud! Must have been the males trying to get attention. :)
The Penguins were so loud! Must have been the males trying to get attention. :)
Happy Easter from the Stephens
Check out what we found in our Easter Egg Hunt! Four adorable children!
I wanted to get some pictures before the boys went off to Arizona (or Hairizona as Gavin says) this morning to spend the week with the Wilcock family. I hate our family being separated, especially when I'm lonely in the hospital, but the kids are going to have a blast with their cousins. And Kami and Leyna are expecting to have a great time with Grandma & Grandpa Stephen.
I wanted to get some pictures before the boys went off to Arizona (or Hairizona as Gavin says) this morning to spend the week with the Wilcock family. I hate our family being separated, especially when I'm lonely in the hospital, but the kids are going to have a blast with their cousins. And Kami and Leyna are expecting to have a great time with Grandma & Grandpa Stephen.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Happy 3rd Birthday, Leyna!
In lieu of Leyna's 3rd birthday, we took her to see "Hotel for Dogs" which was a perfect choice given her obsession with dogs of all kinds. On Saturday, we brought along Leyna's adorable friend, Chloe, to join us for a day at the Santa Barbara Zoo. Everyone seemed to love it, especially the "ant hill" playground where they had fun sliding down the hill again and again. 
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining...
This is an image Eric caught last night during his bike ride up Mulholland Dr. Aren't rainbows one of the coolest of God's creations?
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Kami's Birthday
Today we're celebrating 7 years of Kambria's life! She's brought a great deal of laughter, fashion, style, and love to our family. Because Kami loves to be the center of attention and receiving gifts, I think it's appropriate to say that for her 7th birthday she was in 7th Heaven!
This wasn't supposed to be a birthday party year, but I told Kami she could invite a couple friends over to spend the night. Somehow that evolved into bowling, a movie, sleepover, a pinata, and swimming -- sounds like a party to me! We've had a great time!
This wasn't supposed to be a birthday party year, but I told Kami she could invite a couple friends over to spend the night. Somehow that evolved into bowling, a movie, sleepover, a pinata, and swimming -- sounds like a party to me! We've had a great time!
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