The beginning

These past few years have brought such joy and enlightenment....and now seems like the perfect time to reflect on all the blessings in our lives both big and small. Almost two years ago, we welcomed our little guy, Jack, and life has never been the same....thankfully!! The birth of a healthy baby still amazes me everyday and I couldn't be more thankful to share in raising our spirited and wild little boy. About a year and half ago, I was diagnosed with a cavernous angioma in my brain. One would not think that finding a mass in your brain could be a good thing, but in a strange sort of a way it has been. While I do sometimes wonder what life would hold if this little monster was not in my head... that is not the reality that is our life. This "thing" IS in my brain...that's what we do know and coming to terms with that has been a process. Thankfully we found it before it caused catastrophic deficits. Also, thankfully there is only one (some people that have the genetic form of this condition have many). After many doctors' visits, medical test after test,  countless hours of research, sleepless nights, days of crying, laughing, and everything in between.....my cavernous angioma is coming out on December 10th. This has been the most difficult decision in my life. Trying to evaluate the pros and cons of something that is surrounded by such uncertainty has proved to be an arduous task, especially when major brain surgery or "watching-n-waiting" are the only two options for this condition. While we having tried "watching-n-waiting" it has become clear along the way that that option is no longer an option for me. My cavernous angioma has been growing and bleeding for the year and a half we've been following it, and now is the time to reclaim my life before it's too late.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving this year, my gratitude for the simple things is magnified times a million....and for that I am thankful! We will be celebrating all the blessings in our lives today and everyday!!! Happy Thanksgiving!