Life can change so quickly...

Tiffany628

in what seems like the blink of an eye. Four years ago my DH was diagnosed with a low grade brain tumor and received radiation in which the tumor stopped growing and was considered "dormant."  Life returned to "normal" and thus we thought life was well.  In this time we married and conceived our miracle (we were told it was unlikely he would be able to have children due to the prior radiation). Life had settled down and we were anxiously looking forward to baby "Maddy."  He started having headaches shortly after Labor Day and went in for his routine MRI and they found a second tumor 2 and 1/2 weeks ago.  He was admitted into the hospital and underwent another brain surgery in which they discovered a larger, more aggressive tumor. Our lives have been totally changed as we see many different doctors, await referrals to specialists, and soon will begin intensive therapies.  He came home from the hospital almost a week ago, but things will never be "normal" again for us.  I just want you ladies to know how much I miss reading your posts and focusing in on the baby.  I'm not sure how to feel or how to cope, but the one thing I regret the most is how I took for granted there would be time for my DH once the dishes were done, once the bills were paid, once the house was cleaned, once the laundry was folded.  If anything this experience is teaching me is how precious time is.  I use to look forward to tomorrow when I'd have less on my "to-do" list, but for us there may not be tomorrow so we have to make the most of today.  My laundry room is filled with laundry to be put away, my kitchen floor has crumbs, and there is 3 weeks worth of magazines/catalogs/coupons on the table to be read and sorted.  However, I'm off to make dinner with DH for at least one more night.  I probably would have never understood the things I've shared with you until now because I am actually experiencing and living this cruel twist of fate.  I hope that you take the time to enjoy your DH or be glad you have the chance to get angry with him forgetting to take out the garbage.  It's the most mundane things of our lives I miss the most as things have been turned upside down.  I pray you'll never be in my shoes or experience anything as frightening as this.  So please if you take anything away from our story let it be that tomorrow may never come so try any make the most of today.  Don't forget to say I love you or rush through the door without stopping for a hug and kiss.  Much love to my December Mommies as we enter into the last weeks.

KatieM1106

I am so sorry for your suffering in what should be such a joyful time. I will keep your family in my prayers.

KateySue

My heart breaks for you. I am praying my guts out for you and your family - that you would be overwhelmed with peace and rest and that your husband would be restored to health and happiness quickly. You are so right - that we should all enjoy our moments together, big or small. I can't bare to tell you to hang in there...how does anybody in your situation hang in there? But I can tell you that I've got my friends praying for you and I am here if you need anything at all. 

Enjoy the small things in life, for one day you will look back and realize that they were big things.  

bubbles231211

Oh I am so sorry for what you are going through.  You're DH and you and your family are in my prayers, as I hope he can go through a quick recovry like the last time.

You're post made me realize I do need to take more time to be greatful for my DH especially since last night we fought over him not cleaning the house while I was at work late.  Thank you for helping me and all of us realize that we need to cherish every moment and to stop stressing over the mundane things.

Tiffany628

bubbles231211:

You're post made me realize I do need to take more time to be greatful for my DH especially since last night we fought over him not cleaning the house while I was at work late.  Thank you for helping me and all of us realize that we need to cherish every moment and to stop stressing over the mundane things.

We use to argue over things like this.   One of the things that annoyed me the most was his snoring.  It wasn't loud but just bothered me to no end when it woke me up.  Now, I lay awake at night listening to him, sometimes for hours just grateful he's next to me, still alive, and breathing.  It's really changed my entire perspective on what's really important.

LuckyladyJ

I am so sorry you are going thru this & I will pray for you & your family.. You are so right about how quickly life can change.We do need to appreciate each other more & be grateful for what we have....

kaleqt

I am so sorry. You and your family will be in my prayers.

spatel15

T&P go out to you and your family! You just reminded to cherish all my moments. Thank you.

mrspeltier

I'm praying so much for you!  May each and every moment be full of that love and appreciation you have for your husband.  In all you are going through, thank you for reminding us of what is really important.  Big hugs.

starb4long

There aren't words for how unfair life can be.  My thoughts and prayers are with you. 

lrn327

I will absolutely keep you all in my prayers.  Many hugs to you.

babyonthebrain2010

I'm so sorry you guys are going through this!  you'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

Cheekers2010

I hardly know what to say to you, but thank you for reminding us to cherish what we have.  I will try to remember this every day.  T & P's to you and your love.

principessa81

I am so incredibly sorry for what you and your family are going through right now. *hugs* I'm really grateful that you posted this; I got so mad at DH this morning because of a stupid chore he's been putting off for weeks now (cleaning the oven-it was REALLY bad), but shortly after he left for work I felt guilty for letting my annoyance escalate into an argument. In the grand scheme of things, it really isn't important.

You and your DH will be in my thoughts and prayers. *hugs again*

smiles325

I am so sorry for the pain and suffering your family is going through. I pray that you all will feel comforted through this time and that your DH heals quickly and can bounce back quickly. 

It's amazing what life lessons we learn and how we learn them. Be positive during this time, because positivity is what will bring forth positive results.

Hang in there girl. *hugs*  

amberleeb

I am so sorry to hear about your DH, your family is in my prayers.

xxbabycakesxx

thank you for sharing your story and its definitely a reminder to not take things for granted.  your in my thoughts and prayers!

AndysGrl08

LB - You got PM.   Hugs

Kristi221

Tiffany628:

  We use to argue over things like this.   One of the things that annoyed me the most was his snoring.  It wasn't loud but just bothered me to no end when it woke me up.  Now, I lay awake at night listening to him, sometimes for hours just grateful he's next to me, still alive, and breathing.  It's really changed my entire perspective on what's really important.

I do this too. DH has had some health scares over the past year. We're still not even really sure what's going, though he's had nearly every major organ tested. Luckily his heart is fine, according to the tests, but we're working on ruling out lymphoma and a few other things.

Hug your hubbies tight ladies and thank whoever you thank for the good things in your life.

Tiffany - I'll keep you, your hubby and LO in my prayers. May you have countless more nights of listening to him breath, even snore, right next to you in bed where he belongs.

eaburger09

Many prayers and positive thoughts for you and your family!  I am so very sorry you all have to endure such heartache. 

HappyNutting

I'm so sorry for the pain you're feeling during what should be a joyous time.  I'm sending thoughts and prayers your way.

jcrawford76

I am so, so sorry to hear what you and your husband are going through. You have my thoughts and prayers.

LW2410

I'm so sorry. My thoughts are with you. I hope that the surgery was successful and any further treatment will be, as well.

LaLaaaa

Words can't express how sorry I am for you and your husband.  I'll have you all in my thoughts these coming weeks.   Lots of hugs and strength your way.

nursedevivo

I don't even know what to say....sure puts life in perspective. Hugs and prayers and healing thoughts being sent your way.

 

lulu3061

I'm so sorry you're going through this, I really don't even have any words that could possibly help.  I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

I just noticed that you're in my area - I'll PM you as well. 

KJKNAJ

You sound like a strong supportive wife - your DH is lucky to have you as well as you him! Hugs to you and lean on us whenever you need us.

paigeapoe

T&P. I don't ever want to imagine dealing with something so horribly difficult in what is supposed to be a joyous time, or even in a normal time. Keep your chin up and your prayers with god. He has a will and though we don't always see it, there is always an up after the down.

meganpearl11

Me and my family will be praying for you through this difficult time and praying that your husband makes a full recovery. 

Thank you for the reminder to appreciate the small things. 

missliz01

I'll be sending many positive thoughts out for you and your husband.

misskate28

You and your family are in my thoughts.  It's so true that life changes so quickly and I hope it can change for the better for you and your DH soon.   Thank you for the reminder to let the petty things go.  Just know that we're all here for you and truly care and will be more than happy to listen whenever you need someone to share your trials with.   

welshgirl

I'm so sorry you and your DH are going through this, especially right now. I'm sending so many T&P your way, hoping for good news and many happy years as a family together.

JulietL129

Just wanted to offer my T&P and support to you and your family.

My SIL has been battling brain cancer for 7 years and in the past 2 years, it has been very, very difficult- but I'd like to share her story with you because it offers amazing hope. She had her 1st tumor removed in 2003 (9 weeks before she married my brother...she didn't get any further treatment at that time because the tumor was encapsulated and they thought they got it all) and by early 2008 it had grown back, approximately twice the size it was originally. In January 2009, she had to have emergency brain surgery because it ruptured. Because the damage to her brain was so severe during the surgery (her tumor stem is very, very deep in her brain), we were told she would not wake up- and if she did, the damage would leave her in a permanent vegetative state. We all said our goodbyes and she was taken off her machines to see what would happen. Thankfully, she did wake up- and today she's still taking care of her beautiful 6 year old daughter. She does have permanent vision distortion because of the damage she sustained- but otherwise she's doing really well. She underwent chemo and now has MRI's every 6 months to monitor any regrowth (they weren't able to remove some of the tumor because it was just too deep in her brain- but to date, it hasn't regrown at all). 

I'm so sorry that you and your family are going through this as I know all too well the constant fear that something like this causes- but I just wanted you to know that sometimes, amazing things can happen when the outcome is seemingly very hopeless. Please know, even on your hardest days, that there are people thinking of you both- I hope that can offer you some comfort. 

 

slwprincess

Thank you.  I needed this today.  I just said a prayer for all 3 of you but especially for you.  Unfortunately, I have also learned this lesson the hard way in the past but even so, I just realized how easily I have forgotten.  I knew better than to take life for granted and yet that's exactly what I've been doing lately.  I needed this reminder.  Hugs. 

2BMrs.B

I am so, so sorry.  My thoughts and prayers are with you, your husband and your upcoming arrival. Thank you for the reminder as well.  (((HUGS))))

Jenny102783

I am so sorry you are going through this. Sending thoughts and prayers your way. ::hugs::

bosha711

omg, I am so very sorry. I will be praying for your husband & your family. ((hugs))

Tiffany628

JulietL129:

Just wanted to offer my T&P and support to you and your family.

My SIL has been battling brain cancer for 7 years and in the past 2 years, it has been very, very difficult- but I'd like to share her story with you because it offers amazing hope. She had her 1st tumor removed in 2003 (9 weeks before she married my brother...she didn't get any further treatment at that time because the tumor was encapsulated and they thought they got it all) and by early 2008 it had grown back, approximately twice the size it was originally. In January 2009, she had to have emergency brain surgery because it ruptured. Because the damage to her brain was so severe during the surgery (her tumor stem is very, very deep in her brain), we were told she would not wake up- and if she did, the damage would leave her in a permanent vegetative state. We all said our goodbyes and she was taken off her machines to see what would happen. Thankfully, she did wake up- and today she's still taking care of her beautiful 6 year old daughter. She does have permanent vision distortion because of the damage she sustained- but otherwise she's doing really well. She underwent chemo and now has MRI's every 6 months to monitor any regrowth (they weren't able to remove some of the tumor because it was just too deep in her brain- but to date, it hasn't regrown at all). 

I'm so sorry that you and your family are going through this as I know all too well the constant fear that something like this causes- but I just wanted you to know that sometimes, amazing things can happen when the outcome is seemingly very hopeless. Please know, even on your hardest days, that there are people thinking of you both- I hope that can offer you some comfort. 

 

 

Thanks for sharing this story.  When you first hear the diagnosis and the statistics its pretty grim.  My FSIL's boss was also treated for an a Stage III brain tumor almost 6 years ago.  Since then he's had 2 children and continues to do well.  It's comforting to hear stories of beating the odds.  Before my DH underwent his emergency surgery 2 weeks ago we were given the same possibility as well.  There was also a good chance he would be completely paralyzed on his left side.  When I finally got to see him and saw he could open his eyes, I thought okay - he can open his eyes, then many hours later he started to move his hands - I thought better, then hours later came the feet and I was ecstatic.  It took him about 2 days before he had enough strength to walk a few feet, but it was amazing to see him make such progress rather quickly.  He's stubborn so when he makes up his mind about something - he sets out to achieve it.  I was so grateful for each milestone he gained back. If anything, we've become stronger as a couple and made our love for one another deeper.  I wish your SIL the best as she continues her battle and pray that soon there will be a "cure." Something that will stop the growth of these tumors.  Thanks for sharing her story.