Summer Loves

Despite the fact that my family is going through a lot right now, I definitely feel God's blessings in my life at the moment.

1. I have a job that I absolutely love. It is pretty flexible about the hours/days I work so I'm able to take some down time and visit home a lot more than I did last summer.
2. The best boyfriend in the world. I bet you think yours is pretty cool, but I've got 'em beat. He is so supportive when I need it, silly when I need it and always loving. Things are great in that department. That's one of the most constant things in my life.
3. Money! I think this might be the first time I've ever felt blessed to have money, but it's happening. I get paid for Spring Sing this week (long time comin, right?) and I've been waiting for this moment since I basically became director. I'm making money at my internship and hope to save it and not go too crazy this summer. I'm dying to buy a really nice Canon camera (like a profesh one), but sadly I'll have to stop myself. It will come someday.
4. Health. Other than being the usual tired college student, my health is pretty good. I've been trying to get outside more (for the exercise and vitamin D) and sleeping more. When I was home I saw my neurologist for a check up and they did some blood work. Everything is doing fine and my kidney function is normal for being on this medicine. No seizures since last August. The doctor said that it's highly likely that if I don't have one in the first year then I won't have one again! Yay!
5. Friends. Man, I've got some fabulous friends. Like in abundance. I'm a lucky girl. I wish some were still in the area, but that's life in the summertime.

Secret: I really wish I was a witty blogger. When I try to be funny, or tell stories, or be charming it usually ends up disastrous. I'm sorry if you've been a victim. Maybe it's something you develop out of life experience, but I sure need some. Maybe I'll post weekly secrets like Post Secret. We'll see how ballsy I feel.

And to close, a peek of my room when I moved in. It's been hard finding time to organize and decorate, but she's coming along. Maybe I'll post more when I get there.

Flash Forward

Since school let out my life has been complete nuts! There's been something different everyday or every week and it's just never ending.

Although, there have been some happy moments. I guess I can't complain about my life that much.

Last weekend I witnessed one of my best friends get married! It was one of the most beautiful weddings I've ever been to! The reception was totally fun and we all had a great time dancing around with our friends. For once I wasn't that conscious of looking like a total idiot on the dance floor. I guess cause about 85% of those people I will never see again, so there's some incentive.

Precious newlyweds.

After the wedding we headed home from Denton on Sunday. The drive which normally takes about 3 hours ended up taking 6 thanks to the stormpocalypse moving in. We had to take shelter at Stephanie's house in Moore and wait out the storm. Then on the way home we got stuck on the highway for what felt like an eternity.

The reason we were stuck for so long - hail clogged the drain systems.

This week, I also started my new job! I'm a PR intern at the Oklahoma Dental Foundation!!! I love it so far, even though I've only worked 3 days. The people there are really nice, and my boss went shopping with me for desk supplies! So fun!

The last bit of good news; my dad.

As you read in my last blog post, my dad was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer. Since I found out I visited him at home and it was so great to see him. He has definitely lost some weight, but is still feeling strong and has gained some of it back already.

While I was in town the doctor's did a liver biopsy (they noticed some spots on a previous scan) and a brain and bone scan to see if any other places on his body had cancer.

I'm happy to report the results of both tests were as good as they could have been! The biopsy said that he did have some cancer spots in his liver, but that it was the same kind as his colon so the chemo should respond better to it. The other news is that he doesn't have cancer any other place in his body!!

Now that his medical team has this information they can start a treatment plan. He begins chemo on Monday, so please continue to lift up my dad in your prayers. They have been working, but we need your continued blessings.

My dad has been remaining strong and while his cough probably won't go away for some time, his spirits are still high and he believes that he can fight this disease.

I love my dad so much and watching KP get married last weekend gave me a reality check; her dad walking her down the aisle, dancing with him at the reception - it all felt like it could be taken away from me. I know I sound selfish, but I can't help but feel that way. He's my dad. I want those moments with him.

I'm planning to go home next weekend for a visit and I hope he's feeling up for company since he chemo is starting. I'll keep you guys updated for sure!

A twist of events

This isn't easy, but I need to talk about this.

My dad has been sick since the end of January with what sounded like an upper respiratory infection. I personally thought it was bronchitis because of how his cough sounded (I know it well since I've had it three times since college). He could hardly hold a normal conversation with people because he was coughing so much. But he went to the doctor and they gave him an antibiotic. Which didn't work...Another one, and it still didn't work. I think they got up to three or four and no response.

By then it was March and no progress had been made. He finally got referred to a pulmonologist and went in for testing. Nothing was found in his lungs and they were functioning normal for his age. They thought he might have acid reflux, so they put him on Prilosec to help with that. While he was at the doctor, they did some blood work and found out he was anemic. His count was around 8 or 9 and is supposed to be at 12. They started him on iron supplements and wanted to see what happened. He started to get really tired cause his iron levels were low and such.

I'm not sure what exactly prompted this, but somehow he went in to the doctor to get a colonoscopy. I think they were just wanting to inspect more since the Prilosec wasn't working and the coughing was still there.

Last Tuesday, my mom, dad and his girlfriend Kay found out that my dad has stage four colon cancer. I found out on Wednesday while my mom was down in Oklahoma moving me to my first apartment. He had to tell me over the phone, but I'm glad she was there.

For those of you who don't really know my family dynamic, my parents divorced when I was about 2. They have remained very close over the years (as far as divorced parents go) and my dad actually contacted my mom for help when going to doctor's appointments. The three of them have attended almost every appointment together and have each other's backs I guess you could say. It's sounds strange to anyone else I'm sure, but it's been my life for a while so I guess I'm used to it.

They are going in with chemo to shrink the cancer before they try to operate. He gets a "site" put in his body near his heart to hook up to the chemo. The chemo should start in a few weeks, and they doctor said he shouldn't lose his hair.

Tuesday he is getting a full body and brain scan done to make sure the cancer isn't anywhere else. They are also taking cells from his liver to make sure it hasn't spread there.

Anyways, the point of this post is to just let my very slim amount of readers know that I need your help. My family is in need of your prayers right now.

My dad has asked specifically for strength while his body endures this. He is changing his diet a lot to help beat the cancer. His doctor's and our family is confident that he will beat the cancer and we aren't letting anyone else tell us any different.

My Aunt Susan was diagnosed with several types of cancer at the same time 20 years ago and was given 7 years to live. She is now 51, healthy and cancer free. We have a lot of hope.

Just please pray when you have the time. Our God can work miracles when we give him all the power.