A Halloween BBQ?

Don't they look delicious?

Soggy San Diego!

As much as we always need rain, I think 2.5 weeks is enough! The sun was out yesterday so I was hopeful we would see it today - we did...for about 15 minutes! Everything should grow rapidly when it decides to be sunny again. The guys did manage to mow the pasture out back as the dogs were starting to disappear it was so high.

Yesterday Kelleigh and I needed to make a stop for some new undergarments for her and she has been wanting and wanting a plaid skirt and fishnet tights. Where she saw this combo to be so locked onto it I don't know! So, once we got the items we needed, she was a woman on a mission. To her credit she found this skirt on sale but the tights more than made up for the savings! She has quite a figure so did look cute in the outfit which had to be worn to school today. It's always an experience shopping with her as some of the things she gravitates to are...let's just say...interesting!

We just returned from a conference with her teacher that she has for two classes. Turns out that she has done the assignments that weren't turned in so now she's to find them so she'll get at least 1/2 credit and get it up to a high B in hopes of turning that into an A. Doing the work and not turning it in is a concept that escapes me... She and Connor both get out at noon every day this week so teachers can hold conferences...lovely.

Saw Ryan this weekend and he's doing better. Still has some consequences for his 'escape conspiracy idea' but overall much more committed to the program. All the boys were going to a Halloween Party that all the young people AA meetings attend at the Crystal Cathedral. It was like watching a group of little kids at Christmas as they all talked about what they were wearing, if they were going to ask a girl to dance, etc. Haven't heard any details of it yet but am sure we will! He has lost a lot of weight and looked really good. I asked him to get a haircut before Saturday so I can take him to get a picture taken for his "junior year picture" as the school doesn't do it.

Kelleigh and I watched "Letters from Julliett" while the guys were at the football game Friday night. If you haven't seen it, it's worth renting but definitely a chick flick!

Great news

Just talked to Dad as he had his post-op appointment this morning. There was cancer in the bladder lining and they will do the BCG treatment beginning the end of November followed by exams every three months. Great news!


BCG for Bladder Cancer Treatment: An Overview

Biological treatment for bladder cancer uses the body's immune system to fight cancer. This is also called biotherapy or immunotherapy. This form of treatment is most often used after transurethral resection (TUR) for superficial bladder cancer. This helps prevent the cancer from coming back.

The doctor may use intravesical biological therapy with bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) solution. This solution contains live, weakened bacteria that stimulate the immune system to kill cancer cells in the bladder. The doctor will use a catheter (a thin, flexible tube) to put the solution in the bladder, and the patient will need to hold the solution in the bladder for about two hours. BCG bladder cancer treatment is usually done once a week for six weeks.

Some "Pinkish" Kids!

Today was Breast Cancer Awareness day at the kid's school so the students were to dress in pink. Took a few stops but we were finally able to find some pink hair spray too!

Dad update - His surgery went well yesterday. The mass in the bladder was malignant so next week they will find out to what extent to see what treatment will follow. The doctor was kind enough to also break up the kidney stone so a second surgery wouldn't be needed. He is sore but doing well. Pray for good news from the pathology report.

Halloween arm

Kelleigh's lovely Halloween cast...

Another new addition

Mark has a new car! Yes...after 12 years he has succumbed to new technology and today a 2010 Prius was delivered (after much ado at the dealership) with all the gadgets. It had just been driven off the truck so doesn't get much newer than that. The 51 mpg will help offset my Escalade's mileage!

Below is my "Cal" boy who had a wonderful time in Berkeley...

Medical updates:

Dad will have surgery on Thursday for a mass in his bladder which originally they thought was a blood clot. Once the pathology report comes back, they will proceed as appropriate. They are not doing anything for the kidney stones at the moment. I thought it would be nice to at least break them up while he was knocked out!

Kelleigh is now sporting a new Halloween cast - orange with black stripes. Lovely. I am so delighted to look at it for another 4 weeks. They still can't determine if her wrist is broken/fractured/whatever but since she is still in pain with it, another cast was needed.

Think that's enough excitement for one day! Did get a call a few minutes ago from Ryan and he reported that he'd had a good day and was feeling better. Since he's never called this late before I was almost afraid to answer the phone... :)

Weekend update

Dad update - he is home and will see a specialist tomorrow as they also found blood in his prostrate. He is quite upset and chances are great he will be hospitalized tomorrow. Please keep him in your prayers.

Ryan update - just finished an emotional conversation with him and he's a much humbler child. I guess three days of solitude and reflection gives you plenty of opportunity to think about right versus wrong. All I can do is hope he learns from it and is more commited as a result.

An Up and Down Weekend

Wow - where do I start?

My Dad is in the ER as I write as he has a blood clot in his bladder and another kidney stone. Very upsetting news. Am waiting on call back from Mom as to what the next step is. The man definitely deserves a break.

Friday Mark and Connor left for their weekend adventure in Berkeley. Given Connor's excitement level for weeks, I wasn't sure he would make it until the day of departure! He did and they left arriving in Berkeley near midnight. They met longtime friends for the Cal vs UCLA game on a beautiful day in the Bay Area. Ate at all the old haunts and enjoyed watching Cal win easily over their rivals. No doubt Connor will be talking about this for days on end. Assuming they took pictures, I will post them when they get home later today. While the boys were away, "the girls" enjoyed an incredibly delicious dinner and evening with friends. It was great!

I didn't go see Ryan yesterday as he's in a lot of trouble and wouldn't have been able to visit with me. We found out Thursday night that he and three other boys were scheming to run away. While it was a hair-brained idea which wouldn't have worked, it was a scheme nonetheless and one that needed dealth with. The two older boys got moved to other houses within the program; Ryan has restrictions and 50K words to write which will keep him busy through tomorrow at least. To add to the drama, one of the boy's family is a friend of ours and he chose to run away. While his departure was short lived, it was upsetting. He did return to the house thanks to the incredible strength his mom showed by telling him she wouldn't come get him or support his decision hence he was on his own if that was his decision. I was sooo proud of her. Ryan will be allowed to call when he's finished his words at which point I will remind him of the privilege and opportunity he's been given and stop with the nonsense.

So...since I wasn't going to see him I painted a bedroom which I'd gotten new bedding for and am thrilled with the end result. Now to clean up the paint supplies, etc....ugh...

Mark is off tomorrow but the kids aren't. Weather is absolutely beautiful so hope to enjoy it a little after a trip to the grocery store. Hope your weekend has been enjoyable.

p.s. Below is a gorgeous Fall arrangement Blanche made - she is so amazing.

October already?

Wow - where did September go? While I'm ready for the Fall season, I am so NOT ready for the holiday season! I saw Ryan on Saturday and he's continuing to do well. All the boys got a flu shot and some weren't feeling so good yesterday as a result. Between the extreme heat and sudden chill, two of them have pneumonia so I reminded him about taking care of himself. All the boys (who were well enough!) went to a hockey game between the Ducks and Red Wings last night. Was the first time he'd seen a hockey game live and he really liked it although seemed surprised at the fact there was a fight! He also began school last week so does work for that daily and meets with the teacher each Thursday.

We enjoyed a little bit of rain today and much cooler weather. Was nice for a change. Mark has a cold which is bad timing since he and Connor are driving up to Berkeley Friday after school for the Cal homecoming game on Saturday. He's been winded a lot lately so had an EKG and was scheduled for a stress test to determine if it's a heart or lung issue. It's certainly not due to lack of cardio workouts as I've never met anyone more fanatical about his workouts!

Tomorrow Shuttermart is installing the shutters for the two bedrooms on the front of the house. Saturday my plan is to paint the small bedroom to match some new bedding I'd ordered. Then we are done for a long time on home improvements!